ArteVism fellow Ariana Cruz-Araiza PVI / AFSC
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Pan Valley Institute (PVI), Fresno
Video highlights experiences of youth in the Central Valley
Four fellows with AFSC’s Pan Valley Institute have created More Than a Bread Basket, a film showing the diversity and cultural richness of their communities while examining the struggles faced by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). PVI Director Myrna Martínez Nateras said one of the goals of the fellowship program was to “empower and foster civic engagement and community building through artistic expression among Latinx and Indigenous youth in the Central Valley.”
Arizona Program, Tucson
Legislative work centers voices of people inside prison
AFSC Arizona values healing and restoration as the means to safer communities. But many Arizona statutes are outdated and run afoul of these values. Our ReFraming Justice reform efforts aim to update or eliminate harmful legislation that hurts our families and communities. This year we centered the stories of people currently incarcerated in our legislative advocacy efforts. People inside sent us their stories and calls for change.
Xochitl Oseguera, Vice President of Moms Rising/Mamas Con Poder,
delivering petitions to Regions Bank. FAMILIES BELONG TOGETHER
Economic Activism Program, Oakland
Working to end funding for private prisons
AFSC’s Economic Activism Program is pleased to share this news of Regions Bank of Alabama ending its relationship with CoreCivic, the world’s largest private prison corporation. “We were involved in engaging with the bank as investors, along with others, and doing the research exposing this bank as one of the ones that provide ongoing credit to CoreCivic,” said Dov Baum of AFSC. Nine other banks have already taken similar steps. Learn more by visiting the Investigate website.
67 Sueños, Oakland
Demanding the closure of all private prisons
From Instagram: The Biden administration recently announced an end to private prison contracts. THIS IS HUGE! Without people fighting every day, this achievement would never have happened. However, the order did not mention Homeland Security detentions, which has a long track record of human rights violations. We demand the closure of all private prisons across the nation, even when they, too, hide behind different names like detention centers, facilities and reformatories!
A portion of a mural memorializing Anastasio Hernandez Rojas
and his family at Barrio Logan Heights Chicano Park. Photo: Pedro Rios
US-Mexico Border Program, San Diego
International tribunal to hear the case of Hernandez Rojas
Pedro Rios of AFSC shares an important development in the case of Anastasio Hernandez Rojas, whose 2010 killing by the Border Patrol was covered up. Recently, Anastasio’s family, with support from Alliance San Diego, filed testimony from three former DHS employees in support of their case in front of the Inter-American Commission for Human Rights. This is the first case the international tribunal is hearing about an extrajudicial killing by U.S. law enforcement.
Healing Justice Program, Oakland
AFSC joins partners in backing new Racial Justice Act for All
Fatimeh Khan of AFSC shares this press release from Assemblymember Ash Kalra (D-San Jose) announcing the introduction of the California Racial Justice Act for All, AB 256. This bill extends the protections provided in last year’s AB 2542, a first-of-its-kind law in the state prohibiting the use of race, ethnicity, or national origin in sentencing and convictions. AFSC joins eight other organizations in sponsoring the legislation.
Farming for Social Change Gathering 2017 (Photo: AFSC New Mexico)
People of the Land Program, Albuquerque
Farming for social change
AFSC has a long history of supporting traditional and sustainable farming practices that build economic and environmental justice, writes Sayrah Namaste and AFSC colleagues. Recently, Sayrah and New Mexico Program Co-Director Patrick Jaramillo joined colleagues from New Orleans and North Korea to look at farming efforts in several locations across the U.S. and internationally. They explored how AFSC is working to combat climate change and build peace through food security.
Project Voice Immigrant Rights Program, Oregon-Washington
Panel discusses quarantine assistance and labor relief in Oregon
Pedro Sosa of AFSC recently joined this Spanish and indigenous languages Facebook Live discussion of quarantine assistance and labor relief in Oregon. Pedro begins speaking at the 8:54 mark and describes the Kalapuyana people and their languages. Pedro also lifts up the life of Antonio Bernabé, a staunch defender of the rights of immigrant workers.
Roots for Peace (R4P) Program, Los Angeles
Update from the South Los Angeles community farm
Members of the South LA community farm are practicing a long-term sustainability plan, producing fresh foods, and helping develop a local food system. People are creating a compost hub for their communities and are hosting workshops to guide new members on how to run the urban farm. Members have organized themselves into different work groups to collectively upkeep the farm and share the responsibilities. Follow Roots for Peace on Instagram.
Hilda Martinez Murillo (photo: Gabriela Flora)
Immigrant Rights Program, Denver
Border Patrol re-detained Colorado mom and activist
Despite new enforcement priorities, Border Patrol recently re-detained Hilda Martinez Murillo, a mother and community leader as she was about to be reunited with her family. You can see her speaking via phone from jail in New Mexico in our virtual “Love Knows No Borders” detention center vigil here along with the loves ones of other people impacted by detention and deportation.
Hilda has been a leader with the Colorado office’s project, the Not1more Deportation table, for two years. AFSC Colorado coordinated with Hilda, other organizations, and lawyers to win her release. Upon release Hilda issued a call to Congress to demilitarize the border and end detention. “At the Border Patrol station where I was held from February 4 to 5, I was denied the opportunity to speak to my lawyer and also denied medical attention for 24 hours,” Hilda said. “No one should be treated like this.” Coverage includes Denver Channel and KDVR.
Short takes
In this opinion piece, Pedro Rios of AFSC writes that truth and reconciliation commissions could help the US move beyond polarization…. Read AFSC’s statement on the entry into force of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons….Check out the winter issue of AFSC’s Alumni newsletter….Explore AFSC’s new Under the Mask website for information on how governments are using COVID-19 to impose authoritarian policies – and how civil society is organizing in resistance.
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