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Roots for Peace Program, Los Angeles
AFSC recommits to dismantling the racist system
In the wake of the police murder of George Floyd and subsequent repression of protestors, AFSC offices across the West Region and around the world are standing in solidarity with all those who seek full equity and justice. On Instagram, the LA Roots for Peace Program writes: “We stand with our AFSC comrades in Minneapolis who are holding space for young people and are calling for defunding the police and investing in community. We need this in every city, including Los Angeles.” AFSC urges people to take the People’s Budget survey and get involved in LA.
Demonstrating outside an HP shareholder meeting
Economic Activism Program, Oakland
New summer school to teach corporate research for social justice
We’re excited to announce the Economic Activism Program’s inaugural summer school and service-learning session, which will bring together a cohort of about a dozen participants for online training in corporate research for activism. This two-month program will consist of weekly three-hour sessions, including basic economic and financial literacy, divestment and boycott strategies, and a skills lab guiding participants in corporate research and campaign research. All sessions will be online. Stipends available; apply by June 10.
Photo: Jordan Garcia
Immigrant Rights Program, Denver
For-profit detention center rejects masks as the virus spreads
In May, AFSC staff, family members of detainees, and partner organizations, including Doctors for Camp Closure, attempted to deliver hundreds of surgical masks to immigrants detained inside the for-profit GEO Immigrant Detention Center near Denver. Their donation of masks was rejected even as cases of COVID-19 increase. “ICE should immediately act to safely release detainees to loved ones in the community and close the GEO facility,” said Jennifer Piper of AFSC in this article.
Celebrating San Ysidro Day in New Mexico
People of the Land Program, Albuquerque
Celebrating (and adapting) a spiritual and cultural tradition
AFSC’s work to accompany land-based people in New Mexico in their struggle for self-determination includes supporting their spiritual and cultural traditions around love of the land and water. For hundreds of years on May 15, people have marked the Feast of San Ysidro Labrador and his wife, Santa Maria de la Cabeza, both patron saints of farmers. This year, in light of the challenges posed by COVID-19, they did what humans so skillfully do: adapt. Learn more about this unique celebration.
Masks made by Syrian refugees for farmworkers
Pan Valley Institute (PVI), Fresno
Protecting each other during the pandemic
PVI’s COVID-19 activities through our “Protecting Each Other” project include mask making by Syrian refugees for farmworkers and advocating with local and state officials to ensure that testing and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is accessible and free for essential workers. We want to thank our Program Committee member Vickie Fouts for taking the initiative of launching this project and bringing together the organizations implementing the project. On May 26, PVI signed this letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom by a group of Central Valley Chicano/Mexican American activists, including Dolores Huerta and several Latinx mayors. Read more about PVI’s recent work.
67 Sueños, Oakland
Support undocumented families today
67 Sueños is calling for support for our undocumented youth and mixed-status families during COVID-19. During our online sessions (see above), youth have told us about experiencing financial hardships and life difficulties such as unemployment and reduced work hours, food and rent insecurity, and lack of other basic needs. Because our federal government fails to provide undocumented and many mixed-status families with relief, it is important that we stand in solidarity with those who are particularly vulnerable during these times. Please give today, and follow 67 Sueños on Instagram.
Delivering masks to farmworkers. Photo: Beth Ronk
Project Voice Immigrant Rights Program, Oregon-Washington
Standing in solidarity with farmworkers
AFSC is working closely with partners and friends to provide popular educational materials for hundreds of farmworkers while standing with workers who’ve initiated strikes at six fruit-processing companies. We’re urging the companies to negotiate with their workers and not retaliate against them, and we’re asking a simple question of government officials: “Why is the agricultural industry continuously allowed to put profit over the lives of farmworkers?” More on Facebook.
AFSC and partners attempt to deliver 800 facemasks to San Diego’s Otay Mesa Detention Center. (Photo: Pedro Rios)
US-Mexico Border Program, San Diego
Immigrant Relief Fund helping people left out
The Immigrant Relief Fund has benefited many people who have had their hours reduced, are temporarily not working, or have lost their jobs—individuals historically excluded from SNAP, housing assistance, and other social safety net programs because of their immigration status. AFSC staff was instrumental in directing a $6,000 seed grant from Oxfam to start the fund, which has since grown with contributions from foundations, organizations, and individuals like you. The fund is now administered by AFSC’s sister organization, Alliance San Diego. Please consider a donation today.
Arizona Program, Tucson
Acting in solidarity for justice for all
In light of the police killing of George Floyd and violent repression of protesters, the Arizona Program is asking people to review this resource list for Arizona organizations and bail funds you should financially support, elected leaders you should contact, and Black-owned businesses you should patronize. Also, AFSC encourages people to support The Second Chances Act and watch this inspiring video, entitled “We Belong to Each Other,” highlighting AFSC’s work to end the punishment system.
Paul Redd with his sister, Alvina Williams (right) and attorney Danielle Harris
of the SF Public Defender’s Office. (Photo: Laura Magnani)
Healing Justice Program, Oakland
Freed after 44 years in prison, Paul Redd continues advocacy work
Paul Redd, an icon of the movement against solitary confinement in California, was recently released after 44 years in prison, 30 of them in isolation. AFSC first published Paul’s ideas on isolation and consciousness in our Survival’s Manual in 1998. Now he will join AFSC’s legislative effort to require due process and corroboration before in-custody “information” is used against people in prison. The bill passed its first committee hearing May 20 and is on its way, attracting attention from all over the country. The key to such changes is lifting up the voices of those directly impacted either because they’ve been gang validated, over classified, or denied parole. All of these actions have been taken against Paul.
One next step
AFSC has shared this action alert to defund police, this press release on George Floyd’s murder, and these notes for white people taking part in #BlackLivesMatter protests.
Your support matters
Your gifts of time and money make a real difference. Please be in touch with any West Region program by visiting afsc.org, and support the AFSC West Region by donating today. Please share this subscription link for this newsletter with others. Thank you!