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Economic Activism Program, Oakland
General Mills divests from Israel following AFSC-led campaign
In 2020, AFSC and partners started a campaign calling on General Mills to stop making Pillsbury products on stolen Palestinian land. Recently, the company announced it had divested its Israeli business altogether, selling its stake in the subsidiary that manufactures Pillsbury products in an illegal settlement. “General Mills’ divestment shows that public pressure works even on the largest of corporations,” said Noam Perry of AFSC. Read more and send your thanks.
New Mexico staff and partners celebrate AFSC’s Farm to Preschool work.
People of the Land Program, Albuquerque
Celebrating Farm to Preschool work
On June 8, AFSC New Mexico wrapped up an 18-month grant-funded project connecting local farmers with preschools. We held a celebration and received the report from our independent evaluator with his findings. Read more about our celebration and the future of this work here.
Project Voice Immigrant Rights Program, Oregon-Washington
AFSC takes #FreeThemAll message to Tacoma Detention Center
On a rainy Mother’s Day, a caravan with AFSC’s #FreeThemAll campaign brought their message to the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma, WA. In this Facebook Live, Pedro Sosa of AFSC describes the messages sent in for the immigrant mothers. Learn more about AFSC’s work to Free Them All.
Roots for Peace (R4P) Program, Los Angeles
Freedom School applications due June 17
Adlaberto Rios of AFSC writes that Roots for Peace is planning a summer Freedom School for 20 South Central youth ages 15-22. Youth will deepen their understanding of race, class, gender, and environmental justice. And they will organize to address issues that affect our communities in South Central Los Angeles, such as access to healthy, locally grown food. Applications are due June 17. Keep up with Roots for Peace on Instagram.
Photo: Pedro Rios
Healing Justice Program, Oakland
Lawsuit forces compliance with California law on police weaponry
In response to an AFSC lawsuit, the city of Orange, CA has released records of police weaponry. “Orange’s disclosure of records of military gear used by police in response to our litigation shows that all cities and counties need to be transparent,” says John Lindsay-Poland of AFSC. “It is important for community members to understand just how militarized law enforcement has become.” Read more in AFSC’s report Equipped for War.
From left: AFSC people Gabriela Flora, Hilda Martinez, Jennifer Piper, Erika Vargas and Jordan Garcia
Immigrant Rights Program, Denver
Partner organization honors AFSC’s work for immigrant justice
The Colorado People’s Alliance recently honored AFSC for its work organizing “allies, faith communities and immigrants along the Front Range to support immigrant justice….AFSC envisions a Colorado where policy is defined by those directly impacted! They do their work through two groups of member-leaders: Coloradoans for Immigrant Rights (CFIR) and the Not1More Deportation Table.”
From left: ArteVism Fellows Joshua Slack, Hana Luna Her, Michael Piña and Paulina Rodriguez Ruiz. Photo: Eduardo Stanley
Pan Valley Institute (PVI), Fresno
Fellows combine art, activism to find belonging in the Central Valley
In this blog, Myrna Martinez Nateras of AFSC introduces you to four young people who brought their vision to life through AFSC’s ArteVism Fellowship Program. Fellows combine art and activism to create provocative programming that engages the community. “We want diverse communities to have the resources they need to cultivate positive change,” writes Myrna.
The Pilgrimage’s stop at Chicano Park
US-Mexico Border Program, San Diego
Pilgrimage demands immigrant justice
Adriana Jasso of AFSC reports that the statewide Pilgrimage for a Better Future 2022 made its way to San Diego on May 30. AFSC staff supported the hosting of two events. The first, at Chicano Park, commemorated the 12th anniversary of Anastasio Hernandez Rojas' case. The second, at Otay Mesa Detention Center, demanded that the facility be shut down.
67 Sueños, Oakland
Mural addresses healing, community and the urgent need for change
From Instagram: It started as a banner but ended up being our little baby mural…. We say good morning to padre sol y buenas noches to madre luna, We are screaming H.Y.P.H.Y! (Help Your People Help Yourself) while the paletero is serving sweets in the neighborhood, honoring those who work the land with their own hands, as we travel to distant places that became our home but never forgetting our roots, cultura y corazón.
Short takes
With the recent mass shootings in Uvalde, Buffalo, and around the country, many of us are grappling with what we can do to keep all our community members safe. That includes examining the role of policing in our society. In our Community Safety Beyond Policing webinar series, we recently explored ways to prevent violence—without increasing our reliance on police…. Take action for reproductive justice…. Read AFSC’s Annual Report for 2021.
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