AZ votes for CJ Reform 2020 AFSC
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Arizona Program, Tucson
Arizonans approve Prop 207, the “Smart and Safe Act”
Caroline Isaacs of AFSC offers this recap of election results in Arizona, including overwhelming approval of progressive changes regarding marijuana possession, DUI laws, expungement of certain records, and a new Justice Reinvestment Fund to support community-based programs. Colleague Becca Fealk is quoted in this article about the marijuana law changes, Joe Watson shares about the challenges to voting for people incarcerated but not yet convicted of a crime, and new #ReFramingJustice organizer Enrique Olivares-Pelayo talks about voting rights restoration.
Pan Valley Institute (PVI), Fresno
ArteVism Fellows develop social media campaign on voting
Myrna Nateras Martinez of AFSC writes that PVI’s ArteVism Fellows developed a social media campaign to provide a platform for Latinx, Indigenous and other youth of color to express why it was important for them to participate in the 2020 elections. The Fellows developed graphics and crafted the messaging. Voting provides hope for a future in which youth of color would be free to walk on the streets without fear of being stopped by the police.
Healing Justice Program, Oakland
Addressing militarized policing and decarceration in California
On a recent AFSC Facebook Live, Chris Chavers and John Lindsay-Poland talk about AFSC’s work to end militarized policing and build support for decarceration. Along with AFSC’s 67 Sueños staff and partners, they invite you to a Youth-led Town Hall on Militarized Policing in Oakland on Wednesday, Nov. 18 at 5 pm PT. Fatimeh Khan of AFSC shares this summary of healing justice legislation in the California Assembly and propositions considered by voters.
photo: Angelina Lopez-Brody
People of the Land Program, Albuquerque
Great Carrot Crunch is a win-win for youth and sustainable farmers
Angelina Lopez-Brody writes about AFSC New Mexico’s latest Great Carrot Crunch Campaign that’s supporting local farmers while getting nutritious food into the hands of hundreds of youth. “We believe all people, regardless of income, should have access to healthy food,” Angelina writes. “AFSC continues to focus on supporting our small-scale sustainable farms during this pandemic. We hope these practices can become a model for how we can shift systems in the face of increasing climate change.”
Immigrant Rights Program, Denver
Denver more than doubles immigrant defense fund
From Facebook: Years of organizing by AFSC and its partners, including Coloradoans For Immigrant Rights and Not1More, resulted in an important victory recently. The City and County of Denver voted to increase their funding of the Immigrant Legal Services Defense fund by $300,000 for a total of $500,000 for 2021. We'll continue to organize to make that funding permanent and to create a statewide fund until we reach universal representation. With COVID outbreaks at the GEO immigrant detention facility in Aurora, access to effective legal counsel is needed now more than ever.
Roots for Peace (R4P) Program, Los Angeles
Joy and celebration for accomplishments in a heavy year
From Instagram: Wow, what a year – it took a village to make all that we accomplished possible. As heavy as the year continues to be, celebration and joy are essential….First, we hosted the first ever R4P virtual freedom school…Then we supported a powerful multilingual international youth summit with AFSC sibling programs, and R4P youth rocked the open mic session. Finally, we teamed up with @lacompost on a workshop for youth and members of the farm. Gratitude to all the young people, facilitators, and adult allies who made this and so much more possible this year.
67 Sueños, Oakland
Celebrating Dia De Los Muertos
Every year during the fall, 67 Sueños youth spend time learning the hxstory of Dia De Los Muertos and building an altar that highlights a specific theme while also honoring our community and loved ones. Although this year we could not build a physical altar together, we decided to create a digital altar on our timeline. Check out 67 Sueños on Instagram for a series of posts showcasing our youth’s art, stories, and poetry that were created for this special celebration.
US-Mexico Border Program, San Diego
Vigil memorializes first person to die of COVID-19 under ICE custody
For Dia De Los Muertos, AFSC and partners organized a vigil in memory of Carlos Escobar Mejia. The vigil was held at the Otay Mesa Detention Center, where he was detained before being transferred to a local hospital where he died in May 2020 as a result of complications from COVID-19. Carlos was the first person to die of COVID-19 under ICE custody. See this related article in Spanish.
Project Voice Immigrant Rights Program, Oregon-Washington
Extending a helping hand to victims of wildfires
AFSC and a partner organization, Mano a Mano, recently brought donations from people in Salem and Portland to families affected by the wildfire in Talent and Phoenix, Oregon. Pedro Sosa of AFSC reports that the Almeda Fire sparked up in early September near Ashland. Driven by a warm, dry wind, it sped north to the commercial hub of Medford, Phoenix and Talent. According to conversations AFSC had with community members, more than 3000 houses burned.
Economic Activism Program, Oakland
As holidays approach, boycott Pillsbury, bake for Palestinian rights
Join our No Dough for the Occupation campaign to hold General Mills accountable for manufacturing Pillsbury products in an illegal Israeli settlement on occupied Palestinian land.
We ask that you post a picture of a baked good on social media. Use this caption: “I made this without any @Pillsbury products. BoycottPillsbury.org #BoycottPillsbury.” If you want, add more information about why you’re boycotting Pillsbury, and tag AFSC’s social media accounts.
Short takes
Give today to support Guatemalans devastated by Hurricane Eta….AFSC is calling for the restoration of funding for UNWRA, the primary health, education, and assistance provider to millions of Palestinian refugees across the Middle East…. Read AFSC’s statement on why we can’t have healing without reckoning….AFSC’s dynamic Strategic Plan for the next 10 years is now online….Catch up with other AFSC alumni through the fall newsletter….Learn these do’s and don’ts of bystander intervention…. Read about AFSC’s latest work in the Midwest Region and South Region.
Your support matters
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