Sayrah Namaste and Patrick Jaramillo on AFSC Facebook Live AFSC
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People of the Land Program, Albuquerque
Addressing climate change, climate justice and community resiliency
AFSC New Mexico Program Co-Directors Patrick Jaramillo and Sayrah Namaste spoke on AFSC’s bi-weekly Facebook Live about their work related to climate change, combining ancestral practices with sustainable technology and supporting the long-used acequias – or water management systems. “The unique challenge that the acequias are facing now is that climate change is not limited to just our stream systems or one acequia system, but it’s impacting the whole region,” Patrick said. Sayrah added, “Cooperation and collective power are the history of New Mexico, and we are supporting and accompanying that in today’s very competitive, dominating agribusiness model.”
Read these excerpts from their talk about how AFSC is supporting land-based people, cooperative economics and a shift in farm subsidies and trade agreements away from agribusiness and to small-scale, family farmers.
Pedro Sosa, right, speaks in Portland. Photo - Kendall
Project Voice Immigrant Rights Program, Oregon-Washington
Rallying in solidarity with Haitian immigrants at the border
In front of the federal building in Portland, several groups joined with AFSC in the call to end the deportations of Haitian immigrants at the border and affirm that Black Lives Matter. Pedro Sosa of AFSC said, “We are here to send our message to the Biden administration. No more deportations! Repeal Title 42!” Title 42 is the Trump-era policy, continued by President Biden, that empowers the Border Patrol to expel asylum seekers against US and international law.
AFSC General Secretary Joyce Ajlouny with the newest 67 Sueños mural
67 Sueños, Oakland
Newest 67 Sueños mural celebrates diversity, healing
Oakland’s newest mural is “dedicated to the roots that hold Oakland (huichin) true. Grateful for the ancestors who cultivated and took care of this land so today we could call it home…. The beauty of our BIPOC hoods is made up from our diverse backgrounds, cultures and migration stories…. We paint this mural to remind us of the importance of healing generational trauma and ending cycles of pain, colonialism and capitalism.” Follow 67 Sueños on Instagram.
Immigrant Rights Program, Denver
Taking the message of Citizenship for All to DC
Lupe Lopez, AFSC organizer in Fort Morgan, Colorado, traveled to Washington, DC with a delegation fighting for Citizenship for All. She says, “I think our families deserve to live happily in tranquility with dignity and justice. I am here to advocate for citizenship and because I am tired of seeing the suffering of our immigrant community, that are always in the shadows. I am tired of seeing so many injustices from their employers.” Coloradoans returned to DC recently as part of #WelcomeWithDignity to insist on stopping the Title 42 policy that denies entry to people seeking security and peace through asylum.
Healing Justice Program, Oakland
Calling all people in the Tracy-Stockton area
Do you know anyone who lives in the Tracy/Stockton area? Fatimeh Khan of AFSC reports that Deuel Vocational Institute (DVI) in Tracy, CA recently went into warm shutdown mode, marking one of the most important shifts away from prison expansion in almost two decades. At this moment, we have a historic opportunity to define what prison closure looks like and the positive impact it could have on surrounding communities. If you know anyone in the Tracy-Stockton area, please ask them to fill out this survey. Thanks!
US Border Patrol – photo: Pedro Rios
US-Mexico Border Program, San Diego
Border Patrol deterrence strategy is “deadly by design”
Pedro Rios of AFSC writes that the militarization of border communities is forcing people who are migrating to take dangerous routes through hostile terrain. “The Biden administration must drastically change course by prioritizing humanitarian responses to migration and focusing on protecting the human rights of those seeking refuge,” Pedro says. He also recommends this new report entitled Smart Borders or a Humane World?
Pan Valley Institute (PVI), Fresno
Exploring definitions and identities
Michael Piña (she/he), a PVI ArteVism Fellow, has joined with desmarie jackson (he/they) to create this helpful page of definitions and identities to help people understand “what they mean and how they can affect your experiences and perspectives. You may choose to identify with all, some, or none of these identities…Ultimately, who you are is up to you and defined by you. A better understanding of yourself and others is integral to engaging with the world around you in critical, reflective, authentic ways.”
A Border Patrol agent on an ATV - Photo: Pedro Rios
Economic Activism Program, Oakland
Helping investors divest for immigrant rights
AFSC’s Investigate project has produced the first-ever divestment list for immigrant justice. We’ve also identified over 60 companies that profit from border militarization and surveillance and criminalization of immigrants. "These companies build border walls and so called ‘smart’ borders, hacking into our phones and tracking all our movements, hunting down immigrants and caging families,” says Dov Baum of AFSC. “It is time for us to divest from these harmful business activities and invest in our communities instead.”
Arizona Program, Tucson
How community defines safety
Grace Gamez of AFSC directs Reframing Justice, an advocacy platform for people impacted by the criminal legal system and mass criminalization. “The neighborhood defines safety as access to quality food, open spaces, healthcare, good schools, playgrounds, lights and sidewalks,” Grace explains in this interview. “Safety was not defined by more law enforcement presence in their already highly policed neighborhood. Safety was also described as having access to spaces where people can gather for events like block parties and potlucks.”
Roots for Peace (R4P) Program, Los Angeles
Wellness and Restoration gathering focuses on healing from harm
From Instagram: “The resources we create in our community are profound. This fall, Roots for Peace held one of the very few Wellness & Restoration gatherings for South Central youth, with conversations on incarceration, borders, houselessness, and other systems that harm our communities. We continue to express our gratitude for the youth participants and their vulnerability, tenacity and resiliency.”
Take action
Visit AFSC’s Get Involved page to support a robust reconciliation package, abolish the death penalty, end the Selective Service system, oppose Israel’s political attack on Palestinian rights organizations, and push for reopening the border to asylum seekers. Join this call on December 14 to learn more about divesting for immigrant justice.
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!