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Healing Justice Program, Oakland
California passes bill to address racial bias in courts
In a major win propelled by AFSC and partners, the California State Legislature has passed the Racial Justice Act for All. “Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities have been plagued by racist policies and overrepresented in our prisons and courts for far too long,” said Fatimeh Khan of AFSC. “For those incarcerated due to racial bias, the Racial Justice Act for All provides a path forward to fight the systemic racism that has contaminated our legal system.” Please sign this petition urging Governor Newsom to sign the bill into law.
The Healing Justice Program also invites you to sign up here for the final two sessions of AFSC’s webinar series on Restorative Justice. Fatimeh is a collaborator on this series, which seeks to develop an understanding of restorative justice and its practices and how to strengthen your community through accountability.
AFSC staff and partners protest the proposed Santolina development outside the Bernalillo County building before the Commissioners approved the latest request from the developers.
People of the Land Program, Albuquerque
Despite setback, water defenders continue struggle against developer
“The Middle Rio Grande Valley is in a water crisis,” writes Patrick Jaramillo of AFSC about a proposed development that would become New Mexico’s third largest city. “The sight of a bone-dry riverbed is a look into our future – a future of less and less water available to us. We need to prepare ourselves for that future and make wise decisions about how we manage the resource that sustains our life here.” Read more.
Project Voice Immigrant Rights Program, Oregon-Washington
Helping the Oregon Relief Fund reach indigenous communities
According to Pedro Sosa of AFSC, the Oregon Relief Fund will begin again in October to support undocumented workers without access to the economic stimulus. AFSC will help with outreach to Indigenous communities impacted by Covid 19 by conducting virtual community forums through Facebook in Indigenous languages. In its first year, the fund distributed over $60 million to more than 37,000 people. Stay connected with AFSC’s work on Facebook.
Roots for Peace (R4P) Program, Los Angeles
Freedom School looks at intersectionality and organizing skills
Roots For Peace recently finished its six-week Freedom School! This year’s focus was on developing an intersectional analysis of institutions and systems of oppression and developing organizing skills. The nineteen participants came from all over Los Angeles, with many from South Central. Most participants were high school aged, though the program was diverse in thought due to participants varied experience with community organizing, creating a positive and dynamic learning environment. By the end of the program, participants expressed a deep sense of connection with one another and a newly found desire to be involved in creating a better community.
Pan Valley Institute (PVI), Fresno
Fresno urges senator to oppose Farm Workforce Modernization Act
Congress is considering a bill that could create a pathway to citizenship for some farmworkers—but fails to provide genuine protections for all farmworkers. The bill could also put some farmworkers at higher risk for exploitation by employers. “We urge Senator Padilla to oppose this act and more than anything, to listen to us,” says Myrna Martinez Nateras of AFSC. Myrna said advocates have met several times with the senator’s staff, but not yet directly with him. That needs to change. Learn more.
67 Sueños, Oakland
Partner group thanks 67 Sueños in advance of dance performance
On Instagram, Lenora Lee Dance thanked 67 Sueños in advance of their Sept. 1-11 performance of In the Movement, “a heartfelt and explosive dance piece focusing on separation of families and mass detention of immigrants as forms of incarceration. It serves as a meditation on reconciliation and restorative justice, speaking to the power of individuals and communities to transcend.” Also, 67 has a part-time Youth Lead intern available; apply by Sept. 21.
In San Diego, families and community members speak out against abuses by Border Patrol and call for accountability. Photo: Pedro Rios
US-Mexico Border Program, San Diego
Victory in ongoing work to stop Border Patrol abuses
For decades, Border Patrol has operated secretive units that have obstructed justice for migrants killed by border agents. Community groups, including AFSC, have been working for years to expose these unlawful units and shut them down. This year, the Biden administration responded, announcing it would disband the units—a victory in our ongoing work to stop abuses by Border Patrol. Read more from Pedro Rios of AFSC.
Immigrant Rights Program, Denver
Colorado organizer and family win their immigration case!
Lupe Lopez and her family invited friends to a recent press conference to celebrate their final immigration legal win. After she and her partner were stopped for going five miles over the speed limit in 2012, the Colorado State Patrol arrested everyone in their car and transferred them to immigration. The couple reached out to AFSC and other organizations to learn about their rights. Now, Lupe is a well-respected organizer for AFSC helping the larger community. For all her efforts, she was honored with the first-ever CIRC Impact Award.
Economic Activism Program, Oakland
Investing in racial justice
AFSC has been helping to activate a Racial Justice Investing group of 400 investors who want to do good on racial justice. Recently, a small steering committee has been meeting very intensively trying to build a structure for this group, a protocol for activation and working groups, issues to work on, and companies to engage with. It’s all interesting, potentially impactful, and hard work. Racial Justice Investing includes a link to AFSC’s Investigate database.
Short takes
AFSC is a co-sponsor of the Palestinian festival described above in Denver on October 8….Apply today to serve as AFSC’s Quaker Engagement Director, Peacebuilding Director, Migration Director or Associate General Secretary for Global Cohesion….On September 12, take part in Defund Hate’s National Day of Action and catch this Cary Lecture on Bayard Rustin….Tell Congress it’s time to reverse post-9/11 policies and stand up for climate 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!