AFSC mourns the passing of Archbishop Desmond Mpilo Tutu. The South African social rights activist played a pivotal role in helping to end apartheid. 

He was the first Black archbishop of Cape Town and bishop of the Church of the Province of Southern Africa. But his teachings and commitment to nonviolence reached beyond his home country, speaking to people struggling for equality and freedom around the globe. 

Since 2014, AFSC has partnered with Defense for Children International-Palestine on the No Way to Treat a Child campaign. We’re working to end the Israeli military detention of Palestinian children–as part of our ongoing work to promote Palestinian children’s rights. 

Thousands of individuals as well as Quaker meetings, congregations, colleges, and other groups have joined our efforts. Together, we have urged Congress to stop U.S. assistance to Israel from funding Palestinian child detention and other human rights violations. 

Last May, the Israeli military attacked Gaza. At least 253 Palestinians were killed, including 66 children. At the height of the attack, over 113,000 people were displaced from their homes. All of this as COVID-19 continued to spread through a population with very limited access to vaccines.  

La Posada Sin Fronteras is a re-enactment of the Bible story of Mary and Joseph. While sojourners in Bethlehem, they were forced to seek shelter on the night of Jesus' birth—much like many migrants today seek shelter to protect themselves and their families. The posada is a venerated Christmas tradition across the Americas.