For decades, the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) and millions of activists, people of faith, and concerned citizens from around the globe have been calling for an end to capital punishment. These efforts have generated substantial progress – since the late ’90s, we have seen a steady decline in new death sentences in the U.S., as well as a decline in the number of people who have been executed. 

I’ve been lucky enough to serve as archivist for AFSC going on 15 years now. I still find myself surprised (and occasionally in awe) at the work, the connections, the reach of the AFSC throughout its over century-long history. 

Last month, we asked the AFSC community to support residents of New Orleans in making a full recovery from Hurricane Ida. Thank you to everyone who contributed to our efforts!

On Aug. 29, Hurricane Ida made landfall in Louisiana—16 years to the day that Hurricane Katrina struck the state. Ida brought winds of 150 miles per hour, leaving more than 1 million people without power.