“Only God has the right to take a life,” lamented 51-year old David Ramos. His first-born child, Jose, had been killed by military police while peacefully protesting fraud in the recent presidential election in Honduras. As I listened to David and others speak about the injuries and killings of their loved ones, tears welled up in my eyes. My heart ached for their losses and for Honduras, which is also the homeland of my spouse.
Kimberly Krone is the youth justice attorney with AFSC's Immigrant Rights Program in Newark, New Jersey where she provides legal representation to immigrant children and youth, including those who are detained. Kimberly has been an advocate for immigrants’ rights in New Jersey since 2007, working with several different community organizations.
At least 18 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed and over 1,000 wounded while nonviolently demanding their right to return and an end to Israel's brutal military blockade. Here’s what we’re reading to learn more:
This week, Linda Brown—who was at the center of Brown v. Board of Education, the landmark case that led to school desegregation—died at the age of 76. We take a look at her legacy, and what young people are doing today to confront violence and racism in schools.
Linda Brown, Whose Landmark Lawsuit Led to School Desegregation, Dead at 76, by Monique Judge via The Root
An interview with Linda Lewis and Dan Jasper, detailing our ongoing work in North Korea and addressing the recent tensions between the United States and the DPRK.
Larry White and Russell Tucker served 32 and 23 years in prison, respectively. They tirelessly seek to reform the criminal justice system. Larry is the founder of Hope Lives for Lifers and a public speaker on prison issues and preventing recidivism. Russell works for Phoenix House, a drug rehabilitation and re-entry program that works on inner reflection and reform.
Note: Lewis provides sanctuary at AFSC's New York City office for currently and formerly incarcerated individuals, and provides safe space for young people in AFSC's Liberation Summer camp program who have a parent or sibling in prison. In this piece he reflects on what those spaces have meant for participants and for him. You can find part one here. – Christina