On Jan 10, Gen. John Kelly faced the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee to answer questions related to his nomination for Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Kelly is one of at least six confirmation hearings this week for cabinet posts, and Sen. Chuck Schumer has claimed that “Senate Republicans are trying to ram [nominees] through as quickly as possible.” The frenzied schedule virtually guarantees that concerns about individual nominees won’t get the attention that such important decisions deserve. 

From sanctuary to sit-ins, resisting registries to archiving data, people across the country are mobilizing against racist and anti-human policy proposals. Here's what we're reading to learn more:

The return of civil disobedience, by Jelani Cobb via The New Yorker

An end to violence in Syria is possible, but will take international community commitment.

An Arabic proverb has been on my mind in recent days. Roughly translated, it goes, “They killed him then walked in his funeral mourning his death.” That, to me, is Syria.

Dr. Alma Abdul-Hadi Jadallah is the Quaker International Affairs Representative, Middle East, for AFSC. She is a conflict prevention and mitigation specialist and is the founder, president, and managing director of Kommon Denominator, Inc., an organization that is committed to leveraging social science research in support of the peaceful resolution of conflict.

Note: This post introduces a thread of work under the title "#SanctuaryEverywhere". There will be a Call for Spirited Action on Thursday, January 12 at 8:30p.m. with Lori and others to explore more on this topic. 

As 2016 draws to a close, we take a look at the inspiring work movements and communities are doing to prepare for the future.

Schools pledge to create safe spaces for undocumented students, by Casey Quinlan via Think Progress

For over a decade, Natalie Holbrook has worked for AFSC's Michigan Criminal Justice Program, advocating for people in prisons around the state. She reflects on the highs and lows that came with one recent week in her advocacy work.    

On Nov. 15, I picked my daughter up early from school and drove with her to Roman Village in Detroit for my friend Junito's coming home party. What a joyous day. His huge family filled a social hall at the restaurant. My daughter played balloon toss and hid under tables with Junito's nieces and nephews' small kids.

David Poundstone has been a member of Mountain View Friends Meeting (MVFM) in Denver since 2001.  He was serving as clerk when MVFM became involved in the Metro Denver Sanctuary Coalition.

Last week Mountain View Friends Meeting accepted Ingrid Encalada LaTorre into Sanctuary. These are the reflections of one member of the coaltion, the story of how the Meeting came to welcome Ingrid into their care and protection. To learn more about how your Meeting can welcome immigrants into Sanctuary and offer safety and protection in other ways, join our next Call for Spirited Action on "Sanctuary Everywhere" on January 12th from 8:30 to 9:30 pm ET.