This week, the news has been dominated by Congressional efforts to pass a tax bill that would give billions of dollars in tax breaks to the wealthy, while paving the way for austerity measures that would further harm poor and working people. Here’s what we’re reading to learn more:

Denise Altvater serves as Coordinator as the Wabanaki Youth Program in Maine. She has created a supportive web of connection and communication in a region where Native Communities have been isolated and abused.

Israel has the dubious distinction of being the only country in the world that systematically prosecutes between 500 and 700 children in military courts each year. From the moment of arrest, Palestinian children encounter ill-treatment and torture at the hands of Israeli forces. Three out of four experience physical violence during arrest or interrogation.

Denise Altvater serves as Coordinator as the Wabanaki Youth Program in Maine. She has created a supportive web of connection and communication in a region where Native Communities have been isolated and abused. With her leadership, the American Friends Service Committee's Wabanaki Program (Maine) was instrumental in developing the first Truth and Reconciliation commission between a sovereign Tribal nation and a U.S.

There are approximately 700 miles of walls that separate the U.S. and Mexico. This has created a humanitarian disaster and split border communities in two.

Contact Congress. Tell them to say no to more funding for walls, ICE, and Border Patrol.