An interview with the director of the Good Neighbor Project of the AFSC Michigan Criminal Justice Program. 

Can you tell us about your work at AFSC?

From getting clean water to keeping a business open, the blockade is all about "finding ways to survive.”

Two weeks ago I was in Gaza to meet with AFSC’s staff and partners. I’ve been visiting Gaza at least a couple of times each year for most of the last nine years. During that time, I’ve watched the Gaza blockade evolve. 

This week, AFSC announced that it has endorsed the policy platform put forward by the Movement for Black Lives. This powerful platform puts forward a bold vision for racial, economic, and social justice. It is essential reading for anyone interested in these issues, and can be downloaded in booklet form. 

A new report by AFSC in Arizona exposes the growing "Treatment Industrial Complex"

The private prison industry has been in the news lately, and the news hasn’t been good. First the U.S. Department of Justice announced its plan to end its contracts with for-profit prison companies.

Emily Verdugo is the program coordinator for AFSC's Arizona office. An Arizona native, Emily grew up in Pinal County, the epicenter of prison privatization in Arizona. Emily served as City Council member for the City of Coolidge and has served on various boards and committees, including the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism and the Arizona Community Action Association.

Laura Magnani, Program Director for Healing Justice in the San Francisco office, interviewed Marie Levin, sister of Sitawa Nantambu Jamaa (aka Ronnie Dewberry) who spent 31 years in solitary confinement in California until the legal settlement reached in 2015 resulted in the transfer of 1500 prisoners to general population.

There are currently 21.3 million refugees throughout the world. Wealthy countries like the United States—which has played a role in instigating military conflict that leads to mass displacement across the globe—are doing little to alleviate this crisis. Here’s what we’re reading to learn more.