AFSC Bay Area

4 things you can do to support peace with North Korea this fall This holiday season, make a gift for peace, justice, and human dignity. Help meet urgent needs and support communities taking action to end violence, overcome oppression, and build a better world.

Take action to stop border militarization This holiday season, make a gift for peace, justice, and human dignity. Help meet urgent needs and support communities taking action to end violence, overcome oppression, and build a better world.

Immigration justice week of action set to begin on Human Rights Day This holiday season, make a gift for peace, justice, and human dignity. Help meet urgent needs and support communities taking action to end violence, overcome oppression, and build a better world.

Activists and advocates share their stories from the frontline of conflict at our African Voices of Hope panel discussion at the National Press Club (from left to right): Enass Muzamel (Sudan), Masud Gebeyehu Reta (Ethiopia), Yoal Gakuoth (South Sudan), and Suraya Ali Roble (Kenya).

We just received the devastating news that Refaat Alareer was killed today when Israeli forces bombed his sister’s home in Gaza where he was staying. His brother, sister, and four of their children were also killed. Refaat was a contributor to AFSC’s anthology Light in Gaza (2022). He was the co-editor of Gaza Unsilenced (2015) and editor of (and a contributor to) Gaza Writes Back (2014). He was a native of Gaza City's Shijaieh neighborhood, and a professor of English Literature at the Islamic University in Gaza.

Refaat worked closely with emerging Palestinian writers to help them develop their creative writing skills. In 2018, Refaat organized a writing seminar at the AFSC office in Gaza City, for young people interested in contributing to AFSC’s publication “Life Under Blockade: A Collection of Essays” (published in 2018). His book Gaza Writes Back is a compilation of short stories written in English by young Palestinian writers living in the Gaza Strip. In 2014, Refaat and two other contributors to Gaza Writes Back toured the United States, speaking to thousands of young (and older) Americans in a tour co-organized by Just World Books and the American Friends Service Committee.

As he writes in his chapter in Light in Gaza, stories are meant to be told and retold. “Telling stories was my way of resisting. It was all I could do. And it was then [in the aftermath of Israeli attacks on Gaza in 2008-9] that I decided if I lived, I would dedicate much of my life to telling the stories of Palestine, empowering Palestinian narratives, and nurturing younger voices.”

Refaat was a friend, a mentor, and a father. He built up those around him, helping them envision a different future and encouraging them to speak up for their rights. His impact will be felt for generations to come.

Days before his death. Refaat posted a poem he wrote on social media called “If I must Die.”

If I must die,
you must live
to tell my story
to sell my things
to buy a piece of cloth
and some strings,
(make it white with a long tail)
so that a child, somewhere in Gaza
while looking heaven in the eye
awaiting his dad who left in a blaze—
and bid no one farewell
not even to his flesh
not even to himself—
sees the kite, my kite you made, flying up
above
and thinks for a moment an angel is there
bringing back love
If I must die
let it bring hope
let it be a tale

We are sending our condolences, love, and light to Refaat’s family and all those who love him. And we will continue to demand a cease-fire while working to end violence, occupation, and apartheid so that all Palestinians will be free.

The AFSC West Region News for December 2023 features PVI’s new ArteVism cohort, legislative wins for California Healing Justice, and a new report highlighting work in Denver and beyond to welcome newcomers.https://afsc.org/sites/default/files/2023-12/west-regional-news-december-2023.pdf

Today is Colorado Gives Day. Today is the day to support causes that bring us closer to the world we long to see. If you become a monthly donor, Colorado Gives will match your donation up to $100 and you support the sustainability of our work for immigrant rights. Become a monthly donor through Colorado Gives today to unlock the match and help us reach our goal of a more peaceful, just, and sustainable world. https://www.coloradogives.org/organization/Afsc-Co

There are so many reasons to support AFSC Colorado's work!
• Donate to support our Colorado member leaders Your gift builds beloved community bringing immigrants and citizens together. In 2023, we facilitated profound and transformational conversations with our immigrant, indigenous and citizen members at the Colorado history museum through two exhibits - The Treaty of Guadelupe and the Sand Creek Massacre. Staff and our members were incredibly enlightened and moved, as they made connections between historical oppressions and present movements for justice. Nicki Gonzales and Doug Nelson made these outings special, as they shared their expertise and their passion.

• Donate to the self determination of people in Denver and Fort Morgan Your generosity protects human rights, reunites loved ones, and provides essential support for people seeking safety. Our Fort Morgan program members are readying their second annual Posada vigil and celebration on December 17, while our Denver members just finished a 4 day 60 mile pilgrimage for dignity and citizenship. Our members are both recently arrived from across the Americas, and deeply rooted with decades in Colorado. Our office makes sure they have access to tell their own story, to find welcome and safety in one another and to transform our policies and communities!
• Donate to resource movements across Colorado We work hard to ensure members of our community who wish to speak truth to power have the confidence to take a stand. Our Non-Violent Direct Action trainings, marshal and security trainings, and connections to press resource community to come together, think creatively and plan bold and meaningful action and live into the world we want to see - from immigrant rights to Free Palestine, from youth organizing in public schools to people looking to transform the criminal legal system!

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The 30th annual La Posada Sin Fronteras celebration will be on Saturday, December 9, from 2-4 PM.
Please refer to the flyer for details of where you can gather in Tijuana and in San Diego.

If you will join in San Diego, please consider bringing a box of ramen cup noodles as a donation to provide to migrants who gather at this location. Thank you!

La 30a edición de La Posada Sin Fronteras se celebrará el sábado, 9 de diciembre, de 2 a 4 de la tarde.
Favor de revisar el volante para mayores detalles para saber dónde serán las actividades en Tijuana y en San Diego.
Si participará en San Diego, se le pide su colaboración en donar sopas Maruchan en vaso, para darles de comer a migrantes que se juntan en este lugar. ¡Muchas gracias!

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Telling our stories, finding healing through art It’s the LARGEST MATCH OF THE YEAR. Join AFSC’S Compassion in Action Matching Gift Challenge. Your gift for peace and justice will be matched, dollar-for-dollar, up to $500,000 now through Nov. 20.

Urgent: Gaza Emergency Response Rush your emergency gift today!

Use your finance expertise to support social justice work in the Midwest! Join our team at AFSC.
Location: Chicago, IL, Twin Cities, MN, Ypsilanti, MI, or remote (Midwest locations preferred). Application Deadline: December 1, 2023

APPLY TODAY: https://afsc.org/job/midwest-regional-finance-and-office-associate

Drawings by N. Korea kids displayed at rare event in Los Angeles - The Mainichi LOS ANGELES (Kyodo) -- A rare exhibition featuring drawings from both North and South Korean children, as well as children of the Korean diaspora in J

AFSC's Gaza Emergency Relief It’s the LARGEST MATCH OF THE YEAR. Join AFSC’S Compassion in Action Matching Gift Challenge. Your gift for peace and justice will be matched, dollar-for-dollar, up to $500,000 now through Nov. 20.

Bayard Rustin It’s the LARGEST MATCH OF THE YEAR. Join AFSC’S Compassion in Action Matching Gift Challenge. Your gift for peace and justice will be matched, dollar-for-dollar, up to $500,000 now through Nov. 20.

10 people hospitalized after falling from wall at US-Mexico border According to Falck, the 911 ambulance provider in San Diego, emergency crews responded to at least 10 falls on Saturday alone.