Relief for Gaza, a win for migrant rights, art for social change

Resources to inform and support your activism [afsc logo](   SATURDAY, JANUARY 20, 2024 Weekend Reading [AFSC staff provide drinking water to people in Gaza.]( Photo: AFSC/Gaza Dear Friend, Thank you to everyone who has supported our efforts to provide life-saving humanitarian aid in Gaza. Our efforts grow more critical by the day as the Israeli military continues its onslaught across Gaza. With support from the AFSC community, we have helped more than 49,000 people with food, drinking water, hygiene kits, and more. In the weeks ahead, we plan to reach thousands more in need of humanitarian relief. [Read more from AFSC’s Kerri Kennedy.]( Here are this week's picks to inform and support your activism: [Tell Congress to expand the child tax credit and keep kids out of poverty:]( has announced a strong bipartisan bill to expand the child tax credit. If the bill becomes law, an estimated 16 million children in families with low incomes would benefit in the first year. And as many as 400,000 kids would be lifted above the poverty line. Urge your elected officials to support this legislation today! [Victory! New law expands language access to vital documents in New Jersey:]( The law requires state agencies providing direct services to offer translation and interpretation in the seven most common languages in the state. AFSC is part of a statewide alliance that mobilized hundreds of residents in support of this legislation. By providing these services, the state is ensuring that "all residents, regardless of their proficiency in English, can access vital services such as health care, legal aid, education, and social services,” says AFSC’s Serges Demefack. [Protecting Migrant Rights in an Election Year (Jan. 23, 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT):]( Politicians are known for scapegoating migrants, especially in an election year. This month, AFSC is launching a webinar series about how we can defend the rights of migrants in these times. Learn how the U.S. migration system really works. Get tips on how to talk about migration with family, friends, and policymakers. And find more opportunities to take action for more just, humane migration policies. Register now. [Take action: Stop funding war and inhumane migration policies:]( Thank you to everyone who contacted Congress as it considers more military funding and new harmful migration policies. Peace isn’t secured through weapons or walls. It's secured through diplomacy, engagement, and meeting the needs of people facing poverty, displacement, and oppression. If you haven’t already, send a message today. [Arts for Social Action: Artistic Responses to Gaza (Jan. 30, 4 p.m. Amman / 3 p.m. Jerusalem / 8 a.m. ET / 5 a.m. PT):]( Artists from the Middle East and North Africa are responding to the assault on Gaza through art. These powerful responses are helping to mobilize communities for social action. Join our webinar to hear from some of these individuals, including spoken word artist Saja Kilani, producer and songwriter Nasir Al Bashir, and singer-songwriter Zeyne. We'll also discuss new AFSC-commissioned research on arts, cultural organizing, and social change. In Arabic, with English interpretation available. Special thanks to our monthly donors, our Partners for Peace, for their ongoing support to make all our work possible. [DONATE]( American Friends Service Committee 1501 Cherry Street Philadelphia, PA 19102 United States | [Donate]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram |]( [News]( If you believe you received this message in error or wish to no longer receive email from us, please [unsubscribe](. [Update your AFSC email preferences](