SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2025

Weekend Reading

Palestinians flee south after being forced to leave Gaza City. Photo: Amjad Al Fayoumi

Hi Friend,

This week, we want to share something deeply personal from our colleague Serena in Gaza. Last week, Israel launched a full military takeover of Gaza City. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians—including AFSC staff—were forced to leave their homes once again. Serena recorded this message as she and her family fled Gaza City in the middle of the night as bombs fell around them.

“This is the 11th time I've been displaced, but tonight feels different, heavier—like the possibility that I may never return,” she tells us. Her words capture not just her own experience, but what many Palestinians are facing. They also remind us that as we bear witness to this genocide, it's more urgent than ever to do all we can to end it. Watch Serena's video.  

IN THE MEDIA

Cornelius Taylor was killed when Atlanta cleared his homeless camp. Will there ever be justice?
  
In January, Cornelius Taylor was crushed to death by a bulldozer during a homeless encampment clearing in Atlanta. The city promised changes but has failed to follow through. AFSC joined former encampment residents and other organizations in forming the Justice for Cornelius Taylor Coalition. The coalition negotiated temporary housing for displaced residents. Now, we are demanding systemic change to end homelessness in the city. (The Guardian) For more on how former encampment residents are organizing, read this article from AFSC’s Jacob Flowers.  

Border communities have long endured racial profiling
By Pedro Rios

A recent U.S. Supreme Court decision allows federal immigration agents to stop people based on how they look, the language they speak, or where they work. The ruling extends to all of California the injustice that people in border communities have long faced. In this op-ed, AFSC’s Pedro Rios shares personal stories from his own life, including his father being detained outside a grocery store. The Supreme Court decision will weaken constitutional protections for all people. Today, communities must organize to resist this expansion of racial profiling that weakens everyone’s rights. (CalMatters) 

 
Victory: City council votes to divest from companies complicit in human rights violations in Israel and Palestine

In Massachusetts, the Northampton City Council unanimously passed a resolution to divest from companies complicit in violations of international law and human rights in Israel and Palestine. The vote came after months of advocacy by activists, with support and research from AFSC. (Daily Hampshire Gazette) To learn more about this win and these companies, check out AFSC’s divestment resource. 

DONATE

Become a Partner for Peace

Help us meet our goals by joining AFSC as a Partner for Peace monthly donor today! We’re looking for 150 people to start new monthly gifts by Sept. 30. If you’re not partnering with us already, we’d love for you to join our generous community of donors who support our critical work throughout the year.  

Special thanks to our monthly donors, our Partners for Peace, for their ongoing support to make all our work possible.

American Friends Service Committee
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