AFSC Midwest Digest

Some Highlights of Work from Around the Region — March 13, 2017

Minnesotans resist Islamophobic and racist program AFSC staff in the Twin Cities are working in coalition with others to resist the “Countering Violent Extremism” (CVE) program that was piloted in Minneapolis and two other cities last year and is now being extended nationwide. Dominque Diaddigo-Cash and Sara Osman explain more in this interview. “A lot of the work that’s being done to combat CVE is really close to home for me and a lot of friends because we are Somali Muslim youth,” Sara says. “We see ourselves as a part of the greater Twin Cities community, but we are constantly being rejected.” Dayton residents address xenophobia The Greater Dayton African Coalition organized the African Diaspora Community Forum recently to raise concerns about the new

Administration’s Executive Orders. From the outset, African refugees expressed a lot of fear of being deported and/or discriminated against, particularly by employers and police officers. “I strongly believe that we are all called to extend hospitality to refugees, to lift up their voices and stories, and to build bridges of friendship that would eliminate xenophobia once and for all in this country,” said Migwe Kimemia, who directs AFSC’s work in Dayton. Gaza Unlocked campaign to launch this week This new effort will lift up the stories of Palestinians in Gaza while calling for an end to the brutal Israeli-imposed military blockade that has now been in place for over a decade. Join Jennifer Bing of AFSC’s Chicago Office and Mike Merryman-Lotze on a call Thursday, March 16 at 7:30 pm Central. (Register here.) On March 25, Jennifer will be speaking in Oak Park, IL. She’ll also lead a workshop on No Way to Treat a Child at the National Member Meeting of Jewish Voice for Peace March 31-April 2 in Chicago. In early April, AFSC is sponsoring a tour by the creators of the documentary Obliterated Families. Stops will include Madison (April 2-3), Des Moines (April 4-5), and Chicago (April 6-7). Follow AFSC’s Alternative Spring Break week on Instagram Erin Polley of AFSC’s Indiana Office will travel with Earlham College students to connect with AFSC St. Louis staff and volunteers on March 19-24 for anoth-er edition of AFSC’s Al-ternative Spring Break. You can follow the ex-perience on AFSC’s In-stagram account.

From left, Burhan Mohumed, Julia Nekessa Opoti,

Jacinta Gonazalez (of Mijente), Kadra Abdi and

Dominique Diaddigo-Cash of AFSC are part of a

coalition working against CVE in Minneapolis.

(From left, second in front row) Commissioner Matt

Joseph is seated next to Nozipo Glenn, AFSC Mid-

west Executive Committee member, at the African

Diaspora Community Forum in Dayton.

(photo: Migwe Kimemia)

A family in Gaza surveys the damage caused by

Israeli bombardment.

At left, Joshua Saleem of AFSC St. Louis talks in

2016 with Earlham College students at AFSC’s

community garden in St. Louis.

St. Louis students challenge candidates to end violence

AFSC has been partnering with students at Northwest Academy

of Law for several years in their efforts to address structural

racism and end violence in their school and community. Students

recently hosted a mayoral candidate forum to challenge would-

be leaders on violence. KMOV-TV produced this pre– and post-

forum coverage. According to Joshua Saleem of AFSC, “We were

very clear that this was about holding leaders, gatekeepers, and

decision makers accountable for making children and youth in

our community safer.”

Michiganders walk the talk for justice

Ever wonder what the difference is between restorative and transformative justice? Wonder no more, as Natalie Holbrook of AFSC’s Criminal Justice Program in Michigan shares her wisdom on this and many other topics in this podcast. And what does it feel like to walk into a prison? Korbin Felder of AFSC answers that question and many others in this recent interview with the Digest. Kansas City peace interns keep changing the world Ever curious about AFSC’s reach? Here’s one of many examples: AFSC-KC Peace Interns have been busy conducting “If I Could Change the World Spoken Word Sessions” at KC Youth City Net-work/Sumner Academy; Youth Volunteer Corps, Youth Advisory Board; A Paseo Academy class; Linwood YMCA; SE KCMO Library; and KCAVP-Passages Youth Group. Upcoming sessions include working with youth at Belton High School Class, Synergy Youth Resiliency Center; Friendship Baptist Church Youth Group; Halo Youth Group; and Donnelly College’s Gateway to College Class. Ira Harritt of AFSC says the interns are conducting spoken word sessions through the end of March. Ira will retire in June. Iowans organize with immigrants and allies against deportations

Blink and you’ll miss an educational event, organizing workshop or forum for immigrant rights in Des Moines. Some highlights include a forum for city and state leaders which drew 300 immigrants to tell their stories; a “train the trainers” session; an informational meeting on Sanctuary (photo below right); and staffer Sandra Sanchez’s testimony at the Des Moines School Board, which adopted a sanctuary resolution, and the City Council, which is considering a welcoming resolution. Erica Johnson and Jody Mashek of AFSC are also frequent sources for the media. Erica is quoted in this story about deportations, and Jody penned this syndicated article about the Muslim Ban. AFSC also provided support for an immigrant rally at the State Capitol which drew thousands of people. AFSC volunteer Sandra Velez was featured in the Des Moines Register’s coverage.

A student at Northwest Academy of Law asked

mayoral candidates how they can help students get

answers to change their community.

Natalie Holbrook, left, and Korbin Felder of

AFSC’s Criminal Justice Program in Michigan.

Sandra Sanchez of AFSC, left, assists a speaker at a

large community forum in Des Moines. (Photo: City

Council member Linda Westergaard)

Keep up the calls to Congress on the revised Muslim Ban AFSC is urging everyone to keep up the calls to Congress on the Muslim Ban—making it “legal” still doesn’t make it right. Here’s an updated tipsheet on how to talk about the Ban from AFSC’s Communities Against Islamophobia project. And hot off the digital press are these photos from this morning’s Iowa Young Muslims’ Roundtable with IYM’s Esam Boraey, U.S. Rep. David Young and Jody Mashek of AFSC. Northeast Ohio program is finishing strong AFSC’s work for economic and political justice in Northeast Ohio will celebrate decades of work with its community partners at farewell events March 23 in Akron and March 24 in Cleveland Heights. Here are recent stories about a Democracy Day, an event on police brutality, and a letter-to-the-editor regarding the cur-rent Supreme Court nominee. We, too, join in celebrating the many gifts of staffers Greg Coleridge and Leah Davis. Bits and Peaces AFSC’s Midwest Executive Committee approved this minute in support of the Water Protectors at Standing Rock….AFSC’s Wag-ing Peace exhibit will feature a “Youth and Race” panel in Law-rence, Kansas on March 14….Brant Rosen takes on Sanctuary and white supremacy in these blog posts….The Chicago Office will host a Centennial fundraiser on Thursday, May 18 at Alhambra restaurant….And AFSC will welcome a new General Secretary in September. Thanks as always for your support Your gifts of time and money help AFSC shine a bright light of hope in these dark times. Go here to give.

And please share this new subscription link for the Midwest Digest with anyone you think might like to be involved with AFSC’s creative work in the Midwest. Thank you!

Jody Mashek greets US Rep. David Young at the

Iowa Young Muslims’ Roundtable in Des Moines.

Jody directs the Iowa Immigrant Rights Legal Ser-

vices Program.

The AFSC Midwest Executive Committee recently

presented minutes of appreciation to outgoing

members (from left) Jeannette Raymond, Victoria

Albright and Bob Yeats. (Not pictured: Robert

Walker)

AFSC volunteers in Iowa lift up our call for

immigrant rights at a recent rally.