Africa peacebuilding, atomic bomb anniversaries, bystander intervention tips

Resources to inform and support your activism [afsc logo](   SATURDAY, AUGUST 5, 2023 Weekend Reading [An older woman stands with her arms crossed in front of a blurred background of many other people.]( [Lidwine Bigirimana, one of many women trained as mediators, speaks at a community gathering in her village in Burundi.]( AFSC/Burundi Dear Friend, In Burundi, communities are working to heal after years of conflict—and build a more just peaceful future. In recent years, women have been training to be mediators with support from AFSC and partners. [Read more from AFSC’s Elysée Nibitanga.]( Here are this week's picks to inform and support your activism: [Tell Congress: Protect community needs in the federal budget:]( Thanks to everyone who contacted Congress last week. As budget negotiations continue, we must keep up the pressure. As one example, right now, elected officials are considering major cuts to the WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) program. These cuts could prevent hundreds of thousands of low-income children and pregnant and postpartum women from getting food assistance, health care, and more. If you haven’t already, tell Congress to protect vital programs such as WIC today! [5 tips to advocate for a Farm Bill for all:]( Every August, most members of Congress return home to their districts for summer recess. This is a great opportunity to talk with elected officials about passing a Farm Bill that addresses hunger and climate change. Use these tips to meet with elected officials and get your message across, writes AFSC’s Peniel Ibe. [Remembering Hiroshima and Nagasaki:]( "Oppenheimer” has become one of the biggest blockbuster movies of the year. It also premiered just weeks before the 78th anniversary of the U.S. bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which killed over 200,000 people. In 2015, Hiroshima survivor Michiko Kodama wrote this firsthand account. It's a reminder that we must keep up our call for a world without nuclear weapons. [Tips for bystander intervention:]( Have you ever wondered what to do if you witness public instances of racist, anti-Black, anti-Asian, anti-Muslim, antisemitic, anti-trans, or other forms of harassment? Use these tips to assess how to intervene while considering the safety of everyone involved. 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](