AFSC -
South East New England (SENE)
The American Friends Service Committee is a Quaker-based peace and justice organization that was begun in 1917. AFSC’s work is based on the Quaker belief in the innate dignity of every person and faith in the power of love to overcome violence and injustice. The South East New England Program serves Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts (north from Providence to Worcester and east through the Cape, including Fall River and New Bedford). We are here to help lift up voices for peace and justice in the region, to help groups and individuals in the region learn about each other’s efforts, and to provide resources for our work together.
Our work falls into two general areas – Peace Building and Community Justice. Peace Building includes ending the war in Iraq and preventing war with Iran; education and dialogue about Israeli/Palestinian issues, with a focus on changing US policy on the area; and Youth and Militarism. Community Justice includes immigration, economic justice, and Native New Englanders.
Please join us in thinking, speaking, praying, voting and acting for peace and justice.
See a slideshow about our work.
Join AFSC SENE for a series of conversations with the community leading up to the election on important issues facing us as voters. Each event will feature a presentation by a guest speaker and lead into group discussion on the issue of the month. Come talk with your neighbors about the issues facing our country. See the full listing of topics and locations (PDF, 117Kb).
CALL TO ACTION: Contact Your Representative Immediately to Urge Congress to Oppose HCR 362
The
US House is considering House Concurrent Resolution (HCR) 362 on Iran, legislation that essentially demands the President to initiate a naval blockade on Iran without real diplomatic effort at resolving existing conflicts. Passage of HCR 362 could have devastating consequences. Click to read
updated information on amendments and co-sponsorships of HCR 362.
As of June
26, AFSC SENE area representatives Kennedy, Langevin, Frank, and
Courtney are all listed as co-sponsors. Delahunt, McGovern, and
Neal are not but still need to hear from people in their districts.
See the flyer in the bulletin board for more information. for updated
information on amendments and co-sponsorships. As of June 26th AFSC SENE
area Representatives Kennedy, Langevin, Frank and Courtney are all
listed as co-sponsors. Delahunt, McGovern, and Neal are not but
still need to hear from people in their districts. Download the RI Call to Action: Stop War with Iran flyer with more information. (PDF, 151Kb)
Announcements
Weekly Vigil at Senator Jack Reed's Providence Office
AFSC-SENE and the local Declaration of Peace campaign has been holding a weekly vigil since May 25, 2007 in front of the Providence office of Senator Jack Reed. Reed is the only member of Congress from Rhode Island who voted in late May to continue funding the war in Iraq.
The focus of these vigils is to call upon the Senator
to stop funding this war, bring all the troops home now, prevent
a war on Iran and adequately fund human needs in the US and Iraq. Each week will highlight new information about the war. During the vigil, a delegation will visit Reed's office to lobby about the nine-point Comprehensive Peace Plan.
The vigil will take place every Friday from 4:30 to 5:30 pm at the Federal Building and Courthouse at the corner of Exchange St and Kennedy Plaza, Providence RI 02903 (click here for a map).
Making the Cost of War Clear
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| Cost of War display. Photo: Martha Yager |
In addition to the dead and injured of both countries, and the thousands with wounded spirits and minds, there are billions and billions of dollars being spent while thousands of people remain homeless, schools fall into dilapidation, children go hungry, and millions remain without health care. To make the billions and trillions more comprehensible, we asked the question "If we had the money from just one day of this war, what could we do instead?" The Cost Of War display responds to this question. It is intended to provoke conversation within our communities. AFSC SENE will have the display through August and again for the month of October. Please contact us to make arrangements if you are interested in exhibiting the display in your community, in a public square or park, during a peace vigil, or at any type of public event or gathering.
To make the billions and trillions more compre-hensible, we asked the question "If we had the money from just one day of this war, what could we do instead?"
Logistics: The display requires about 45 minutes to set up. The poles, fully extended, stand about 12 feet tall. Each stand needs about 3 feet in width. There are 10 banners hung on 5 stands. Enough space should be allowed between stands so that flags can be viewed from both sides. Not compatible with significant wind! The bases are weighted and can handle gentle breezes. It is important that someone remain with the exhibit at all times. Along with the banners, AFSC offers brochures with additional Cost of War information that may be handed out. Let us know if you would like the exhibit to come to your town!
Cost of the War in Iraq
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From the National Priorities Project, costofwar.com.
Fair Trade Palestinian Olive Oil
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| "Zatoun" Olive Oil |
Through the Middle East Peace Education Program (MEPEP) in Atlanta, AFSC is selling fair trade olive oil from Palestine's West Bank, to help support Palestinian farmers in their peaceful daily struggles of survival and resistance to the separation wall and occupation. A donation of $20 is suggested for a 750 ml bottle of olive oil. The oil is available from the AFSC SENE office, please call for details.
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