This Week in the World: Ahead of Election Day, Let’s Work Together to Strengthen Our Democracy

The 2024 election is officially underway, with millions casting votes this week ahead of Election Day next Tuesday.

With so much at stake, many are feeling anxious, concerned, and overwhelmed. You're not alone.

We are gravely concerned over the threat of political violence. The threats of white Christian nationalism and authoritarianism. The threats against immigrants and many other marginalized communities.

Yet, we're also inspired by the courageous work of so many to strengthen inclusive democracy. And we're hopeful that, no matter the outcome, we will continue to make progress together toward the world we seek.

At this time of division and fear, all of us can help build a more just, peaceful, and inclusive democracy.

Here are some highlights of FCNL's work this election season:

• FCNL's Amelia Kegan joined faith partners for a bus tour to mobilize people across the country to vote for a future where everyone can thrive - no exceptions.
• On Wednesday, we hosted a conversation with Friends about what we can do individually and collectively to help protect our democracy.
• Our general secretary, Bridget Moix, has been supporting partners to mobilize poll chaplains to ensure everyone feels welcome when they vote. Bridget will again be serving in that role this year and spoke to USA Today about her past experiences.
• On Monday at 7:30 p.m. ET, FCNL's Alicia McBride and José Santos Moreno will present Pendle Hill's First Monday Lecture, "Towards a Just Democracy."

Here are some ways you can get involved these final days:

As Bridget wrote in July, "We know that change is always possible, and that it is in times of crisis that societies can often demonstrate the greatest resilience."

No matter what happens on Tuesday, we will work with hope, persistence, and resilience toward the change we seek.

Israel Bans Key Aid Agency as Regional Violence Escalates Further

This week, the Israeli parliament passed a bill banning UNRWA from Israel and preventing it from operating in Gaza and the West Bank. We join leading NGOs from Doctors without Borders to Human Rights Watch in strongly condemning this move, which will have catastrophic implications for Palestinians.

UNRWA is a U.N. aid agency that is a vital lifeline for Palestinians facing starvation and bombardment in Gaza. The U.S. Congress must show its support for UNRWA by passing the UNRWA Emergency Restoration Act (H.R. 9649) and pressuring Israel to reverse this inhumane decision.

Also this week, Iran vowed retaliation following Israel's recent attack, raising fears of more escalating regional violence. With so much at stake, U.S. leaders must finally halt weapons to Israel and use their leverage for a full permanent ceasefire.

That's why we shifted the focus of our upcoming Quaker Public Policy Institute (Nov. 13-14) to telling Congress: No New Weapons to Israel!

International Cooperation for the Climate

Daren Caughron, FCNL's Legislative Manager for Sustainable Energy and Environment, is traveling to Azerbaijan this month for a major climate conference, COP29. FCNL's Anna Aguto spells out what COP29 is and the U.S.'s moral responsibility to lead in supporting developing countries to transition to cleaner economies and protect themselves from climate disaster.

FCNL Analysis

• FCNL's Vanessa Schoning explained a court case which puts Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) in peril, and how Congress needs to fix it.
• FCNL's Allen Hester spoke on the Ploughshares podcast about what's at stake for nuclear policy in the upcoming elections.

Work as a Program Assistant with FCNL!

Applications for our Program Assistant Fellowship are open! Program assistants work as paid full-time staff members for 11 months on an outreach or policy team. Applications are due Jan. 2, 2025.

As a young advocate working with FCNL, you will get the training and tools to use your passion to create legislative and social change.

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.