Showing up on the side of justice

Showing up on the side of justice has always been the mission.

In an era of new complexities, tensions and awareness, the New Hampshire program of the American Friends Service Committee has been unwavering and expansive in its dedication to that mission, working on a towering array of issues — from racial equity to immigrants’ rights to economic justice.

In addition to Director Maggie Fogarty, the New Hampshire team now includes Program Coordinator Grace Kindeke, Grassroots Organizer Intern Lidia Yen and Decarceration Organizer Intern Anthony Harris. Recent Foundation grants have helped support operations and expand capacity.

On a given day, you might find members of this team outside ICE headquarters in Manchester, standing up for the dignity and humanity of undocumented immigrants, working with formerly incarcerated people who are advocating for an end to discrimination and greater accountability in our criminal justice systems, unveiling a public art project documenting the lives of families separated by deportation and detention, testifying against the move to censor the teaching of systemic racism, and organizing young people working to improve their communities. And the focus, always, is on finding ways for people most affected by injustice to use their own voices and power to create a society that is more just for all.

Justice is the thread that binds the work and the goal that keeps the weary from faltering.

“Every human being deserves to have what they need to thrive: access to education, health care, an environment that does not discriminate against them, that sees and cares for their physical and spiritual humanity,” Grace said. “You can’t have racial justice without economic justice. You can’t have economic justice without immigrant justice. It’s about uplifting and protecting the humanity of all.”