Update

“Nonviolence can affect more than the heart and change people from the worst versions of themselves to a better one. I have seen people change.”  

Those were the inspiring words of Amira Musallam, who spoke with us together with Mel Duncan this past Thursday in Voices from the West Bank: Stories of Resistance and Protection. Amira is a Palestinian Christian peace advocate, while Mel is the co-founder of Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP), a world leader in unarmed civilian protection.  

As President Joe Biden’s term in office comes to an end, he can cement his legacy by taking executive action to terminate the outdated 2002 Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq (2002 Iraq AUMF) and move us closer to a future free from war.

Each year from Sep. 15-Oct. 15, Hispanic Heritage Month provides an opportunity to celebrate and honor the many vibrant contributions that our Hispanic neighbors make to our country, communities, and the world we seek. 

This is a frightening and volatile moment — and one that demands restraint, reflection, and humanity. War is never the answer. And more war won’t benefit anyone. It will only make all sides less, not more secure, and inflict a terrible human toll.

The UNRWA Emergency Restoration Act is a vital measure to tackle the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza and ensure that the U.S. is not complicit in worsening conditions of famine and the spread of infectious and deadly diseases.

FCNL’s inaugural Violence Interrupter Symposium was more than just an event which brought together passionate individuals and organizations — it was a journey showcasing true community. Initially strangers from various cities and states with unique stories, participants forged deep bonds, evolving into a true sense of family.

How can Congress prevent AUMFs from becoming blank checks for war in the future? A new report from FCNL sheds light on that question.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the national poverty rate was 12.7% in 2023, up from 12.4% in 2022. These states and territory have the highest percentages of poverty in the country: Puerto Rico, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, West Virginia, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Arkansas, New York and Tennessee.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 13.5 percent of American households experienced hunger in 2023, up from 12.8 percent in 2022. These states have the highest percentages of American households who experienced hunger: Arkansas, Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Kentucky, South Carolina, West Virginia, Wyoming and Michigan.

We asked several of the 2023–2024 program assistants to assess their time at FCNL. We asked them how the program helped them grow, what they learned, what they enjoyed most, and their advice for the 2024–2025 cohort of program assistants.