The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) has kicked off a month-long campaign featuring billboards and radio ads from October 7 to November 3, 2024. These ads aim to spread a positive message about the resilience and unity of immigrant communities, while extending a warm welcome to all individuals in the United States. The campaign will be showcased in various states, including New Jersey, Colorado, New Hampshire, Florida, California, and Oregon. In New Hampshire, the ads will be prominently displayed on Elm Street, located near the SNHU arena in downtown Manchester.
AFSC believes that we should welcome migrants and uphold their basic human and civic rights. This effort seeks to deliver alternate, positive, and welcoming messages to migrants as a contrast to the virulent xenophobic anti-immigrant messaging that has permeated mainstream discourse.
“There is no question that our communities are stronger with immigrants. We are launching this campaign to reaffirm our commitment to welcome immigrants, and we want that message to be heard and seen far and wide,” said Amy Gottlieb, U.S. Migration Director, AFSC. “Most people intuitively support fair, equitable immigration policies, but are influenced by political leaders and a media landscape full of misinformation and racism. Our campaign is working to counter that narrative.”
AFSC believes that everyone deserves the opportunity to establish a successful life, regardless of where they were born, when, or how they migrate. However, far too much unwarranted injury and suffering befalls migrants. AFSC offers an alternative to this story by promoting six principles of welcoming, just, and dignified immigration policies. You may find these principles here.
“At AFSC, we take direction from people directly impacted by injustice and help organize immigrants and allies striving for immigrant justice. We resist deportation, lift up positive narratives, and successfully advocate for policy change,” said Maggie Fogarty, AFSC’s New Hampshire Program Director. “Our hope with this ad campaign is that the hundreds of thousands of people it will reach in NH – and millions across the US – will be motivated to welcome immigrants into their communities and enact policies that promote dignity and respect.” You can read more about AFSC New Hampshire’s work here .
The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) promotes a world free of violence, inequality, and oppression. Guided by the Quaker belief in the divine light within each person, we nurture the seeds of change and the respect for human life to fundamentally transform our societies and institutions. We work with people and partners worldwide, of all faiths and backgrounds, to meet urgent community needs, challenge injustice, and build peace.
