This is the ancestral land of the First People, the Kumeyaay.

In 1917 during World War I, there was concern among Quakers- a largely religious group of people - to find ways to serve without joining the military or taking lives.

The American Friends Service Committee quickly established itself as an organization for humanitarian relief and social change. They were also in direct contact with the U.S. military discussing how to move forward with conscientious or religious objectors to war. This was in direct response to the military’s inconsistency in dealing with religious objectors during previous periods of conflict.

Over time, the American Friends Service Committee’s reputation grew. In 1947, they were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and since then have worked with groups from all backgrounds and cultures around the world to promote a world free of violence, inequality, and oppression. Here in the Southern California border region, this work largely focuses on immigration and humanitarian concerns.

In this episode we’ll hear how the American Friends Service Committee has had an impact on the border region and the lives of those involved in the work they do.

Divided Together is a California State Parks podcast series for Border Field State Park, brought to you by California State Parks Foundation, Parks California, and the generosity of an anonymous donor.

Music Credits:

Lobo Lobo by Blue Dot Sessions is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/, transformed for time)
Lanky by Blue Dot Sessions is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial License. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/, transformed for time)
Vegimaine by Blue Dot Sessions is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/, transformed for time)
Jog to the Water by Blue Dot Sessions is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial License. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/, transformed for time)

Anne Marie Tipton: Executive Producer and Host

Adam Greenfield: Podcast Producer and Engineer