AFSA NEWS THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JULY-AUGUST 2025 57 the White House, the Commerce Department, the State Department, and the Ronald Reagan Building (former home of USAID headquarters). The event kicked off with remarks from AFSA President Tom Yazdgerdi, VOA correspondent (and former AFSA Governing Board member) Steve Herman, USAID FSO, and AFSA Communications Director Nikki Gamer. All spoke to the urgency of defending the integrity and role of the Foreign Service amid sweeping federal workforce cuts and reorganization efforts. After the walks, attendees gathered at AFSA headquarters for refreshments and an opportunity to reflect, connect, offer testimonials, and write thank you notes to their colleagues overseas. As part of the campaign, AFSA launched a new website featuring a video message from Ambassador Bill Burns, former Deputy Secretary of State and CIA director. In the video, viewed more than 5,600 times the first month after it was released, Burns warned of the acute threats posed by the erosion of America’s diplomatic institutions, saying: “A weakened Foreign Service means a weakened America.” Foreign Service supporters outside Washington also joined the movement by sending photos with #StandUpForService signs. The Service Disrupted campaign aims to educate the public about the critical contributions of the Foreign Service and to resist efforts that would undermine its effectiveness at a time of growing global instability. To watch the Bill Burns video in support of diplomacy and learn more about AFSA’s Service Disrupted campaign, visit servicedisrupted.org. n Stand Up for Service Continued from page 53 Participants pause outside the White House. AFSA/JOAQUIN SOSA USAGM FSO Steve Herman delivers opening remarks at AFSA headquarters. AFSA/JOAQUIN SOSA Solidarity walkers showing their support for the Foreign Service. AFSA/JOAQUIN SOSA Participants rally outside the Ronald Reagan Building, former home to USAID. Walkers stop for photos in front of the Washington Monument. AFSA/JOAQUIN SOSA AFSA/JOAQUIN SOSA
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