Water: The New York (NY) State Dept. of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has released a plan that would permit hydraulic fracturing as a way of drilling for natural gas tapped in rock underlying over a thousand acres of NY state. This act would result in thousands of wells and pipelines that would seriously damage the lands and forests above ground as well as poison the ground water used by NY city. The public is invited to contact Governor Paterson, the DEC, and legislators opposing the leasing of state forests for hydro-fracking (Act by October 31)
Care of Earth: U.S. citizens are urged to tell the Environmental Protection Agency and President Obama to save lives by setting a stronger smog standard (Act this week)
Holding Corporations Accountable: Barrick and PJV, the largest gold mining operations in Papua New Guinea have sat by silently while local police have terrorized residents to remove them from valuable land. Demand accountability for forced convictions (Act this week)
Other Potential Actions:
Urge Congress to pass an extension of unemployment benefits (expire November 30) until the jobless rate begins to subside at (Act this week)
Some U.S. insurance companies are trying to evade the requirements of the new law by refusing to sell ANY “child only” plans because they only want to cover the healthiest children thereby placing profits ahead of children. Support the Obama Administration in sending e-cards urging these insurers to play fair and put an end to discrimination against children with pre-existing conditions (Act this week)
Kaiser has put together a website providing analysis (myths and facts) on the recent health care legislation
Residents of Kentucky who desire clean energy jobs, affordable renewable energy and healthy communities can pledge to support candidates and elected officials working for this
Free downloadable resources for educators who teach grades 4-9 are available. These include background information, games, exercises and suggestions for activities to Make Hunger History.
Louisville: The annual trip to the School of Americas is being organized by KITLAC. The bus(es) will leave Louisville at 5 a.m. on November 20 from the Crowne Plaza Hotel (830 Phillips Lane) in Louisville and return late Sunday evening (hopefully by 11p.m. or midnight). Cost for bus is $75.00. Hotel accommodations can also be made at an additional cost by KITLAC. For more information and registration, contact Mary Ann Lambert at 502.425.3844 or malambert22@bellsouth.net Deadline for registration is October 29, 2010
Louisville: The 4th Annual Anne Braden Memorial Lecture featuring a presentation by Bernice Johnson Reagon will speak on The Civil Rights Movement and Students: Creating a Vital, Transformative Change in the Struggle for American Freedom on November 5 at 6 p.m. at Comstock Hall (U of L School of Music)
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Weekly Justice Highlights
Protecting Water: Recently, the Environmental Protection Agency office from Region 3 announced its recommendation to veto the permit for the controversial Spruce No. 1 Mine in Logan County, WV. While the decision is not yet final, individuals are urged to call U.S. Senators 1.202.224.3121) asking them to co-sponsor the Appalachia Restoration Act (S. 696) to end valley fills and protect our water.
Nuclear Weapons: In keeping with the corporate statement on nuclear weapons, individuals are invited to write President Obama asking him to take a bold step forward by working with Russian President Medvedev to de-alert U.S. and Russia nuclear arsenals and declare a policy of No First Use.
U.S. citizens are invited to tell the World Bank, IMF and the Asian Development Bank that Pakistan needs debt cancellation now as Pakistanis continue to suffer from the flooding that occurred in their country.
Federal unemployment insurance program will expire on November 30 for nearly 8 million works and their families. Economists rank unemployment benefits among the most effective ways to boost the economy, and the U.S. Census Bureau data reports that 3.3 million more people would have fallen below the poverty line in 2009 without unemployment benefits. Individuals are asked to urge Congress to reauthorize and continue the federal jobless benefit programs when they return November 15 at
On January 9, 2011 South Sudan will vote on independence and there is much concern about a return to war and violence as elections approaches. Save Darfur asks the U.S. Administration for specific responses that individuals may reinforce in a letter to President Obama (click on Ticking Time Bomb)
Individuals are invited to call the Capitol and urge U.S. Representatives to sign on to Representative Quigley’s letter calling on the Environmental Protection Agency to adopt enforceable federal safeguards to protect communities from coal ash. Americans across the country are faced with increased risk of cancer, learning disabilities, birth defects and other illnesses as a result of exposure to heavy metals such as arsenic, lead and mercury that seeps into water.
Recently, a coalition of groups published Charting New Waters: A Call to Action to Address U.S. Freshwater Challenges. The report is a culmination of an intensive collaboration effort that began in 2008. The report is located at
Louisville: The annual trip to the School of Americas is being organized by KITLAC. The bus(es) will leave Louisville at 5 a.m. on November 20 from the Crowne Plaza Hotel (830 Phillips Lane) in Louisville and return late Sunday evening (hopefully by 11p.m. or midnight). Cost for bus is $75.00. Hotel accommodations can also be made at an additional cost by KITLAC. For more information and registration, contact Mary Ann Lambert at 502.425.3844 or malambert22@bellsouth.net Deadline for registration is October 29, 2010
Louisville: The 4th Annual Anne Braden Memorial Lecture featuring a presentation by Bernice Johnson Reagon will speak on The Civil Rights Movement and Students: Creating a Vital, Transformative Change in the Struggle for American Freedom on November 5 at 6 p.m. at Comstock Hall (U of L School of Music)
Nuclear Weapons: In keeping with the corporate statement on nuclear weapons, individuals are invited to write President Obama asking him to take a bold step forward by working with Russian President Medvedev to de-alert U.S. and Russia nuclear arsenals and declare a policy of No First Use.
U.S. citizens are invited to tell the World Bank, IMF and the Asian Development Bank that Pakistan needs debt cancellation now as Pakistanis continue to suffer from the flooding that occurred in their country.
Federal unemployment insurance program will expire on November 30 for nearly 8 million works and their families. Economists rank unemployment benefits among the most effective ways to boost the economy, and the U.S. Census Bureau data reports that 3.3 million more people would have fallen below the poverty line in 2009 without unemployment benefits. Individuals are asked to urge Congress to reauthorize and continue the federal jobless benefit programs when they return November 15 at
On January 9, 2011 South Sudan will vote on independence and there is much concern about a return to war and violence as elections approaches. Save Darfur asks the U.S. Administration for specific responses that individuals may reinforce in a letter to President Obama (click on Ticking Time Bomb)
Individuals are invited to call the Capitol and urge U.S. Representatives to sign on to Representative Quigley’s letter calling on the Environmental Protection Agency to adopt enforceable federal safeguards to protect communities from coal ash. Americans across the country are faced with increased risk of cancer, learning disabilities, birth defects and other illnesses as a result of exposure to heavy metals such as arsenic, lead and mercury that seeps into water.
Recently, a coalition of groups published Charting New Waters: A Call to Action to Address U.S. Freshwater Challenges. The report is a culmination of an intensive collaboration effort that began in 2008. The report is located at
Louisville: The annual trip to the School of Americas is being organized by KITLAC. The bus(es) will leave Louisville at 5 a.m. on November 20 from the Crowne Plaza Hotel (830 Phillips Lane) in Louisville and return late Sunday evening (hopefully by 11p.m. or midnight). Cost for bus is $75.00. Hotel accommodations can also be made at an additional cost by KITLAC. For more information and registration, contact Mary Ann Lambert at 502.425.3844 or malambert22@bellsouth.net Deadline for registration is October 29, 2010
Louisville: The 4th Annual Anne Braden Memorial Lecture featuring a presentation by Bernice Johnson Reagon will speak on The Civil Rights Movement and Students: Creating a Vital, Transformative Change in the Struggle for American Freedom on November 5 at 6 p.m. at Comstock Hall (U of L School of Music)
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Weekly Justice Highlights
Empowering Women: Urge governments to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1324 that ensures women’s participation in peace-building and issues a strong call to end sexual violence in conflict located here (International action available; Act before Oct. 21)
World Food Day October 16: Individuals are invited to send a postcard to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urging her leadership on global food security at (Act as soon as possible)
Care of Earth: Urge Jairam Ramesh not to bow to corporate pressure and to stand by the report of his own Regional Ofice in the case of the Dhamra port in Orissa (International action available)
Other Potential Actions:
Urge USAID to buy local in Sudan to support women farmers – not giant agribusinesses
Urge President Obama to endorse the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples – that would give communities what they need to make decisions about how their resources are used at
Recent American Poverty Statistics state that 1 in 7 Americans live in poverty and 1 in 5 children do. Simultaneously, some legislators in Congress desire to cut taxes for the wealthiest Americans. Urge legislators to cut taxes for working families not millionaires
Urge automakers to reduce their vehicles’ smog-forming and global warming emissions at
A prayer service for the International Day for Eradication of Poverty (October 17)
U.S. Election resources can be found at www.networklobby.org Resources include: Guide to state/local races, information about current Congressional members, a short video “Health Reform Explained”
Louisville: The annual trip to the School of Americas is being organized by KITLAC. The bus(es) will leave Louisville at 5 a.m. on November 20 from the Crowne Plaza Hotel (830 Phillips Lane) in Louisville and return late Sunday evening (hopefully by 11p.m. or midnight). Cost for bus is $75.00. Hotel accommodations can also be made at an additional cost by KITLAC. For more information and registration, contact Mary Ann Lambert at 502.425.3844 or malambert22@bellsouth.net Deadline for registration is October 29, 2010
Louisville: The 4th Annual Anne Braden Memorial Lecture featuring a presentation by Bernice Johnson Reagon will speak on The Civil Rights Movement and Students: Creating a Vital, Transformative Change in the Struggle for American Freedom on November 5 at 6 p.m. at Comstock Hall (U of L School of Music)
World Food Day October 16: Individuals are invited to send a postcard to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urging her leadership on global food security at (Act as soon as possible)
Care of Earth: Urge Jairam Ramesh not to bow to corporate pressure and to stand by the report of his own Regional Ofice in the case of the Dhamra port in Orissa (International action available)
Other Potential Actions:
Urge USAID to buy local in Sudan to support women farmers – not giant agribusinesses
Urge President Obama to endorse the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples – that would give communities what they need to make decisions about how their resources are used at
Recent American Poverty Statistics state that 1 in 7 Americans live in poverty and 1 in 5 children do. Simultaneously, some legislators in Congress desire to cut taxes for the wealthiest Americans. Urge legislators to cut taxes for working families not millionaires
Urge automakers to reduce their vehicles’ smog-forming and global warming emissions at
A prayer service for the International Day for Eradication of Poverty (October 17)
U.S. Election resources can be found at www.networklobby.org Resources include: Guide to state/local races, information about current Congressional members, a short video “Health Reform Explained”
Louisville: The annual trip to the School of Americas is being organized by KITLAC. The bus(es) will leave Louisville at 5 a.m. on November 20 from the Crowne Plaza Hotel (830 Phillips Lane) in Louisville and return late Sunday evening (hopefully by 11p.m. or midnight). Cost for bus is $75.00. Hotel accommodations can also be made at an additional cost by KITLAC. For more information and registration, contact Mary Ann Lambert at 502.425.3844 or malambert22@bellsouth.net Deadline for registration is October 29, 2010
Louisville: The 4th Annual Anne Braden Memorial Lecture featuring a presentation by Bernice Johnson Reagon will speak on The Civil Rights Movement and Students: Creating a Vital, Transformative Change in the Struggle for American Freedom on November 5 at 6 p.m. at Comstock Hall (U of L School of Music)
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Accomplishments on Legislation
July 2010 to September 2010
Water as a human right: In late July, the United Nations voted to support a nonbinding resolution declaring access to clean water and sanitation as a human right. No country voted against the measure. However, Canada, the U.S. and Australia were among the 41 countries to abstain from the vote.
Haiti: Congress passed the Haiti Economic Lift Program (HELP, S. 3275 and H.R. 5160) and the Debt Relief for Earthquake Recovery Act for Haiti (H.R. 4573 and S. 2961) and both pieces of legislation were signed by the President. These victories will help Haiti to recover and rebuild.
Sudan: President Obama committed to redoubling his Administration’s efforts for peace and stability in Sudan. On September 28, the U.S. House passed resolution 1588 signaling the U.S. strong commitment to prevent increased violence and promote peace and stability in Sudan. The resolution calls on President Obama to strengthen engagement and on the international community to coordinate their efforts closely. It also urges the responsible actors in Sudan to comply with the provisions of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, to resolve outstanding issues and avoid escalating tensions.
Violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC): Provisions were included in the financial reform bill requiring U.S. companies to take steps, including regular audits, to ensure that minerals used in their products are not financing militia violence in the eastern Congo. The bill allows companies to label goods as conflict mineral-free and directs the U.S. government to develop a strategy that addresses the links among human rights abuses and illegal extraction of minerals from the Congo. s
Death Penalty: Ohio Governor Ted Strickland announced in early September that he has commuted the death sentence of Kevin Keith. With over 7000 letters in two weeks, Governor Strickland recognized that questions remain regarding whether Kevin Keith is, in fact, guilty.
Accountability and Extractive Industries: The financial reform legislation that was passed includes a provision requiring large U.S. companies that extract minerals, oil and gas to publish what they pay to the governments of the countries in which they work. This will make it easier for civil society in those countries to hold their governments accountable for how these revenues are used.
Unemployment Assistance: Unemployment insurance benefits for laid-off workers was extended through November 2010.
Indigenous Women Protected: In late July, the Tribal Law and Order Act was passed as an amendment to H.R. 725. This amendment works against violent crime (such as rape with impunity) to Native American and Alaska Native women. This bill will allow every Native American and Alaska Native woman to get a police response, have access to a rape kit, opportunity to see her case prosecuted and see justice served for crimes committed against her.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Weekly Justice Highlights
In solidarity with those marginalized: On September 29, Senators Robert Menendez and Patrick Leahy introduced the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2010 (S. 3932). It includes key elements that both Republicans and Democrats have supported in the past: Border enforcement, interior enforcement, worksite enforcement, reforming America’s legal immigration system, legalization of undocumented individuals, immigration integration and other reforms. Included in this bill are the DREAM Act, AgJobs and Uniting American Families Act. U.S. citizens are encouraged to contact U.S. Senators for support of this bill by phone or by clicking here (Act this week)
In the Spirit of St. Vincent: A prayer service for the International Day for Eradication of Poverty is located here
Care of Earth: Congratulate President Obama for recently announcing the White House is going solar here (Act this week)
Other Potential Actions:
Pope Benedict XVI has called for a Special Assembly for the Middle East of the Synod of Bishops from October 10 to 24 in Rome. Please pray for the success of this synod as bishops from the seven Catholic Churches in the Middle East and bishops from other parts of the world as they meet together and for our sisters and brothers in the Middle East. A webpage from the USCCB Office of International Justice and Peace is available.
Catholic Relief Services continues to invite U.S. citizens to urge President Obama to do everything he can for a peaceful and stable Sudan by clicking here (Act this week)
KY Congressional District #2: As individuals continue discernment in preparation for the voting season, this link , asks a series of questions about a dozen issues and shows which US Senate and US Congressperson agrees with your views.
Louisville: As a follow-up to the last CLOUT Assembly, Attorney General Jack Conway has agreed to a hearing on the issue of payday loans at St. Michael Catholic Church (12709 Taylorsville Road- near Taylorsville Rd and I-265) on Wednesday, October 13 from 2 to 4 p.m. If individuals know of victims who wish to share their story on pay day loan lending, please contact Robert Owens at 502.583.1267 or 502.797.6870(cell). It is also highly important that individuals who are able to attend this hearing do so in support of the issue.
Louisville: The Douglas Loop Peace Vigil has changed its regular vigil held at Bardstown Road and Douglas on the first Sunday of the month. Beginning in October, it will be on the second Sundays (i.e. October 10), from 5 to 6 p.m. Please continue bringing signs and banners focused on peacemaking and ending war and occupation everywhere.
In the Spirit of St. Vincent: A prayer service for the International Day for Eradication of Poverty is located here
Care of Earth: Congratulate President Obama for recently announcing the White House is going solar here (Act this week)
Other Potential Actions:
Pope Benedict XVI has called for a Special Assembly for the Middle East of the Synod of Bishops from October 10 to 24 in Rome. Please pray for the success of this synod as bishops from the seven Catholic Churches in the Middle East and bishops from other parts of the world as they meet together and for our sisters and brothers in the Middle East. A webpage from the USCCB Office of International Justice and Peace is available.
Catholic Relief Services continues to invite U.S. citizens to urge President Obama to do everything he can for a peaceful and stable Sudan by clicking here (Act this week)
KY Congressional District #2: As individuals continue discernment in preparation for the voting season, this link , asks a series of questions about a dozen issues and shows which US Senate and US Congressperson agrees with your views.
Louisville: As a follow-up to the last CLOUT Assembly, Attorney General Jack Conway has agreed to a hearing on the issue of payday loans at St. Michael Catholic Church (12709 Taylorsville Road- near Taylorsville Rd and I-265) on Wednesday, October 13 from 2 to 4 p.m. If individuals know of victims who wish to share their story on pay day loan lending, please contact Robert Owens at 502.583.1267 or 502.797.6870(cell). It is also highly important that individuals who are able to attend this hearing do so in support of the issue.
Louisville: The Douglas Loop Peace Vigil has changed its regular vigil held at Bardstown Road and Douglas on the first Sunday of the month. Beginning in October, it will be on the second Sundays (i.e. October 10), from 5 to 6 p.m. Please continue bringing signs and banners focused on peacemaking and ending war and occupation everywhere.
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