Weekly Justice Highlights

GOOD NEWS: The National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2013 brought good news on the Iran matter. The legislation did not give any authorization for military force against Iran, nor was there a declaration of war against Iran. Additionally, individuals are encouraged to call Senators urging them to make responsible decisions on Afghanistan in order to ensure the prompt end of the longest war in U.S. history.

Human Trafficking: Urge Walmart to end human trafficking in its supply chain, and allow independent monitors to audit all factories to prevent human rights abuses.

Empowering Women: With two different versions of the Violence Against Women Act and the House charging a breach of origination rules on the Senate passed bill (thus putting the reconciliation process on hold), individuals are invited to urge the U.S. Congress to pass a bipartisan bill that ensures the safety of all victims of violence as soon as possible. 

In keeping with the SCN 1981 Corporate Stand opposing nuclear weapons, individuals are invited to urge President Obama, Senators and Representatives to oppose the continued deployment of U.S. nuclear weapons, particularly in other countries.

Care of Earth and Creation: The international community is invited to urge the Bureau of Land Management to protect key wildlife habitat in the Reserve.

Urge Brazilian President Dilma to stop the catastrophic forestry bill that gives loggers and farmers free rein to cut down huge swaths of the Amazon (International action available)

Your help is needed to urge Mitt Romney to reply to NETWORK’s candidate questionnaire. A message can be adapted. 

End the legal exemption for rapists who marry their victims (often resulting in death and/or abuse of human rights) in Morocco by clicking here.

The Farm Bill contains many programs that feed the hungry, preserve God’s creation and support small family farmers in rural America. Urge Senators to support a Fair Farm Bill especially to oppose cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Urge Kentucky Fried Chicken to stop using rainforest destruction for its “buckets.” (International action available)

Urge Adidas to provide the severance pay owed workers in Indonesia for over a year so that workers can buy food and provide for their families.  (International action available)

U.S. citizens are invited to tell Congress that churches can’t be the only ones feeding hungry people if the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is cut.

As election ads continue to become more frequent in the U.S., patterns of deception (a playlist that illustrates techniques that political ad makers use to mislead) is a great place to check up on those creating ads.

Urge U.S. legislators to pass the End Polluter Welfare Act that would end corporate welfare subsidies to Big Oil companies.

A new documentary entitled, The Big Fix details the events in the Gulf of Mexico and BP’s Macondo offshore oil drilling rig. A major national release in theaters and on Netflix will occur around mid-June. In addition to the actions suggested, individuals may examine their role in this disaster through the demand for goods.

Bardstown: Help support Catholic Charities in the Archdiocese of Louisville by bringing acceptable recyclable electronics to the St. Joseph Elementary School parking lot (320 West Stephen Foster Avenue) on June 2 from 8 am to 2 pm. For more information, contact Steve Mumford at 502.554.9995 x118 or email smumford@2trg.com 

Weekly Justice Highlights

Urgent Action Today for Immigrants: May 17, today is the United We Dream network call in day to President Obama (202.456.1111- charges apply) and Speaker Boehner (202.225.0600 – charges apply) urging them to secure rights for all immigrants and to honor the dreams of immigrant youth.

Challenging Unjust Structures: Urge International Leaders of the G8 (May 18-19) and G20 to continue the conversation of a neutral international debt court that would consider unique histories and current realities of each nation and restore relations between nations and people.  Additionally urge President Obama to lead a plan to stop climate change by transferring the money given to polluters to renewable energy.

Care of Earth: U.S. citizens are invited to sign a petition to President Obama urging him to take leadership at Rio+20 Conference in June to ensure that all nations take action now to meet the needs of this generation while assuring a healthy planet for future ones.

Empowering Women: Urge U.S. Representatives to vote no on H.R. 4970, a version of the Violence Against Women Act that does not cover Native Americans nor immigrants.

Urge U.S. Representatives to support the Smith-Amash amendment that would limit the use of indefinite military detention without trial.

Send a message to U.S. Representatives with regard to the National Defense Authorization Act and amendments to this legislation that would slow down Afghanistan troop removal. 

As the U.S. – Columbia Free Trade Agreement begins to be implemented, there have been multiple death threats against labor leaders and their families in Columbia in sectors prioritized by the Labor Action Plan intended to improve the grave state of labor and human rights in Columbia. Send a message to Ambassador P. Michael McKinley and Secretary Hilda Solis to demand they speak against these death threats and stand up for labor rights in Columbia.

Add your name to the growing list of Americans urging Congress to pass the End Polluter Welfare Act that would go further than any other bill to eliminate subsidies to the fossil fuel industry.

Urge U.S. legislators to create appropriations legislation that promote the common good of the country and to quit making points for their re-election bid.

Urge the Obama Administration to protect the habitat of the Western Arctic Reserve from oil and gas drilling.

Support the Environmental Protection Agency’s limit on carbon pollution.

Urge Congress to lift up poor and vulnerable people.

Urge President Obama to press for an agreement on two-state Holy Land peace.

How much do you really know about fracking? Take a quiz and find out here.

Bardstown: Help support Catholic Charities in the Archdiocese of Louisville by bringing acceptable recyclable electronics to the St. Joseph Elementary School parking lot (320 West Stephen Foster Avenue) on June 2 from 8 am to 2 pm. For more information, contact Steve Mumford at 502.554.9995 x118 or email smumford@2trg.com

Accomplishments on Legislation

January to March 2012

The Hyatt Boycott calling to uphold the dignity of women (reinstate the Reyes sisters) received boosts from the CA Democratic Party, Rev. Jesse Jackson, and Gloria Steinem who pledged to boycott Hyatt. In Indianapolis where the Super Bowl was held, the NFL Players Association Leader, DeMaurice Smith and Maggie Lewis, President of Indianapolis City-City Council joined Indy Hyatt Workers.

During the KY General Assembly, the House Health and Welfare Committee passed the Smoke-free KY Act. The legislation (HB 289) was transferred to and didn’t make it out of the Appropriations and Revenue Committee.

A March 1, Nuclear Missile Test was cancelled. This was the second time in less than six months that the Air Force cancelled a nuclear missile test after pressure from the concerned citizens. The first cancellation was on International Peace Day.

In early March, the Senate passed a bipartisan bill to RESTORE the Gulf Coast States Act, a landmark bill that will dedicate 80% of BP’s Clean Water Act fines where they’re needed most- to restore the Gulf Coast economy and the wildlife and communities who live there.

In March, the U.S. Court of Appeals blocked further implementation of two provisions of Alabama’s discriminatory anti-immigrant law, HB 56. These provisions, which criminalized any interaction between undocumented immigrants and state or local government officials, and made contracts between undocumented immigrants and any other person unenforceable, have wreaked havoc on all Alabamians, citizen and non-citizen alike.

In March, the Senate voted to save clean air by supporting a rule limiting mercury and other toxic air pollution from industrial boilers. This rule prevents up to 8100 premature deaths/year and reduces toxic mercury pollution that is known to cause brain damage in kids.

In March, the world’s largest private agro-chemical corporation, Arysta LifeScience, announced it would immediately pull methyl iodide off the shelves in California and across America thus increasing safe food production and farm worker safety.

In March, the Senate rejected a bill fast-tracking the controversial Keystone XL pipeline project, which would transport dirty tar sands oils from Canada’s boreal forest to American refineries in Texas.

Weekly Justice Highlights

Care of Earth: Citizens from anywhere in the world are invited to urge Apple CEO Tim Cook to use renewable energy to power Apple’s technology.

Water: Urge Pepsi executives to release Aquafinas’ water quality reports as public water systems are required to do. (International Action available)

Immigration: On May 17, immigrant youth, along with allies from around the U.S., will issue our declaration of DREAMS. Call on President Obama for real and lasting relief for DREAMers and their communities.  

Care of Earth: Trans Canada has submitted a permit application for the Southern portion of the Keystone XL Pipeline to the Army Corps of Engineers. Urge EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson not to “rubber stamp” the permit application and allow for a meaningful review.  

The Senate is expected to act on the student loan interest rates soon. Urge Senators to call for the protection of low interest rates for student loans.  (Act as soon as possible)

The House Committee on the Budget is expected to vote on a proposal to eliminate funding for the Social Services Block Grant (i.e. funds used to provide services to the disabled, homeless, elderly, victims of abuse and others marginalized members of society). Urge U.S. Representatives to protect funding for the Social Services Block Grant. 

Urge Jamie Dimon, head of JPMorgan Chase to adopt a genocide-free investing policy to avoid investments like PetroChina. 

Dina Meza, a Honduran journalist and human rights activist, has been threatened repeatedly with sexual violence. Urge Honduran authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice.  

Urge federal legislators to stand up for the people of Sudan by co-sponsoring the Sudan Peace, Security and Accountability Act.

Urge Jeff Wojahn, the president of Encana (CO) to abandon a well that is being fracked next to an elementary school.  

Urge President Obama, U.S. Senators and House Representatives to end the war in Afghanistan and remove the troops. 

Please join me in urging the Egyptian authorities not to amend the minimum age of marriage law and the custody on divorce law in accordance with Egypt’s obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, as well as its own Constitution.

Bill Moyers most reent episode entitled, Between Two Worlds: Life on the Border, highlights the border culture between Mexico and the U.S. Luis Alberto Urrea has written a series of acclaimed books that were removed from Tucson School District earlier this year. View the episode. 

Louisville, KY: The 28th annual Memorial Day Interfaith Service honoring civilian and military victims of war will be held Monday, May 28 at 11 a.m. at a NEW location- the Highland Presbyterian Church (1011 Cherokee Road, Louisville).

Weekly Justice Highlights

Care of Earth: Urge Chevron to report on the risks of its fracking operations by reporting on hazards, community effects and necessary precautions surrounding its hydraulic fracturing operations.

Challenging Unjust Systems: Urge G8 leaders to take a stand against hunger and poverty at this years summit at Camp David where they will discuss a variety of issues, including agriculture in the developing world.  

Stand with the citizens of New York and urge Governor Cuomo to ban hydraulic fracking and lead ambitiously towards a clean energy economy.  

Sign a petition urging President Obama to stop the destruction at the Spruce Mine in West Virginia.

Urge Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to stand with the Sudanese people for peace.    

Urge Congress to hear the cry of poor people as it works on the budget.

Urge U.S.officials to make negotiations over the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement transparent. (Act by May 4)

Urge Apple to power its data centers from clean energy sources.

Elections 2012: Catholics Vote for the Common Good- If you did not get the chance to participate in a discussion group at the state level, NETWORK is still collecting input.

A new documentary on water entitled, Last Call at the Oasis is opening this weekend in New York City. The documentary presents a powerful argument for why the global water crisis will be the central issue facing our world this century. The trailer can be viewed here.

Care of Earth in Louisville: Join citizens concerned about the environment this Derby weekend for Climate Days of Action Connect the Dots (between carbon pollution and climate change).  A group will gather on May 4 (10 a.m. to 12 p.m.) and May 5 (9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Churchill Downs (700 Central Avenue, Louisville- meet under big billboard near Central and Rodman).  RSVP’s can be made here.

KY:  Residents of KY are urged to contact Senator McConnell’s office with regard to an article he wrote on the Affordable Care Act filled with misinformation on March 23 in the Courier Journal.  An April 16 letter by Congressman Yarmuth corrected the errors in an article in the Courier Journal.  Keep pressure on Senator McConnell to correct these errors publicly by contacting his DC office at 1.866.338.1015 (Charges apply and ask for Senator McConnell office) or his Louisville office at 1.502.582.6304 (Charges may apply depending on where calling from).

A new resource for those working with immigrants and ICE entitled, "The All-In-One Guide to Defeating ICE Hold Requests" is located here.  Toolkits are also available in English and Spanish.

View Bill Moyers episode on big money and big media here.