Weekly Justice Highlights

Empowering Women: The Violence Against Women Act (S. 47) continues to need reauthorization and would empower women worldwide.  Urge U.S.Representatives to co-sponsor and support this legislation when it comes to a vote (call without charges 888.269.5702 or 202.224.3121 with charges).

Immigration:  What an exciting week for those in the United States as a group of 8 Senators and the President feel the need to fix the broken immigration system we have in the United States.  However, this will not happen without the citizens demanding it.  Please sent a message to U.S. Senators telling them of your support for reform and to pass legislation in the 113^th Congress.

Promoting Peace: February 4 is an American National Call In Day to prevent gun violence. A new website, Faiths Calling  invites U.S. citizens to call U.S. Senators and Representatives urging them to act to prevent gun violence and put our shared grief into collective action (202.224.3121; charges apply)

Care of Earth:  Urge President Obama and members of Congress to make climate change a top priority in the 113^th Congress.

Take action in solidarity with a network of peasant and indigenous organization in coalition with urban workers and student groups calling for a halt to planting GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms) in Mexico.   

Urge U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to take action on the Fair Food Program that consists of a wage increase supported by a price premium paid by corporate purchasers of FL tomatoes, and a human-rights- based Code of Conduct applicable throughout the FL tomato industry. 

The Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) has sent Wendy’s Restaurant letters since 2005 urging them to participate in the Fair Food Program with regard to tomato picking.  Join the CIW urging Wendy’sleadership to support this program. Scroll down for information.

A paper entitled, Food, Water and Energy: Know the Nexus, explains that when the food, water and energy nexus becomes unbalanced, there are clear consequences for public health, our economy and the environment.  The paper describes how these systems interact and how they rely upon each other to function.  Read the paper by clicking here. 

KY Residents- bill opposing death penalty and offer life in prison without parole:  Urge state Senators to co-sponsor/support SB 45 (Sen. Gerald Neal sponsor and Sen. Perry Clark co-sponsor thus far) and comparable in the House, urge state Representatives to co-sponsor/support HB 48 (Rep. C. Rollins II, sponsor and Reps. Wayne and D. Floyd co-sponsors so far).  Call this toll free number 1.800.372.7181 and urge KY State legislators to co-sponsor and support these bills.  (Thank Representative Floyd for co-sponsoring this legislation in the House.  Senator Jimmy Higdon is in need of phone calls for support from the Nazareth area.)

 

Weekly Justice Highlights

In solidarity with those living in poverty:  Urge JimYong Kim, president of the World Bank to protect poor people’s rights and freeze its investment in land while it sets a fair standard for others. (International action available)  Land grabbing that forces poor people from their homes, jobs and food is an injustice and ruins lives.

Promoting Nonviolence: Urge federal legislators to support President Obama’s plan to reduce gun violence.  

Challenging Unjust Systems: On May 11^th, 2012 a helicopter carrying Honduran police and DEA agents opened fire on a riverboat in the Honduran Moskitia. Four civilians were killed in the attack, including a 14 year-old boy and two pregnant women. Eight months have passed since the tragedy occurred and despite international outcry there has been no credible investigation into what happened. Urge U.S.Representatives to urge the State Department to ensure that a credible investigation takes place.

Sequestration and Debt Limit: Urge federal legislators to cut Pentagon spending by eliminating sources of irresponsible spending, demand the Pentagon be audited annually, reform the tax code and continue to provide SNAP, WIC and other supplemental programs to those most vulnerable as they negotiate the debt limit and sequestration.   

Urge Margaret A. Hamburg, Commissioner US Food and Drug Administration, to reject the approval of AquaBounty’s transgenic salmon for human consumption.  The effects of consuming such meat have not sufficiently been researched and this approval could mean genetically modified animals worldwide.   

Globally, more than 2.5 billion people live in poverty and survive on less than $2/day.  During Poverty Awareness month, U.S. citizens are invited to urge Congress to oppose any cuts to lifesaving foreign aid.     

Resource: The Choices We Face: A Guide for FaithLeaders to the Federal Budget and Tax Debate is a resource perfect for social action groups at your church, Sunday school, or a college classroom.

Catholics Confront Global Poverty has a video about poverty-focused international assistance entitled, “Careless Cuts Cost Lives.”  Take action after viewing here.  

KY:  Individuals may view KET’s “The Price of Poverty in Kentucky” with Bill Goodman and Renee Shaw.

Weekly Justice Highlights

Human Trafficking: Throughout human trafficking awareness month, individuals are invited to pray with the prayer located here  and raise their awareness by reading the January issue of Stop Trafficking co-sponsored by the SCN’s is available here.   

Water:  The LCWR Global Concerns Committee released their Resolution to Action entitled, “WATER.” 

Immigration:  January 22 is a national call-in day for comprehensive immigration reform.  U.S. citizens are invited to contact U.S. Senators by calling toll free 1.866.940.2439 (sponsored by Interfaith Immigration Coalition) urging them to support immigration reform that provides a pathway to full citizenship and prioritizes family unity. 

Promoting Nonviolence: Urge federal legislators to support President Obama’s plan to reduce gun violence.  

Care of Earth: Urge President Obama to begin the next four years with bold, decisive leadership on climate change.  

Globally, more than 2.5 billion people live in poverty and survive on less than $2/day.  During Poverty Awareness month, U.S. citizens are invited to urge Congress to oppose any cuts to lifesaving foreign aid. 

Urge federal legislators to cut Pentagon spending by eliminating sources of irresponsible spending, demand the Pentagon be audited annually, reform the tax code and continue to provide SNAP, WIC and other supplemental programs to those most vulnerable as they negotiate the debt limit and sequestration.   

Thank Environmental Protection Agency Lisa Jackson for her dedication to protecting our planet and our health during her tenure as EPA Administrator.  

NETWORK is working with the "JOBS NOT WAR" campaign in our joint attempt to reduce Pentagon spending and to get our nation on a more firm economic footing. A petition has already been signed by almost 50,000 people who recognize the need for all members of our communities to be employed.  Read and sign the petition here.   

Martin Luther King Day:  Take some time to locate an event AND remember all who worked for greater civil rights. 

Louisville:  On January 19, 2013 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Our Lady of Lourdes (508 Breckenridge Lane) will be accepting a variety of recycling items.  The complete list of acceptable items is at www.2trg.com (no batteries, light bulbs, ballasts, appliances except a $5 charge on TV’s, LCD and CRT monitors and microwaves (lead disposal value) 

Louisville:  On January 21^st (Martin Luther King Day), Catholic Charities of Louisville will collect new and gently used coats from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m at the White Castle restaurant at 105 E. Market Street (corner of first and Market).  Coats will be shared with refugees coming to America from warm environments. 

Weekly Justice Highlights

National Migration Week in the U.S.:  National Migration Week is January 6 to 12 with the theme of “We are Strangers No Longer: Our Journey of Hope Continues.”  This theme commemorates the 10^th anniversary of the U.S. and Mexican bishops’ joint pastoral letter, Strangers No Longer: Together on the Journey of Hope located here.   Materials for use in your ministry are located here.   Additionally Justice For Immigrants has a postcard for federal legislators urging compassionate immigration reform. 

Human Trafficking:  Human trafficking is the third largest crime in the world and one of the fastest growing.  January 11-13 is a national weekend of prayer to combat human trafficking.  Information and prayer resources can be found here.    

Care of Earth: On January 10, family farmers will enter a courtroom in Washington DC to take part in the appeal of OSGATA vs Monsanto et al, a court case filed to protect farmers from genetic trespass by Monsanto’s GMO seed, which contaminates organic and non-GMO farmer’s crops and opens them up to abusive lawsuits by Monsanto.  Individuals are invited to support family farmers in their pursuit of justice against Monsanto.  

Challenging Unjust Systems: Since 2005, CEO of Darden Restaurants, Clarence Otis, Jr. has seen a 225% raise, yet Darden (owner of Olive Garden and Red Lobster restaurants) refuses to offer its workers (earning $2.13/hour + tips) paid sick days.  Urge Darden to offer paid sick days for all workers.   (International Action is available) 

Promoting Peace: Christians for Middle East Peace invite you to sign a letter that 35 Christian leaders of national denominations and organizations have signed calling on President Obama to urgently redouble his efforts for meaningful progress in the realization of peace between Israelis and Palestinians.    

With across the board cuts and the debt limit needing urgent attention of Congress, individuals are invited to urge members of Congress to make sure any future deal to cut the deficit is balanced and protects low-income families.   

Louisville: On January 16, 2013, the University of Louisville Belknap Campus will host "Modern Day Slavery: Breaking the Chains." Speakers will focus on human trafficking and include Theresa Flores and Colleen Clines. The event goes from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Red Barn. Parking is available in the Speed Museum parking garage. Tickets are $15 for general public and students $7.50 and can be purchased here. Contact the Women's Center (502.852.8976) for more information.

Louisville:  On January 19, 2013 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Our Lady of Lourdes (508 Breckenridge Lane) will be accepting a variety of recycling items.  The complete list of acceptable items is located here (no batteries, light bulbs, ballasts, appliances except a $5 charge on TV’s, LCD and CRT monitors and microwaves (lead disposal value)). 

Poverty Awareness Month:  To learn more about poverty around the world, visit here or here.   To learn more about poverty in the U.S., visit Poverty USA.  A calendar can be downloaded here.

Weekly Justice Highlights

Empowering Women:  Damini was a 23-year-old physical therapy student, who boarded a public bus in Delhi last month. Six men locked the door, and savagely raped her for hours, including with a metal rod that destroyed her internal organs. They dumped her naked in the street, and after bravely fighting for life, she died last weekend.  Urge Indian Prime MinisterSingh and Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde to immediately launch a public education advertising campaign to eradicate sexism and sexual violence in India.  (International Action available)

 

Poverty Awareness Month:  To learn more about poverty around the world, visit this link or this link.   To learn more about poverty in the U.S., visit Poverty USA website.  A calendar can be downloaded here.

 

National Migration Week in the U.S.:  National Migration Week is January 6 to 12 with the theme of “We are Strangers No Longer: Our Journey of Hope Continues.”  This theme commemorates the 10^th anniversary of the U.S. and Mexican bishops’ joint pastoral letter, Strangers No Longer: Together on the Journey of Hope located here.   Materials for use in ministry are located here.

 

Human Trafficking:  Human trafficking is the third largest crime in the world and one of the fastest growing.  January 11-13 is a national weekend of prayer to combat human trafficking.  Information and prayer resources can be found here.

 

Louisville: On January 16, 2013, the University of Louisville Belknap Campus will host "Modern Day Slavery: Breaking the Chains." Speakers will focus on human trafficking and include Theresa Flores and Colleen Clines. The event goes from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Red Barn. Parking is available in the Speed Museum parking garage. Tickets are $15 for general public and students $7.50. Contact the Women's Center (502.852.8976) for more information.   

 

Louisville:  On January 19, 2013 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Our Lady of Lourdes (508 Breckenridge Lane) will be accepting a variety of recycling items.  The complete list of acceptable items is located here (no batteries, light bulbs, ballasts, appliances except a $5 charge on TV’s, LCD and CRT monitors and microwaves (lead disposal value)