Weekly Justice Highlights

June 5 is World Environment Day with a prayer service in several languages available here.   

In the Spirit of St. Vincent: Last Thursday Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) and House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD) introduced the Half in Ten Act of 2013, calling for poverty reduction to be a national priority. The bill creates a coordinated effort across federal departments and offices to cut poverty in half in 10 years and eliminate child poverty and extreme poverty in the United States.  Urge legislators to support the Half in Ten Act of 2013.    

Challenging Unjust Systems: Stand in solidarity with Walmart workers who have been standing up for fair wages and working conditions despite retaliation by signing a petition that will be taken to the annual shareholders’ meeting on June 7.   

Challenging Unjust Systems: Call for justice in the murder of 15-year-old Ebed Yanes who was murdered a year ago in Honduras at the orders of a 2011 graduate of WHINSEC/SOA. 

Death Penalty: Abdullah Al Qahtani's life could be taken for a "confession" he was tortured into making. He was denied a fair trial and sentenced to death by hanging. Take action to save Al Qahtani’s life by clicking here.         

Challenging Unjust Corporations: As negotiations begin on the Trans-Atlantic Free Trade Agreement (TAFTA), urge Congress to oppose corporate-backed agenda.    

Urge President Obama to make good on the promise that gas drilling on public lands would not come at the expense of public health.  

Urge Agriculture Secretary Vilsack to keep meat and poultry free to antibiotic-resistant pathogens.  (Scroll down)   

Urge President Obama to turn his words into action and transfer Shaker Aamer who has spent 11 years in Guantanamo without being charged any crime.   

Call and urge U.S. Senators (202.224.3121; charges apply) to demand Genetically Modified labeling on food so individuals can make their own decisions with regard to consumption. 

Louisville:  On June 20 at 6 p.m. a march and rally for clean energy and healthy communities will occur.  The march begins at the Louisville International Convention Center (at 3rd and Market Streets) with the rally on the Belvedere with special guests farmer and poet Wendell Berry, activist Tim DeChristopher and musicians kRi ‘n’ hettie. 

Weekly Justice Highlights

Immigration: The Senate Judiciary passed S. 744, immigration legislation out of committee.  It is now expected to go to the Senate floor after the Memorial Day recess.  Watch for upcoming action in the action alert.

Challenging Unjust Structures: Urge President Obama to close Guantanamo as the president has been pushed to respond with a major speech about the prison. 

Promoting Peace: Urge President Obama to abstain from any U.S. or allied military attack on Syria and to rely on diplomacy and international cooperation to help resolve the terrible humanitarian crisis and civil war.  

Challenging Unjust Structures: Urge CEO’s of those factories in Bangladesh who make clothing for GAP, H&M and others to commit to creating a strong building and fire safety pact.

Care of Earth: Urge the Department of Interior’s Secretary Sally Jewell to support no new hydraulic fracturing leases on public lands. 

In the Spirit of St. Vincent: Urge the House Appropriations Committee not to provide more funding to the Defense, Homeland Security and Military Construction subcommittees at the expense of human needs.   

Urge U.S. Representatives to oppose fast track approval of the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline.  

As U.S. Senators continue to work on the farm bill, urge them to support right to know for consumers of Genetically Modified Organisms in food, country of origin labeling, and support crop diversity to help control pests.      

Louisville:  An Interfaith Memorial Day Service will be held on May 27 at 11 a.m. at Westwood Presbyterian Church (4432 Greenwood Ave.)  All are invited and welcome.

Weekly Justice Highlights

Immigration: Individuals are invited to urge the Senate Judiciary Committee members to support amendments that increase the number of persons who could quality for the path to citizenship, support amendments that would restore and strengthen the current family-based immigration system and support current provisions which strengthen protections for vulnerable populations such as refugees, asylum-seekers, and unaccompanied children. 

In the Spirit of St. Vincent: Urge Congress to end the Sequester by repealing it.  While the deficit must be controlled, it must not be at the expense of our most vulnerable members of society and the health and development of our future generations. 

Care of Earth: Urge PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, and Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, who together own and operate more than 100000 vehicles to slash their use of oil and work to prioritize fuel efficiency.

Challenging Unjust Systems: Most of the largest fast food chains, including McDonald’s, Subway, Burger King, and Taco Bell have all signed on to the CIW’s Fair Food Program. They have agreed to pay an extra penny per pound of tomatoes to raise wages and only buy from fields where workers’ rights are respected. Wendy’s is lagging behind the rest of the industry and is refusing to sign the agreement, despite being asked five times since 2007.  Urge Wendy’s to join the Fair Food Program and protect farmworkers’ rights.  

Care of Earth: Urge Home Depot, Lowe’s and other retailers who sell toxic neonic pesticides to stop killing honey bees. 

Nuclear Weapons:  Urge President Obama to cancel the scheduled test of a Minuteman III nuclear-capable missile.  Also urge U.S. representatives to cut billions from wasteful nuclear weapons program by co-sponsoring the SANE Act. 

Urge Congress to protect 22.4 million children on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) because it keeps many families out of poverty (49% of all SNAP participants are children).

Promoting Peace:  U.S. citizens are invited to urge U.S. representatives to co-sponsor H.R. 1565, the King-Thompson gun background check bill by calling (202) 225-3121 (charges apply) or click here. 

Immigration: May 17 Need to Know on PBS will broadcast it's last installment of the Border Patrol series which John Carlos Frey helped to produce.  It focuses on interior enforcement and the separation of families along with a look at current immigration reform proposals and Border Patrol protocol.  The story about the Vista, CA man, Idelfonso Gutierrez, who died trying to return to his family, is featured heavily.  Click here for more information.

Louisville:  An Interfaith Memorial Day Service will be held on May 27 at 11 a.m. at Westwood Presbyterian Church (4432 Greenwood Ave.)  All are invited and welcome.

Weekly Justice Highlights

Death Penalty:  Urge the Prime Minister of India to abolish the death penalty (International Action available). 

Challenging Unjust Systems:  Urge CEOs of GAP, H&M and other fashion brands to make safe buildings for their garment workers (International Action available). 

In the spirit of St. Vincent:  Urge U.S. Representatives to protect children and vulnerable people from hunger by maintaining sufficient nutritious food through SNAP, WIC, TEFAP and other programs. 

Care of Earth:  Urge President Obama to oppose fracked gas exports.  

Promoting Peace: Urge Secretary of State Kerry to support the Salesian Sisters of Peace who will lose most of their land and be surrounded on three sides by the Israeli separation wall.   

Promoting Peace: Urge U.S.Representatives to improve background checks on guns as part of gun violence prevention legislation by co-sponsoring H.R. 1565 (legislation identical to Manchin-Toomey amendment).  

GM Foods: Urge Congress  to pass a genetically engineered food labeling bill in 2013 -- support the Genetically Engineered Food Right-to-Know Act.   

Urge U.S.Representatives to oppose H.R. 1406 (Working Families Flexibility Act of 2013) that would give workers less flexibility and less pay.  

Louisville: On May 9 at 6 p.m., citizens of Louisville are invited to fill the Metro Council chambers (City Hall at 601 W. Jefferson) in support of affordable housing.

KY:  The Catholic Conference of Kentucky will host two workshops on comprehensive immigration reform. With signs of Congress being ready to act, so must we.  Each day will begin at 9:30 am with registration. Presentations will start at 10:00 am and will conclude no later than 3:00 pm. Registration is ESSENTIAL because we are providing a free lunch.  THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013-- Gather at St. James in Elizabethtown, 307 W. Dixie Ave., Elizabethtown, Ky. 42701-1701. Here is a link to help you drive there: http://bit.ly/10PCtl0   THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2013--Gather at Pax Christi in Lexington, 4001 Victoria Way, Lexington, KY 40515. Here is a link to help you drive there: http://paxchristilex.org/index.cfm/map.   Register easily online by visiting this link: http://bit.ly/14q711X/  If you prefer to register by phone you can call Karen in our office at 502.874.4345 to register.  

Bardstown:  A Faithful Citizenship Luncheon will be held on May 21 at St. Joseph Flaget Hall (110 N. 5^th St. Maloney Room) at noon with the topic, 2013 KY General Assembly and a Look Beyond by Jason Hall.  For more information, call 502.331.4545

Weekly Justice Highlights

In the Spirit of St. Vincent: Let U.S. Senators and Representatives know how disappointed you are that not only were they unable to find a just and smart alternative to sequestration, but that they created a piecemeal approach to help themselves and their wealthy donors by excluding the Federal Aviation Administration from the impacts of sequestration and did nothing to protect those living in poverty.   

Challenging Unjust Systems: Urge Walmart, Sears, JC Penney and major American brands to ensure basic safety and human rights of workers in Bangladesh who are supplier factories.  Urge them to work with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed’s government in Bangladesh to allow workers to form unions and improve safety and health inspections in their supply chains.   

At least 100 detainees have gone on a massive hunger strike in protest at Guantanamo.  Urge President Obama and Congress to support closing Guantanamo now.     

Urge the Environmental Protection Agency to protect children from premature death and respiratory illnesses by keeping strong vehicle emissions and fuel standards in an effort to reduce air pollution.   

Urge U.S. Representatives to support the Inclusive Prosperity Act (H.R. 1579), a financial transaction tax on Wall Street for large transactions (0.005% to 0.5% depending on type of transaction).  

Urge Congress to co-sponsor the Stop Tax Haven Abuse Act (H.R. 1554).   

Urge Morgan Freeman NOT to glorify those supporting abuses of Palestinian human rights when he accepts his award May 6 from Canadian Friends of Hebrew University, an institution complicit in Israeli apartheid.  

Louisville:  On May 9 at 6:30 p.m., Michael Dowd on “Beyond Sustainability: A Realistically Inspiring Vision” will be guest speaker at the annual KY Interfaith Power and Light Awards Dinner to be held at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Lousiville.  Reservations can be made here.   

KY:  The Catholic Conference of Kentucky will host two workshops on comprehensive immigration reform. With signs of Congress being ready to act, so must we.  Each day will begin at 9:30 am with registration. Presentations will start at 10:00 am and will conclude no later than 3:00 pm. Registration is ESSENTIAL because we are providing a free lunch.  THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013-- Gather at St. James in Elizabethtown, 307 W. Dixie Ave., Elizabethtown, Ky. 42701-1701. Here is a link to help you drive there. THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2013--Gather at Pax Christi in Lexington, 4001 Victoria Way, Lexington, KY 40515. Here is a link to help you drive there.   Register easily online here.  If you prefer to register by phone you can call Karen in our office at 502.874.4345 to register.

May Action Alert

May 2013
Fair Trade: Empowering Local Economies Rather Than Trade Agreements

Celebrated the second Saturday in every May is World Fair Trade Day. In addition to increased awareness, the day emphasizes the connecting of fair trade producers and customers around the world.

While no official definition exists for the term, fair trade, most individuals who purchase fair trade agree that those producing the products are justly compensated for their time and efforts. As a result these individuals influence the community in which they live, including Earth, positively. Transparency is also highly valued. As a way to examine other priorities of fair trade, individuals are invited to:

Take some time to reflect upon your “typical” day from start to end examining the foods, beverages, clothing, and materials that you consume/use throughout your day. If so desired, individuals are invited to form a list.

Consider the following with regard to each item on the list…

• Who helped bring this item to me in the harvesting and production process? What face(s) do I imagine in my mind?
• What do I know about what the environment cost to bring this item to me and the compensation of the individuals in the process of bringing this item to me?
• What type of an exchange (cost) was made for this item? How fair and just is the exchange/cost based on my demand and the supply of the item?
• What type of accountability exists between where I obtained the item and me, the “purchaser?” What type of shared responsibility exists with regard to sustainability of Earth as part of my consumption/use?

Based on reflection on the above questions, what priorities are emphasized as aspects of fair trade?

Promoting local economies offers an alternative to global economies when examining the priorities of fair trade. Additionally, fair trade examines the common good and creates opportunities for all involved.

In contrast, current U.S. trade agreement goals include eliminating taxes on incoming and outgoing goods. However, most trade agreements also contain rules about intellectual property rights, the regulation of companies by governments, privatization, and financial decisions. One might say these trade agreements tend to focus on corporate needs and competition.

In the current Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) being negotiated (highlighted in the April Action Alert) Citizen’s Trade identifies the following leaked needs of corporations:

• Cheaper Labor Costs                                                 
• Longer Drug Patents
• Special Powers to Attack Environmental Laws          
• Further Financial Deregulation
• Concentration of Global Food Supplies                    
• Caps on Food Safety Protections
• Dismantling of “Buy Local” Preferences                  
• Lower Taxes

Reflection/Action:

• What insights were gained from the above materials? What action is brought to individual attention as a result of this reflection?
• In Solicitudo Rei Socialis, John Paul condemns actions and attitudes in economics “which are opposed to the will of God,” especially the “all consuming desire for profit and the thirst for power, with the intention of imposing one’s will upon others.” (# 37)
• Fast Track allows trade agreements to circumvent ordinary Congressional review, amendment and debate procedures. Congress must oppose Fast Track, and should instead assert its constitutional authority to set the contents of U.S. Trade Policy. U.S. citizens are invited to call members of Congress (202.224.3121; charges apply) urging legislators to publicly oppose Fast Track for the TPP and the Obama administration to publicly release the draft text of the TPP negotiations.
• The Fair Trade Resource Network has resources located here.  

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International Day for Biological Diversity 2013: Focus on Water

 May 22 commemorates the International Day for Biological Diversity. The theme Water and Biodiversity coincides with the United Nations designation of 2013 as the International Year of Water Cooperation. The goal of the day is to increase awareness on the theme and to increase actions toward that theme. Additionally, 2005-2015 is also the International Decade for Action, Water for Life.

Water is fundamental to all life on Earth. No living organism can survive without this precious resource. The Millennium Development Goals (reduce in half those who do not have access to safe water and sanitation) further share how human health and the preservation of the environment also depend on this resource.

How many individuals take water for granted? What about children of today? Using water as if it were limitless is an indicator of this. Yet, what happens to aquifers and the sources of our urban water? How can we nurture water as gift from God and create a set of morals around this precious resource?

As Christians, the Bible indicates several places where water is a sacred gift from God (i.e. Genesis 1:1-2, Genesis 1: 9-10; John 7: 37-39; John 4: 7-14; etc). As stewards of God’s gifts, individuals might ask, “What is sustainable stewardship when it comes to water?” There is so much talk about being sustainable and green, yet where does “blue” come into the sustainability question? How do individuals/businesses/groups choose what tradeoffs are acceptable in the search for environmental sustainability?

Knowing that many of the products we eat and use begin with or require water is known as “hidden water.” What hidden water exists in an individuals’ lifestyle, a groups’ buildings and grounds, business operations, and government structures and functioning? How might individuals and groups reduce this burden of hidden water? How might water be underpriced or unpaid for in total when it comes in a local water bill or when purchasing any product for consumption or use? What does this speak of with regard to how water is valued?

Thus, developing a personal value of water and acting out of this personal value implies examining daily life on hidden and unhidden levels, our local water aquifers, and our childhood experiences with water. How did childhood experiences with water shape our thoughts about water today? Perhaps our current connection to local water influences further thoughts about this relationship? What of this relationship is being passed to today’s generation of children and to others in need of insights with regard to the sacredness of water?

On this day of biological Diversity and throughout this year of Water Cooperation, individuals and groups are invited to examine their relationship with water and reflect upon the set of ethical principles each has with regard to water. Writing these morals down and posting them is of the essence if each desires to continue to change actions so that water continues to be held as God’s gift, precious to all.

Reflections/Actions:

• In a Message to the Bishops of Brazil in 2004, Pope John Paul II wrote, "as a gift from God, water is a vital element essential to survival, thus everyone has a right to it.” Without realizing this truth and developing morals around the sacredness of water, water becomes only a product to be consumed. Which of my actions speak of sacredness; which actions speak of consumption as a product?
• What would a water ethic for our world or country look like? What aspects of sharing, keeping water local, maintaining coastlines, maintaining enough water in aquifers, and leaving enough for nature exist in this ethic?
• Does my city/village or state have a water ethic? What role might I be able to play to make this a reality? Examples of water ethics exist on the web.
• Water Cooperation 2013 website is located here. The UN website on water is here.
• Further useful information, including a calculator for your individual and national water footprint, is located here.
• Resources and tools for understanding and improving our use of water is here (Hidden Water, Water footprint, and many other resources).

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Comprehensive Immigration Reform Update

 A bill entitled, Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013 (S. 744), was introduced by the Gang of 8 (Senators Schumer, McCain, Menendez, Rubio, Durbin, Graham, Bennet and Flake) on April 17. While there are those who are happy that legislation on immigration reform has finally been introduced, there are others who question various components of the bill. A bipartisan group of legislators in the House are also working on a bill.

Individuals may visit the following websites for a variety of perspectives on the proposed legislation:

• Farmworker Justice (Scroll down, click "more" to April 17 article)
• National Immigration Law Center
• Leadership Conference of Women Religious    
• Sisters of Mercy     
• U.S. Catholic Bishops Migration Chair     
• Catholic Relief Services

Reflection/Action:

• The U.S. Catholic Bishops’ guidelines for comprehensive immigration reform is here.
• Take action for comprehensive immigration reform here.