Weekly Justice Highlights

Nuclear Disarmament: HR 1334, a bill entitled, Nuclear Weapons Abolition and Economic and Energy Conversion Act of 2011 was recently introduced by Eleanor Holmes Norton. This bill requires the United States to negotiate an international agreement to disable and dismantle its nuclear weapons by 2020 and for the funds used toward these weapons to be redirected toward human and infrastructure needs. The bill also requires strict control of radioactive waste and fissile material used to make nuclear weapons. Urge Representatives to co-sponsor this legislation.

Care of Earth: Contact Judge Newbery, McCracken County (KY) Fiscal Court at 270.444.4769 (charges apply) sharing with him your name and city with a message that our community, rivers, and tourism are more important than the potential benefits of a massive coal terminal and coal to liquid gas plant that is proposed to be built in Western KY.

Other Potential Actions:
Contact U.S. Senators and Representatives urging them to place Pentagon spending (proposed to increase to $516 billion) on the table amidst the numerous cuts being proposed and made that influence low-income people.

Call and urge U.S. Senators and Representatives (202.224.3121, charges apply) to oppose the Columbia Free Trade Agreement that expands NAFTA policies to yet another country. (Talking points)

Two bills have recently been introduced in Congress that would eliminate oil and gas industry loopholes that put clean air and water at risk. Urge members of Congress to support them.

Iranian students continue to face egregious forms of repression and human rights abuses due to Iranian authority clamp downs on those oppose their policies. Support those who speak out at great risk.

As part of the compromise for funding the remainder of FY 2011, the Senate will vote this week on a resolution to block funding to implement the 2010 healthcare reform law, the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Urge Senators NOT to dismantle the law. If you would like to know more about the bill, click here.

Read a summary of the key concerns about Ryan’s budget proposal.

Make sure President Obama knows you support clean air and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Call U.S. Senators (202.224.3121 charges apply) urging them to support Senator Lautenberg’s Secure Chemical Facilities Act and Secure Water Facilities stating that our communities deserve to be safe from chemical disasters.

Louisville, KY: A 1.5 mile Walk for Justice (Stations of the Cross) will be held on April 22 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. beginning in front of the Mazzoli Federal Building (south side of Chestnut between 6th and 7th Streets) and conclude at Founders Square Park (on 5th between Muhammad Ali and Liberty). Parking is available in a garage located next to the Cathedral where the walk ends.