Weekly Justice Highlights

Empowering Women:  It has been 320+ days since the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) expired and over 1280 victims as a result of Congress inaction.  Individuals are invited to urge U.S. Representatives, U.S. Senators and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (202.224.3121; charges apply) to pass the VAWA as soon as possible.

In the Spirit of St. Vincent:  Several coalition groups including NETWORK and Coalition on Human Needs are circulating a letter for organizational sign on.  The letter calls upon Congress to promote the common good, protect the vulnerable, and rebuild the economy.  In addition, U.S. citizens are encouraged to contact their legislators with regard to budgeting decisions.  

Care of Earth: One of three Army Corps of Engineers offices has already given Canadian oil company TransCanada permission to break ground on the Keystone XL tar sands oil pipeline's southern segment to traverse hundreds of vital water crossings through Oklahoma and Texas to the Gulf Coast without any public input or scientific review.  Ask EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson to intervene. Call EPA headquarters at 202-564-4700. (Charges apply; this number will connect you to staff in the Office of Administrator Lisa Jackson -- or you could get prompted to leave a voice message.) Express your desire for a rigorous environmental review to protect human health, water and air, and land rights.  Individuals are also invited to educate themselves and others on the issue through this video.    

The Robin Hood Tax is a financial transaction tax, a micro-tax on Wall Street trading (i.e. stocks, bonds, currency exchanges and derivatives traded by computers) the would curb harmful speculation and raise billions of dollars in new revenue to pay for urgently needed public goods and services.  More than 40 countries now have some form of financial transaction tax in place and the U.S. had one for decades until Wall Street lobbied to get rid of it.  This tax is endorsed by Bill Gates, Warren Buffett and more than 1,000 economists.  Urge President Obama to join many across the country, including faith leaders who support a Robin Hood Tax.       

Apple has released a report on their company’s climate impacts and risks.  Now, individuals are invited to urge Amazon.com CEO, Jeff Bezos to make action on climate change a priority through the issuing of a public report on the company’s climate impacts and risks.      

As U.S. legislators return for a short session of work in September, budget issues are high on the list of issues needing attention.  The U.S. Catholic Bishops offer some facts and insights into poverty.  

Louisville:  On August 23 at 7 p.m. the Jewish Voice for Peace film, Refuseniks will be shown at 1741 Frankfort Avenue (white dome on top of building and one block east of Mellwood Ave.).  The 56 minute color film uses archival footage, still photos and interviews to document the stories of Israeli women and men who refuse to serve in the military occupation of the West Bank and Gaza.

Louisville:  On August 25 from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Drepung Gomang Institute (411 North Hubbards Lane near Westport Rd), KY Interfaith Power and Light and the Drepung Gomang Institute explore the Buddhist Response to the Climate Crisis.