Friday, March 15, 2013

Weekly Justice Highlights

Good News:  Late in the evening on March 7, the KY Senate passed KY HB 3, The Human Trafficking Victims Rights Act.  The House had passed the legislation unanimously earlier.  The bill now awaits the Governor’s signature.  Thanks to all the prayers, phone calls and visits each of you made to legislators in protecting children and victims of human trafficking.

Immigration:  Individuals are invited to call U.S. Senators and their U.S. Representative (1.202.224.3121; charges apply) urging them to support immigration reform with a pathway to citizenship that prioritizes family unity.  Action is also available here.    

Promoting Peace: The second negotiating conference on the ATT will take place at the UN Headquarters in New York from 18–28 March 2013.  Please find a link to the Women’s International league for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) petition  MAKE IT BINDING, which advocates for a legally-binding provision on preventing armed gender-based violence in the Arms Trade Treaty.  Individuals may also urge President Obama to support a comprehensive Arms Trade Treaty. (International action is available)

The Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2013 (S. 460, H.R. 1010) would raise the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $10.10 in three increments of ninety-five cents in addition to raising the minimum wage for tipped workers from $2.13 by 95cents/year until it is 70% of the regular minimum wage.  Messages for editing are located here for Senate members and here for House members.   

Gun Violence Prevention Weekend is March 15, 16, and 17:  Faiths United to Prevent Gun Violence is urging as many congregations and communities as possible to get involved in an event to prevent gun violence. Faiths Against Gun Violence has events and places to add your event.  A toolkit for faith groups is available here.     

The Adrian Dominican Sisters have prepared an update to help individuals understand the different frameworks and principles being proposed with regard to Comprehensive ImmigrationReform.

Louisville:  A Presentation by Glen H. Stassen, Lewis B. Smedes, Professor of Christian Ethics at Fuller Theological Seminary entitled, “Just Peacemaking and the Middle East,” will be held on Thursday, March 14 at 7p.m. in Frazier Hall at Bellarmine University.  The presentation is free and open to the public.

Louisville: The Women’s Leadership Conference on Religious Freedom and Bellarmine University Department of Theology invite you to a panel on Immigration expressing the Catholic Church's position on  immigration reform, the current status of federal legislation and the impact on families and individuals in our community. The event will take place on April 8 beginning at 5 p.m. at Hilary's, first floor Horrigan Hall, Bellarmine University (2001 Newburg Rd, Louisville KY, 40205)

No comments:

Post a Comment