Weekly Justice Highlights

Water:  Urge national parks to go bottled-water-free and say no to the bottled water industry attempts to “set up shop."

Earth Hour:  Join with others on March 23 at 8:30 local time in turning off the lights and observing Earth Hour.  How aware am I of the amount of electricity I use on a daily basis in addition to this one hour?

The March 2013 issue of Stop Trafficking co-sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth is available on this website.   

Challenging Unjust Structures: The Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement continues to be created in secret with corporations benefiting and Americans losing as in prior trade agreements.  Action urging transparency is located here.      

Promoting Peace: Urge President Obama to support a strong Arms Trade Treaty that keeps arms out of the hands of human rights abusers. (International action is available) 

Immigration: Immigration reform is struggling as large numbers of people are opposing reform.  Federal legislators need to hear for each of us.  Urge Congress to create a pathway to citizenship for the aspiring Americans already in the U.S. and protect family unity.   

Urge Members of Congress to increase funding for the United Nations’ Voluntary Fund that includes aiding victims of torture.  

The Senate budget resolution, Foundation for Growth: Restoring the Promise of American Opportunity (S Con.Res.8) introduced by Senate Budget Committee Chair Patty Murray, will face many amendments. Individuals are invited to email and call U.S. Senators  to only support amendments that promote fair methods of paying for our deficit that won't place the burden onto the backs of those at the margins of society. 

Care of Earth:  Urge the Obama Administration to oppose Keystone XL tar sands pipeline that would generate far more greenhouse emissions than conventional petroleum.   

Promoting Peace: With the recent 10^th anniversary of the US invasion of Iraq, individuals are invited to urge President Obama to put Iraq back on the agenda by clearly articulating and supporting a long-term strategy of US diplomacy and assistance, including efforts to increase government accountability, strengthen civil society, and improve educational opportunities for the 20 million children of Iraq.

Urge CNN to suspend Candy Crowley and discipline staff responsible for dangerously flawed and apologist coverage of the Steubenville, OH rape. 

Tell your Congressional Representative that it is time to redirect aid for Colombia from a futile War on Drugs to peace and sustainable economies. 

Death Penalty: Sister Ilaria Buonriposi, a Comboni Sister currently working with the Catholic Mobilizing Network, would like to invite you to join a virtual group of folks committed to ending the death penalty in the United States.  If you are interested in, or working to abolish the death penalty in your state and every state, this Google Group would be a wonderful place to share information, exchange organizing ideas, ask questions, and support one another, simply send your name and email address to Sr. Ilaria Buonoriposi at sr.ilaria@catholicsmobilizing.org and include LCWR Death Penalty Google Group in the subject line.

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.

Louisville:  On April 18, Julie Driscoll, SCN and David Horvath will present, “Bridging the Divide/Creating Community with the People of Nicaragua,” at the Fellowship of Reconciliation and Interfaiths Path to Peace third Thursday luncheons.  The luncheon is hosted at The Rudyard Kipling (422 West Oak Street, Louisville) with a buffet lunch at 11:30 a.m.  Tickets are $7 with reservations from Cathy Ford (458.1223) or Polk Culpepper (948.2077) by the Tuesday before the lunch. 

Louisville:  April is National Fair Housing Month and commemorates the 45th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act of 1968. The Fair Housing Act, passed in 1968, provides equal opportunity to all who buy, sell, rent, finance, or insure housing. It broadens the real estate market by making all housing and property available to all Kentuckians and protects the individual’s basic right to choose where to live. On April 23, 2013, there will be a “Get on the Bus: the Path Toward Equal Housing Opportunity” event from 12:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Kentucky Center for African American Heritage in Louisville, Kentucky.   Event is open to the public and space is limited.  Register online at www.LexingtonFairHousing.com or contact Arthur Crosby at (859) 971-8067, toll-free at (866) 438-8617, or e-mail crosbylfhc@hotmail.com