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.