Weekly Justice Highlights

Human Trafficking: The Department of Homeland Security recently announced the launch of the redesigned Blue Campaign for comprehensive resources for recognizing the indicators of human trafficking and knowing how to report suspected instances of human trafficking to law enforcement, as well as resources for potential victims.      

Care of Earth:  U.S. citizens are invited to urge Senators to support S. 761, The Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2013, that works to use energy more efficiently.

In the Spirit of St. Vincent: Call (1.202.224.3121; charges apply) or email Representatives, urging them to repeal the sequestration and to live up to the current law evenly splitting the cuts between defense and non-defense spending in FY 2014.   

Challenging Unjust Systems: Urge Congress to oppose the corporate-backed agenda of the Trans-Atlantic Free Trade Agreement (TAFTA) that elevates individual corporations to the same status as sovereign nations signing the agreement.   

Promoting Peace: Urge U.S. Senators (1.202.224.3121; charges apply) to sign the Benjamin Cardin letter on human rights and the rule of law in Honduras that will be sent to Secretary of State John Kerry that asks the State Department to address deepening concerns about human rights and the rule of law in Honduras.  (Act before June 7 at 5 p.m. ET)

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is proposed to be cut in both House and Senate versions of the Farm Bill.  Urge Senators to avoid these harmful cuts.  (scroll down)

Tell the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that you support new gasoline and vehicle standards.  

Urge the NY city council to support initiatives to reduce smoking by banning ads that target youth.     

Urge the United States Department of Agriculture to call for an immediate ban on field testing genetically engineered (GE) crops after GE wheat was found growing in Oregon recently in spite of government and industry mechanisms to regulate and monitor to prevent contamination.   

BizVizz is corporate behavior made transparent and available to all. Just snap a picture of a brand’s logo or bar code and presto: a simple, graphic screen tells you the truth about America’s largest corporations. Taxes? Political donations? Subsidies?   App for i-phones is here.

National Farm Worker Ministry (NFWM) is a founding member of the Equitable Food Initiative – here is a link to an article which appeared this past weekend in the New York Times about the EFI.

Louisville:  On June 20 at 6 p.m. a march and rally for clean energy and healthy communities will occur.  The march begins at the Louisville International Convention Center (at 3rd and Market Streets) with the rally on the Belvedere with special guests farmer and poet Wendell Berry, activist Tim DeChristopher and musicians kRi ‘n’ hettie.