Weekly Justice Highlights

Immigration:  The Senate could vote as early as this a.m. on S. 744, the immigration legislation.  Individuals are invited to contact Senators at 1.866.940.2439 (No charges) and ask to be connected to their Senators’ offices.  Urge them to vote YES to pass S.744 as amended.  Now is the time to fix our nation’s broken immigration system.  (Act as soon as possible)  A message is also available here.

Care of Earth: Send President Obama a thank you for his leadership on a comprehensive approach to tackling the climate crisis. 

Challenging Unjust Systems: Urge Members of Congress to increase funding for Leahy Law that restricts U.S. aid to foreign security forces (police, military, and other) that are credibly alleged to have engaged in torture.   

With the recent Supreme Court’s decision on voting rights, U.S. legislators must fill the vacuum created by the Court’s decision and restore strong voting protections for all Americans.  Urge Congress to act swiftly. 

“A fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work”—that was President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s goal when he signed the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) 75 years ago today, establishing a federal minimum wage. It was a wonderful start—and now it’s time to make sure the minimum wage works for the 21st century.  Urge U.S. Senators and Representatives to support the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2013.  

Firing, intimidating and reprimanding employees is no way to deal with employees who experience unjust working conditions.  Tell Walmart’s board of directors that an attempt to suppress employees right to come together and speak for a better future will not be tolerated.  

Calls are still being urged to U.S. legislators (202.224.3121; charges apply) to oppose Fast Track for the Trans-Pacific Partnership Trade Agreement.  Avaaz also has an ongoing petition for international signatures located here. 

The July 2013 edition of the LCWR newsletter is now available here. 

Louisville: Residents of Louisville are invited to thank the Metro Council who passed a 2013-2014 budget that includes $1 million in funds for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund that will begin to address housing needs for hardworking families. 

Louisville: On July 20 from 5 to 7 p.m., It’s A Girl film will be viewed with dialogue at St. Andrew’s United Church of Christ (2608 Browns Lane).   The viewing is hosted by Revealing Sophia’s Truth, a young adult faith activist group that attended the 57^th Commission on the Status of Women at the UN in March 2013. In this film global experts and grass-roots activists tell the stories of abandoned and trafficked girls, of women who suffer extreme dowry-related violence, of brave mothers fighting to save their daughter’s lives and of other mothers who would kill for a son.