ACTIVE NONVIOLENCE AND PEACEMAKING |
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Why Are Americans Paying $32m Every Hour for Wars Since 9/11?
Shortly after 9/11, President Bush sent a blank check to Congress that would give him or any other president the authority to wage war against enemies of their choosing. It was a sweeping resolution known as the 2001 authorization for use of military force. In an opinion piece for The Guardian, California Representative Barbara Lee says that now, “Twenty years on…it is time to turn the page on two decades of endless war with a vague and ever-shifting mission.” MORE
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Israel Unveils New Armed Robot Amid Outcry Over 'Death Machines'
Israel unveiled a new remote-controlled killer robot at a major weapons fair in the U.K. that human rights advocates are criticizing as an event to sell "death machines" and tools of abuse. Developed by Israel Aerospace Industries, the Rex MK II is a four-wheeled vehicle mounted with two machine guns to carry out remote attacks. According to a press statement from the state-owned company announcing the release, the robot has already been sold to global customers. MORE\
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The Only Way to Effectively Counter Terror Is to End War
Peace Activist Kathy Kelly has spent a lot of time in Afghanistan since 9/11 – making friends with people and trying to get to the root of issues affecting peace. In an article for Waging Nonviolence, she writes, “The Taliban are in power today because of a colossal mess the U.S. helped create.” Now, she declares, “we U.S. citizens must insist on…dismantling the warfare systems that caused so much havoc and misery.” MORE
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TAKE ACTION: Help Establish a No First Use Policy
A nuclear exchange between the US and Russia or China would incinerate hundreds of millions of people immediately, and lead to a Nuclear Winter which would slaughter an estimated 7 billion of the Earth's 7.7 billion people, mostly through starvation. Massachusetts Peace Action asks us to call on President Biden and Congress to put in place a policy of No First Use of nuclear weapons as an important step to prevent nuclear war. TAKE ACTION
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Both North and South Korea Fire Ballistic Missiles as Tensions Rise on Peninsula
North Korea and South Korea both tested ballistic missiles this week, adding new pressure to restart nuclear negotiations with North Korea that have been stalled since 2019. South Korean President Moon Jae-in said Seoul’s missile test was prescheduled and not a reaction to provocations from Pyongyang, while South Korean security officials voiced concern over the North Korean tests. MORE
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Undocumented Immigrants In 9/11 Cleanup Crews Seek Legal Status
A Peruvian was one of many undocumented immigrants who developed health problems while working on cleanup crews in lower Manhattan after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The workers have asked for legal status as compensation for their work, but this has not happened after 20 years. MORE
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Biden Reopens Program That Allows Central American Children to Come to the U.S. Legally
The U.S. government will start accepting new applications for an Obama-era immigration policy that allows some U.S.-based parents to bring their children from Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador to the country legally. The acceptance of new petitions will mark the final stage of the Biden administration's revival of the Central American Minors initiative, which helps prevent the often dangerous trek migrant children undertake to reach the southern border. MORE
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U.S. Steps Up Effort to Unite Separated Migrant Families
The Biden administration is increasing efforts to find and reunite migrant families separated at the U.S.-Mexico border under President Trump. Many parents now reside in remote parts of Central America. When found, the parents will be returned to the United States and given at least three years of legal residency. MORE
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TAKE ACTION: Tell Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Nestlé to Stop Fueling the Climate Crisis
Beyond poisoning our oceans and marine life with plastic waste, the fossil fuel industry — makers of plastic — is fueling the climate crisis. More than 99 percent of plastic is made from fossil fuels, and by 2050, the oil and petrochemical industry wants to triple plastic production as the next frontier. Greenpeace urges us to tell Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Nestlé to ditch plastic made from fossil fuels and switch to reuse and refill solutions. TAKE ACTION
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20 Meat and Dairy Firms Emit More Greenhouse Gas Than Germany, Britain, or France
Twenty livestock companies are responsible for more greenhouse gas emissions than either Germany, Britain, or France – and are receiving billions of dollars in financial backing to do so. Raising livestock contributes significantly to carbon emissions, with animal agriculture accounting for 14.5% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. MORE
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'Failure of Climate Leadership': House Dems' Tax Plan Leaves Oil Subsidies in Place
Climate campaigners took House Democrats to task this week for releasing a tax plan that would keep in place billions of dollars in subsidies to the fossil fuel industry. While the proposal would close one tax loophole for oil and gas extraction, the plan would leave a number of fossil fuel subsidies, including a subsidy enacted in 1916 allowing many fossil fuel producers to deduct 100% of many costs associated with extraction. MORE
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TAKE ACTION: Urge California to Ensure All Its Temporary Workers Are Free from Slavery
Thousands of temporary workers are being trafficked into forced labor in California – a state which attracts more temporary foreign workers than anywhere else in the US. The current bill which set out to protect workers, SB477, leaves thousands at high risk of human trafficking. Freedom United urges us to call on the California State Legislature to amend the bill to protect all migrant workers, regardless of visa or industry, from forced labor and trafficking. TAKE ACTION
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Anti-Trafficking Activists Rally Against Forced Labor At New York Fashion Week
Last week, a broad coalition of anti-trafficking groups staged a protest outside the main show venue for New York Fashion Week 2021 – one of the most important events of the fashion industry. Dozens of advocates turned up on the rainy morning to show a united force against Uyghur forced labor as fashion enthusiasts arrived to attend fashion week events. Global brands such as Zara, Nike, and Uniqlo have been identified as having ties to Uyghur forced labor. MORE
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DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT |
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Protesters Return Outside Phi Kappa Psi at University of Kansas Following Reported Sexual Assault
For the second night in a row, protesters gathered in Lawrence at the University of Kansas fraternity Phi Kappa Psi following a report of a sexual assault. Protesters say they want to make sure reports of sexual assault are thoroughly investigated and perpetrators are held accountable if they committed a crime. Members of the crowd are also showing support for the person who reported they were sexually assaulted at the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. MORE
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Activists in Russia Push to Make Domestic Violence a Voting Issue
More than 12,200 women, or two-thirds of those murdered in Russia between 2011 and 2019, were killed by their partners or relatives. With elections coming up this weekend, activists and progressive candidates are imploring women to turn against Vladimir Putin’s ruling party, United Russia, which has rolled back protections for women over the last several years. MORE
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HUMAN RIGHTS AND INCOME INEQUALITY |
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TAKE ACTION: Pass the Freedom to Vote Act
The Freedom to Vote Act would make a major difference in voting rights. The revised bill would make Election Day a public holiday, ensure that every state offers same-day voter registration, set minimum federal standards on mail voting, and ban partisan gerrymandering. Common Cause urges us to tell our Senators to pass the Freedom to Vote Act. TAKE ACTION
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Could Covid-19 Finally End Hunger in America?
In essence, the pandemic triggered a countrywide policy experiment aimed at keeping families fed and financially afloat. There have been big increases in SNAP and unemployment benefits. Three rounds of stimulus checks. Free meals at schools, and new grocery benefits for kids who are learning virtually or are out of school during the summer. All of this has some policymakers wondering: If we know what drives food insecurity down, why not drive it down to zero? MORE
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House Democrats’ Plan to Tax the Rich Leaves Vast Fortunes Unscathed
House Democrats have presented a plan to pay for an expansive social policy and climate change package by raising taxes by more than $2 trillion, largely on wealthy individuals and profitable corporations. But the proposal, while substantial in scope, stopped well short of changes needed to dent the vast fortunes of tycoons like Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk. It aims to go after the merely rich more than the fabulously rich. MORE
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Rick Rhoades is scheduled to be executed on September 28 by the state of Texas for the murders of Charles Allen and Bradley Allen. Please hold Rick, Charles, Bradley, their families, and the people of Texas in prayer. TAKE ACTION
Ernest Johnson is scheduled to be executed on October 5th by the state of Missouri for the murders of Mary Bratcher, Fred Jones, and Mabel Scruggs. Please hold Ernest, Mary, Fred, Mabel, their families, and the people of Missouri in prayer. TAKE ACTION
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