The Action Alert Digest will not be published
on Wednesday, December 29.
Wishing you and your loved ones
a blessed and hopeful holiday season!
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ACTIVE NONVIOLENCE AND PEACEMAKING |
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US Air Wars in Middle East ‘Deeply Flawed’: Leading to Over 1000 Civilian Deaths
Newly obtained Pentagon documents show the United States’ air wars in the Middle East have been marked by “deeply flawed intelligence” and “faulty targeting” that resulted in the deaths of more than 1,000 civilians over the last decade, according to a New York Times investigation. The report, based on a trove of confidential Pentagon documents, undercuts the US government’s portrayal of a war fought with precision bombs. MORE
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At Least 15 Lawmakers Who Shape US Defense Policy Have Investments in Military Contractors
Several lawmakers who hold powerful positions on Congressional committees that control US military policy have financial ties to prominent defense contractors that together were worth nearly $1 million in 2020. Throughout 2021, both Democrats and Republicans serving on the congressional Armed Services committees have continued to invest in or cash out of the most important players in the military and defense industry. MORE
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TAKE ACTION: Endorse the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty
The States Parties to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) are scheduled to meet next month for the 10th NPT Review Conference. This is an important opportunity to push the nuclear-weapon States and their nuclear-reliant allies to make progress on disarmament obligations and commitments made at previous review conferences. NoForstUse Global invites us to endorse an open letter to the States Parties urging them to end the arms race. TAKE ACTION
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UN Watchdog Says Iran Will Allow New Cameras at Nuclear Site
The United Nations’ nuclear watchdog and Iran reached a deal to reinstall cameras damaged at an Iranian site that manufactures centrifuge parts in June. Iran had since refused the International Atomic Energy Agency access to replace cameras damaged in the incident, part of an ongoing hard-line tact taken by Tehran at negotiations underway in Vienna over its tattered 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. MORE
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New York and Boston Act to Support Nuclear Ban Treaty
The city councils of New York and Boston have passed binding resolutions that support the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. The New York resolution is a major step forward since it includes legal obligations to divest all investments that include any aspect of nuclear weapons’ design or production. The resolution of the Boston City Council calls on federal leaders to make nuclear disarmament “the centerpiece of our national security policy”. MORE
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Biden To Stop Holding Undocumented Families in Detention Centers
As of December 18, there are zero migrant families in US detention facilities, and the Biden administration converted the last three migrant family detention centers in the United States to facilities for single adults. There are now approximately 150,000 migrants enrolled in alternative programs such as ankle bracelets and traceable cell phones. MORE
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U.N. Concerned by Reinstatement of 'Remain in Mexico' Border Policy
The United Nations said last week it was concerned by the reinstatement of the policy put in place by former President Donald Trump that forced tens of thousands of migrants to wait in Mexico for the resolution of their U.S. asylum cases. A U.S. appeals court on Monday rejected a renewed attempt by the Biden administration to end the policy - often referred to as "Remain in Mexico", and officially called the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP). MORE
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Agricultural Labor Trafficking Growing Problem in Illinois
In Illinois, farming is big business as one of America's leading producers of soybeans, corn, and pork. But the nature of farm work and the structure of our nation's migrant labor program make the people who perform long hours of labor in Illinois’ more than 72,000 farms vulnerable to abuse and the COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated an already alarming situation. MORE
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New York City Bans Gas Heating and Stoves from New Buildings
The New York City Council voted to pass a bill last week that will address the Big Apple’s biggest source of planet-warming emissions: the fossil fuels burned in its buildings. The new law will prevent building developers from installing fuel-burning systems in new buildings and most gut renovations starting in 2024, forcing them to instead design buildings with all-electric heating, hot water, and cooking appliances. MORE
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Iowa Landowners Facing Bullying, Intimidation, Harassment from Pipeline Companies
Sierra Club Iowa Chapter is working with hundreds of Iowa farmers and landowners to stop the proposed Navigator and Summit carbon pipelines. Both companies are encountering major problems getting landowners to sign forever voluntary easements to take their land. That means these companies are increasing pressure on Iowans across the state. Iowans across the state report that they are experiencing bullying, harassment, and intimidation. MORE
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The Facts of, the Myths About, and the Solutions for Child Trafficking
The prosecution rested its case last week in the trial of Ghislaine Maxwell, the alleged accomplice of billionaire financier Jeffrey Epstein. She's facing six charges for her alleged role in Epstein's trafficking of underage girls. Advocates for survivors of child sex trafficking say the Maxwell case is unique. They argue it's more common for law enforcement to target trafficking survivors than their abusers. A recent program from NPR examines the issue of accountability. MORE
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Human Trafficking and the Travel Industry
The travel and tourism industry is affected by trafficking daily as traffickers attempt to transport victims during major sporting events, conventions, and at vacation destinations. Over the last decade, travel professionals have recognized the role they can play on the front lines of identifying potential trafficking victims. As a result, many organizations work to ensure that their employees are ready to respond to victims in plain sight rather than look away from them. MORE
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DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT |
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Senators Look to Reauthorize Violence Against Women Act
A bipartisan group of senators have reached a compromise on the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, the landmark 1994 legislation that created sweeping protections for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault but lapsed in 2019. The new framework includes closing the boyfriend loophole in federal law that allows non-spousal dating partners with misdemeanor abuse convictions to keep their guns. MORE
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Pope Francis Says Domestic Violence Against Women Is 'Almost Satanic'
Pope Francis has said that men who commit violence against women engage in something that is "almost satanic." Since the Covid-19 pandemic began nearly two years ago, Francis has spoken out several times against domestic violence, which has increased in many countries since lockdowns left many women trapped with their abusers. MORE
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HUMAN RIGHTS AND INCOME INEQUALITY |
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TAKE ACTION: Extend the Expanded Child Tax Credit
This month, an estimated 35 million families will receive a payment to help make ends meet. This will be the last monthly payment unless Congress acts to maintain the expanded Child Tax Credit. The expanded credit has been extremely effective, lifting 3.8 million children above the poverty line. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops urges us to tell Congress to extend the expanded Child Tax Credit. TAKE ACTION
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The Year in Inequality in 10 Charts
A year ago, the world had high hopes: expecting the Covid vaccine rollout to bring a swift end to the pandemic, opening a window for pushing bold solutions to the long-standing economic, racial, and gender divides that had grown even wider under Covid. Where are we as 2021 comes to a close? Inequality. org offers 10 charts that highlight major inequality developments of the year, covering some steps back and some important steps forward. MORE
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Decriminalization: The Hidden Truth of Black Girls
Young Black girls experience criminalization at every point in their life, as their bodies continue to be the victims of hate and over-policing. The Center for Law and Policy illustrates how the criminalization of young Black girls and women has been occurring since slavery, manifesting itself as harsh punishments, state-sanctioned violence, and dehumanization – and is plainly visible in our legal system, medical institutions, and education today. MORE
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Donald Grant is scheduled to be executed on January 27 by the state of Oklahoma for the murders of Brenda McElyea and Suzette Smith. Please hold Donald, Brenda, Suzette, their families, and the people of Oklahoma in prayer. TAKE ACTION
Matthew Reeves is scheduled to be executed on January 27 by the state of Alabama for the murder of Willie Johnson. Please hold Matthew, Willie, their families, and the people of Alabama in prayer. TAKE ACTION
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