TAKE ACTION: Oppose U.S. Military Intervention in Haiti 

The situation in Haiti is dire — and the unelected Haitian government has called for an armed international intervention. U.S. and UN interventions in Haiti have historically been disasters, and civil society in the country is raising the alarm against this proposed new attempt to run back the same failed playbook of leading with violence. Win Without War urges us to tell the Biden administration to oppose armed intervention in Haiti. TAKE ACTION

New Report Documents 235 Nonviolent Resistance Actions in Ukraine

Since the onset of the Russian invasion of Ukraine earlier this year, researchers have noted 235 nonviolent resistance actions in Ukraine. This nonviolent resistance has 1) hindered some of the long-term military and political goals of the Russian authorities; 2) protected many civilians; 3) undermined the Russian narrative; 4) built community resilience; and 5) strengthened local governance. MORE  

US and Russia Agree to Hold Talks on Nuclear Treaty for First Time Since Ukraine War Began

The US and Russia have agreed to hold talks on the single existing nuclear treaty between the two countries in the near future. The New START treaty limits all deployed intercontinental-range nuclear weapons by Russia and the US. The treaty – the only one left regulating the two largest nuclear arsenals in the world – was extended by five years in February 2021 during the first weeks of Joe Biden’s presidency. MORE

The New US Nuclear Posture Review Is a Major Step Backward

The US Defense Department finally released the 2022 Nuclear Posture Review late last month. Nuclear weapons experts are frustrated, saying it takes a substantial step back from Obama’s objective of reducing the role of nuclear weapons in US security strategy. MORE

Poll: Americans, Japanese, and South Koreans Don’t Support Using Nuclear Weapons Against North Korea

As North Korea appears headed toward its seventh nuclear test, new research suggests the US, Japanese, and South Korean people don’t want nuclear weapons used to counter future aggression. Fear of nuclear escalation and the belief that nuclear use is abhorrent were the most frequently cited reasons why they preferred nuclear restraint. MORE

TAKE ACTION: Call on DHS to Issue Guidance to Protect Immigrant Workers

All working people, regardless of immigration status, deserve a safe work environment with a living wage, and the ability to speak up about labor violations without fear of retaliation.  The National Immigration Law Center invites us to sign a petition urging the Department of Homeland Security to issue guidance on how immigrant workers can assert their rights on the job and ensure an equitable workplace for all people. TAKE ACTION

Why This Is the Deadliest Year for the US-Mexico Border

Along the 2,000-mile boundary between the US and Mexico, this past year proved the deadliest on record for people trying to make unauthorized crossings of this heavily patrolled international line. In just 12 months, more than 800 migrants lost their lives in search of a better one as they drowned in the Rio Grande, succumbed to blistering summer heat, crashed in a smuggler’s vehicle, or otherwise had their journey violently cut short. MORE

TAKE ACTION: Defend and Strengthen the Clean Water Act

Fifty years ago, the Clean Water Act made significant progress in cleaning up our waters, but these protections are under attack by corporate polluters. From preventing the dumping of toxic "forever chemicals" into our waterways, algae blooms due to industrial agriculture runoff, and coal ash from contaminating our water, a strong Clean Water Act remains essential. The Sierra Club urges us to tell Congress to defend and strengthen the Clean Water Act. TAKE ACTION

US Falling $32 Billion Short On ‘Fair Share’ to Help Poor Nations Survive Climate Crisis

Despite being the world's largest historical emitter of heat-trapping gases, the United States has contributed far less than its "fair share" to meet its obligation to help poor countries ramp up clean energy and fight extreme weather. Developed countries agreed in 2009 to allocate $100 billion in green finance per year to the developing world by 2020, but only $83.3 billion was mobilized that year, and governments are not expected to reach their goal anytime soon. MORE

Over 130 Power Plants That Have Spawned Leaking Toxic Coal Ash Ponds and Landfills Don’t Think Cleanup Is Necessary

More than 90 percent of the country’s coal plants are contaminating water across 43 states, according to a new report. And nearly half of them have no plans to clean up the mess. The study, which looked at 292 sites around the country, focused on coal ash -- a toxic byproduct of burning coal to produce power. Coal ash contains cancer-causing heavy metals such as arsenic and cobalt. MORE  

TAKE ACTION: Protect Essential Foreign Workers from Labor Trafficking

At any given time, the United States is temporarily home to hundreds of thousands of workers who came here on legal visas designed to help fill jobs that U.S. businesses say they can’t fill with workers already in this country. These workers are often tricked into trafficking situations through false promises. Polaris urges us to ask the Biden Administration to prioritize regulations so that temporary foreign workers get paid what they have earned. TAKE ACTION

Justice Department Awards Over $90 Million to Prevent Human Trafficking and Support Victims

The Justice Department’s Office of Justice Programs has announced over $90 million in funding to prevent human trafficking, provide services to human trafficking victims, and support research and evaluation on responses to human trafficking. The objective of the effort is to address the needs of victims of human trafficking and support multidisciplinary responses to this crime in the U.S., by providing more than 500 awards to organizations serving thousands of clients every year.   MORE

Slavery Rejected in Some, Not All, States Where on Ballot

Voters in three states approved ballot measures that will change their state constitutions to prohibit slavery and involuntary servitude as punishment for crime, while those in a fourth state rejected the move. The measures approved this week curtail the use of prison labor in Alabama, Tennessee, and Vermont. In Louisiana, a former slave-holding state, voters rejected a constitutional amendment to prohibit the use of involuntary servitude in the criminal justice system. MORE

Fifa Backs Executives After Failure to Tell Players About Sexually Abusive Coach

Fifa, the global soccer association, has backed senior officials within its organization after a failure to tell players and the public the real reason why now-convicted sex offender and former national team coach Bob Birada left Canada Soccer in 2008. The officials had central roles in Birarda’s exit from his job as a Canadian women’s team coach after he was found to have acted inappropriately with his own players. MORE

Cornell Suspends Fraternity Parties and Social Events After Allegations of Sexual Assault and Drug-Laced Drinks

Cornell University has suspended all fraternity parties and social events after campus police issued alerts about an alleged sexual assault and at least four alleged incidents of drug-laced drinks at an off-campus location. The university said that the incidents “reportedly occurred at off-campus residences affiliated with registered fraternities.” MORE

House Analysis Confirms Corporations Use 'Cover of Inflation to Raise Prices Excessively'

A report from the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Reform highlighted how "certain corporations are using the cover of inflation to raise prices excessively, resulting in record profits and profit margins" at the expense of consumers. The analysis reaffirms a majority of Americans already recognize according to a recent poll: Under the guise of inflation, corporations have raised prices far beyond what their costs necessitated, further driving inflation. MORE

Federal Lobbying Topped $3 Billion Through Third Quarter for the First Time Ever

Federal lobbyists raked in $3 billion through the third quarter of 2022, a record haul in what will likely be the most expensive year for federal lobbying to date. Over 11,900 federal lobbyists were deployed during the first nine months of 2022. No client has spent more money on federal lobbying this year than the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, a conservative association of over 3 million businesses that shelled out $60 million on federal lobbying through Sept. 30.   MORE

When Mental Health Crisis Responders Reach Rural Residents

When rural 911 dispatchers receive a call about someone who feels despondent or agitated, the police are normally dispatched, who often take the caller to a hospital or jail.  In most of those instances, all the person needs is a visit from a mental health professional who can help them calm down and find follow-up care. That’s now an option, thanks to crisis response teams serving rural areas. MORE

Murray Hooper is scheduled to be executed on November 16 by the state of Arizona for the murders of Patrick Redmond and Helen Phelps. Please hold Murray, Patrick, Helen, their families, and the people of Arizona in prayer. TAKE ACTION

Stephen Barbee is scheduled to be executed on November 16 by the state of Texas for the murders of Lisa Underwood, her unborn child, and her son Jayden. Please hold Stephen, Lisa, her unborn child, Jayden, their families, and the people of Texas in prayer. TAKE ACTION

Richard Fairchild is scheduled to be executed on November 17 by the state of Oklahoma for the murder of Adam Broomhall. Please hold Richard, Adam, their families, and the people of Oklahoma in prayer. TAKE ACTION

Kenneth Eugene Smith is scheduled to be executed on November 17 by the state of Alabama for the murder of Elizabeth Sennett. Please hold Kenneth, Elizabeth, their families, and the people of Alabama in prayer. TAKE ACTION