ACTIVE NONVIOLENCE AND PEACEMAKING |
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Canada Program Leads the Way in Addressing Mental Health Crises
Sending the police as first responders for mental health crises can be problematic in various ways. Mental health advocates are becoming increasingly aware of the need for alternative emergency response strategies for people in acute emotional distress and mental health crises. The city of Toronto, for example, is starting a pilot program to replace the use of wellness checks by police and develop new responses. MORE
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Most School Shooters Get Their Guns from Home
Most school shooters obtain the firearms they use from home. Since the onset of the public health crisis, firearm sales have spiked. Many of these firearms have ended up in households with teenage children, increasing the risk of accidental or intentional injury or fatalities, or death by suicide. MORE
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TAKE ACTION: Tell President Biden to Work for Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons
President Biden has long been an advocate for reducing the role of nuclear weapons in U.S. national security policy. Now is the time for President Biden to show the world that the U.S. is serious about ridding the world of the menace of nuclear weapons. Physicians for Social Responsibility invite us to sign a letter to President Biden to take bold action and make the U.S. a true leader by instituting policies to head off a new arms race with China. TAKE ACTION
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As Iran Nuclear Talks Hit Snags, Israel Seeks Harder US Line
The long-delayed resumption of nuclear talks with Iran has gotten off to a rough start — with Iran digging in and its negotiating partners openly voicing frustration and pessimism. After five days of talks in Vienna ended last week, the United States said Iran did not appear to be serious. Israel, an outside observer with a stake in the outcome of the talks, has ramped up its rhetoric and is dispatching two top security officials to Washington for consultations. MORE
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Cyber Threats and Nuclear Weapons
As the United States modernizes its nuclear forces in coming decades, it will upgrade the computer and communications technology associated with them. Newer technology will improve aspects of command, control, and communications related to the US nuclear arsenal. But if not carefully planned, the updating of nuclear technology could also increase risk in distinct ways. MORE
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TAKE ACTION: End Harmful “Remain in Mexico” Policy
The Biden administration has decided to restart — and even expand — Trump’s deadly “Remain in Mexico” policy that has put tens of thousands of people in danger and violated their legal right to access asylum: a fundamental human and legal right. The National Immigration Law Center invites us to sign their petition to urge the Biden administration to end harmful Trump policies and restore full access to asylum for good. TAKE ACTION
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Over 250,000 Young People Are at Risk of Deportation When They Turn 21
A lesser-known group of young people who grew up in the United States with immigration status—typically the children of noncitizens who entered the U.S. on temporary work visas—is increasingly at risk of deportation. They are known as Documented Dreamers, and when these young adults turn 21, they “age out” of their previous lawful status, which was tied to their parents’ visas. MORE
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Fallout of Family Separation Remains
Reunited families, still-separated families, and the organizations that are helping them are encountering the emotional and monetary costs of the initial separations at the border. Advocates say that parents that have been recently reunified with their children, or have yet to be reunified, need significant assistance immediately. If the government doesn’t step up, families are at risk of being re-traumatized. MORE
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Study Analyzes PR’s Hidden Role in Climate Crisis
Fossil fuels are choking cities with smog, turning the water toxic, and heating the atmosphere to a point of no return. So how do you make them sound like a good thing? Ask the public relations firms that have spent decades finding the right words. A new study documents how PR agencies popularized terms like “carbon footprint” and “clean coal,” emphasizing personal responsibility for climate change and diverting blame from fossil fuels. MORE
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New Program Aims to Mobilize Faith Finances, Assets for Stronger Climate Action
Leaders of the world's religions agree about the need for rapid, collective action to confront climate change. Faith Plans is a new program that looks to utilize the financial and property assets, resources, and influence that faith groups possess as a more forceful tool in the global response to climate change and environmental degradation. MORE
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Plastic Trash in the Ocean Is a Global Problem and the U.S. Is the Top Source
On a per-capita basis, the U.S. produces an order of magnitude more plastic waste than China – a nation often vilified over pollution-related issues. And only a small fraction of plastic in U.S. household waste streams is recycled. Current U.S. recycling systems are grossly insufficient to manage the diversity, complexity, and quantity of plastic waste. A new report outlines the alarming extent of the issue and urges action. MORE
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Biden Administration Releases New Plan to Reduce Human Trafficking
The Biden administration last week released an updated action plan to reduce human trafficking, with a new focus on gender and racial equity and workers’ rights. The new plan highlights underserved individuals, families, and communities and is linked to broader efforts by President Biden to address inequities for marginalized groups. It also focuses on ending forced labor in global supply chains, which the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated. MORE
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Modern-Day Slavery Uncovered in South Georgia
A years-long human trafficking operation trapped migrant workers in “modern-day slavery” on South Georgia farms, according to a federal indictment unsealed last week. Victims include over one hundred laborers smuggled from Mexico and Central America into “brutal” and “inhumane” working conditions. Under the threat of gun violence, some were allegedly forced to dig for onions with their bare hands, earning only 20 cents for each bucket harvested. MORE
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DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT |
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Lawmakers Reach Deal to Overhaul How Military Handles Sexual Assault Cases
House and Senate negotiators have reached a landmark agreement that would strip military commanders of most of their authority to prosecute sexual assaults and myriad other criminal cases. Under the agreement, independent military prosecutors would replace commanders in determining whether those accused of sexual assault, rape, murder, domestic violence, and an array of other offenses would be prosecuted. MORE
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Ring Donates Cameras to St. Louis-area Domestic Violence Survivors
As many as 1,000 survivors of domestic and sexual violence in the St. Louis area will get the gift of extra security this holiday season. The home security company Ring announced that it is partnering with a local domestic violence center to provide clients with a wireless door security camera. The Ring system allows someone to see who is at their door. If it’s the abuser, or someone that they are not comfortable with, they can contact law enforcement. MORE
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HUMAN RIGHTS AND INCOME INEQUALITY |
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White House Announces Diplomatic Boycott of Beijing Winter Olympics Over Human Rights Concerns
The U.S. announced a diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics over concerns about China's record on human rights. A diplomatic boycott means that no U.S. government officials will attend the Games but that U.S. athletes will still be allowed to compete. China has come under fire for cracking down on pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, for its policies toward Tibet and Taiwan, and for detaining and abusing Muslim Uyghurs. MORE
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Bigler Stouffer is scheduled to be executed on December 9 by the state of Oklahoma for the murder of Linda Reeves. Please hold Bigler, Linda, their families, and the people of Oklahoma in prayer. TAKE ACTION
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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