TAKE ACTION: Reinstate the Assault Weapons Ban Now

There’s often a common thread in mass shootings, and the tragedy in Lewiston, ME, is no different: The shooting turned as deadly as it did because of an assault weapon—a weapon invented for use on the battlefield, designed to kill as many people as possible as quickly as possible. Everytown for Gun Safety urges us to tell Congress to prioritize public safety and save lives by reinstating the bipartisan Assault Weapons Ban. TAKE ACTION

First One to Commit to Nonviolence Wins

While a trauma-informed analysis tells us that atrocities tend to replicate more and more frequently and with more ferocity, analysts also know that none of that retributive violence accomplishes peace or justice. Palestinian Mohammed Abu-Nimer noted this week: “Have we not learned the lesson that violence and killing will not lead to peace and security? Giving people space for freedom to live in dignity and security has been the foundation for peace among humans since they began walking this earth.” MORE

TAKE ACTION: Support the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons

The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons bans the threat, possession, and use of nuclear weapons for those countries that have ratified it. So far, 93 countries have signed the treaty and 69 have ratified it and will gather later this month in New York. But the U.S. government actively opposes the treaty. Back from the Brink invites us to ask our elected officials to sign a letter to President Biden urging him to initiate negotiations with all nuclear-armed states toward an agreement to eliminate all nuclear weapons. TAKE ACTION

Why We Must Reject Calls for a U.S. Nuclear Buildup 

The experience of the Cold War teaches us that an unconstrained arms race has no winners, only losers. Regrettably, the final report of the Congressional Commission on the Strategic Posture of the United States, released in October, suggests that, in response to Russia’s nuclear and military behavior and the anticipated growth of China’s nuclear arsenal, the U.S. arsenal “should be supplemented” to add more capability and flexibility to counter two “near-peer” nuclear adversaries. MORE

Biden Administration Working on a New Nuclear Bomb

President Joe Biden's administration has proposed building a new nuclear. The Department of Defense announced that it is pursuing the development of a new variant of the B61 gravity bomb, a type of weapon that was first produced in the 1960s, at the height of the Cold War. If the yield figure is accurate, the B61-13 would have more than 22 times the explosive force of the bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima, Japan, during World War II. MORE

TAKE ACTION: Urge Congress to Fund Refugee and Newcomer Inclusion 

Global crises have forced over 110 million people from their homes, with ongoing conflicts resulting in 37 million refugees. Congress recently passed a funding bill until November 17, but it lacks crucial resources to support refugees. This legislation also restricts support for Ukrainians and Afghans, cutting access to vital services and benefits. Church World Service invites us to tell Congress to restore essential benefits to arriving Ukrainians and Afghans, invest in welcoming policies, and reduce detention, deportations, and border militarization.  TAKE ACTION

Bipartisan Bill Would Provide Kids-Only Immigration Courts for Migrant Children

There are 62,000 pending cases in U.S. immigration courts involving children who crossed the border without a parent. Nearly half defend themselves against deportation without any legal representation. Sometimes children too young to communicate verbally are left sitting in front of judges who are not trained in handling such sensitive cases. Now a rare bipartisan bill on immigration aims to make the immigration court system friendlier and more navigable for unaccompanied migrant children. MORE

One-Way Plane Tickets: NYC Offers Migrants Free Travel Anywhere to Move

New York City is attempting to discourage migrants from staying by offering one-way plane tickets to the destination of their choice, figuring this is cheaper than sheltering them for months. Mayor Eric Adams said that migrants who stay may be sleeping outside in the cold during winter months since shelters are full. MORE

Hurricane Otis’ Explosive Intensification Is a Symptom of the Climate Crisis, Scientists Say

The rapid intensification Hurricane Otis underwent in the hours before it slammed into southern Mexico last week is a symptom of the human-caused climate crisis, scientists say – and one that is becoming more frequent. When it happens right before landfall, as it did with Otis, it can catch coastal communities by surprise with little time to prepare. The hurricane’s intensification was among the fastest forecasters have ever seen: its top-end windspeed increased by 115 mph in 24 hours.  MORE

Are Microplastics Causing Upticks in Dementia? 

A recent study associated microplastic exposure with altered mental behaviors in older mice. Following weeks of consumption of microplastics through water, tests revealed heightened anxiety and reduced cognitive abilities, particularly in older mice, resembling symptoms of human dementia. While human tests are a long way down the road, any of these signs showing up in any mammal should sound alarm bells for governments, industry, and the public at large.  MORE 

Imports to the U.S. From China Seem Fishy, and Forced Labor Is the Culprit

A group of U.S. lawmakers wants the Biden administration to ban seafood processed in two Chinese provinces from entering the U.S. market.   Recent investigations reveal human rights abuses in China’s fishing fleet and proof of the forced labor of the Uyghur people within seafood processing plants. Rep. Chris Smith, chair of the commission, called the practices “egregious violations of human rights” that contravened U.S. laws against the use of forced labor. MORE

Des Moines Man Who Sexually Abused, Trafficked Mothers and Daughters Gets 40 Years

A Des Moines man who "left a wake of destruction, trauma, and pain," according to prosecutors, has been sentenced to 40 years in prison after pleading guilty to sex trafficking. Richard Ball, 47, was charged last year with 17 federal sex, drug, and kidnapping charges involving six victims, including three minors. He pleaded guilty in June to four charges: sexual exploitation of a child, conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, sex trafficking, and kidnapping. Last week, he received concurrent prison sentences of 40, 30, and 10 years. MORE

Growing Conflict in Congo Drives Sexual Assault Against Displaced Women

Sexual violence by armed men against displaced women is increasing rapidly in eastern Congo as yearslong conflicts continue. The trend underscores the disproportionate consequences for women and girls in the region’s perpetual state of war. In the town of Bulengo and other displacement sites nearby, an average of 70 sexual assault victims each day visit clinics run by Doctors Without Borders. MORE

The Women Trapped in Prison with Abusive Guards: ‘They Hold My Life in Their Hands’

A former prison guard in California was charged with nearly 100 counts of sexual violence. Authorities say the accused is suspected of harassing, assaulting, and raping at least 22 women in custody from 2014 to 2022, though court records and testimony from women and their lawyers suggest his abuse extends beyond the criminal allegations. The women describe a system in which a lack of access to basic amenities like adequate food and hygiene products and family communication makes them vulnerable to abuse by guards. MORE

Sick and Tired of Industry Greed, Activists Across U.S. Target For-Profit Health Insurers

Pushing back against insurers' annual denial of nearly a quarter-billion healthcare claims or pre-authorization requests, activists rallied in more than a dozen U.S. cities last month to demand "an end to private health insurance industry greed so people can get the care they need when they need it." Activists implored private health insurance corporations including Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS), UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, Humana, and Aetna to "focus on ending the epidemic of care denials." MORE

Police Diversion Programs Work. Here’s Why

Recent research suggests that providing suspected drug abusers with treatment, instead of arrests, reduces their likelihood of future drug abuse and drug-related offenses. This police intervention is particularly beneficial in curbing opioid abuse, which has surged in the United States since the late 1990s, leading to increased opioid-related deaths and crimes. The historical approach of arresting drug users has proven ineffective in mitigating drug abuse or associated crimes.  MORE

Community Fridges Don’t Just Fight Hunger. They’re also a Climate Solution.

Community refrigerators are a sharing mechanism that strives to reduce food insecurity and food waste, building a stronger community. Programs such as this promote equal access to healthy food through the installation of public refrigerators that are used to share food and ideas at the neighborhood level. They also reduce waste — and methane emissions. MORE

Brent Brewer is scheduled to be executed on November 9 by the state of Texas for the murder of Robert Laminack. Please hold Brent, Robert, their families, and the people of Texas in prayer. TAKE ACTION

David Renteria is scheduled to be executed on November 16 by the state of Texas for the murder of Alexandra Flores. Please hold David, Alexandra, their families, and the people of Texas in prayer. TAKE ACTION

Casey McWhorter is scheduled to be executed on November 16 by the state of Alabama for the murder of Edward Williams. Please hold Casey, Edward, their families, and the people of Alabama in prayer. TAKE ACTION