There’s a Better Way to Make Communities Safer — And It’s Taking Off Around the World

The wars continue to escalate, assisted with weapons from the U.S., feeding the insatiable military industries in the name of security and stability. Yet, at the same time, a rapidly swelling undercurrent of sustainable and affordable nonviolent methods to protect civilians and prevent violence is accelerating throughout the world. Although largely unreported, a growing number of creative and courageous people are building community safety from the ground up without introducing more violence. MORE

Federal Report Finds 68,000 Guns Were Illegally Trafficked Through Unlicensed Dealers Over 5 Years

More than 68,000 illegally trafficked firearms in the U.S. came through unlicensed dealers who aren’t required to perform background checks over a five-year period, according to a new report by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives. The guns were used in 368 shooting cases, which are harder to investigate because unlicensed dealers aren’t required to keep records of their sales which could allow federal agents to trace the weapon back to the original buyer. MORE  

Tens of Thousands of Israelis Rally Against PM Netanyahu in Jerusalem

Tens of thousands of Israelis have marched in Jerusalem, calling for increased efforts to free captives held in Gaza and the removal of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Demonstrators blocked a main city highway this past weekend, after earlier rallying in front of the Israeli parliament, lighting fires and waving the national flag. They claim that the protest was the biggest since the war in Gaza broke out in October. MORE

Nuclear Deal in Tatters, Iran Edges Close to Weapons Capability

While Iran says it has no plans to make nuclear weapons, it now has a supply of highly enriched uranium that could be converted to weapons-grade fuel for at least three bombs in a time frame ranging from a few days to a few weeks. The making of a crude nuclear device could follow in as little as six months after a decision is made, while overcoming the challenges of building a nuclear warhead deliverable by a missile would take longer, perhaps two years or more. MORE

The Logic for U.S. Ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty

Efforts to restrict nuclear testing culminated in 1996 with the completion of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, prohibiting tests that generate a nuclear yield. However, 28 years later, in part due to the U.S. Senate’s failure to consent to ratification, that treaty is not in force. An effort to secure ratification would require a determined push by the White House, but in present circumstances is unlikely to happen, possibly leaving the treaty in limbo for some time to come. MORE

TAKE ACTION: Support Displaced Haitians and Halt All Deportations and Returns

In recent months, conditions have deteriorated rapidly in Haiti, where armed gangs have seized control of much of the capital city of Port-Au-Prince and millions remain at risk of indiscriminate violence and persecution. The U.S. has continued to return people to dangerous conditions in Haiti, continuing a long history of U.S. mistreatment of Haitians seeking protection. Church World Service urges us to tell Congress and the administration to do more to protect Haitians fleeing violence and persecution.  TAKE ACTION

Baltimore: Immigrants Died Doing Job 'Others Do Not Want to Do'

Six immigrant workers working on the Key Bridge in Baltimore died in the early hours of March 26 when the bridge collapsed as it was hit by a large cargo ship. Local residents of the Hispanic community, which make up 10 percent of Baltimore, said they died because they were working in jobs that U.S. workers do not want to perform. Now some in Congress are linking the tragedy to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, arguing that they have been prioritized over infrastructure needs.  MORE  

Arizona Republicans Vote Yes for Bill That Would Make It Legal to Kill Migrants Suspected of Trespassing

The Arizona legislature, which is controlled by Republicans, passed legislation (HB 2843) that would allow a property owner to use “deadly force” to stop someone from crossing his/her property. Although the legislation does not mention migrants, it would impact migrants who often cross private property—usually a ranch or farm—along the Arizona side of the US-Mexico border. An Arizona rancher is currently on trial for second-degree murder for shooting a migrant on his property in January 2023. MORE

TAKE ACTION: Tell Congress to Safeguard Recent Environmental Protections

President Biden and the EPA have finalized long-promised rules to reduce deadly soot pollution nationwide, create new protections against methane pollution from oil and gas drilling, and limit car pollution. But now some in Congress are using an obscure tool called the Congressional Review Act to undo this great work. The Sierra Club urges us to tell the Senate to vote no on any vote aimed at weakening crucial public health protections. TAKE ACTION

Selling Snake Oil: Big Ag’s False Solutions

In the last few years, Iowa has become ground zero for the agribusiness and fossil fuel industries’ newest greenwashing tactics. These new ploys — carbon capture pipelines, ethanol, and factory farm gas (biogas) — create more pollution while serving to further entrench dirty industries. None are true solutions to Iowa’s problems. Food & Water Watch spoke to Iowans living near these harmful operations to uncover the pollution poisoning communities, and the industry tanking rural economies. MORE

EPA Imposes Limits on ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Drinking Water

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set its first-ever national, legally enforceable limits on PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals,” in drinking water. PFAS, short for per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, are chemicals widely used in consumer and industrial products to repel oil and resist heat since the 1940s. They break down very slowly and can build up in people, animals, food, and water and may lead to adverse health effects including decreased fertility, development delays, increased risk of cancer, and more, according to the EPA. MORE

Southeast Asia Human Trafficking Now a Global Crisis, Interpol Says

Organized crime rings that fueled an "explosion" of human trafficking and cyber scam centers during the pandemic have expanded from Southeast Asia into a global network making up to $3 trillion a year, according to the head of Interpol. The United Nations said last year that more than 100,000 people had been trafficked into online scam centers in Cambodia. In November, Myanmar handed over thousands of fugitive Chinese telecom fraud suspects to China. MORE

Online Child Safety Laws Could Help or Hurt – 2 Pediatricians Explain What’s Likely to Work and What Isn’t

Concern about social media use by 13- to 17-year-olds has led to a patchwork of state initiatives as well as proposed federal legislation. Following the Surgeon General’s Advisory on Social Media and Youth Mental Health in 2023, the Biden administration convened the Kids Online Health and Safety Task Force. In considering the role of the federal government in regulating teen social media use, it is important to also examine potential unintended detrimental effects. MORE

TAKE ACTION: Demand Congress Act to Protect the Freedom to Vote

Across the country, state legislatures are moving to restrict voting rights and limit democracy. The Freedom to Vote Act addresses this threat by creating national standards to protect our freedom to vote, getting big money out of politics, combating partisan election subversion, and guaranteeing that congressional districts are drawn to give fair representation to all. People for the American Way invite us to tell Congress to bring this important legislation to a hearing and a vote in both chambers of Congress. TAKE ACTION

Low-Income Families Have More to Spend on Fruit and Veggies Thanks to New WIC Rule

U.S. officials this week announced that the federal program that helps low-income women and young children access nutritious food will permanently allot more funds for fruit, vegetables, and other vital staples. The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, commonly referred to as WIC, provides monthly grocery benefits to almost 6.6 million mothers and children up to age 5 in the U.S., including nearly 40% of all infants. The new changes are the first update to WIC food packages in a decade. MORE  

Why Rural White Americans’ Resentment Is a Threat to Democracy

Rural white voters have long enjoyed outsize power in American politics. They have inflated voting power in Congress and the Electoral College. Roughly 20% of Americans live in rural communities, and three-quarters of them are white. The unfortunate fact is that polls suggest many rural white people’s commitment to the American political system is eroding. Even when they are not members of militant organizations, rural white people, as a group, now pose threats to our constitutional democracy. MORE

Jamie Mills is scheduled to be executed on May 30 by the state of Alabama for the murders of Vera and Floyd Hill of Guin.  Please hold Jamie, Vera, Floyd, their families, and the people of Alabama in prayer. TAKE ACTION

Wade Greely Lay is scheduled to be executed on June 6 by the state of Oklahoma for the murder of Kenny Anderson. Please hold Wade, Kenny, their families, and the people of Oklahoma in prayer. TAKE ACTION