News Archives » Central America & the Caribbean
US/Mexico Border Women Hold Hunger Strike in Front of the White House November 13th, 2010
Eleven women from El Paso and Ciudad Juarez are holding a hunger strike in front of the White House to raise awareness of the US-Mexico border issues. The November 8th to 17th hunger strike aims to develop public awareness about the lives of women and families affected by the violence, poverty and unemployment in Juarez and El Paso. The women are calling on federal decision-makers to look beyond short-sighted border security initiatives and instead, establish long-term strategies to support community-led development of the nation’s poorest region.
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Story of Electronics Video Now Available! November 10th, 2010
E-Waste in Indonesia
Annie Leonard, the creator of the popular Story of Stuff video series, has released a new, short film – on the electronics that we all use every day. “Planned obsolescence” – now called “shortening the replacement cycle” – takes a huge toll on the environment, one we can no longer sustain.
Industry analysts anticipate Americans spending more than $8.5 billion on consumer electronics this month alone. While this may seem good for the economy, making all these products exacts an enormous environmental and public health toll.
Mining the metals destroys the environment in communities from Congo to Indonesia – often fueling conflict along the way. Assembling the gadgets uses huge amounts of water and energy and exposes workers to a host of toxic chemicals. Then, once we decide to move to the next, newer, better model, we leave behind mountains of old electronics — what’s called e-waste. A recent UN report notes that global e-waste generation is growing by about 40 million tons a year.
It doesn’t have to be this way. Watch The Story of Electronics to find out why and how we need to adopt the mantra of “Make them Safe, Make them Last, and Take them Back.”
End Violence Against Migrants at the US/Mexico Border October 29th, 2010
Last August, seventy two Central and South Americans migrants were brutally massacred after resisting their kidnappers’ extortion attempts and demands to work for them as smugglers. It was the worst mass killing in Mexico, and among the dead were teens and a pregnant woman. Religious groups and human rights organizations have always been concerned about violence against migrants at the border. Unfortunately, this news is not reported on enough by the news media.
The Obama Administration should engage Mexico on the prevention of migrant deaths. President Obama has the power to push for changes in U.S. policies that would prevent the exploitation and death of migrants, but concerned citizens need to call on him to act.
TAKE ACTION TODAY
The Oblate JPIC office, in collaboration with our coalition partners in the Border Working Group, is calling on you to take action to end violence against migrants:
Click here to ask President Obama to end violence against migrants at the U.S./Mexico border.
International Day for the Eradication of Poverty – October 17th October 12th, 2010
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to preach the good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed. (Luke 4:18-19)
Worship resources for the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on October 17th are available in sixteen languages thanks to the Commission for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation, USG/UISG Secretariat in Rome.
The English, Spanish and French versions are available from our site for download:
- Eradication of Poverty Prayer (English)
- Eradication of Poverty Prayer (French)
- Eradication of Poverty Prayer (Spanish)
Gov. Schwarzenegger Signs Legislation to Combat Human Trafficking October 8th, 2010
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed into law a measure to help eliminate slavery and human trafficking from product supply chains.
“Human trafficking is a terrible crime that goes against basic human rights and everything our country stands for,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “I am proud that in California, we have enacted some of the toughest laws to punish human traffickers and protect their victims. This legislation will increase transparency, allow consumers to make better, more informed choices and motivate businesses to ensure humane practices throughout the supply chain.”
SB 657 requires major retail sellers and manufacturers doing business in California to disclose their voluntary efforts to eradicate slavery and human trafficking from its direct supply chain for tangible goods offered for sale.
The Oblates of Mary Immaculate joined a group of investors working to end human trafficking who urged the Governor to sign the bill into law.
Thanks are due to the bill’s author, California Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento), and to Chris Miller with Alliance to Stop Slavery and End Trafficking (ASSET ) and founder Julia Ormond, former United Nations Goodwill Ambassador Against Slavery and Human Trafficking, for their tireless work as organizational sponsors of the bill.
