News Archives » Social Justice
Help Save SNAP/Food Stamps September 18th, 2013
4-6 Million People will go hungry if the budget for SNAP/Food Stamps is slashed
Call your Representative, toll-free: 866-456-8824* TODAY, Tuesday, September 17
The U.S. House is expected to take up a bill this week that would cut SNAP by $40 billion over ten years. Every Member of Congress needs to hear that such an extreme proposal is unacceptable. Food stamps have had bipartisan support for decades. (See Stop Playing Politics with Hunger by former Senators Bob Dole and Tom Daschle in the Los Angeles Times as an expression of that bipartisan support.) But now, extremist Members of Congress want to slash SNAP and hurt millions of children and their families, seniors, and poor adults without children.
*TODAY: Call 866-456-8824, listen to the recorded message and enter your zip code. You’ll be connected right to your Representative’s office. Let them know you’re a constituent; tell them your name and the town you are calling from. Tell them:
As your constituent, I urge you to vote against the extreme nutrition-only farm bill which would cut $40 billion from SNAP and deny assistance to 4-6 million poor people. This bill would be devastating to struggling Americans; by making more people hungry, it goes against many years of bipartisan support.
What’s bad about this bill? A few points: the bill would deny SNAP to millions of poor, jobless adults without children whose
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“U.S. Poverty and Our Catholic Response” – Webinar on September 19 September 12th, 2013
Is poverty on the rise in our country? How are children, the elderly, and other vulnerable groups faring? Policy experts with the Domestic Social Development office of the U.S. Catholic Bishops are broadcasting a webinar to explore recent poverty data and what it means for national and local advocacy efforts.
This free webinar is set for Thursday, Sept. 19, from 2-3 pm (Eastern). Register for the webinar here.
Vatican Hosts Mining CEO’s in a “Day of Reflection” September 11th, 2013
Participants of the “Vatican Day of Reflection on Mining” in front of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace in Rome
The CEOs of some of the world’s top mining companies went to the Vatican for a day-long meeting last Saturday to discuss better ways to operate in communities that are increasingly protesting the destructive impacts of mining. Communities are fearful – with good reason – of the impacts of mining on their water, land and air.
Saturday’s “day of reflection with the mining industry,” was organized, at the request of leaders in the mining sector, by the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. It included the CEOs of Anglo American, Rio Tinto and Newmont Mining, who alone represented companies with well more than $100-billion (U.S.) in market value. The chairmen, presidents or senior executives of dozens of other companies, ranging from AngloGold Ashanti to African Rainbow Minerals, were also present. Fr. Seamus Finn OMI, from the USP JPIC team in Washington DC, was invited to be a part of the team that prepared the day of reflection and offered input during the day. Pope Francis offered a message of greeting and challenge to the group and offered his prayers and blessings on the event.
The companies were interested “to open a dialogue where mining interfaces with the community … to hear other views with the promise of all of us making a difference.”
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Norway Conducts First Creditor Debt Audit August 20th, 2013
August 15 was an historic day for international debt justice. The Norwegian government launched the world’s first audit commissioned by a creditor, which evaluated the debt that developing countries owe to Norway. The report found that four of the 34 contracts were not in line with the UN Principles for Promoting Responsible Sovereign Lending and Borrowing from the UN Conference for Trade and Development (the UNCTAD Principles).
Join the 8th Day Center Celebration: Revel in the Revolution! July 31st, 2013
Save the Date: 8th Day Center for Justice invites you to their annual celebration, Revel in the Revolution, on Saturday, September 21!
The theme for the revelry is Roll Away the Stone, featuring Sr. Pat Farrell, OSF, who will share her thoughts on how we roll away the stone during these times of austerity in the Church and the world.
The 3rd Annual Mary Elsbernd, OSF Award will be presented to immigrant justice and anti-torture activist Sr. Benita Coffee, OSB.
There are many ways to support the event…
Click here to make your reservation today or to get more info!
Tickets: $60 | $30 for student/limited income.
Volunteer Tickets: $15 suggested donation. Contact maryellen@8thdaycenter.org to volunteer.
Can’t make the event? Consider a donation!
Click here to purchase raffle tickets and participate in the online silent auction!
Revel in the Revolution: Living Out Loud
Presented by 8th Day Center for Justice
Saturday, September 21, 2 – 5pm
Irish American Heritage Center
4626 N. Knox Ave Chicago 60630
Contact: Joyce (joyce@8thdaycenter.org, 312.641.5151)
