News Archives » Resources
The Holy See Speaks out on the Trafficking of Children March 13th, 2013
His Excellency Archbishop Silvano M. Tomasi, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva has issued a statement on child trafficking at the 22nd Session of the Human Rights Council. The statement is titled “Report of the Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography” and can be accessed here.
Important Anti-Trafficking Legislation Passed March 3rd, 2013
Last Thursday, Congress passed the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA), as part of the Violence Against Women Act. President Obama is expected to sign this legislation soon. The TVPRA is a critically important tool for protecting human trafficking survivors and stopping the perpetrators of violence, exploitation and enslavement. The bill authorizes millions of dollars for human trafficking services and programs and encourages distribution of the National Human Trafficking Hotline by federal agencies.
In addition, Governor Matt Mead of Wyoming last week signed his state’s first law that outlaws human trafficking, making Wyoming the 50th state to make human trafficking a crime. Wyoming’s laws now offer some of the strongest legal protections and support for survivors of human trafficking in the country.
Click here to read more »
Ecumenical Advocacy Days 2013 February 28th, 2013
“Those who gathered much had nothing over, and those who gathered little had no shortage; they gathered as much as each of them needed.” (Exodus 16:18)
“When you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” (Luke 14:13-14)
Sign up today to attend the EAD 2013 gathering in Washington, DC scheduled for April 5-8. The theme for this year is “At God’s Table: Food Justice for a Healthy World”
Join 1,000+ Christian advocates at the 11th annual Ecumenical Advocacy Days to seek Food Justice for a Healthy World! In a world that produces enough food for everyone, EAD will explore the injustices in global food systems that leave one billion people hungry, create food price shocks that destabilize communities everywhere, and undermine God’s creation. At God’s Table, all are invited and fed, and the poorest in our midst are given a special place. Together we will seek the abundance and equality that we find reflected in the biblical image of God’s great banquet table (Exodus 16:16-18 & Luke 14:12-24). Inspiring speakers will offer a faith-based vision for fair and humane food policies and practices, along with grassroots advocacy training, all culminating with Monday’s Lobby Day on Capitol Hill.
More information at the EAD website….
Jubilee USA holds Vigil Against Vulture Funds outside New York Courthouse February 28th, 2013
Yesterday, Jubilee USA stood with the poor and against vulture funds at the New York 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals – the last stop before the Supreme Court. Anti-debt supporters held a vigil outside and observed with hundreds of people packed into the courtroom, and several overflow rooms.
The media have been very interested in the story. Agence France-Presse (AFP) quoted Jubilee USA Executive Director, Eric LeCompte: “We pray that they will side with the people of Argentina, the US government and the world’s poorest people. If the judges rule in favor of these hedge funds, it will mean these funds will more aggressively target poor countries in fragile financial recovery. If they rule with Argentina, it will mean that it will be harder for these types of funds to exploit countries in financial distress.”
In addition to Jubilee USA’s vigil outside the US Court, Jubilee South organized an amazing demonstration in Buenos Aires and Jubilee Debt Campaign banged pots and pans outside the doors of the London office of the lead vulture fund, NML Capital.
Watch a video of the vigil by Occupy Bronx.
Click here to read more »
Ketchup or Sequestration? February 27th, 2013
One stream of the analysis of the January retail numbers focused concretely on the impact that the reinstatement of the payroll tax had on the paychecks of more than 160 million U.S. workers and therefore on their spending habits. At the stroke of midnight on Dec. 31 the temporary rolling grand bargain on the fiscal cliff immediately brought lower paychecks to many households. For workers earning $50,000 in annual salary, that means $80 a month slashed from take-home pay, a bag of groceries weekly.
