The religious left, a major force in every social justice movement in US history, is acting once again. I strongly recommend a take a look at the following actions via the Sojourners website.
This is faith in action on behalf of the 99%! The right has no monopoly claim on religious authority, and no claim at all on moral authority. This is a natural and necessary alliance.
Human Circles of Protection: November 16, 2011
In response to historic deficits and the charge of the congressional Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, also known as the “supercommittee,” to recommend an additional $1.5 trillion in cuts to the national budget as part of the debt ceiling deal, people of faith across the country will form human Circles of Protection around at-risk agencies and programs to demonstrate our collective commitment to protect the poor in this rancorous process.
On Nov. 16, 2011, at 12 p.m. (Eastern, Central, Mountain, and Pacific time zones) faith leaders, parishioners, advocates, community lead-ers, and their constituents will come together to join hands and create human circles around agencies and programs at risk of deep budget cuts in the supercommittee and appropriations processes. The Circles will form in towns and cities across the country at 12 noon in every U.S. time zone. Through this rolling national action, people of faith will signal to the congressional super committee and all congressional representatives that the nation’s budget must not be balanced on the backs of “the least of these” (Matthew 25:40).
Event Registration
Keystone XL Pipeline
Join Jim Wallis, Rose Berger, other members of Sojourners, and many more activists at the White House this Sunday, November 6 at 2 p.m. We are gathering to tell President Obama to stop construction of the Keystone XL transnational pipeline, as it threatens America’s fresh water supply, endangers poor and rural communities, jeopardizes food security, and derails any attempt at a green energy future.
In August, more than 1,200 people were arrested protesting the controversial 1,700-mile Keystone XL tar sands oil pipeline. TransCanada, the corporation that would build it, is responsible for 12 oil spills in the United States during 2011. According to NASA scientist James Hansen, "Exploitation of tar sands would make it implausible to stabilize the climate and avoid disastrous global climate impacts."
Over 4,000 people have already signed up to join the November 6 action, which means we have an opportunity to send a decisive message to the president. With scandals around Keystone XL brewing, and momentum shifting in our direction, we need to make this action as big as possible. We are not planning on arrests, which means everyone can participate. The starting time is approximately 2 p.m. at Lafayette Park. We hope to see you there!
If you cannot be there in person, please consider calling the White House to tell President Obama to shut down the Keystone Pipeline project. 202-456-1111
"
Come and See" Legislative Visits
Inspired by the story of Philip and Nathanael, Sojourners is calling faith-based agencies to invite their congressional representatives from both the House and the Senate to “come and see” for themselves the people placed at risk by the severe budget cuts being considered by the congressional Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, also known as the supercommittee. Come and See visits are opportunities for legislators to get to know the people in their districts, hear their stories, and see the great work being done in agencies serving at-risk populations.
Event Registration
Stand up for Immigrants in your State
Our current immigration system does not reflect our nation’s best values. We need reform at the national level, but since Congress continues to drag its feet, some states have decided to tackle the problem on their own.
Unfortunately, the results have been ill-conceived, financially unsustainable and discriminatory proposals and legislation that do nothing to make our states safer and institutionalize discrimination against entire communities. People of faith need to tell their state legislators to stop supporting bad legislation, and work on holistic solutions to our immigration system, including supporting national reform.
send email
End the War in Afghanistan
It has been 10 years since the U.S. military began operations in Afghanistan in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. We lament the suffering, violence, and death on both sides of the conflict. Our scriptures and history teach us that war is not the answer to achieving the peace and security we are striving to build in this world.
It is time for the war in Afghanistan to end, starting with the troop withdrawal President Obama promised this summer.
We cannot wait any longer, nor delay the timetable any further. The costs are simply too great.
The war in Afghanistan now costs more than $100 billion per year.
The human cost is even greater, with thousands of U.S. casualties, plus tens of thousands suffering from post-traumatic stress and other psychological disorders, and an alarming number committing suicide.
Tens of thousands of Afghans, including women and children, have also died.
Tell President Obama to ensure a safe and responsible military exit from Afghanistan.
send email
Tell Congress and President Obama: Protect Social Security
Congress is considering cuts to Social Security, including raising the retirement age, reducing payouts, and limiting cost-of-living increases. Their intention, we’re told, is to help reduce our national deficit.
But, Social Security is not responsible for the deficit – the program actually has been running surpluses for decades, to the tune of $2.6 trillion total.
Social Security is based on a promise: If you pay into the system with your payroll taxes, then you earn the right to guaranteed benefits. It is a system that reflects our values as a nation – values also found in scripture.
There is no trust more sacred to biblical faith than the injunction to care not only for our families but also for those in need. Social Security is not just for the elderly – it also helps low-income children, widows and widowers, those with disabilities, and children without parents. Without the 75-year-old program, nearly half of elderly Americans would be in poverty; with it, only 10 percent are.
As the income disparity deepens in our nation, we must all grapple with the kind of economic policies and programs we think are fair and just. Indeed, we agree that the deficit is a moral issue – but how it is handled is also a moral issue. We must push Congress and the president to understand what is at stake for all Americans when they decide what to fund and what to cut. This is especially true for Social Security.
Social Security is a covenant for the common good that works, and works well.
Tell President Obama and members of Congress: Protect Social Security, don't cut it.
send email