Remember Fair Trade

Global Exchange has published a list of frequently asked questions regarding Fair Trade. Click here to view these questions and answers. Click here to go to the Equal Exchange Interfaith Store to purchase Fair Trade products online. As you purchase candy for Easter, keep in mind the impact that your purchase has on those who have been involved in the production of chocolate around the world.

Urge President Obama to Change Outdated Nuclear Policy

The USCCB is participating in a petition to President Obama that asks him to reduce (and eventually eliminate) U.S. nuclear weapons and to take them off "high alert". Please consider signing the petition by March 31. Other groups are also circulating an identically worded petition and the USCCB will submit the names it collects along with theirs but this USCCB page is designed to give the Catholic rationale for the petition.

Two Feet of Love Webinar

A Webinar on "The Two Feet of Love in Action: A 21st Century Model Based on Pope Benedict XVI's Teachings" (open to everyone) is on Wednesday, March 28, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. EDT. This "Catholics Confront Global Poverty" webinar (sponsored by USCCB and CRS) will introduce the Two Feet of Love in Action, the newly revised model to teach about two distinct, but complementary, ways that we can put love in action: Social Justice and Charitable Works. Click here to RSVP.

Bread for the World 2012 Offering of Letters Campaign

This year's theme for the Bread for the World Offering of Letters is "Expanding the Circle of Protection." Organize an Offering of Letters campaign in parishes and schools to advocate for (1) domestic nutrition assistance programs, (2) poverty-focused foreign assistance, (3) tax credits for low-income families, and (4) international food aid programs. For more information or to request an Offering of Letters resource packet contact Bread for the World.

"United for Religious Freedom"

The Administrative Committee of the USCCB has issued "United for Religious Freedom" about the recent HHS mandate. Click here to view a copy of the statement.

Not My Life: Human Trafficking Documentary

"Not My Life" is the first documentary film to depict the horrifying and dangerous practices of human trafficking and modern slavery on a global scale. See the trailer below or click here to view it on YouTube if it does not appear below. To learn more about the film, go to http://notmylife.org/

The Bishops and Religious Liberty

From the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference:

The original religious liberty-violating rule of the Department of Health and Human Services has been published without change. Promises were made that more regulations might be developed, but the “accommodations,” if made, will still force religious employers to pay for abortion-causing drugs, sterilization and contraception – either directly or through money paid to an insurance company.

The bishops continue to work to correct this First Amendment violation through communications with the White House, advocating for legislative remedies or pursuing litigation that could reverse this decision.
Additionally, Pennsylvania’s bishops have turned to the most important tools in our toolbox: prayer and sacrifice. They have called for a day of prayer, fasting and abstinence from meat for the intention of religious liberty on Friday, March 30. Read more about it here.

Anti-Trafficking Legislation

During the Polaris Project's conference call on Friday, four pieces of legislation were mentioned that require attention: The Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act, the Business Transparency on Trafficking and Slavery Act, Strenthening the Child Welfare Response to Trafficking Act, and the Human Trafficking Reporting Act. Click here to tell Congress to act on these four critical bills.

Polaris Project Conference Call

An invitation from Polaris Project:

Dear Human Trafficking Advocates and Policymakers,

The 2012 State Legislative sessions have begun! Please join us for a conference call to learn more about the types of anti-trafficking legislation being introduced and passed in the states in 2012. On this call we will also provide an update on the pending federal Trafficking Victims Protection and Reauthorization Act, which is currently up for reauthorization, and related federal bills.

2012 State Legislative Trends and Outlook & Federal Legislative Update
Friday, March 9th
2 PM EDT – 3:30 PM EDT
Call-in #: (209) 647-1000
Passcode: 336587#
To RSVP, please email your name, email address, organization and state to Nikki Marquez at nmarquez@polarisproject.org. We hope you can attend!
Best Regards,
Polaris Project Policy Team