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ACTIVE NONVIOLENCE & PEACEMAKING
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NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT
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 Trump Calls the Arms Race Crazy
In a December tweet, President Trump complained about the high cost of the arms race with Russia and China, calling it "uncontrollable" and "crazy." Trump wrote, "I am certain that, at some time in the future, President Xi and I, together with President Putin of Russia, will start talking about a meaningful halt to what has become a major and uncontrollable Arms Race."
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Acting U.S. Defense Secretary is 31-Year Veteran of Boeing
 Patrick Shanahan, who was named acting Secretary of Defense after James Mattis resigned in December, previously worked for Boeing for 31 years before joining the Pentagon. Boeing makes billions of dollars each year from U.S. military contracts, including nuclear weapons.
After being accused of influencing a $1.2 contract to Boeing, Shanahan's spokesperson claims that Shanahan has recused himself from
any Pentagon matters dealing with Boeing.
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DOMESTIC VIOLENCE & SEXUAL ASSAULT
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VAWA Expired: What This Means, How We Got Here, and What Happens Next
The Violence Against Women Act ("VAWA") is one of the pillars of the federal government's response to domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. Initially passed in 1994, VAWA has been reauthorized three times, each time expanding and updating to meet the needs of victims, survivors, advocates, and other stakeholders. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence explains what needs to happen to restore this vital legislation.
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Millions of Women in India Join Hands to Form a 385-Mile Wall of Protest
 According to government estimates published in the Indian press, somewhere between 3.5 million and 5 million women lined up on a long stretch of road that runs along the country's western coast. The "wall" stretched out 385 miles. The demonstration was planned to create awareness of gender equality - and to protest a religious ban that prevented women of menstruating age from entering one of the country's sacred Hindu temples. MORE
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POVERTY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
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NYC Mayor Guarantees Comprehensive Health Care for All
New York City will begin guaranteeing comprehensive health care to every single resident regardless of someone's ability to pay or immigration status, an unprecedented plan that will protect the more than half-a-million New Yorkers currently using the ER as a primary provider, Mayor Bill de Blasio said. The mayor also declared that there will be no tax hikes to fund the new program.
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House Lawmakers Introduce Constitutional Amendment to Overturn Citizens United
A bipartisan group of House members has introduced a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United. The Democracy for All Amendment was introduced nine years after the Supreme Court's Citizens United case which allowed corporations and unions to spend freely in federal elections. As a result of Citizens United, election spending has exploded into billion-dollar races that many feel has corrupted the democratic process.
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Paid Family and Medical Leave is Critical for Low-wage Workers and Their Families
 93 percent of low-wage workers have zero access to paid family and medical leave. Most workers, especially those with low incomes, can't afford to take leave without pay. The CLASP organization explains how paid family and medical leave is critical to reducing and preventing poverty and economic insecurity for families who experience illness or have caregiving responsibilities. MORE
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DEATH PENALTY
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 Scheduled
Blaine Milam is scheduled to be executed on January 15 by the state of Texas for the murder of Amora Carson. Please hold Blaine, Amora, their families, and the people of Texas in prayer.
TAKE ACTION
Robert Jennings is scheduled to be executed on January 30 by the state of Texas for the murder of Elston Howard. Please hold Robert, Elston, their families and the people of Texas in prayer.
TAKE ACTION
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| CORPORATE PUBLIC STANDS |
The Sisters of St. Francis, Clinton Iowa have taken the following corporate stands:
Death Penalty Nuclear Weapons Immigration Reform Human Trafficking |
HOW TO CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS
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Contacting your elected officials is one of the most effective ways to bring about positive change. You can find the names and contact information of your local members of congress by entering your zip code at:
Here are phone numbers for elected officials for Clinton, Iowa:
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President
Donald Trump
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(202) 456-1414
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Senators - Iowa
Chuck Grassley
Joni Ernst
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(202) 224-3744
(202) 224-3254
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US Representative
Clinton area District 2
Dave Loebsack
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(202) 225-6576 |
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Governor - Iowa
Kim Reynolds
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(515) 281-5211
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The main switchboard for Congress is: (202) 224-3121
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People under 21 are no longer able to buy semiautomatic assault rifles in Washington as of Jan 1. The National Rifle Association has already filed suit. Previously, state law barred the assault weapons' sale to those under 18. The new rules, approved by voters in a ballot initiative in November, come alongside dozens of moves by other states to strengthen gun control regulations in the absence of federal action. 
A lawsuit filed against ICE, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Vermont DMV alleges that the agencies illegally shared information about undocumented immigrants who received licenses, reports NPR. More than a dozen states and Washington D.C. allow undocumented immigrants to get a license, but the case is raising questions about the risks they face when doing so. 
A new analysis shows US greenhouse gas levels are increasing as the Trump administration unravels efforts to slow climate change. Carbon emissions rose sharply last year, increasing 3.4%. That year's jump in emissions is the biggest since the bounce back from the recession in 2010. It is the second largest gain in more than two decades. 
Young British women and girls who are sent abroad by their families for forced marriage are being charged hundreds of pounds by the UK government to secure their rescue. Victims who are 18 or older have to sign emergency loan agreements with the government, and their passports are confiscated until they repay their rescue fee. And if they can't pay the fees back in six months, the government will tack on an extra 10% to the bill.