What’s Happening in Darfur?

admin — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 02:03:50 +0000

We’ve found an easy and quick way you can help stop the genocide horror in Darfur.

Here’s all you have to do.

1. Dial 1-800-GENOCIDE (that’s 43662433). You’ll be connected to the genocide hotline in Washington.

2. Once you’ve gotten through the initial palaver, you’ll be asked to enter your zip code.

3. Once you’ve entered your zip code you’ll be asked if you want to be connected to your representative by pressing 1, your senator by pressing 2, or the White House by pressing 3 — they’ll know your rep and senator by your zip code.

4. Once you’ve pressed the appropriate number, then you’ll be given a little “prep” on what you should ask the rep or senator to do — and that’s basically easy. Just say, “My name is whatever and I live in Representative X’s district and I’m calling to ask that he/she please support increasing the International Affairs Budget by at least 10% to work toward activating the authorized international protection force in Darfur.”

5. That’s it. Of course, you probably won’t talk with your rep or your senator. You’ll talk with a clerk in his/her office — and that clerk may or may not ask for your address so his boss can send you a thank you note (politics). When you’re through you can dial again and talk to the next person and then maybe even the White House if you want.

The whole thing will take you only 5 minutes, if that. And you will have done one small thing to try to get something done to reduce the continuing genocide in Darfur.

Minnesota Lawyers Support Divestment of Funds from Companies Complicit with Darfur Genocide

The Minnesota State Bar Association, an organization of more than 15,000 lawyers, voted unanimously on Friday, Dec. 12, to divest their funds from a targeted list of companies complicit with the genocide in Darfur, Sudan. This is the first professional association in the country to take this important step. The Bar Association resolution further recommends that all affiliated organizations take similar action.

Minnesotans have taken a strong stand to end the Darfur genocide. Divestment has been passed by the state of Minnesota; by the cities of Edina, Hopkins, and St. Paul; and by the University of Minnesota. Minnesotans have also raised more than $100,000 for civilian protection programs in Darfur through the Genocide Intervention Network. Edina is the third city in the country to pass an anti-genocide resolution, joining San Francisco and Chicago in this important statement to national leaders.

Office for Social Justice Housing Action Team (HAT)

admin — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 02:26:15 +0000

HAT is a coalition of parishioners from congregations within the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis working together on the issue of supportive housing. Supportive housing targets the “chronically” homeless, such as people with physical disability, mental illness, or chemical dependency. Supportive housing provides affordable housing with on-site social services that help people learn how to better manage such life situations. The result is that chronically homeless people achieve permanent, stable housing with greater self-sufficiency. Supportive housing is a key part of the state’s Plan to End Long-Term Homelessness by 2010. Contact Mary Alden for more info.

New members are welcome to attend the next Housing Action Team meeting on the firstTuesday of the month at the Hayden Center. Contact Mary Alden for more information or visit www.osjspm.org

CTK SOWERS » Sowers of Justice

What’s Happening in Darfur?

Office for Social Justice Housing Action Team (HAT)