Act Now: US House Failing Test on Climate Change

From Friends Committee on National Legislation

Leaders in the House plan to force a final vote next week on important but flawed climate change legislation. The American Clean Energy and Security Act (H.R. 2454) fails to ensure that U.S. greenhouse gas emissions will be cut quickly, deeply, and effectively. We at FCNL have been urging House committee members to strengthen H.R. 2454 by eliminating concessions that would allow polluters to increase their greenhouse gas emissions for well over a decade.

You can help strengthen this bill by writing your representative today: . Urge her or him to insist that the American Clean Energy and Security Act be strengthened to:

1.) Require quick, deep, and real cuts in greenhouse gas emissions before 2020;

2.) Eliminate provisions that allow polluters to continue polluting at current levels for over a decade;

3.) Remove free giveaways of pollution allowances to industry; and

4.) Ensure that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) retains authority to regulate greenhouse gases.

This will not be easy. Reps. Henry Waxman and Ed Markey, who sponsored this legislation, argue that their bill is already pushing the limits of what is currently politically possible in the House. But passing flawed legislation now could be worse than doing nothing, despite how hard congressional champions of the environment worked to craft a bill that can pass. It will leave the illusion that Congress has addressed climate change when in fact it has done very little.

*Take Action*

Write your representative today. Tell him or her that the American Clean Energy and Security Act (H.R. 2454) must be strengthened before it comes to a final vote on floor of the House next week. In our view at FCNL, it would be better to pass no legislation now, let the EPA begin to regulate greenhouse gases, and work harder to build support for a stronger bill in the future than to pass this legislation as is.

*Background*

Learn more about the strengths and weaknesses of this bill.

Will anyone call Specter on his flip-flop?

From: Liz Cattaneo, American Rights at Work


2005: Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania co-sponsors the Employee Free Choice Act.

2007: Specter is one of the few courageous Republicans to vote for the bill.

2009: Specter says he'll vote against it. What happened?

Long story short: Specter bowed to pressure from the corporate lobbyists and right-wing groups desperate to block the Employee Free Choice Act. But you and I can put pressure on as well – we can show him his flip-flop has consequences.

We're launching a new TV ad that tells Specter to stand on the side of workers – not greedy CEOs. And at the same time, with your help, we're going to flood his office with calls.

Watch our new ad – then CALL Senator Specter's office and tell him not to sell out America's workers.


Video: Our new TV ad, "Right Thing."



For many years, Senator Specter was a strong supporter of the Employee Free Choice Act. But now that he's siding with anti-union groups, he's said he'll actively work to block the bill from even coming to a vote!

That's why it's so important that people all across the country keep the pressure on him.

Please make a QUICK phone call today (it takes under a minute!), then forward this to all your friends.

Call Senator Specter's office toll-free at (888) 890-4648.

One of Specter's interns will probably answer. Tell him or her you're calling to ask Senator Specter to vote YES on the Employee Free Choice Act. Most calls end right there, but you can add:

The Employee Free Choice Act is crucial to working families.
I'm disappointed in the Senator's reversal on this issue and hope he'll do the right thing after co-sponsoring the bill in 2005.
The recession has hit middle-class families the hardest, and this bill is a critical piece of our economic recovery.

IMPORTANT: Don't forget to tell us that you called.

President Obama, large majorities in both houses of Congress, and 73 percent of the public support the Employee Free Choice Act. Show Senator Specter that America wants this bill – make a one-minute call today.

Thanks for all that you do to support America's working families.

ACT NOW: Right to Travel to Cuba bills introduced in Congress

From International ANSWER :

Thousands of people are writing to tell Congress: End the travel ban to Cuba. A "Right to Travel to Cuba" bill has been introduced in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. The bill is simple and self-explanatory: it would end all restrictions on travel from the United States to Cuba. The bill has received bipartisan support, and already has 123 co-sponsors in the House, and 20 in the Senate.

President Obama has proposed lifting travel restrictions on Cuban-Americans. These bills call for the lifting of travel restrictions for all people in the United States. The travel restrictions are part of the larger economic blockade of Cuba. The blockade, which uses food and medicine as a weapon against the Cuban people, must be brought to an end as well.

Please take a moment right now to write members and Congress and tell them you support these important bills.

Write to your US House Representative 

Write to your US Senator

Is Health Care Working for You?

From: Marc Laitin, AFL-CIO <peoplepower@aflcio.org>

Congress is back in session, and it's looking more and more like real health care reform is on the way. The insurance company lobby is making lots of noise here in D.C., and it's critical that your voice is heard in this process. Take the 2009 Health Care for America Survey today, tell us your story and help shape health care reform this year. Together, we can help bring real health care reform to America.

GET BUSY: Help hold the architects of torture accountable

From MoveOn.org:

President Obama released memos that describe, in horrific detail, the torture techniques authorized by the Bush administration. 

So far there HAs been no accountability for the architects of Bush's torture program. We need a full investigation and real consequences for those responsible - it's the only way to keep this from happening again.

I signed a petition urging Attorney General Holder to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate and prosecute those responsible for the Bush-era torture program. Can you join me at the link below?

http://pol.moveon.org/torture/

FIGHT HATE: Tell Congress to pass the Matthew Shepard Act

From Human Rights Campaign

A law protecting all of our citizens against senseless hate violence is long overdue. Two years ago, radical right-wing groups and George W. Bush's veto threat blocked the Matthew Shepard Act, which would outlaw hate crimes based on both sexual orientation and gender identity. But now the bill is back.

Tell Congress we need the Matthew Shepard Act to help ensure safety and security for ALL people.



TAKE ACTION NOW!

ACT: Torture Memo Author Should Not Be a Federal Judge, Impeach Bybee

From: Voters for Peace <action@votersforpeace.org>

 

Voters for Peace is joining in the call for impeachment of Judge Jay Bybee of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. Bybee was the primary author of legal memoranda justifying torture during the Bush administration. When he was confirmed for the federal bench this information was not known, in fact it was denied by many. But now that it is known, how can he remain a judge in the U.S. federal courts? His lifetime appointment will continue the legacy of torture under President Bush, rather than put it behind us.

Please write your representative in Congress urging his impeachment. Click here  to take action now. 

Torture violates U.S. law: Section 2340A of title 18 of the U.S. Code says this: "Whoever outside the United States commits or attempts to commit torture shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both, and if death results to any person from conduct prohibited by this subsection, shall be punished by death or imprisoned for any term of years or for life."

And, torture violates international treaties to which the U.S. has agreed to follow. The Convention Against Torture requires criminal prosecution of "an act by any person which constitutes complicity or participation in torture" or in "cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment." And the Geneva Conventions ban "violence to life and person, in particular murder of all kinds, mutilation, cruel treatment and torture," as well as "outrages upon personal dignity, in particular humiliating and degrading treatment."

The purpose of the Bybee Memos was to provide legal cover for American torturers. To allow the "just following orders defense" and to be able to point to these absurd memos to demonstrate the orders were lawful. Everyone involved knew they were torturing, knew they were inflicting pain, knew they were violating the law. Rather than first focusing on those at the bottom of the torture totem poll, removing Bybee from the bench would be a good first step.

Click here to write your representative to urge impeachment of Judge Bybee .

As David Swanson, a Project Board Member of Voters for Peace wrote:

"Just take a look at the memos officially attributed to Bybee, and consider whether we can maintain any sort of legitimate government without impeaching him, and whether we want him overruling decent honest judges for the next 30 years. Bybee gave President Bush, upon request, "legal opinions" that a president can ignore international laws, that laws do not apply to various groups of people, that a president can kidnap, detain, and ship off to other lands human beings with no due process, and that Congress has no power to interfere with anything a president does."

How can the United States put this torture history behind us if we do not take the essential action of removing Judge Bybee from the bench? His actions constitute war crimes. Please act now and urge Congress to impeach Judge Bybee. Click here to write your representative to urge impeachment of Judge Bybee.

Sincerely,

Kevin Zeese

Executive Director

More information:

The Torture Memos, Pro Publico

New York Times Calls for Impeachment of Judge Bybee

Impeach Jay Bybee, Bruce Ackerman, Slate

Waterboarding Used 266 Times on 2 Suspects

Eric Holder v. America's legal obligations

A Dark Day for Justice, Jeremy Scahill, Rebel Reports

No charges against CIA officials for waterboarding, Devlin Barrett, Associated Press

Subscribe to Voters For Peace Perspectives by email - News and analysis, campaign stats, activist tips, quotes and facts

Help Secure Marriage Equality in the Northeast!

 Please email and/ or phone legislators in Maine, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, and Rhode Island TODAY! Urge them to vote YES for marriage equality. Separate email addresses with commas in order to send a message out to multiple legislators.

Maine House

http://www.maine.gov/legis/house/e_mail.htm

Maine Senate

http://www.maine.gov/legis/senate/senators/email/maillst.htm

http://www4.egov.nh.gov/governor/goveforms/comments.asp



New Hampshire House

http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/house/members/housemembersemail.aspx

New Hampshire Senate

http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/senate/senatemembers.asp



New York Senate

http://www.senate.state.ny.us/Senatorbio.nsf/Public_MemberEmail?openform

New York Assembly

http://www.assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?sh=email



Rhode Island Senate

http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/Email/SenEmailListDistrict.asp

Rhode Island House

http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/Email/RepEmailListDistrict.asp 

ACTION: Demand Accountability

From Faithful America:

The Department of Justice "torture memos" released yesterday are horrific.  They define in graphic detail how the U.S. tortured and how it was justified. They are proof the U.S. government authorized torture.

So now...what are you going to do about it?

Click here to demand accountability.

Concerned citizens, many of them people of faith, have been shocked by the brutality and twisted logic flowing through the "torture memos."  While the Obama administration did the right thing by releasing these memos, it's not enough.  We need accountability.  To get it, we need to show politicians we demand it.  Let's reach them through sources they pay attention to: the papers in their home states and districts.

Tell your local paper: endorse an investigation today.

This is a moral issue.  As the National Religious Campaign Against Torture says, "nothing less than the soul of our nation is at stake."

To make sure we never torture again, we need more than an anti-torture president.  At a minimum, we need a Commission of Inquiry to uncover ALL the facts, so we can institute the right safeguards.  The Attorney General should also appoint a special prosecutor to investigate whether criminal charges are warranted.

President Obama has not ruled out investigations and prosecutions for the Department of Justice lawyers who created this policy, and neither should we.
Tell your newspaper: people of faith demand accountability, so should you.

It's going to be a tough fight. Politicians who take a stand for justice may face accusations of partisanship and divisiveness.  But the truth is not partisan. Our political leaders will need to know they'll have backup if they join our cause for truth and accountability.  An editorial endorsing accountability from their local paper can give them the support, or the prodding, they need to do the right thing.

Build the political will for accountability: write your paper today.

Thanks for all you do,
Beth, Katie, Dan, Kristin and Jennifer
The Faithful America Team
All content © 2008 Faithful America
1101 Vermont Avenue, 9th Floor Washington, DC 20005

Protect Marriage Equality - Answer the Lies

From Equality for All - Facebook Group:

The National Organization for Marriage, an anti-LGBT rights group opposed to marriage equality, has launched a nationwide campaign featuring misleading and false claims related to the religious implications of same-sex marriage legislation. The group has created anti-marriage equality radio ads and hopes to raise money to begin airing television ads. Described as the “Religious Liberty Ad Campaign,” the ads falsely and outlandishly warns that “religious groups may be denied the use of parks and other public facilities, unless they endorse gay marriage.”

One of the advertisements features an individual who says, “I’m a California doctor who must choose between my faith and my job.” Here is the misleading and irresponsible ad:



This same group is currently targeting key members of the Iowa House of Representatives – activating its members nationwide – encouraging them to introduce legislation to put a constitutional amendment banning marriage by same-sex couples on the ballot to be voted on by Iowans.

We are asking you to contact these same individuals and counter these messages. As health professionals, you can counter the distorted facts and misinformation with evidence firmly rooted in science.

You can include the following message:

I am writing to urge you to oppose HJR 6, also know as the Iowa Marriage Amendment.

This measure seeks to place a constitutional amendment that would seek to restrict marriage rights for same-sex couples. I believe in public policy driven by science, not ideology. As a health professional, I can tell you that the science is unambiguous in this regard -- denial of marriage rights to gay men and lesbians can negatively impact their health as well as the well-being of their children.

I encourage you to review the scientific research on this matter. You can go to www.glma.org/marriageequality to download a report, Same-Sex Marriage and Health, which includes detailed citations to published research on the issue.

Sincerely,

Please send this information to the following members of the Iowa House of Representatives:

Quirk, Brian (D) - Assistant Minority Leader

Bukta, Polly (D) - Speaker Pro Tempore of the House

Murphy, Patrick (D) - Speaker of the House

Abdul-Samad, Ako (D) - House Assistant Majority Leader

McCarthy, Kevin (D) - House Majority Leader

Mascher, Mary (D) - Minority Whip

Gayman, Elesha (D) - House Assistant Majority Leader

Whitaker, John (D) - House Assistant Majority Leader

Reasoner, Michael (D) - House Assistant Majority Leader

Misleading NYT ad on Prop 8 - fight back!

from the Human Rights Campaign

I opened The New York Times last Friday to find a full-page ad that is the ultimate demonstration of what our community is going to face moving forward.

The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty purchased the ad to blame supporters of equality for "violence and intimidation" directed towards the Mormon Church and its members in the aftermath of Prop. 8's passage. We all know these claims are, at the very least, exaggerations, and at worst, outright falsehoods.

We're going to see this as we work toward marriage equality and fight to enact federal hate crimes legislation: the other side can only win by telling lies about us.

It's time for us to stand up for the truth. Join members of the HRC Religion Council in forcefully responding to this despicable ad.

HRC has gathered the voices of clergy members from all faiths to respond to the false suggestion that there is an organized attempt to foment mob intimidation and violence toward the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in response to their support for Prop. 8.

When did the LDS Church become the victim?

This is the same church that conducted a national broadcast to every temple, calling on members to organize and write checks to the Prop. 8 campaign. The same church whose members donated more than half of the $40 million behind Prop. 8, even though California Mormons represent just 2 percent of the state's population. The same church that continues to spend exorbitant sums to mislead the public and attempt to transform its image. Yes, it's the same church.

Anti-LGBT groups have spread mistruths to defeat us and it's what they are going to keep doing. And I think we've all had enough of it.

Send your message to The New York Times – we'll also forward a copy to the Becket Fund to make sure they know we're fighting back against their lies.

We need look no further than the key victories we achieved during the elections to know that when we band together, we can win.

Nike turns a blind eye

from American Rights at Work

When it comes to protecting workers' rights, it's time for Nike to stop talking about it and just do it.

Nike is one of the world's largest retailers – raking in billions in profits – but the truckers who haul all their sneakers to JCPenney say they have faced unfair working conditions including intimidation during contract negotiations and rising healthcare premiums.

Nike won't join other leading retailers in defending these workers, but you can.

Stand up for the drivers who ship for Nike – demand fairness TODAY!

Over 500 employees of Oak Harbor Freight Lines – the company that ships merchandise for Nike and Ralph Lauren to JCPenney – are on strike.

They're taking a stand against on-the-job abuses, including an outrageous proposal to cancel health coverage for retired employees, cut paid sick days and overtime pay for current employees, and reduce pension benefits.

But rather than negotiate in good faith, this shipping company has hired a notorious strike-breaking firm to strong-arm workers into giving up. What's more, the subcontractor reportedly recruited disadvantaged drivers from the south as replacement workers, promising them high wages and stable employment, then fired them when local employees became available.

Nike pretends to be an advocate for workers' rights – working hard to shed its association with sweatshops abroad – but hasn't stood up for these American drivers.

Show Nike that protecting America's workers is the right thing to do this holiday season. Take action today!

Thank Pepsico and Counteract the Right Wing

from The Armchair Activist (Join this great activist community!)

The American Family Association, a right-wing political group that seeks to shame US companies into treating their GLBT customers badly to promote its "traditional values" (read anti-GLBT, anti-diversity) agenda, has its sights set on Pepsico. The AFA is angry that the company reportedly donated half a million dollars to Parents, Friends and Family of Lesbians and Gays. As many of you know, PFLAG is an organization of GLBT allies that promotes a message of love, tolerance and equality for all people. Apparently, this is bad news for the AFA: The right-wing group wants Pepsico to remain neutral on the issue of GLBT equality. Note that in the AFA's worldview, a neutral position is consistent with theirs -- even giving partner benefits to employees is seen as a non-neutral move.

On its web site, the Religious Wrong organization presents an action alert telling its Christian faithful followers to bombard the company with emails criticizing their support of PFLAG. It even provides a handy email form allowing you to reach a company executive to castigate her.

TAKE ACTION! Let's use their nasty move for good: Go to the alert and send Pepsico Chair Indra K. Nooyi an email, but delete the given text and instead thank her and Pepsico for their positive efforts that respect diversity, align with true American values of justice, and show that they value their GLBT employees.

Here is the letter we sent via the AFA interface:

Dear Ms. Nooyi:

Thank you for Pepsico's support of PFLAG. You have my deepest gratitude for not giving in to the hate-filled, divisive maneuvers of the American Family Association. Your company realizes that all Americans deserve support and respect, and I, a second-class citizen of the US, will continue to be and encourage my associates to be loyal users of Pepsico products like Quaker Oats and Gatorade.

Thank you SO much!

Truly, the neutral position is one that doesn't discriminate against anyone. However, given the system under which we live, GLBT people need special protections that we can't get under law, thanks to the work of AFA and the right wing. So the neutral position is to level the playing field -- Pepsico does this by giving its GLBT employees parity with heterosexual workers and by supporting the equality efforts by groups like PFLAG, which promote the real values that decent Americans embrace -- an appreciation of diversity and respect and equality for all.

Come on, counteract the right wing while having the fun of using their own tools.

A warning: By using their tools, you will receive AFA alert emails. You can cancel that as soon as the first one arrives if you wish (or accept them and use them for opposition research, an important component of activism). If you would prefer not to receive anything from AFA, instead contact Ms. Nooyi by snail mail or phone to say thanks:

Ms. Indra K. Nooyi, Chairman
Pepsico, Inc.
700 Anderson Hill Rd.
Purchase, NY 10577-1444
Phone: 1-800-433-2652
or: (914) 253-2000

Hold Wal-Mart Accountable for Black Friday Death

From Wal-Mart Watch

Like many of you, I was outraged and saddened when I heard about Jdimytai Damour, the Long Island Wal-Mart employee who was trampled to death by holiday shoppers. In a statement yesterday, I extended our sincere condolences to the family of Mr. Jdimytai Damour.

I want to know how and why this happened.

Yes, there is plenty of blame to go around - including the thousands of Wal-Mart shoppers who participated in the stampede.

The responsibility, however, lies with Wal-Mart. As Mr. Damour's employer, the company put him in that position and made all of the decisions that led to that moment. Wal-Mart's management did not have enough trained employees in place, nor did they use common sense policies to discourage the customers from rushing the store.

Why? It would have cost Wal-Mart money to take those precautions, and the workers had no voice in the decisions.

Take a moment to send an email to executives at Wal-Mart and demand that they take responsibility for Wal-Mart's refusal to take precautions to protect their employees:

http://www.walmartspeakout.com/accountable

Here at Wal-Mart Watch, we hear the stories of so many employees frightened to stand up for their basic rights, worried that they'll lose their jobs for speaking up.

Wal-Mart employees have been forced to work overtime without compensation, denied lunch and bathroom breaks, and threatened for requesting reasonable changes in their schedule.

Now more than ever, we need to stand up for Wal-Mart employees and give them the opportunity they need to fight for higher wages, better health care, and safer work conditions.

Please send an email to Wal-Mart's management to hold them accountable for Wal-Mart's failure to protect its employees and prevent this tragedy. Wal-Mart simply must change its ways and start treating its employees with the dignity and respect they deserve.

http://www.walmartspeakout.com/accountable

Dump DoMA

from People for the American Way

Part of President-elect Obama's ambitious pro-equality platform is that he supports the repeal of DOMA (the Defense of Marriage Act). But already, the anti-gay Right has launched a campaign to "protect DOMA."

At this moment of change, which we've fought so hard to reach, it's time for the federal government to stop punishing loving same-sex couples. It's time to repeal DOMA.

Please take action right now to make sure Congress sends President-elect the legislation to sign.

While states across the country have different laws regarding marriage equality and civil unions, and far too many states currently have bans on same-sex marriage, repealing DOMA would be a huge step in the direction of equality.

• It would be a repudiation of the forces of hate and division who have long pushed to enshrine discrimination further in federal law.


• It would mean federal recognition of all marriages in states like Massachusetts and Connecticut which have full marriage equality for same-sex couples.


• Repealing DOMA would stop the government from selectively withholding the 1,300 or so legal protections that only legal civil marriage affords.


• It would remove a discriminatory blemish from federal law, sending a powerful moral message.

People For the American Way's campaign to Dump DOMA is a comprehensive effort to get repeal legislation on the President-elect Obama's desk for signature. This is a long-tem strategy that we know will be an uphill battle -- but, we must start now. Anti-equality groups are already pushing to keep DOMA in place, and we anticipate challenges with some red-state Democrats and the need to "flip" some representatives and senators who voted to pass DOMA in 1996. But we've seen just what effective national organizing can do in this last election cycle, and we're hopeful that this major step for LGBT equality can be part of the big change for our country in the next few years.

Sign the petition to Senate Majority Leader Reid and Speaker Pelosi now. We want to gather as many signatures as we can to deliver to congressional leadership to begin this battle when the 111th Congress convenes. We need to build up bi-partisan support to repeal DOMA and create an atmosphere of change on this issue in the halls of Congress.

Help get the ball rolling with your signature right now and then please ask your friends to sign it.Forward this e-mail or simply send them to DumpDOMA.com.

The Obama platform on LGBT rights is laid out on his Change.gov transition web site. While unfortunately falling short on full marriage equality, it shows a commitment to many of the values People For the American Way has been advocating for years and continues to fight for: protections against employment discrimination, the inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity in federal hate crimes laws and allowing gays and lesbians to serve equally and openly in the military by eliminating "don't ask, don't tell." But perhaps the most aggressive part of the platform is Obama's support for repealing DOMA and ending federal discrimination against same-sex couples.

Now we need to gin up the grassroots pressure on House and Senate leaders to let them know it's time for the U.S. government to stop punishing families.

Please be among the first to get on board. We need your support now if the campaign is going to be successful.

Tell the Bushies: No Destructive Drilling in Dixie Natl Park!

from Natural Resources Defense Council

More than half a million people visit Utah's Dixie National Forest every year for its breathtaking beauty, abundant recreational activities and unique wildlife. The forest provides habitat for several threatened and endangered species, including the California condor, Mexican spotted owl and Utah prairie dog, and also hosts tributaries that flow into the Colorado River.

But in its final months in office, the Bush administration wants to open up large tracts of the most sensitive areas of Dixie National Forest to oil and gas drilling. The areas proposed for drilling include more than 500,000 acres in roadless wildlands and along "wild and scenic" rivers. Once large-scale industrial and commercial development begins, there would be no way to restore the landscapes that have been shaped by nature since the beginning of time. A better option would be to prohibit drilling close to sensitive habitat, including breeding and nesting grounds for sage grouse, deer, elk and other native species.

The Bush administration is accepting public comments on its proposed plan through December 16.

Do something: Send a message, before the December 16 comment deadline, telling the Bush administration to protect Dixie National Forest from increased oil and gas drilling.

Light Up the Night for Equality - Dec. 20

On December 20th, we ask that you join us again for a nation-wide demonstration that will make an impact on the private sector.

Peaceful candlelight vigils will be held at commercial centers in cities across the country in remembrance of the rights that once were for 18,000 marriages, and in honor of the rights that one day will be again - for EVERYONE.

Find out what’s happening in your city.

WE NEED ORGANIZERS!

Interested in putting together a Light Up the Night event or Food Drive in your town?

Add your contact info to our form and add info about the event to your city’s page.

Do Something to Fight AIDS!

Today is World AIDS Day!

Today, the 1st of December is commemorated as World AIDS Day, a day when individuals and organizations from across the globe come together to call attention to the global AIDS epidemic. This year marks the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day. While progress has been made in the past 20 years, there remains much more to be done.

Youth at the 2008 AIDS Conference in Mexico City
This year’s World AIDS Day theme is ‘Lead-Empower-Deliver.’ IPPF Member Associations from across Latin America and the Caribbean are doing just that on this important day. In particular, they’ve helped galvanize youth to lead, empower, and deliver information and education to their peers. Here are some examples of activities happening around the region today:

In Honduras, which has the highest prevalence of HIV in Central America, youth volunteers will be reaching out to their peers in public fairs in city plazas and parks. Using a mobile kiosk, they will provide information and condom demonstrations, and make referrals to the ASHONPLAFA clinic for HIV and STI tests.


Youth at a soccer match in Peru, promoting the use of condoms
Our Member Association in Peru, INPARRES, will kick off a five-day campaign, promoted in the local newspaper, to offer counseling and rapid HIV tests, especially to young people. The team estimates that they will reach more than 1000 individuals in these five days alone.

In El Salvador, youth volunteers will be stationed at intersections near the Salvadorian Demographic Association’s clinic in San Salvador, distributing prevention and testing information to vehicle drivers stopped at stoplights.

In the Caribbean – which has the world’s second highest-prevalence of HIV after sub-Saharan Africa– our Member Associations also plan to engage in educational and referral activities. Our Member Association in Haiti will conduct an ‘Open House Day,’ where radio messages promote HIV testing services for young people. Last year the Profamil clinic in the town of Jacmel provided more than 75 tests to young people on World AIDS Day alone.

Profamil clinic in Jacmel
Our Jamaican Member Association, FAMPLAN and the Youth Advocacy Movement, Y.A.M. Jamaica will be hosting a Health Fair, targeting the tourism sector. Tourism is a mainstay of the Jamaican economy so working with people who work in the industry is an excellent way to reach young professionals on the island. The Health Fair will be hosted at FAMPLAN's Headquarters on December 6th. Y.A.M. members will go to the communities of St. Ann on that day to give out condoms, brochures and to also promote VCT services.

IPPF/WHR maintains its commitment to HIV not only on World AIDS, but as one of the pillars of all work in sexual and reproductive health. In particular, Member Associations are reaching out to and serving key youth populations. In Trinidad & Tobago for example, the Member Association is working with young sex workers in Port of Spain, training and empowering them to serve as peer educators and improving the accessibility of comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services to meet their particular needs. Profamilia, the Colombian Member Association, continues its leadership in the area of youth and HIV, having established the country’s first center for Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender (GLBT) youth, which not only provides tailored sexual and reproductive health services, but also creates a safe community space for sexually diverse young people. The Member Association in Guyana holds self-help and support groups for young people living with HIV, which has had a great impact on its members who experience frequent stigma and discrimination in their own communities.

You have a part to play in ending the epidemic: DO SOMETHING!

READ more information about IPPF/WHR’s work in HIV by reading the publication Youth Sexuality: Confronting HIV/AIDS. The publication highlights various local and regional projects and partnerships as well as the integration of HIV into youth Sexual and Reproductive Health programs. Some highlights of the publication include our work with youth that live and work on the streets in Bolivia, HIV prevention for youth via our mobile health units, MEXFAM's condonerias - a condom store that serves as an erotic and creative space, Jamaica's new Voluntary HIV Counseling and Testing promotional activities and Suriname's public condom dispensers. Click this link to download the publication.

GET INVOLVED in World AIDS Day by visiting: http://www.worldaidscampaign.org/en/Get-Involved

KNOW YOUR STATUS. Find out where you can get tested for HIV:

In the USA visit www.hivtest.org

In the USA and Canada visit the AIDS/STD Helplines at www.thebody.com/index/hotlines.html

In the United Kingdom visit http://www.fpa.org.uk/finder/

Anywhere else in the world – contact your health-care provider, who will be able to tell you the nearest place where you can be tested.

LEAD - EMPOWER - DELIVER - GET INVOLVED!

Tell President-Elect Obama – Stop Religious Discrimination!

From Americans United for Separation of Church and State

The election is over and transition plans are well underway. The possibility of change has arrived, and for those of us who stand up for separation of church and state, it's not a moment too soon. For eight years, we have been fighting President Bush's Faith-Based Initiative. We've battled over charitable choice in Congress time and time again. From hiring discrimination to proselytizing, from the lack of accountability to the preemption of important state and local civil rights laws, the Initiative has been fraught with unconstitutional and unconscionable policies.

With a new administration taking office, we finally have an opportunity to reverse some of the damage caused by President Bush's Faith-Based Initiative. President-elect Obama has stated clearly that he will continue the government partnership with faith-based organizations in order to reach as many of our citizens as possible who need social services. But thanks to some encouraging words by the President-Elect, we have reason to believe that many of the most destructive aspects of the Faith-Based Initiative may finally end. Until policies have been implemented, however, the revisions to the Initiative remain uncertain. Needless to say, President-Elect Obama has recently been hearing from loud voices from across the political spectrum - including those who wish to send federal dollars to support religious activities and to underwrite organizations that discriminate in hiring. We must be willing to work with President-Elect Obama to implement this new partnership in order to protect church-state separation.

DO SOMETHING: Speak up now!

URGENT: Last Chance to Speak Out to Protect Our Air from CO2

From the We Campaign:

Friday is the last day to voice your opinion on whether the EPA -- the Environmental Protection Agency -- should regulate carbon dioxide pollution, the primary cause of the climate crisis. This is a big deal.

The EPA is taking public comment, before making a ruling.

Of course, special interests -- like the oil and coal lobbies -- are working overtime to defeat a positive ruling and have already gotten thousands of comments submitted in opposition.

Most people don't know about this opportunity for public comment, so your voice can make a real difference. And with a new president in the White House, it's likely that someone will actually be listening. Submit your public comment to the EPA here:

http://www.RepowerAmerica.org/EPA

In April 2007 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Environmental Protection Agency has the authority to regulate carbon dioxide if it is harming our health and welfare. After more than a year of delay, the EPA is finally now requesting public comments on whether carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping pollutants are endangering our health and our climate.

Join us, and send a message about how crucial it is to reduce harmful carbon dioxide pollution. That you expect the EPA to use its powers to protect our health and welfare. That we can "Repower America" by using energy sources that don't emit carbon dioxide, and make the switch to 100% clean electricity. And that the solutions to the climate crisis are the same ones needed to address our economic and security challenges.

DO SOMETHING! This is our chance to go on the public record -- all the comments will be posted on the EPA's website. To post your public comment, just go here.

For nearly eight years, the Bush administration has done nothing to address the growing threats we face from global warming. Hurricanes are getting stronger, the North polar icecap is melting, and we've suffered through intense droughts, floods and killer heat waves.

The deadline is November 28th. Let's help end the era of delay.