Justice for Immigrants
The 117th U.S. Congress adjourned without passing any of the immigration bills that SSND was monitoring this past year including, the Dream and Promise Act, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, and the Afghan Adjustment Act. In December, the U.S. Supreme Court prevented the Biden administration from ending Title 42. Thousands of people seeking asylum at the southern U.S border will continue to be turned away until Title 42 gets litigated - which will take months. Learn more here.
Climate Change
The United Nations held the COP15 biodiversity conference COP15 biodiversity conference on December 7- 19, 2022, in Montreal, to address the emergency of global species decline and extinction. How does this affect us? Half of the world’s GDP is dependent on nature - think of all the jobs connected to that! The complex interactions of animal and plant species in the food web and with the earth’s systems allow humans to thrive on the planet only if we protect them and the resources that they need. Read about the five key drivers of the nature crisis. COP15 reached a historic agreement to halt and reverse nature loss by 2030, on par with the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement.
Dismantling Racism
January 16 will mark Dr. Martin Luther King Junior Day. How will you observe this day of remembrance and cultivate a “beloved community” mindset? Watch Americorps' day of service video and click below to watch a video interview with Canadian activist and best-selling author, Desmond Cole: Is Marin Luther King’s dream alive for black Canadians?
End Human Trafficking
January 11, 2023 - National Human Trafficking Awareness Day - #WearBlueDay. This day raises awareness of the persistent issue of human trafficking. (In Canada, the day is marked on February 22.) Human Trafficking is the exploitation of another person for some type of labor or commercial sexual activity by force, fraud, or coercion. Sadly, millions of people worldwide, both male and female, are victims of this crime. More information can be found on the U.S. Homeland Security website and the Government of Canada website. If you notice anything suspicious, please report it using the National Human Trafficking hotlines: in the USA 1-888-373-7888 and in Canada 1-833-900-1010.
Prayer: Loving God - We come now asking your blessing as we engage in solidarity and justice for victims of human trafficking. We pray for marginalized communities and those vulnerable to human trafficking; may they be touched by hope and find the resources they need to overcome the dangers.
Partnership With Haiti
January 1 – We join in celebrating Haiti’s Independence Day! On January 1, 1804, Haiti made history by becoming the first black republic in the world. Also on that date, it became the first country in the Western Hemisphere to abolish slavery. Read a statement on Haiti’s independence by Canada’s Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau.
