Mark Your Calendars

The Human Rights Watch Film Festival is coming to New York on June 9-18.  A number of the featured films focus on US human rights issues.  In particular, Home Truth, screened on June 11 and June 12, follows Jessica Lenahan in her remarkable campaign to end domestic violence in the wake of her own tragic experiences as a survivor.  Both screenings will be followed by a discussion with filmmakers April Hayes and Katia Maguire, film subject Jessica Lenahan, Carrie Bettinger-Lopez, former White House Advisor on Violence Against Women, and Lenora Lapidus, Director, ACLU Women’s Rights Project.  Tickets go on sale May 18. 

Meanwhile, human rights at home took a blow today when a bare majority of the House of Representatives voted to replace the Affordable Care Act with a hastily assembled law that promises to strip millions of insurance.  Back in April, when the Republican effort had temporarily lagged, Ben Palmquist of the National Economic and Social Rights Initiative wrote an article for  The Progressive that urged us to pay more attention to activism in the states around the human right to health.  As the Senate moves to consider this deeply flawed legislation, continued activism on all levels is more important than ever.  Many Senators will be back in their home districts during the coming weekend — the Senate does not reconvene until Monday afternoon. Take the opportunity to let the Senators and their local staffs know your views. After all, the UN has weighed in and warned that repeal without an adequate replacement will violate international human rights obligations.  Time to make clear that local constituents have the same serious concerns.  To find a “town hall” meeting near you, click here.