USA
Photo of the Week: Tacoma sister Ann Marie Lustig, O.P. shares experience of trip to El Salvador
Preachers in Action
‘From Peekskill to Paris’ – Dominican Sister of Hope, Bette Ann Jaster, O.P.’s perception on the global climate change conference and hope for the future
December 10, 2015 – America magazine
“As we gathered in Peekskill to speak the truth, share support and call
for attention to the threat of a warming planet, our hopes rested on the
gathered delegates from many countries gathered in Paris pledging to
limit carbon emissions.”
Recently, the Dominicans Sisters of Hope participated in a countywide climate rally, “Peekskill to Paris.” Bette Ann Jaster, O.P. provides her insights on the importance of the rally’s message, to bring awareness of the gas pipeline to be built near the Indian Point Nuclear Facility, support for the climate summit that took place in Paris, and especially, hope for climate justice in the future. Read article
Dominicans and Associates attend annual SOA vigil at Fort Benning
Saturday morning found the vigilers driving the 40 miles to Lumpkin, GA, for the rally and 1.7 mile march to
the Stewart Detention Center, one of the largest for-profit immigrant prisons in the country (1,752 beds). There are more people inside the prison than in the small, remote rural town. The march was led by those whose lives are
directly impacted by our country’s unjust, inhumane and racist 
immigration policies. More than 1,000 marchers joined in to raise their voices. They couldn’t see what the site looked like as large buses were parked to block any view of the building.
The Sunday morning f
uneral procession continues to be a powerful remembrance of those who have died at the hands of military violence. Crosses with the
names of those who have been killed or disappeared due to state violence are raised as the crowd responds with Presente.
After the procession, SOAWatch leaders announced that SOAW is planning to change its focus from Ft. Benning to the U.S.-Mexican border to address the plight of Latin Americans refugees who are fleeing increasingly dangerous conditions, especially those escaping violence in the “northern triangle” of El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala.
One of the workshops on Saturday afternoon was about the Las 17 (the 17). In El Salvador, abortion is illegal even in cases of rape, incest, and maternal danger. Because of the strictness of the law, women who miscarry are arrested and tried for aggravated homicide, receiving up to a 30-or-40-year prison sentence. Activist groups have identified at least 17 women who have been jailed after losing their babies to medical emergencies. As one would expect, these are poor, rural women.
We carried you with us in prayer and spirit throughout the weekend.
Discovering the roots of community-led solutions at the closing of the Paris Climate Summit
December 11, 2015 – Elise García, O.P. (Adrian) reports on the final day of the Paris Climate Summit. She points out the focus of community-based and community-led solutions to global climate change. Read article in Global Sisters Report
Tension between ‘civil society and COP21 government negotiators’
December 7, 2015 – Elise García, O.P. (Adrian) reports on the second day of the “International Tribunal on the Rights of Nature.” She points out that the climate agreement must be aware of the harm done to indigenous people, “‘the integrity of ecosystems and Mother Earth.’” Read article in Global Sisters Report
