Jan 20, 2009 -- Fight the Right-Wing Wackos Links of the Day.

** Human Rights First **
( http://www.humanrightsfirst.org/ )

An arrest warrant has been issued against Guatemalan human rights activist Jorge López. A Guatemalan prosecutor has charged him with the attempted murder of a transgender sex worker.

López is the director of a prominent organization that works to protect the rights of transgendered sex workers in Guatemala and he has spent many years advocating for them. He worked closely with the victim and sought police protection for her shortly before the attack. He later submitted complaints about police misconduct against sex workers, shortly before the arrest warrant against him was issued.

On Friday January 23, 2009, López faces a court hearing and may be sent to prison. Given the nature of his work, he would face considerable risks in prison. It is possible to prevent an unnecessary trial, and even a conviction, if the appropriate authorities can determine now that there is insufficient evidence to arrest and charge López.

Take action now to urge the Guatemalan Attorney General to immediately begin an independent review of the validity of the charges against López. If there is insufficient evidence suggesting his involvement in the crime, the criminal investigation should be closed immediately.
( http://action.humanrightsfirst.org/campaign/jorgelopez/ )

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** United Farm Workers **
( http://ufw.org/ )

Thousands responded last month when we shared the devastating legacy Ex-President Bush's administration has left for farm workers. Ex-President Bush issued new H2A regulations that gut existing protections for both domestic and foreign farmworkers. These devastating changes make it easier for growers to slash the pay of domestic farm workers and hire imported foreign laborers instead of U.S. field workers. They weaken government protections in an industry where it can be proven that there are many violations of the minimum wage, housing requirements and other rules.

These regulations went in effect Saturday. However, there is still hope if Congress and President Obama take immediate action. President Obama should put these regulations on hold on day one. And Congress should do its part to overturn these regulations as part of its efforts to turn this country around.

The new Obama Administration is facing a mountain of problems left by the outgoing administration. All of them are important. And all require action.

We need your help to ensure that farm workers do not get buried under the pile of crises. With a vote in Congress and a stroke of a pen, the new administration can reverse the terrible changes the Bush Administration wrote into effect. Please act now and e-mail your congressmembers today and ask them to take immediate action.
( http://www.ufwaction.org/campaign/h2aregs109/ )

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** Center for Biological Diversity **
( http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/ )

United States consumers' appetite for swordfish has unwittingly contributed to the injury and death of marine mammals around the world. The gear used by global fishing fleets -- primarily pelagic longlines and gillnets -- inevitably ensares dolphins, sea lions, whales, sea turtles, and sea birds.

Thousands of these animals die in longlines and gillnets each year. U.S. swordfish fisheries are regulated to reduce harm to marine mammals and other species, but U.S. regulation alone is not enough to protect far-ranging species in international waters.

The U.S. leads the world in swordfish consumption, yet most of the swordfish eaten in the U.S. is imported from countries where little to no fishery regulation exists to protect marine mammals. The illegal importation of unsustainably caught swordfish devastates marine mammal populations and places U.S. fishers at a competitive disadvantage to unregulated foreign fishers.

The National Marine Fisheries Service can put an end to unintentional U.S. subsidization of destructive foreign fishing fleets simply by enforcing existing law. A longstanding provision of the Marine Mammal Protection Act bans the import of seafood unless the source country provides proof that its fishing practices meet U.S. standards for protecting marine mammals. Though this law has been in place for over 30 years, it has never been enforced and the consequences to marine life have been devastating.

The Center for Biological Diversity and Turtle Island Restoration Project petitioned the federal government to immediately enforce this critical law and ban swordfish imports until the required proof is provided.

Now the National Marine Fisheries Service is asking for public comments on the petition. Please tell the Fisheries Service to take immediate action and protect marine mammals worldwide.
( http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2167/t/5243/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=26435 )