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Advocacy News and Events

Indigenous Peoples' Day
October 11, 2021 

Indigenous Peoples’ Day is celebrated to honor the cultures and histories of the Native American people. The day is centered around reflecting on their tribal roots and the tragic stories that hurt but strengthened their communities.

For Indigenous Peoples' Day - 48 Books by Indigenous Authors on Residential Schools plus more related book recommendations from UUA Bookstore.

Voting Rights

During September, the UUSJ Democracy team focused our Write Here! Write Now! letter-writing campaign on the two voting rights bills -- the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Act. See the PDF Handout and the online platform. Please use the online platform to contact your senators. They need to hear from as many of us as possible to re-enforce the importance of these bills, and thank them for their efforts or urge them to get it done.

More than 100 people attended our September 15 Expert Opinion Briefing on the bills (see video).  Speakers included Andrea Williams of Reclaim Our Vote/Center for Common Ground and Sister Quincy Howard from Faithful Democracy. 

The Democracy Action Team also arranged meetings with both House and Senate staffers to advocate for the two bills and learn more about their expected paths through the Senate. On the House side, they met with staffers of Rep. John Sarbanes, D-MD, (sponsor of For the People Act) and Rep. Terri Sewell, D-AL, (sponsor of John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act).  On the Senate side, they talked with staff of Republican Sens. John Cornyn (Texas), Charles Grassley (IA), Thom Tillis (NC) and Roger Wicker (MS); Democratic Sens. Tammy Baldwin (WI), Margaret Wood Hassan (NH), Tim Kaine (VA), Amy Klobuchar (MN) (sponsor of Sen. Manchin’s Freedom to Vote Act), Kyrsten Sinema (AZ), and Raphael Warnock (GA); as well as  Independent Angus King Jr. (ME). The meetings made clear that filibuster reforms will very likely be needed to pass the two bills. The timing of each remains uncertain. Among Democrats the big concern is: What will it take to gain Sen. Sinema’s support in both process and substance?  Meanwhile, Sen. Manchin has signaled his position and considerations through numerous statements to the press and Senate colleagues. Republicans are mainly concerned about what they see as overreach of the federal government into state election systems.

UU Voices from Across the Country

Dear Senator Burr,
I am so excited about the Freedom to Vote Act! I’m deeply concerned about the viability of democracy. As a Unitarian Universalist I believe, as do folks of many faiths, that fixing our ailing republic is a moral imperative. Respecting people, respecting the democratic process, respecting justice, and respecting equity are core values. Our republic belongs to all of us, and all of us should be free to vote without obstruction. Together these bills will fight the very voter suppression I've witnessed with my own eyes. May God bless you in making the right moral choice for all Americans, and may God bless America.
Winston Salem, NC

Dear Senator Grassley,
As a lifelong Iowan, as an American, and as your constituent, I am concerned about the state of voting rights in America today. Voting rights is the very beating heart of democracy, and frankly that heart is not doing so well. To my point, Iowa currently has eight (8) new restrictive voting laws which are going to hamper access to voting for many of our citizens right here at home. But these voting restrictions are happening in states across the country, and show no real sign of slowing down, unless the federal legislation is enacted. This is not a partisan issue. It is time for you to decide if you are defending democracy, or tearing down its very foundation. I urge you to take action to pass (1) the Freedom to Vote Act and (2) the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. Furthermore, do not let procedural rules, such as the filibuster, prevent them from passing. When everyone votes, democracy works.
Des Moines, IA

Dear Senator Padilla,
I appreciate that [you are] a co-sponsor of the Freedom to Vote Act demonstrating the will of the People of California. I ask that you urge your colleagues in the Senate to support the bills and not let the filibuster rules prevent them from passing. If ending the filibuster is necessary to protect voting rights then so be it. End the filibuster now! Fear of what Republicans will do at some future date is of little value, if we cannot protect the rights of the people to vote and ensure representatives like you can be elected by citizens.
Fremont, CA

UUSJ News and Events

Note Date Change
2021 Social Justice Activist Roundtable
Saturday, November 20, 2021
1pm ET | 12 noon CT | 11am MT | 10am PT
Join us for a chance to network with other social justice activists, share successful programs, discuss challenges, and feel energized to continue doing justice work. Hear from Rev. Dr. Pippin Whitaker, Co-chair, UUA Commission on Social Witness. After our virtual roundtable discussion, activists will walk away inspired and with actionable strategies. Watch for more details.

Unitarian Universalist News

Gather, Inspire, Launch!
Two-part Fall Social Witness Convening of the Commission on Social Witness

Part One: Wednesday, Oct 6, 7-9 pm ET/4-6 pm PT
Part Two: Wednesday, Oct 13, 7-9 pm ET/4-6 pm PT

Across the world, Unitarian Universalists are being pulled in many directions for justice and health, humanitarian aid, and earth care. Amid this trying time, let us inspire one another through collective action!

At the UUA General Assembly this past June, delegates voted to affirm three bold statements for healing action. The delegates also adopted a formal UUA Statement of Conscience on Undoing Systemic White Supremacy. Join the Commission on Social Witness for two meetings to learn what UU leaders around the country are doing, what you can do, and who you can partner with to carry forward these bold actions. 

Gather, inspire, and launch your social witness action! The Commission invites you to attend both sessions of its fall convening and learn about all the recent statements and actions.
 

UU the Vote Skill Up Training
October 17, 2021 4:00 pm ET

Our Unitarian Universalist faith calls us to be lifelong learners, and organizing traditions teach that we need to share what we know for our movements to grow. So UU the Vote is kicking off Squad Skill Ups - a monthly series of training on organizing skills to help build UU the Vote Volunteer Squads and help you build stronger teams in your congregation and community. The session starts with some spiritual fun and then launches into the training (subject TBD). Learn how to get more involved as a UU the Vote volunteer and meet members of the Volunteer Squads. Please join us!  Sign Up Now

Defending Our Democracy

Fred Van Deusen, Democracy Action Team Convener (fredvandeu@gmail.com)

Fast And Pray For Democracy

As we move into October, West Virginian faith leaders begin the Season of Prayer and Fasting for a Faithful Democracy and invite national and state partners to join them. Beginning in October until passage of the Freedom to Vote Act, people of faith are invited to fast and pray for federal law-makers to pass legislation to protect voting rights and our democracy. This campaign is organized by Faithful Democracy of which UUSJ is a partner. Read more about the campaign, including suggested guidelines for fasting or sign up and plan your own action.

Freedom to Vote Relay & Rally

Pledge for Relay Oct 20-22

Pledge for Rally Sat. Oct. 23 Rally in DC

If Senate Republicans continue stalling action on pro-voter bills, such as the Freedom to Vote Act with the filibuster, secular activists plan to pull out all the stops to get them across the finish line. The Freedom to Vote Relay is part of that effort, mobilizing people to walk, run and bike from West Virginia to Washington D.C.on Thursday, October 21, and to rally in DC when they arrive on Saturday, October 23.

The Reeb Project of All Souls Unitarian (DC) is forming a crew to bike the Relay’s final leg on Friday October 22.

Voting Rights Legislation

The latest version of the For the People Act, called the Freedom to Vote Act (summary)  was introduced in the Senate on September 14. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-WV, its primary author, and a number of other Senate Democrats have been working on this latest revision. It's a voting rights bill that addresses many of the concerns that the Democracy Action Team heard from Republican senators. However, it is unlikely to gain the 10 Republican votes needed to avoid a filibuster. In meetings with UUSJ, some Republicans have downplayed Sen. Manchin’s efforts to craft a bipartisan bill.

Key civic leaders like Rev. Dr. Barber II, have voiced deep concerns asking:) “Which side are you on, Sen, Manchin?”  And Sen. Sinema’s (D-AZ) position is unclear. She is viewed by some of her supporters as “standing in the way” of fulfilling various Democratic campaign promises.

The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act was introduced in the House on August 17 and it passed on August 24. It was received in the Senate on September 14. It would restore the protections of the 1965 Voting Rights Act against discriminatory voting laws. It is important to understand that we need both the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Act to pass. The Freedom to Vote Act sets the floor that states must meet, and should grow from, and the John Lewis Act protects our rights and provides a remedy when required. It has not yet been introduced in the Senate. 

In September, the UUSJ Democracy Action Team met with staff of 12 offices on voting rights with other meetings planned for this month and beyond. See Advocacy News above for details.

The Brennan Center Bill Analysis

• The Freedom to Vote Act: Fact Sheet and Breakdown
• John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (H.R. 4)

Immigration Justice

Steve Eckstrand & Terry Grogan, Immigration Action Team Conveners (seckstrand@verizon.net)

September Immigration Action Alert

When it seemed last month that Congress might use the budget reconciliation process to provide pathways to citizenship for some undocumented immigrants, the Immigration Action Team urged members of Congress to support pathways to citizenship in the budget reconciliation bill. UUSJ’s September Action Alert covered those who are recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Temporary Protected Status (TPS), farm workers, and essential workers.

The Immigration Action Team also requested meetings to advocate for this with 10 moderate Democratic Representatives, whose votes would be needed to pass the budget reconciliation bill. And, the IAT sent emails to all the UU congregations in the districts of the moderate Democratic Representatives, asking them to notify their members of UUSJ’s September Action Alert, which modified an earlier Action Alert this summer. 

Letter to President Biden

The IAT sent a letter to President Biden, urging him to immediately stop expelling Haitian asylum seekers and refugees under Title 42 and instead to extend Temporary Protective Status to these newly-arrived Haitians due to the current conditions in Haiti. See Letter

Supporting Our Moral Owners

The team arranged for UUSJ to join other faith and advocacy organizations in signing group letters from: 

• UndocuBlack Network, asking the Biden Administration to provide permanent protection for TPS holders, immigrant youth (Dreamers), farmworkers, and essential workers;
• Church World Services, urging the Biden Administration to increase the refugee admissions goal for FY 2022 to 200,000 and increase investment in that program;
• Detention Watch Network, endorsing a bill revising definitions in the Immigration and Naturalization Act to reduce the number of dismissed, suspended, appealed, or otherwise inappropriate convictions that might lead to removing  immigrants;
• Interfaith Immigration Coalition, calling on the Biden Administration to immediately halt deportation flights to Haiti and take steps to protect Haitians.

October 14 – 21
29 Films - 9 Screenings - Online and In Person
Find out More

The goal is telling the story of global immigration through film and humanizing the plight of immigrants and refugees by sharing their stories. The Film Fest seeks to not only entertain but to also inform audiences in partnership with organizations.  And to provide ways audiences can take action to correct the injustices that force people to leave their homes and the dislocations that result from migration.

Environmental and Climate Justice

People vs. Fossil Fuels Week of Action
October 11-15
Build Back Fossil Free 
Details and Registration

“When Indigenous leaders call on people of faith to come to Washington, D.C. to bear witness and to put our bodies on the line, I say yes.” Rev. Fred Small, UU minister -- see and share his video on Facebook. 

Indigenous people, pipeline fighters, water protectors, young people, scientists, faith leaders, and others are saying enough is enough; it's time to finally place people over fossil fuels. See the invitation.

The UUA has endorsed the People vs. Fossil Fuels Week of Action in Washington, DC, a campaign of the Build Back Fossil Free Coalition. The five days of action will highlight the damage done by fossil fuels, the current impact on our climate and the need for real solutions rooted in justice. 

All are invited to come for one day, two days, or the whole week. There are support roles for those who cannot risk arrest. As of last week, clergy and lay leaders from 14 UU congregations and lay leaders from UUSJ, UU Ministry for Earth, and congregations in Indiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, and Wisconsin, have signed up to participate in this peaceful civil disobedience for climate justice. Will you?

Highlights include:

• Monday, Oct. 11 -- Indigenous Peoples Day (First Nations Activities)
• Tuesday, Oct. 12 -- Sitting together in honor of Indigenous Peoples’ Day (Oct. 11) Clergy are encouraged to witness with indigenous leaders.
• Wednesday, Oct. 13 People of faith and conscience, including lay leaders, taking action (clergy and congregants can act together). 
• Thursday Oct. 14 -- Actions open to all 
• Friday Oct. 15 -- Youth leading a march from the White House to Congress and taking action there. 

Join other UUs in:

• Learning more about the effort led by frontline organizations demanding  President Biden stop ALL fossil fuel projects and declare a climate emergency. See all the DEMANDS and themes for all 5 days HERE.
• Supporting solidarity with UUs and others arrested, particularly on Faith Delegations Days: October 12 & 13
• Amplifying the message. Share Rev. Small’s video. Tweet during the week and amplify the messages using  #BuildBackFossilFree, #PeopleVsFossilFuels, and #faiths4climate. Add the Twitter handle of your members of Congress - list HERE.

Carbon Pricing is a False Solution to the Climate Crisis. This month, thousands of people will come to Washington, DC to demand that President Biden end the fossil fuel era. He must stop approving fossil fuel projects and declare a climate emergency now, ahead of the United Nations climate summit in November. UUs will be present, will you be among them? More Information on Carbon Pricing. (For information on the UN Climate Summit, see article below).

Faiths 4 Climate Justice
A Global MultiReligious Action ahead of UN Climate Talks
October 17-18

This global multi-faith action is aimed at continuing to pressure President Biden to act boldly on climate ahead of the UN Climate Talks in November! Here’s the general handout with details.

“As people of faith, we believe that the Earth and all people are sacred. We are calling for an immediate end to new fossil fuel projects, deforestation, and related financing, a massive commitment to green jobs to reduce climate pollution and end poverty for millions, and climate reparations from wealthy countries to equip vulnerable nations for a better future,” GreenFaith organizers say. 

Ways you can take action:: 

• Sunday, October 17: IDEAS for action in your place of worship, church, synagogue, congregation, etc. 
• Monday, October 18: IDEAS for action in your local community. Lay leaders and clergy dressed in religious clothing with signs can line up outside of government buildings, banks, investment houses, etc.

Taking Action on Climate Change
October 24, 4pm ET - Zoom
RSVP

“We have reached a tipping point,” warns UN Secretary General António Guterres. All eyes are on the UN Climate Change Conference (also known as COP26), beginning the end of this month in Glasgow, Scotland, where the world’s nations and civil society will meet in a defining moment of history.

As the Biden Administration prepares for the Climate Change Conference, members of the Unitarian Universalist community and friends are advocating for strong and decisive action to address climate change in a just and equitable way. 

Regional UU congregations and the United Nations Association of the National Capital Area [UNA-NCA] are hosting an October 24 briefing on what we can do to meet the ambitious goals of the Paris Agreement, as individuals and faith-based organizations.

The Webinar will provide an update on the Biden Administration’s preparations, and the role of civil society in achieving the targets of the Paris Agreement. Recognizing the inequitable impact of climate change on poor and minority communities, experts will discuss ways faith-based organizations and individuals can work together to meet the climate goals equitably and promote environmental justice.

The 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference --also known as COP26 --is the 26th United Nations Climate Change conference. It will be held in Scotland October 31- November 12, under the presidency of the United Kingdom. UN Link

Alert: UUSJ board member Rev. Peggy Clarke is a UU delegate
 

Taking Action for Global Impact 

Strengthening Local Climate Commitments (SLCC) is organizing and/or collaborating on Pre-COP 26 Climate Summit Actions with three events highlighting UU involvement. They include:

• Wednesday, October 6,, 8 pm ET: “How UUs can take local action that accelerates the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement” (RSVP) 
• Sunday, October 24, 4:00-5:30 pm ET: “UN Day Forum: Taking Action on Climate Change” (RSVP) 
• Thursday, October 28, 7 pm ET: “Getting Ready for COP26” Model UN event focused on understanding how the COP 26 Climate Summit in Glasgow will work, priorities, how to participate remotely and what to expect. (RSVP)

Economic Justice

Speaker Pelosi Urged to "Hold the Line"

Poor People’s Campaign: National Call for Moral Revival national co-chairs, Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II and Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis, sent an Open Letter to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi encouraging her to "Hold the Line" and ensure the House passes both infrastructure bills, not just the smaller bill sent over by the Senate.

The PPC: NCMR is asking the House not to fund the physical infrastructure bill until the Senate commits to also funding the infrastructure of our daily lives by investing in healthcare, family leave, elder care, affordable housing, the environment and more.

Join the PPC in pledging your support - review and share the letter with your representative.

Medicare For All -- The Longterm Goal on Pandemic Recovery

UUs for a Just Economic Community (UUJEC), proposed an Action of Immediate Witness (AIW) on The COVID-19 Pandemic: Justice. Healing. Courage.  Three of the four actions passed during UUA’s June General Assembly cite the need to support federal legislation, like UUSJ’s on voter suppression and voting rights, and another Defend and Advocate with Transgender, Nonbinary, and Intersex Communities.  The fourth AIW is Undoing Systemic White Supremacy: A Call to Prophetic Action.  

The UUJEC AIW points to The Medicare for All Act of 2021 as well as the PRO Act, HR-842, Protecting the Right to Organize for labor law reform, urging their passage. 

Terry Lowman of UUJEC explained their support:
“What we really want is Medicare for All and I suspect the only way we'll get there is to have more powerful unions and workers. It may seem off-topic that an AIW on the COVID-19 Pandemic would include advocacy for the PRO Act, but unions have traditionally been the leaders in advocacy for healthcare for workers, hence we put that in. Supporting unions is part of UUJEC's core mission as it's obvious to us that inequality has worsened as unions' power has been diminished.”

UUJEC has been working with the AFL-CIO to enlist UU support in Arizona, Alaska and Virginia -- three states with potential votes to support the PRO Act.

Join the UUA Commission on Social Witness to hear more from UUJEC on Wednesday, Oct 13, 7-9 pm ET/4-6 pm PT as well as the sponsors of undoing White Supremacy. The other two AIWs are being discussed Wednesday, Oct 6, 7-9 pm ET/4-6 pm PT.

With Health Care At Stake, Our Voices Should Count

Tammy Rojas shares her personal experiences of homelessness and healthcare issues in this recent op-ed distributed by OtherWords.org, Ms. Rojas is a coordinator with Put People First! PA, a board member of the National Union of the Homeless, and a member of the Poor People’s Campaign. Read Tammy's Op-ed

The Debt Ceiling Debate Elaborated

The Economic Policy Institute (EPI) reports “Republicans in Congress are using the debt ceiling—an arbitrary value set by Congress that limits federal spending — as a political pawn to stymie President Biden’s Build Back Better agenda.” EPI’s Josh Bivens explains why the federal debt ceiling needs to be abolished in his recent blog post.

Advancing Corporate Tax Transparency
October 6
1pm ET / 10am PT
RSVP

The American Sustainable Business Council and Social Venture Circle invite you to join Sen. Chris Van Hollen (MD), Rep. Cindy Axne (IA), and business leaders for a conversation on the Disclosure of Tax Havens and Offshoring Act. Large multinational corporations are using accounting maneuvers to shift billions of dollars in profits into tax haven countries to avoid taxes in the countries where they operate. This  creates an uneven playing field, especially for U.S. small businesses.