JUUstice Washington

A Unitarian Universalist State Action Network

Stand in Support of Black Lives Matter

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Friday, August 21, 2020 at 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
City of Port Orchard Government
Public · Hosted by Kitsap Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
As part of our congregational commitment to dismantle white supremacy, Kitsap UU Fellowship is dedicated to the Black Lives Matter movement for the long term. It will take all of us working together, doing what we can where we are at and with what we have, to make lasting change.
Join us every Friday 3:30-4:30 at the Port Orchard City Hall to testify that change is needed in Kitsap and nation wide. Wear a mask!!!
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There is one rule and three suggestions:
Rule: Wear a mask and practice social distancing during the witness.
Suggestions:
1. Make and bring a sign.
2. Dress according to the weather (umbrellas, sunscreen, etc.).
3. Dress in black clothing.

Educational Equity As a Moral Imperative with Dr. John King – Wed. 8/26 4pmPT

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How, during an unprecedented pandemic, can we educate all children equitably—with closed schools, disruptions in food assistance, and lack of internet access for home-learning affecting some far more than others? Especially now, how can we not?

Believing that educational equity is a moral imperative, Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church has asked Dr. John B. King, Jr., former US Secretary of Education, to address the needs and possibilities for accessible, equitable educational opportunities for low-income and otherwise disadvantaged children and youth, especially those of color. We invite you to join us on Wednesday, August 26, 2020, 4-5:30 pm. PT for this free, virtual event.

Register

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Side With Love 5-Session Series, “Taking A Collective Breath: Deepening our alignment with the Movement for Black Lives” Begins August 11, 2020

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Hundreds of Unitarian Universalists joined local activists June 20 in support of the Smart Justice Spokane coalition, which opposes the expansion of the Spokane County Jail. (© 2019 Christopher L. Walton/UUA)

We invite you to participate in Taking A Collective Breath: Deepening our alignment with the Movement for Black Lives, a five-session series built around the elements of the BREATHE Act. The webinars will explore the components of the BREATHE Act and utilize its structure as a way to focus our energies to effectively support ongoing racial justice work. Come learn and build with local and national partners who are shaping conditions to make liberation possible. This is an invitation to locate yourself in this moment as well, we each have a role to play.

The BREATHE Act seeks to reform federal laws and eliminate funding for federal programs that criminalize Black, Muslim, and immigrant communities, reinvesting our resources in community solutions for education, health, and the environment.
Register any time, for one session or the entire series. Sessions will be available online for later viewing, with registration. 

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Come Hell or High Water: The Battle for Turkey Creek

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“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Martin Luther King Jr.

Join Interfaith Power & Light to view Come Hell or High Water: The Battle for Turkey Creek, an award winning film about the unjust impact of climate change on an historic black community, and attend an IPL webinar to learn ways we can practice being allies in the fight for safe and healthy black communities.

Click here to watch a preview and purchase a ticket for the film and webinar.

Come Hell or High Water: The Battle for Turkey Creek follows the painful but inspiring journey of Derrick Evans, a Boston teacher who moves home to coastal Mississippi when the graves of his ancestors are bulldozed to make way for the sprawling city of Gulfport. Over the course of a decade, Derrick and his neighbors stand up to powerful corporate interests and politicians and face ordeals that include Hurricane Katrina and the BP oil disaster in their struggle for self-determination and environmental justice.

Watch a preview and purchase your ticket to view this critically acclaimed film online August 2 through August 4 and attend the webinar.

The webinar will be at 5pm Pacific/8pm Eastern on August 5 with filmmaker Leah Mahan and Derrick Evans.

Moderated by Susan Stephenson, the conversation will center around the disproportionate impacts of climate change on black and brown communities. We’ll also hear updates on the fight to achieve environmental justice for Turkey Creek and learn measures we can all take through policy and direct action to create more just systems and healthier communities.

$20 for an individual ticket. You will receive the link to view the film and the password, plus access to the webinar.

$50 for a congregational screening ticket. You will receive a link for up to 150 members of your congregation to view the film for free and attend the webinar.

Click here to purchase. Funds will go to support climate justice for Turkey Creek and to reimburse the small independent film team.

May justice and mercy prevail,

Sarah Paulos

Community Engagement and Program Manager

Interfaith Power & Light

Coalition of Anti-Racist Whites Asks for Your Voice at City Council Defund-the-Police Budget Hearing, June 8, 2020

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The Coalition of Anti-Racist Whites is MOBILIZING to DEFUND the SPD by 50% and REINVEST IN BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES. We have until July 17th to influence the city budget. As a people who have historically benefited from the institution of police, we have a responsibility to advocate for its abolition.

We are MOBILIZING TOGETHER to DEFUND the SPD by 50%  and REINVEST IN BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES

This work is not done!  If you have been following the news lately, you likely know that Mayor Durkan is on the offensive.  She has proposed a 20% budget cut, even though if we can maintain a veto-proof majority in city council, she has very little power to implement that proposal.

SO, it is imperative that we keep pressure on our Council Members to hold to their commitment.  The pro-police folks are organizing as well. They’re planning on using our tactics to try to flip Council Members votes.  

Our action is to keep up the calls and emails! They matter- don’t let up and give the pro-police folks the phone lines!  Only a quarter of our Phone Zap spots are filled for today – so sign up. And make the calls even if you don’t sign up!  Below you will find all of the city council members contact information!  

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