JUUstice Washington

A Unitarian Universalist State Action Network

Harvest the Power 2020-Commit to a Season of Collective Action and Faith Formation

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On October 1st, the Harvest Moon will rise shortly after sunset in the Northern Hemisphere. This burst of evening light provides an extended time for farmers to harvest summer crops and plant new seeds for the Fall Season.

What and how have you grown this summer — personally, in connection to your community, and in connection to movement uprisings for justice?

Unitarian Universalists are invited to mark this seasonal transition by reflecting on this question in the Harvest moonlight, and setting intentions to Harvest the Power of community this Fall through a sprint of collective action and faith formation weaving together all Unitarian Universalist justice ministries. This is a shared endeavor between UUA, Side with Love, UU the Vote, and UUMFE.

  • October 21-27 Week of Action with UU the Vote
  • November 4-18 Post-election Virtual Spaces for Community Care & Formation
  • November 19-22 Virtual Justice Convergence & Decolonization Teach-In
  • November 26 Plymouth Day of Mourning 50th Anniversary Virtual Observance (hosted on Side with Love and UUA FB page)

Ahead of these events, ground yourself in our theological grounding around decarceration, decriminalization, and democracy. Learn More.

In faith and solidarity,

Aly Tharp
Program Director, UU Ministry for Earth
Create Climate Justice Manager, UUA Organizing Strategy Team

The Unsung Heroines of Stonewall

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Stonewall National Monument is the only national park site specifically dedicated to the LGBTQ civil rights movement. It shares the struggle of hundreds of people who demonstrated in a six-night uprising against police discrimination and brutality in 1969. Among those who fought for acceptance and equality are Sylvia Rivera, Stormé DeLarverie and Marsha P. Johnson. Yet few know their names — and because the site doesn’t have a visitor center, park-goers can easily miss out on learning their stories.

Read more here.

Share Your Unemployment Story to Leverage Economic Aid

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In this time of pandemic and economic crisis, Congress is more out of touch than ever. With public health restrictions keeping lawmakers from meeting in-person in their communities, far too many are only seeing this crisis through the news.

We at Town Hall Project are convinced that if our elected leaders were able to hold in-person town halls right now they’d see just how bad this crisis is — and how much worse it could get.

But in just four weeks, expanded unemployment benefits and other vital support will end — unless Congress acts.

So it’s vitally important we lift up the stories of Americans at the front line of this crisis. If you, or a loved one, are unemployed and depending on expanded support to make rent, mortgage, or other basic needs, your story can make a real difference.

Please: share your story today and we’ll help elevate it — in social media, in virtual town halls, and through the news media — to make sure Congress understands.

SHARE YOUR STORY

We are at an unprecedented moment, but together we can continue to find ways to Show Up and Speak Out, and hold our leaders accountable to the needs of the American people.

Thank you, and be safe.

Nathan, Executive Director, Town Hall Project

townhallproject.com

mutualaidhub.org

Supreme Court Rules Against Gender Discrimination for LGBTQ!!

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Breaking News from the ACLU

The Supreme Court just handed down a tremendous decision: Under federal law, employers cannot fire or otherwise discriminate against workers just for being LGBTQ.

Let’s be clear: This means it is illegal to fire someone, or refuse to hire them, for being LGBTQ in all 50 states. It is a historic ruling, but there are still critical gaps that must be addressed.

In the face of a global pandemic, these gaps are a matter of life and death. Discrimination has already contributed to the premature death of our two clients.

John, we need to mobilize now to build momentum around the Court’s decision. We can secure comprehensive nondiscrimination protections by urging Congress to pass the Equality Act. Send an urgent message to your senators now.

[Read more…]

Everyone Should Be Able to Vote, Especially in a Pandemic

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The COVID-19 crisis puts workers, immigrants, LGBTQ individuals, Black and Brown people, and the most vulnerable among us at great risk. They are on the front lines of the crisis. While DI partners and allies are working day and night to protect their respective communities, President Trump is openly pushing a divisive message and leading a deliberate strategy to suppress votes—especially Black, Brown, and vulnerable communities already suffering the most severe life and death consequences from COVID-19.

We saw the ugly results of this partisan political strategy play out in the Wisconsin primary where voters and poll workers literally risked their lives on election day after Republican legislators and courts blocked the Governor’s attempts to protect people by expanding vote by mail, extending absentee voting and delaying the election. 52 poll workers and voters tested positive for COVID-19 after participating in the primary.

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