JUUstice Washington

A Unitarian Universalist State Action Network

From Governor Inslee’s Office . . . On Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

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A historic commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

Inslee puts forward significant investments to address systemic racism, eliminate racial disparities within state government and Washington communities.

After multiple, horrific deaths that included George Floyd and Washington’s own Manuel Ellis, people across the nation rose up by the millions to protest systemic racism and demand change. To meet
this challenge, we will take action against past injustices and lay the foundation for a Washington where everyone can thrive and live successful lives. The governor will respond to bias and discrimination with a bold and assertive package of proposals that address systemic racism.

Read more here.

Environmental Justice Task Force Policy Recommendations and HEAL Act Meetings

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I am delighted to share the news that the Environmental Justice Task Force (EJ TF) released its report! Check it out here or on the EJ TF’s information page as the first item under “Reports & Information” and for a quick read of some of the highlights of the report, see our latest blog post.

The EJ TF developed 26 policy recommendations spanning four categories that create a blueprintfor how the state can act on environmental justice in Washington State. Front & Centered was honored to serve as the organizational co-chair of the Governor’s Task Force, and that three of our coalition member organizations – Community to Community Development, the Spokane Chapter of the Asian Pacific Islander Coalition, and the Tacoma Urban League of Young Professionals – were also able to provide important community leadership perspectives on the intersection of equity and environmental justice. Many of the policy recommendations were sculpted from the stories gathered at the ‘community conversations’ we hosted – in person and then virtually – with ten different Front & Centered member organizations across the state from November 2019 through September 2020.

The impacts of institutional racism have been acutely observable this year given the disproportionate impacts of COVID-19 and the brutal murder of Black Americans by police and vigilantes. These events are but the latest that underscore the urgent need to ensure our laws are bound by fairness and offer everyone equal protection. This will eliminate racial disparities starkly reflected in a 14-year difference in the average lifespan of residents from different Washington residential zip codes. It is the mission our coalition of communities of color embarked on in 2019 to pass the Healthy Environment All Act (HEAL Act), that led to the creation of the Task Force which is housed in the Governor’s Interagency Council on Health Disparities. In 2021, we are poised to finish the job by passing the enhanced version of the HEAL Act.

As we ramp up the campaign, here are a few upcoming events to be aware of:

  • December 18 from 11:30am-1pm: Meeting on the HEAL 2.0 legislation and discussion on organizing strategy for partner organization. We resume these meetings in January on a bi-weekly basis.
  • Week of Jan 4 (date/time TBD): Front & Centered and Legislator public launch announcing the enhanced HEAL Act and release of our findings from statewide community conversations.

If you’re already on the HEAL Act advocacy listserv, you should have just received a calendar invite to the 12/18 event from Front & Centered Coordinators. If you would like to be added to the listserv, please reply to this email – the message ‘Add me’ would be sufficient. Or for more information, contact me at Sameer@frontandcentered.org.

We anticipate the same challenges to passing this vital legislation that we encountered in 2019. But I am confident our collective, organized, and dedicated effort will overcome them. Thank you so much for your commitment to advance EJ in Washington State.

In solidarity,
Sameer

Feeling Powerless About Coronavirus? Join a Mutual Aid Network

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New York Times – Washington Post – LA Magazine – Boston Magazine

Mutual aid is a form of community and political action – it’s when neighbors work to collectively take care of each other, in recognition that solidarity and interconnected survival is absolutely crucial. Mutual aid has been a long-standing practice, especially for Black, Indigenous, and immigrant communities systematically harmed by and neglected by the state. It is about helping others without judgment, strings, or means-testing, and fighting for a future of collective care and solidarity.

Currently, hundreds of mutual aid groups are organizing to distribute groceries, PPE, medicines, and baby supplies to their neighbors, to help with rent relief where possible, to disseminate critical information, and much more.

Mutual Aid Hub

For months, Town Hall Project has been supporting this movement through Mutual Aid Hub, connecting people to their local community groups, collecting resources, and bringing mutual aid organizers in best practice conversations together. As this pandemic continues and so many lives and livelihoods are disrupted, their work is more important than ever.
Directly donate to local mutual aid networks here. Town Hall Project does not take any percentage of these contributions – all goes directly to community groups and their work.

If you can’t find a group close to you or you want to learn more, volunteer, get in touch, search your zip code on Mutual Aid Hub.

Coalition for Anti-Racist Whites Forming Neighborhood Cohorts, Nov. to Jan., Sign Up by Nov. 8

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We want every member of CARW’s base to be meaningfully engaged in the fight for collective liberation and to have a growing sense of political home. After the election, we’ll be launching neighborhood-based cohorts all over Seattle and south King County. 

If you’ve been looking for a way to deepen your involvement with CARW and build a community of shared values, this is your opportunity.

We’ll connect you with a group of your neighbors for a series of facilitated conversations to excavate internalized white supremacy, grapple with core tensions of white anti-racist practice, and build a shared political analysis. These cohorts will run loosely from Election Day to Inauguration Day and will meet twice a month from mid-November through late January for a total of six sessions. All sessions will include an action component, aligned with the latest demands from King County Equity Now and Decriminalize Seattle. If you’re interested in participating, please sign up through this form by Sunday, Nov 8. 

We want abolition now. We want every member of CARW’s base engaged in the struggle for Black liberation, indigenous sovereignty, migrant justice and a more equitable world in a way that stretches them, teaches them, and feeds them. We’re grateful to be in community with you all.

In Solidarity, CARW

Training for Election and Post-Election Defense

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So… now that UU the Vote has got all this incredible voter outreach going together and are in striking distance of hitting our new goal of 2 million (!!) we are pivoting to election defense.
UU the Vote is partnering with The Frontline Election Defenders program coordinated by the Movement for Black Lives Electoral Justice Project and Working Families Party – it is 501c3.  You may want to attend the training(s) and/or send your people.

https://www.mobilize.us/thefrontline/event/321224/