Justice News, Events and Action Alerts Update
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♦ = Immediate Action Requested ♦ = Event ♦ = News ♦ = Article
JUUstice Washington Organizational News
JUUstice Washington wrapped up a successful spring fund drive in early June that garnered over $1,700. Thank you for your generosity, all who supported us. If you missed your chance and still want to contribute, here is the link.
Are you active in planning and/or taking part in justice events? Would you like to contribute to the News Update, the JUUstice Washington website or calendar? Contact Sharon at office@juustwa.org and ask to be added to our Action Team. You will be notified about publication deadlines and given guidance about what information we need.
Plans are well underway for JUUstice Washington’s Fall Summit, October 12th in Olympia. This year’s theme will be Navigating Intersectionality. Different from our usual action team sessions, we are planning intersectional sessions where people from different justice areas can work on shared planning, based on a confluence of issues for greater impact. If you have ideas for specific combinations you have already worked with or wish you could work with, please let us know. Look for more links for how to register and for congregational sponsorship opportunities in the August News Update. Don’t know what the Summit is? More here.
UUA News
This year’s General Assembly met in June in Spokane, Washington. While this GA, themed the “Power of We,” contained all of the usual inspiring elements, the feel of this GA was palpably different. New, younger and more diverse leadership at the helm of the UUA (and fewer hours in plenary business meetings) allowed centering on deeper discussion of what we want in the future of Unitarian Universalism. More from JUUstice Washington board member John Hilke.
News from Our Action Teams
Refugee, Immigrant and Migrant Solidarity (RIMS) Action Team
RIMS Calendar
♦ States Offering Driver’s Licenses to Immigrants. Twelve states and the District of Columbia enacted laws to allow unauthorized immigrants to obtain a driver’s licenses. These states—California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, Vermont and Washington—issue a license if an applicant provides certain documentation, such as a foreign birth certificate, a foreign passport, or a consular card and evidence of current residency in the state. Washington State’s law has been in effect since 1993. Read more here.
♦♦ The Dream Act, DACA, and Other Policies Designed to Protect Dreamers. With the rescission of the Deferred Action for Children Arrivals (DACA) initiative, there has been renewed pressure on Congress to pass federal legislation known as the Dream Act to protect young immigrants who are vulnerable to deportation. This fact sheet provides an overview of the Dream Act and other similar legislative proposals, explains changes made to DACA on March 13, 2019, and provides information about policies at the state level that support Dreamers. Read more here.
First/American Indian Nations Solidarity (FAIN) Action Team
FAIN Calendar
♦♦♦ Paddle to Lummi officially calls for Volunteers for this year’s Tribal Canoe Journey. July We’re still looking for donations! There is a place online to volunteer for specific tasks and duties and Olympia UU is continuing to sell blankets from its “Lummi Blanket Project.” Read more here to get connected to 2019 Paddle to Lummi!
♦♦♦ Lummi Nation Launches Salish Sea Campaign. On June 15th, during the Seattle Tokitae Totem Pole Journey Homecoming event, Lummi Nation called for “communities of the Salish Sea to stand together in protecting qwe ‘lhol mechen(resident orcas) from extinction . . . This is a vision of resilience, truth, belonging, and healing for qwe ‘lhol mechen,” said Lummi Nation Chairman Jay Julius. “This is a battle for the soul of Xwullemy, the Salish Sea.” Stand ready to rally the troops to support our PNW Tribes/Nations in this Campaign. Read and watch for more here.
Legislative Advocacy Legislative Advocacy Calendar
♦♦ July 2, Seattle Fix Democracy First and the League of Women Voters of Washington and are happy to co-host VOTE for US – Reception & Book Reading with author Joshua Douglas, an expert on US election law and advocacy. He will be discussing his new book, “Vote for Us: How to Take Back Our Elections and Change the Future of Voting.” More
Economic Justice Action Team Economic Justice Calendar
♦ July 10, 12-1:30pm The Interfaith Task Force on Homelessness holds monthly meetings from noon-1:30pm every SECOND Wednesday, at University Congregational United Church of Christ, 4515 16th Ave. NE., Seattle, in the first floor chapel. More
Racial Justice Action Team Racial Justice Calendar
Climate Justice Action Team Climate Justice Calendar
♦♦♦ Starting with the premise “the Green New Deal manifests key UU values — both “the interdependent web” and “justice, equity, and compassion”— the UUA passed an Action of Immediate Witness (AIW) on June 22, 2019 at the General Assembly in Spokane, Washington. More
♦♦♦ July 13, Seattle WA Join Community Alliance for Global Justice for their Strengthening Local Economies Everywhere (SLEE) Dinner. Keynote speaker Doria Robinson, Executive Director of Urban Tilth, will highlight the role of food sovereignty and agroecology in leading us to a Just Transition to address the climate crisis. More
Featured Film, Artifishal, July 8, Port Townsend WA
♦♦ Join Meaningful Movies® Port Townsend for the brand-new documentary Artifishal, which explores the high cost – ecological, financial and cultural – of our mistaken belief that engineered solutions can make up for habitat destruction. More
For other Movies for Justice, please check out the JUUstice Washington calendar or the Meaningful Movies® Website
Featured Flash Stance, Black Lives Matter, July 28th, Kirkland WA
♦♦♦ Join UU activists and others in a stand against the marginalization of people of color in our area and across the nation. We stand to get those that see us talking about this taboo subject later in their day with those they encounter. Meet on the NW corner of Peter Kirk Park, 3rd and Central, Kirkland WA from 12:30 to 1:30 pm.
For this and other scheduled protests, vigils, flash stances and rallies, please check out the JUUstice Washington calendar
Wellness for Justice Activists (tips/inspiration)
Here’s How to Recover from Activism Burnout
By Vanessa Willoughby, January 7, 2019
For activists, the burnout can be imminent if self-care is pushed to the sidelines. The work of an activist demands an immense amount of selflessness, empathy and compassion in the face of adversity. While unquestionably admirable, consistently tapping into these traits to the benefit of the greater good can leave a person emotionally exhausted.
- Identify your feelings
- Talk to a trusted confidant
- Find healthy outlets outside of activism work
- Exercise
- Learn when to step back and say no