FUSsa-talk Mailing List: Fw: [anews] Immigrant Justice, Marriage Equality and General Assembly!!

[Carol Koepp (carolkoepp]

Advocacy and Witness
----- Original Message ----- 
From: Unitarian Universalist Justice Action Network 
To: carolkoepp [at] comcast.net 
Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 1:56 PM
Subject: [anews] Immigrant Justice, Marriage Equality and General Assembly!!


            Featured Content
              a.. Legislative Objectives 
              b.. Calendar 
            UUA Advocacy and Witness


            Dear Friends of Justice, 

            This week, the White House officially proclaimed June 2009 as 
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month. While much more work still 
needs to be done (like the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell) it is worthy of 
note and celebration. 

            We await two verdicts today as we send out this bulletin. First, 
Unitarian Universalist Walter Staton will find out whether he is guilty of 
"littering" (with a possible jail sentence) for putting out water bottles 
intended to prevent further deaths of migrants as they cross the Sonoran 
desert. Go to the No More Deaths website for the latest news. Secondly, of 
course, we await word from the New Hampshire state legislature on whether the 
state whose motto is "Live Free or Die" will become the sixth to legally 
recognize same-gender marriages. 

            In faith and for justice, 
            Lisa, Orelia, Alex, Audra, Kat, Adam, Susan, and Meg 

            Action of the Month 

              a.. If you're planning to attend General Assembly, make space in 
your schedule for a Public Witness event supporting immigrant families on 
Friday evening, June 26th. In the mean time, see information below about two 
actions you can take to support immigrant justice right now.
            Advocacy


              a.. Immigration: Reform Immigration for America - This week, 
hundreds of allied organizations are launching the campaign to Reform 
Immigration for America in cities across the country. The UUA is part of this 
grassroots movement, and we invite you to participate by sending a fax to your 
Senators, Representative, and Congressional leadership. 

              b.. Immigration: Reuniting Families - On June 4, Rep. Honda 
(D-CA) will introduce The Reuniting Families Act. This landmark bill ends long 
visa wait times and discrimination against BGLT partners that prevents loving 
families from being together. This is the first time that lesbian and gay 
couples have been included in a multi-issue immigration bill. Urge your 
Representative to co-sponsor the Reuniting American Families Act! Learn more 
about the bill. 
            General Assembly


              a.. Social Justice Chairs & Leaders Meeting - There will be a 
gathering for Unitarian Universalist (UU) social justice makers on June 24th, 
2:00 - 5:00 p.m at the Hilton, Grand Ballroom B. We will offer training, best 
practice case studies, and time for networking on issues. Most especially we 
will explore together how we connect congregational service and education with 
collective national advocacy and witness. To register, write to Audra Friend at 
socialjustice [at] uua.org. For more information on this and other GA events, 
see our A&W at GA page! 

              b.. Environmental Justice Passport - Stop by one of the following 
four booths in the exhibit hall to pick up your Environmental Justice Passport 
and to register for daily drawings for earth-friendly prizes: 
                a.. UU Ministry for Earth (UUMFE), Booth #831 
                b.. UU Service Committee (UUSC), Booth #718 
                c.. UUA Advocacy & Witness (UUA A&W), Booth #521 
                d.. Congregational Services/Green Sanctuary (UUA CS/GS), Booth 
#431
              After you've collected your passport, you can obtain passport 
stamps for attending environmentally themed workshops, choosing "green" 
alternatives at GA, making "greener" choices at GA, and supporting 
organizations that work for environmental justice. The Environmental Justice 
Passport collaborative project is brought to you by the UUMFE, UUSC, UUA Office 
of Advocacy and Witness, and the Green Sanctuary Program. 

              c.. Final Draft of Statement of Conscience on Peacemaking - The 
Commission on Social Witness has released the final draft of the Statement of 
Conscience on Peacemaking for General Assembly. To read the draft, please visit 
uua.org/peacemaking. We encourage congregations to read and discuss the 
Statement of Conscience with their delegates in preparation for General 
Assembly. Any comments directed to the UUA on the Statement of Conscience will 
be reserved for the GA delegates. 
            Success: UUs Supporting Marriage Equality in DC and New Hampshire 

              a.. On June 2, Rev. Rob Hardies of All Souls Church, Unitarian in 
Washington DC stood at the pulpit of the Covenant Baptist Church with more than 
40 other clergy members from many denominations who all spoke in strong support 
civil marriage equality for same sex couples. Watch the video of Rev. Hardies 
calling for a civil debate on marriage equality in DC. 

              b.. The New Hampshire state legislature is voting on marriage 
equality today! Unitarian Universalist minister Rev. Kendra Ford from First 
Unitarian Universalist Society of Exeter, New Hampshire recently wrote a letter 
to Governor John Lynch about her refusal to sign marriage licenses until same 
sex couples can legally marry. She expressed hope that there is a way forward 
for marriage equality in New Hampshire. Clergy and congregation members 
throughout the state have been working closely with New Hampshire Freedom to 
Marry.
            Blog Round-Up: this week in Inspired Faith Effective Action 

              a.. The Advocacy and Witness Team shares what is growing in our 
gardens and what we are reading this summer. 
              b.. FEMA has been evicting people from their trailers on the Gulf 
Coast. Find out how you can help out. 
              c.. Sec. of State, Hilary Clinton, has extended full benefits to 
same sex partners of U.S. Diplomats. Read the thoughts of former U.S. Diplomat 
and current director of the UU-United Nations Office, Bruce Knotts. 
              d.. Orelia shares a prayer for the murdered abortion provider, 
Dr. George Tiller. 
              e.. Eric Cherry discusses the UU World Article about Unitarian 
Universalism in Africa. 
              f.. The federal trial of a UU Young Adult arrested for giving 
humanitarian aid to border crossers began this week.
           

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            email: socialjustice [at] uua.org | website: 
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