Muusja Mailing List: E-EVENT UPDATE FOR SEPTEMBER 28, 2007

[Lauren Culbert (lculbert]

MUUSJA E-EVENT UPDATE FOR SEPTEMBER 28, 2007
 
Minnesota UU Social  Justice Alliance--Bringing  together UUs to work
collectively for social change.
 
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This  update includes announcements about: 

A. Action Alerts
B. Local Social Justice News
C. National UU Advocacy
C. Social Justice Links

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A. ACTION ALERT ACTION ALERT ACTION ALERT ACTION ALERT 

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1.
700 UU'S SIGN THE PETITION IN ONE DAY! GET YOUR NAME ON THE PETITION NOW!

PETITION FOR PEACE: KEEP UP THE MOMENTUM 
http://www.uua.org/news/newssubmissions/45402.shtml to sign the UU anti war
petition. Send the link to 10 friends. Bring a copy of the petition to your
church. In the week following Oct 10th, arrange a meeting at the local
office of your Senator. Make sure your Senators know about the petition and
Rev. Sinkford's advocacy and, most importantly, let them know how you feel
about this war. Find your Senators' local offices are at www.senate.gov and
read our tips for setting up and conducting in-district lobby visits at
http://www.uua.org/leaders/leaderslibrary/advocacytips/26869.shtml. 

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2.
THIS MESSAGE COMES TO US FROM JANE EVERSHED, LOCAL ARTIST AND ACTIVIST

Burma is ruled by one of the most brutal military dictatorships in the
world. For decades the Burmese regime has fought off pressure--imprisoning
elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi and democracy activists, wiping out
thousands of villages, imposing forced labor, creating refugees-
 
But last Tuesday Buddhist monks and nuns, revered in Burma, began marching
and chanting prayers. The protests spread as hundreds of thousands of
ordinary people and public figures joined in, finding the hope they'd lost.
Now they're facing crackdown  so please, show your solidarity to this
movement towards reconciliation and democracy and sign the emergency
petition supporting the Burmese people -- it'll be delivered to United
Nations Security Council members and international media all week:
 
http://www.avaaz.org/en/stand_with_burma/tf.php?CLICK_TF_TRACK 
 
In the past, Burma's military rulers have massacred the demonstrators and
crushed democracy. The world must stand with the Burmese people at this
time, to show the military rulers that the world will not tolerate
repression and violence. 
 
Right now, global leaders are gathering in New York for the annual United
Nations summit. In speeches, press interviews but also in real actions, we
need them to show Burma's military junta that the global community is
willing to act in solidarity with the protesters. Show your solidarity to
this movement for peace and democracy and sign the emergency petition
supporting the Burmese people. It'll be delivered to UN Security Council
members and the UN press corps all week:
 
http://www.avaaz.org/en/stand_with_burma/tf.php?CLICK_TF_TRACK 
 
Thank you for your help! 

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B. LOCAL SOCIAL JUSTICE NEWS

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1.
SUN, SEPT 30
1:00 TO 4:45 PM 
Presbyterian Church of the Apostles
701 E. 130th St., Burnsville, MN  55337

CALLED TO BE PEACEMAKERS--Exploring peace through music, speakers,
workshops, children's activities, and exhibits. A Community Event for the
Entire Family     

Speakers-- Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer on "Choosing a Visionary Path to Peace" and
Bharat Parekh on "United Nations Millennium Goals"

Workshops-- Visualizing Peace, Identifying Violence and Acting
Non-Violently, Writing Letters to the Editor, Making your Voice Heard,
Labyrinth tours

Children's Program for ages 4 to 12
.       Drumming for Peace
.       Win, Win Games
.       Music
.       Labyrinth Walk
.       Crafts and Activities
.       Building Friendship Skills
.       Conflict Resolution

Nursery provided for under-threes, light refreshments. FFI: 952-890-7877

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2.
FRI, OCT 5
1:00 PM TO 3:00 PM
CUMMINS ROOM, FIRST UNIVERSALIST CHURCH
3400 DUPONT AVE. S. MINNEAPOLIS

MUUSJA VOTING RIGHTS PLANNING
Join this planning session of the working group on voting rights for the
Minnesota Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Alliance. Newcomers welcome.
We'll be planning implementation of the Responsive Resolution on voting we
passed at General Assembly. FFI: Jenny Thomas jjthomas [at] skypoint.com,
612-920-2653.

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3.
FRI, OCT 5
8:00 PM
RITZ THEATER
MINNEAPOLIS

JESUS HATES ME. The October 5 show of this biting comedy about faith and
culture will be "NSP Night" with Network of Spiritual Progressives members
leading a panel discussion after the show.
 
Tickets at 612-436-1129 or
http://www.ticketworks.com/ritz

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4.
SAT, OCT 6
10:00 AM TO 5:00 PM

BE A PART OF THE LARGEST SUSTAINABLE ENERGY EVENT IN THE UNITED STATES!

NATIONAL SOLAR TOUR Solar powered and energy efficient homes and buildings
in the Twin Cities and other Minnesota cities, as well as across the country
will be shown on free, self-guided public tours. This tour, organized by
Minnesota Renewable Energy Society, is part of the American Solar Energy
Society's 12th annual National Solar Tour, the largest demonstration of
installed renewable energy technologies and energy efficient building
practices in the United States. The tour offers local residents an
opportunity to find out how their neighbors are trimming their energy bills,
increasing their energy independence and taking steps to address global
warming. Locally, over 30 solar buildings will be open for tours from
10am-5pm.  This is an excellent opportunity for those interested in Solar
Energy to view Solar installations and talk with the building owners about
their experiences.  
Full details on the Solar Tour can be found on
http://www.mnrenewables.org/events/solartour/index.php
Contact: Doug Shoemaker (612) 308-4757

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5.
MON, OCT 8
6:30 PM
PLYMOUTH CHURCH
1900 NICOLLET AVENUE
MINNEAPOLIS

THE NETWORK OF SPIRITUAL PROGRESSIVES-MINNESOTA will meet at Plymouth
Church. (just south of downtown Minneapolis. Enter the door under the canopy
off the rear parking lot and go downstairs to the Jackman Room.) Because of
the rushed nature of our recent meetings, and to give us more time to talk
with each other, we are returning to our format of the chapter meeting
starting at 7:00. Join us at 6:30 if you can for  snacks and conversation,
and a brief orientation for new members. Also, of course, affinity groups
might use this time for a brief check-in or to schedule a meeting on another
day.

We are delighted to welcome State Senator JOHN MARTY as the speaker at our
October meeting. Most of us know of Senator Marty's strong, clear stands on
progressive issues over the years, including during his campaign for
governor in 1994. But when several of us met a few weeks ago with Senator
Marty as part of our outreach to the legislature, we were immediately struck
by the depth of his understanding of the close relationship between religion
and politics. So we quickly asked him to come and speak with our colleagues,
and he graciously agreed on short notice! Senator Marty's talk, like Phil
Steger's a couple of months ago, promises not only to inspire us, but to
further sharpen our understanding of the unique role we are able to play in
the public dialogue.

The October meeting will also include another in our series of short,
"energetic"
(to say the least!) videos from NSP national, and some time for small group
interactions to let us connect with each other.

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6.
SUN, OCT 14
12:30 PM
FIRST UNIVERSALIST CHURCH
3400 DUPONT AVE S, MINNEAPOLIST
CUMMINS ROOM

LUNCH AND A MOVIE: DISENFRANCHISEMENT OF PEOPLE OF COLOR. Join us to see and
discuss two short videos from PBS NOW with David Brancaccio: "Voter Caging"
on voter disenfranchisement and "Block the Vote" on voter ID bills, and the
disproportionate impact on people of color.  This event complies with the
Responsive Resolution we passed at General Assembly.  Suitable for one-time
visitors and Working Group team members.  FFI: Jenny Thomas,
jjthomas [at] skypoint.com or Carol Johnson 612-825-3322.

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7.
WED, OCT 17
7:00 PM
FIRST UNITARIAN SOCIETY

FREE. DRAMATIC READING: THE CASE FOR WAR-WAS IT FRAUDULENT? United States v.
George W. Bush et al. 

Six readers will present the evidence for an indictment of top government
officials claiming they tricked the nation into the Iraq war, or, in legal
terms, conspired to defraud the United States. The facts and circumstances
are real. They are the result of two years researching the run-up to the war
by a former federal prosecuting attorney with 20 years of experience and
passion for justice, Elizabeth de la Vega. The script is adapted from her
book, United States v. George W. Bush et al. The jury, randomly picked from
the audience, decides whether there is enough evidence to indict. 

(If you would like your congregation to organize a reading of The Case For
War, just ask one of the readers for a script, make copies, recruit six
readers, and just do it informally. No rehearsal is necessary. The purpose
is to enlighten.)
 
FFI and/or RSVP:     Madeline Simon  Madeline-mpls [at] msn.com
 
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8.
REGISTER BEFORE SEPTEMBER 30

MON AND TUES, OCT 22-23
MINNEAPOLIS CONVENTION CENTER

LESSONS FROM NAFTA: BUILDING A NEW FAIR TRADE AGENDA. Civil Society leaders
from Mexico, Canada and the U.S. to attend

As the three participating countries await the final provisions of the North
American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) to go into effect in 2008, academic
experts and farm, labor and environmental leaders will gather in Minneapolis
to evaluate the controversial trade agreement and develop an alternative
fair trade agenda.

FFI and to register: http://events.iatp.org/index.php?q=node/4

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C. NATIONAL UU ADVOCACY

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1.
MON, OCT 8
FAST FOR PEACE. If you want to sign on to the Call for the Interfaith Fast,
please write to Office [at] shalomctr.org and explain what religious
congregation, organization, or community you are working with. PLEASE ALSO
SIGN UP AND DESCRIBE THE EVENT YOU ARE PLANNING, BY CLICKING TO 
Http://www.INTERFAITHFAST.ORG

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2.
IMMIGRATION: THE DREAM ACT urgently needs your support! This act would
create a path to citizenship for undocumented minors who have lived in the
US for 5 years, have a high school diploma or GED, and good moral character.
According to the National Immigration Law Center, "this week represents the
best chance we will have this year to pass the DREAM Act in the Senate. We
need to respond at a higher level than ever before." Please call or fax your
Senators today and ask them to support the DREAM Act! 
http://nilc.org/immlawpolicy/DREAM/index.htm

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3.
GULF COAST REBUILDING. The Gulf Coast Recovery Act, S. 1668, recently passed
in the House and is currently being considered in a Senate committee. The
Act would establish a right to return for residents of public housing, add
funds to the Road Home program, designate $1.7 billion for rental housing,
and earmark millions for community development programs. Read more about the
act and sign the Katrina Information Network's petition to encourage the
Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs to get the Gulf Coast
Recovery Act moving! 
http://katrinaaction.org/node/278


D. SOCIAL JUSTICE LINKS

To learn about other local and national social justice events, check out
these websites.  

UU SOCIAL JUSTICE AND OTHER UU LINKS:
Unitarian Universalist Association:  http://www.uua.org/

Unitarian Universalist Service Committee:  http://www.uusc.org/

UUA Washington Office for Advocacy http://www.uua.org/uuawo/new/

UUA Congregational Advocacy and Witness:
http://www.uua.org/programs/justice/

Minnesota UU Social Justice Alliance (MUUSJA):  http://www.muusja.org/

Prairie Star  District: http://www.psduua.org/

FOR UU SOCIAL ACTON CHAIRS, sign up for regular e-news from the UUA, called
Sac-news www.uua.org/mailman/listinfo
 
UU Ministry for Earth http://uuministryforearth.org/index.shtml

UUs for a Just Economic Community http://www.uujec.net/

UU Committee for Socially Responsible Investing
http://www.uua.org/finance/sri/ 

UU Gulf Coast Advocacy http://www.uua.org/news/gulfcoastrelief/advocacy.html

OTHER SOCIAL JUSTICE LINKS: 
*note: if you are  member of a group who would like us to list your web
site, send it to muusja-editor [at] muusja.org

Alliance for Sustainability www.afors.org

Citizens for Election Integrity Minnesota www.ceimn.org

Minnesota  Alliance of Peacemakers  http://www.mapm.org/
 
Women Against Military Madness at  www.worldwidewamm.org
 
Progressive Calendar subscribe by emailing  shove001 [at] tc.umn.edu.
  
Planned Parenthood of Minnesota:   www.ppmns.org
 
NARAL Pro-Choice Minnesota:   www.prochoiceminnesota.org

Metropolitan Interfaith Council on Affordable Housing (MICAH):
http://www.micah.org/
 
Code Pink: www.codepink4peace.org

Center for Victims of Torture: http://www.cvt.org/main.php

Congregations Caring for Creation http://www.c3mn.net/

Network of Spiritual Progressives: http://www.spiritualprogressives.org/

Network of Spiritual Progressives, local chapter http://www.nspmn.org/