Muusja Mailing List: E-EVENT UPDATE FOR SEPTEMBER 21, 2007

[Lauren Culbert (lculbert]

MUUSJA E-EVENT UPDATE FOR SEPTEMBER 21, 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 

1.
The Employment Non-Discrimination Act, ENDA (H.R. 2015) is heading for a
vote at the end of September. It has gained great support in the House and
is likely to pass but we need your help to secure a strong vote! Now is the
time to write, call and visit your Representative. 

Join UU's and other people of faith from around the country on September
25th for a national call-in day in support of ENDA. Click here for a flyer
about the call-in day to distribute to members of your congregation. 

For more information on ways you can help visit the ENDA headquarters at
www.uua.org. 
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B. LOCAL SOCIAL JUSTICE NEWS

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1.

TODAY
Happy Peace Day! Join the worldwide movement to create a Global Ceasefire
and day of peace and nonviolence. Do one thing for Peace.
www.internationaldayofpeace.org or www.peaceoneday.org for ideas.

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2.
SUN, SEPT 23
1:00 PM
STATE CAPITOL 

UNPREDEDENTED! UNIQUE COALITION ORGANIZES SEPTEMBER 23RD RALLY AGAINST THE
WAR--It's not just the usual suspects any more. On Sunday September 23, 1:00
pm, at the state capitol labor unions, religious bodies, and non-profits
will hold a rally at the state capitol to tell Congress it is time to end
the war. Adding new voices to those of the traditional peace community,
participating groups include the Minnesota AFL-CIO, the Minneapolis and St.
Paul central labor councils, AFSCME, SEIU, the Office for Social Justice of
the Catholic Church, the Methodist Social Ministry Team, the Sierra Club,
Iraq Veterans Against the War, Wellstone Action, TakeAction Minnesota, and
Progressive Majority. 

The rally will feature Gold Star Mother Becky Lourey and others directly
impacted by the war. It is designed to maintain and build on the momentum
generated by the September 15 march and rally in the period following the
Gen. Petraeus report as Congress prepares to vote again on Iraq war funding.


No coalition of this breadth has previously come together in Minnesota - nor
apparently anywhere else in the country - to end the war.   With two-thirds
of Americans opposed to continuing the war, this grouping provides the
opportunity to reach out to a broader cross-section of the public than ever
before. 

The participating organizations believe that this is a tipping point and the
right time for the broadest number of Minnesotans to stand up and be
counted. Please join us at 1:00 pm, Sunday September 23, at the state
capitol! 

FFI:  Larry Weiss larrymweiss [at] gmail.com

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3.
SUN, SEPT 23
3:00 TO 5:00 PM
FIRST UNITARIAN SOCIETY
900 MOUNT CURVE, MPLS

WHERE MUUSJA IS GOING AND HOW YOU CAN COME WITH US! Join UUs from across the
metro and state for inspiration, fellowship, and action on key justice
issues.  Presentation and discussion of legislative, policy and
direct-action agendas for state-wide efforts. MUUSJA has 4 issue areas of
focus for 2007-2008.  EcoMinds, Voter Rights, Reproductive Rights/Sacred
Choices, and UUs Out 4 Marriage.  Come hear about the exciting and engaging
issue work ahead, and join in the discussion as we set priorities, goals and
how to allocate resources. Connect with other UUs working for social change!


Bring light finger food to share. Questions contact: rwmuusja [at] gmail.com
 
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4.
WED, SEPT 26
9:00 AM TO 12:00 PM
OPEN BOOK, 1011 WASHINGTON AVE. SOUTH, MPLS
FREE
SEX ED FOR LIFE EVENT--CLARIFYING THE MESSAGE: ADVOCATING TO CHANGE.
Featured speaker Glynis Shea, Communications Coordinator at the Knopka
Institute for Best Practices in Adolescent Health at the University of
Minnesota.

With science and public opinion on our side, why is there still debate over
policies, like comprehensive sex education, that educate and improve the
lives of young people? How can we combine storytelling with facts to create
a compelling message? It's time to learn more about how to frame the needs
of adolescents in our communities in a way that connects with the general
public and promotes science based public policies. To RSVP for this event,
please fax or email the completed registration form to Amy Kodet, MOAPPP
Policy Intern at publicpolicyintern [at] moappp.org or fax 651-644-1417. For
additional questions please call 651-644-1447 x17.

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5.
WED, SEPT 26
NOON AND/OR 7:00 PM
HUMPHREY INSTITUTE 

VOTING RIGHTS ACTIVISTS--Andrew Kohut, president of the Pew Research Center,
will give two public lectures on Wednesday, September 26, that analyze
American politics and our position on the global stage. At noon, he'll focus
on "American Elections" and at 7 p.m. he'll talk about "America's Place in
the World." Both presentations will be held in Cowles Auditorium. For more
information, visit http://www.hhh.umn.edu/centers/cspg/
 
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6.
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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7.
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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8.
SAT, OCT 6
10:00 AM TO 5:00 PM

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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9.
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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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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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/