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Dear Friends of Justice,
So many changes since last we spoke. At General Assembly 2010, delegates chose immigration to be the congregational Study/Action Issue for the next four years, and also voted to hold a justice-focused General Assembly 2012 in Phoenix, focusing on immigration. Also, as of July 1st, JustAct is being published by a brand new staff group, Multicultural Growth and Witness. Read about the changes and more below.
In faith,
Susan, Audra, Kat, Orelia, Rowan, and Taquiena
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ACTION: Standing on the Side of Love for AZ Wherever You Are
On July 29th, 2010, the repressive anti-immigrant law, SB1070, is scheduled to be implemented in Arizona. At the urging of our Arizona congregations and our community partner, Puente, UUs from all over the country will be coming together in Phoenix, along with other people of faith and conscience, to oppose this injustice. Friends, Phoenix is today's Selma; immigration is the civil and human rights issue of our times. We cannot be quiet. For UUs who can, please join us in Phoenix, July 28th-30th.
For UUs who cannot join us in Phoenix, you can still make your voice heard locally. States across the country are considering similar legislation. You can act in solidarity with UUs in Phoenix while at the same time telling local officials "not in my state." Interfaith Worker Justice is calling for a Weekend of Prayer and Action, July 29-August 1, urging people to join or organize prayer vigils in their local communities, and they have provided the tools to help you do it. (scroll down to "National Weekend of Prayer & Action for Immigrant Justice")
Lastly, the UU Congregation of Phoenix is suggesting two opportunities for UUs across the country to participate - particular a screening of the documentary 9500 Liberty, followed by a web-cast panel discussion with the directors and local Phoenix leaders on immigration. See here for more details.
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SUCCESS: Congressional Commitment to BGLT-Inclusive Immigration Reform
On July 15, Taquiena Boston, director of Multicultural Growth and Witness for the UUA, joined the Uniting American Families Act coalition and six members of Congress at a press conference highlighting the need for comprehensive immigration reform to include bisexual, gay, lesbian and transgender (BGLT) families. Immigration leaders in both the House and Senate strongly support including LGBT families in any comprehensive immigration reform legislation. Speakers at the event expressed urgency to pass a bill this year that would prevent any more families from being unnecessarily separated. You can read more about the press conference, including Ms. Boston's press statement, on the Inspired Faith Effective Action blog.
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NEWS: Introducing Multicultural Growth and Witness!
As of July 1st, a new staff group is born. The UUA brought together the best work of Advocacy & Witness and Identity-Based Ministries to establish Multicultural Growth and Witness, dedicated to partnering with congregations and leaders to promote intentional multicultural growth and ministry, inclusion, and congregation-based public witness and social action. Directed by Taquiena Boston, Multicultural Growth and Witness, will expand upon what Unitarian Universalists have already been doing across our movement to live out an inclusive, multicultural vision of congregational life, public witness and engagement in the broader world. For more information, see here.
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RESOURCE: Social Justice Statements from General Assembly 2010 Are Now Available Online
The draft statement, "Creating Peace" was brought to a vote by the delegates of General Assembly 2010, where it was approved to be an official Statement of Conscience of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). Three Actions of Immediate Witness were approved*, and "Immigration as a Moral Issue" was selected as the Congregational Study/Action issue for 2010-2014.
* Actions of Immediate Witness
Business Resolutions
For more information about the social witness process, see www.uua.org/csw.
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RESOURCE: "Building the World We Dream About" Now Online
Building the World We Dream About is a Unitarian Universalist program that seeks to interrupt the workings of racism and transform how people from different racial/ethnic groups understand and relate to one another. It consists of 24 two-hour workshops, with Taking It Home activities, reflections, and readings to be done between workshops. The program creates opportunities for participants to practice dreaming our world otherwise, and then commit to new, intentional ways of being. As Unitarian Universalists, we hope developing antiracist, antioppressive, and multicultural habits and skills will lead us to build the multicultural world of beloved community we dream about. The curriculum is now online.
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