10forTen-8
Day 8 – The Unfinished Work for Justice — We Are Ready
Dear friends,
As we celebrate ten years of shared leadership, today we turn toward the future — and the work for justice remains unfinished. The past decade has taught us that progress is rarely linear, and that setbacks often reveal where deeper commitment is needed.
Across the interconnected issues and policy domains that we care about as UUs, we see places where UUSJ’s voice, partnerships, and volunteers will be essential in the years ahead.
Recent years have brought sweeping federal policy changes, Supreme Court decisions that weaken our rights and accelerate inequality and ecological devastation, and an emboldened movement hostile to the inclusive, diverse, and equitable society that we are working to build — creating new harms, especially for communities already facing disproportionate burdens.
We believe UUs must continue to show up with humility, persistence, and partnership. This is long-haul work. It will require many hands.
What Is HR1?
HR1 is a sweeping federal policy package passed in 2025. It affects multiple areas central to UUSJ’s mission:
- Immigration justice: expanded enforcement, reduced humanitarian protections, and increased surveillance
- Economic justice: changes to safety-net programs and labor protections
- Climate & environmental justice: weakened environmental review processes and reduced support for frontline communities
For UUSJ, HR1 represents a significant setback — one that touches three of our four core justice planks. Undoing its harms and rebuilding a more just equilibrium will be a major part of our work in the years ahead. For these reasons, we have affirmed the Covenant for Our Future, which you can do as well at: covenantforourfuture.org
What Are the Recent Supreme Court Decisions Affecting Democracy?
Several Supreme Court decisions (2024–2026) have reshaped our democratic institutions and processes. These include rulings that:
- make it harder to enforce environmental and civil rights protections by limiting federal agency authority
- weaken voting rights, including oversight mechanisms once used to prevent discriminatory practices
- expand state-level discretion in election administration
These decisions have created new vulnerabilities in our democratic systems. UUSJ’s volunteers and partners will continue to champion inclusive democracy and resist efforts that restrict participation or weaken accountability.
What Are the Anti-DEI & Anti-Gender-Parity Actions Referenced?
Across the country, a growing movement has targeted DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) programs and equity initiatives in schools, workplaces, and public institutions. These efforts have included:
- eliminating DEI offices
- restricting training on bias, equity, or inclusion
- rolling back gender-equity protections
- attacks on the rights of LGBTQ+ students and workers
These changes undermine the dignity, safety, and inclusion of marginalized communities.
For UUSJ, confronting these harms is part of our long-standing commitment to human dignity, equity, and beloved community.