Opinion Articles on Social Justice topics
The Democracy Action Team (DAT) is focusing on reforming the Electoral Count Act, after the disappointing Senate filibuster of the John Lewis Voting Rights Act. One measure under consideration – the Electoral Count Modernization Act – does have bipartisan support. It would update and clarify the current 1887-passed law that governs the casting and counting … Continue reading What’s Next For Voting Rights
“It takes deep faith and a lot of hard work to keep a democracy vibrant.” – Rev. Wm. G. Sinkford, Former UUA President “In our religious lives, the democratic process requires trust in the development of each individual conscience—a belief that such development is possible for each of us, as well as a commitment to … Continue reading Devastating Dereliction of Duty
Despite this setback for the John L. Lewis Act, there are some important takeaways from UUSJ’s Democracy Action Team’s collaboration with many national groups pushing for passage of this important legislation The coordinated and collaborative work included hundreds of groups, all with the same goal. It was an important milestone for the broader democracy movement … Continue reading Voter Rights Advocacy Highlights
Charlotte Jones-Carroll, UUSJ Board Chair Private sector corporations are accountable to their owners – usually their shareholders. And governments are accountable to those they govern, usually voters. To whom are non-profit organizations accountable? Some say it is to the stakeholders – anyone with an interest in the non-profit, such as beneficiaries of its services, donors, … Continue reading Thoughts on Moral Owners
PRO Act Expert Opinion Briefing Tuesday, Dec. 7: 7 pmET/ 6pm CT/ 5 pm/MT/ 4 pm PT Register Here Join us to learn more about the PRO Act (Action Alert) and how it protects the right to organize in the workplace and connects to workplace safety and healthcare policies. Guest speakers from the AFL-CIO, Public … Continue reading PRO Act
The Immigration Action Team (IAT) continues meeting with offices of key members of Congress to advocate for immigration rights. This month, the team is working on arranging meetings with Sens. Pat Toomey (R-PA) and Rob Portman (R-OH). In November, the IAT pushed for pathways for citizenship for Dreamers, Temporary Protected Status holders, farm workers, and … Continue reading Listening, Learning, and Discussing Immigration with Senate Staffers
What’s next for environmental activists once the fog clears on the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (factsheet) and Build Back Better Act (framework)? The $1.2 trillion Infrastructure measure that passed includes $550 billion in new spending, encompassing more than “classic” investments in hard infrastructure for the environment. It also calls for bike lanes, wildfire mitigation … Continue reading Beyond Infrastructure and Build Back Better: Prospects for 2022
Monday, December 13 12pm ET Washington DC near the US Capitol (exact location TBA) UU RSVP Both the UUA and UUSJ have endorsed this urgent upcoming action with The Poor People’s Campaign: National Call For Moral Revival. UUSJ has been an endorser since 2018. Can we help showcase fusion organizing by bringing all the issues … Continue reading Will You Help Stand for Economic Justice, For Fusion Politics?
As Unitarian Universalists, we hold sacred the inherent worth and dignity of every person. In the practice of our values, this means we care for those suffering from society’s indifference and marginalization, with an eye and ear for those facing the most egregious harms. The Build Back Better legislation does take bold action as a … Continue reading Start With Build Back Better, End In Justice
UUSJ has advocated for reduced funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection, especially their detention and other enforcement activities, after several years of significant increases. The FY22 budget proposal just out May 28 for all of DHS is $52 billion, unchanged from last year. That may seem disappointing but the truth … Continue reading Flat Funding for the Department of Homeland Security FY22
