News and Alerts

Environment: Priority Issues – Fall 2011

by UU FA Office
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The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) was selected as the task force’s primary focus at Issues Workshop on October 29, 2011.  By Executive Order, Gov. Christie withdrew New Jersey from RGGI, a 10-state initiative to reduce greenhouse gasses through cap-and-trade. To override this Executive Order, the Legislature needs a simple majority in both houses.  See http://rggi.org for more info on RGGI.

Other possible focus issues included:

  • Fracking. There is a meeting of the Delaware River Basin Commission (a federal commission) scheduled for November 21 at the War Memorial, at which a vote about whether to allow fracking in the Delaware River Basin is scheduled to occur.

Late breaking news: The Delaware River Basin Commission’s November 21, 2011 vote has been cancelled.  The vote was to seek approval of regulations that would have allowed shale gas drilling (fracking) in the Delaware River Basin.  The cancellation is the second time the vote has been put off.  This time it is believed to be in response to an announcement by the Governor of Delaware that he would vote against the regulatory/drilling proposal.  There will still be a rally in Trenton on November 21.  http://www.delawareriverkeeper.org or www.fwwatch.org for more information.

  • Environmental Rules and Standards. There is a push to weaken NJ’s current regulations to the lower standards of the federal government.
  • Energy Conservation
  • Susquehanna Roseland Power Lines. There are plans to fast track the enlargement.

PureGen Update: SCS, a Massachusetts-based company, proposed a coal plant in Linden, NJ. This is currently on the wait and see list. The president of the BPU said at the last hearing on the Draft Master Energy Plan that there would be no new coal in New Jersey. People are still concerned

The Task Force is seeking opportunities to collaborate with New Jersey environmental groups. The Task Force voted to join the New Jersey Environmental Federation. The group will also look at the NJ League of Conservation Voters, and Interfaith Power & Light, a multi-faith organization on global climate change that provides education materials, to identify opportunities for collaboration.

Monmouth County – Climate Change Action

by UU FA Office

Members of the UU Congregation of Monmouth County recently participated in writing more than 80 letters to climate negotiators, legislators, and regulators demanding action against human-caused global warming and climate change. A specific energy-saving program of carpooling to the Meetinghouse was also initiated. These activities were organized as part of the nationwide appeal by Bill McKibben and website 350.org.

Immigration Reform: Protest, Rally & March – October 9, 2011

by UU FA Office

Redefining Cruel & Unusual
Indefinite Immigration Detention for-Profit Amid Toxic Waste in Essex County

Protest, Rally & March
Sunday, October 9, 2011
1:30 pm

Beginning at Peter Francisco Park
(on the east side of Newark Penn Station)
Newark, NJ

Marching to and from: Essex County Correctional Facility & Delaney Hall
356 Doremus Ave, Newark, NJ

Whether or not you can participate on October 9, events sponsors are asking people to sign a petition demanding that the Essex County Freeholders revoke the ICE contract http://www.change.org/petitions/oppose-expansion-of-immigration-detention-at-a-jail-accused-of-inhumane-conditions

After 14 years the IRATE & First Friends annual protest is moving to Newark along with many of the detainees from the Elizabeth Detention Center.  ICE listened to us year after year complain about conditions at the converted warehouse with no outdoor recreation where people were kept, sometimes for years on end.  They responded by working with Essex County and the private for-profit company Community Education Centers (CEC).

Up to 1250 detainees will now be held in either the Essex County Jail or in the neighboring privately run. Delaney Hall.  These sites allow for outdoor recreation but are located in the middle of numerous TOXIC WASTE sites.  The jail and Delaney Hall are both located on Doremus Avenue, a highly polluted area with active polluters where air quality is a constant issue.

Concerns also persist that the Essex County Jail is restricting visits from family, lawyers, and clergy in addition to concerns about adequate food, and general safety.

UULMNJ’s Immigration Reform Task Force is a co-sponsor of this event.

Olympia’s Daughters & Words of Choice – Sunday October 16, 3:00pm

by UU FA Office

Morristown Unitarian Fellowship
Created by Cindy Cooper this smart, funny, dynamic pro-choice theater presents powerful stories of women (and men) and the right to choose. This program is being sponsored by MUF’s Lifespan RE program. For more information visit www.wordsofchoice.org. Tickets are $15 in advance; and $20 at the door.

Immigration Policy Reform

by UU FA Office

UULMNJ’s Immigration Reform Task Force reports that many congregations are offering a variety of programs around this issue. A few examples:

Ridgewood: The Immigration Task Team is working on a program on the DREAM Act, to be presented on Friday evening, September 16, at the Unitarian Society of Ridgewood.

Cherry Hill: Members of Cherry Hill’s immigration committee is working with an Interfaith group in the area to support the DREAM Act, including participation in a nationwide DREAM Act Sabbath being planned for September 23-25.

Joe Thomasberger of Montclair congregation has been active with the NJ Advocates for Immigrant Detainees in opposing the proposed expansion of the Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark, to add hundreds more beds for immigrant detainees. The bidding process for the new facility is mired in suspect bidding practices and other political shenanigans. The New York Times recently published a detailed article on the issue which is being picked up by some local press. For more information contact Joe (jthomasberger@yahoo.com) or Margaret White (marbwhite@aol.com). Senator Lautenberg has publicly opposed the expansion. People are hoping that Senator Menendez will soon speak out as well.

Princeton had a six week series on immigration issues in the spring, and Karen Siracusa reports they will reconvene in the fall to consider issues such as instate tuition, Secure Communities, detention, wage theft, education of immigrant children.

Other congregations are organizing film series and forums for the fall on these important topics.

Contact Margaret White (marbwhite@aol.com) for more info or to become involved with UULMNJ’s Immigration Reform Task Force.

UULMNJ Issues Workshop – October 29

by UU FA Office

UULMNJ Fall Issues Workshop
Saturday, October 29, 2011, 9am – 1pm
at The Unitarian Society in East Brunswick

It is time to register for the UULMNJ Annual Fall Issues Workshop to be held October 29 at the East Brunswick Society in East Brunswick. This workshop is open to anyone who would like to further the work of UULMNJ.

Highlights of the program include a presentation about sharpening our lobbying skills by Diane Guerin, long time activist and Justice Coordinator for the Mid-Atlantic Community of the Sisters of Mercy.

You will have an opportunity to hear first hand current issues being addressed by our Health Care, Immigration, Environment and  Economic Justice Task Forces and most importantly, to participate in strategizing our congregation and state-wide efforts.

To register, click on www.formdesk.com/uuforms/uulmnj  by October 25.  Late registrations will be accepted by contacting director@uulmnj.org.

Help us publicize this event by downloading a flyer to post and/or distribute in your local congregation.

 

Not in Our Town: Light in the Darkness – September 20

by UU FA Office

Please attend a screening of Not in Our Town: Light in the Darkness, which follows actions of the community to build understanding and safety after violence against immigrants in Long Island, New York.  The event will occur at the Robeson Campus Center, Rutgers University-Newark at 6:00pm on Tuesday, September 20, 2011. The Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry (UULM) has joined as a co-sponsor of the event. The PBS special debuts on Wednesday, September 21. Check local listings for specifics.

Help Wanted – We Need You!

by UU FA Office

There are many opportunities for involvement with UULMNJ – with your local congregation, as part of a task force or committee, and/or sharing your skills and talents with us.   Please browse our website and see what is of interest to you, and make sure to check out our volunteer section for a list of tasks – one might be just right for you.

We are especially finding individuals who would be interested in working on newsletters, and someone to help us get a Facebook page up and running.  Send an email to our Executive Director, Rev. Craig Hirshberg, and let her know what you would like to do.  We look forward to hearing from you!

Issues Survey Coming This Fall

by UU FA Office

UULMNJ periodically develops an Issues Survey to elicit input from New Jersey’s 21 UU congregations to help prioritize the issues that will be the focus of our efforts for the next two years or so.  Issues which overlap with the selected issues may also be addressed; there also may be compelling “emerging issues.”

When the issues survey is ready, please help us by completing it.  Your congregational liaison will have more information, or contact us at director@uulmnj.org.

Summit Congregation Unanimously Passes Reproductive Rights Statement

by UU FA Office

Members of the Unitarian Church in Summit voted unanimously at the congregation’s June 12 annual meeting to adopt a statement in support of state and federal funding for reproductive health care services to women, men, and families who otherwise could not afford quality health care.  For further information about the church or the statement, please contact Rev. Southern at
(908) 273-3245 or visit the church’s web site at www.ucsummit.org