Category: UUFANJ News

Legislative and Advocacy Priorities, UU FaithAction NJ 2020-2021

by Rev. Rob Gregson 1 Comment

Legislative and Advocacy Priorities, UU FaithAction NJ 2020-2021

Criminal Justice Task Force

  • Youth Justice Transformation. Stopping the school to prison pipeline is essential to reducing the number of individuals, especially people of color, out of our state corrections facilities. Restorative justice pilot projects called for in one of our priority bills, will work to keep young people, especially youth of color in urban areas, out of the criminal justice system and provide them with support they need in their own communities.
  • Expanding Post-Prison Reentry Services. With continued corrections and parole reform, as well as Public Health Emergency Credits, more and more individuals will be released and need to reintegrate into their communities of origins. Services are critical to ensure as smooth a transition as possible. Reentry services will assist those being released in reintegrating into their home communities, becoming active citizens who can participate in the important work to be done in rebuilding their communities– often urban, and minority.
  • Dismantling Racism. Three different bills address different aspects of racism within the criminal justice system: the need for an amendment to the Constitution, a bill to form a Reparations Task Force, and a bill to restrict the use of deadly force by the police. Advocacy will focus attention on how institutional racism feeds the criminal/corrections system– through our failures to protect all lives in the Constitution, to failures to protect individuals during interactions with police, and failures to correct for our history of slavery which has left African Americans — as individuals, families and as a people– robbed of their labor, their wealth and their influence in the larger society and economy.

Environmental Justice Task Force

  • Reduce Fossil Fuel Emissions, especially in EJ Neighborhoods with Focus on Transportation. Follow lead of Environmental Justice partners including NJEJA, Ironbound Corp., Clean Water Action. This will have direct impact on health of residents in EJ neighborhoods.
  • Reduce lead in households, both in drinking water and lead paint. Following lead of EJ partners including NJEJA, Ironbound Corp. and Clean Water Action, help promote outreach to residents about avoiding or reducing lead in drinking water and lead paint in their households
  • Promote the Green Amendment. Conduct outreach, especially through UU congregations, to build understanding and support for the Green Amendment Bill in NJ promoting the right to clean air, clean water and a healthy environment. Follow the lead of “Green Amendments for the Future”. The Green Amendment is supported by our EJ partners.

Gun Violence Prevention Task Force

  • The GVP task under the leadership of its chair, Liandra Pires, has been active in renewing their focus and vision. Additionally, the task force continues to advocate for the Safe Storage Bill which is in the process of being updated to centers an anti-racist/anti-oppression lens around this important legislation concerning firearm and ammunition storage. The task force will continue in the process of identifying specific legislative and educational priorities in their monthly meetings.

Immigrant Justice Task Force

  • Legislative Priorities
    • Enact Covid-related relief legislation to include undocumented persons, starting with S2480/A4171.
    • Enact the Immigrant Trust Directive into Statutory Law with few carve-outs for criminal offenses.
    • Enact DACA program into statute, at federal level, with as few restrictions as possible.
  • Advocacy/Educational Priorities
    • Effective implementation of driver’s license regulations for undocumented persons, with as little interaction with federal government as possible.
    • Investigate and publicize the holding of children separated from parents at southern border in South Jersey foster homes
    • Promote need for as much funding for legal representation of detainees as possible.

Reproductive Justice Task Force

  • Support for the Reproductive Freedom Act. S3030/A 4848, which safeguards reproductive care, upholds basic rights and justice, and respects decision-making throughout pregnancy for all women regardless of race, class, sexuality, ability, or citizenship status. The bill expands the protections of reproductive justice beyond the right to abortion to include protections and expanded access to birth control and pregnancy-related care, as well as eliminating medically-unnecessary restrictions that block access to care.
  • Monitor the work of the Commission to Study Sexual Assault, Misconduct and Harassment by Staff against Inmates in NJ State Correctional Facilities, especially at NJ’s Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women, who are disproportionately Black and Brown women, poor women, and also transgender women.
  • Strengthen maternal health and reduce maternal mortality, including supporting the Maternal Mortality Review Commission, and affirm our commitment to ending New Jersey’s shameful record as a state with one of the worst Black-White racial disparities in maternal deaths in the nation.
  • Support the strategic plan of the Sexual Education Subcommittee of Thrive NJ, which challenges heterosexist and cis-sexist assumptions about sexuality and gender.
  • Monitor the implementation of the address confidentiality law (PL 2019.c175) by reviewing the proposed regulations with assistance from Legal Advocacy, and encourage comments that will advance our goal of protecting access to abortion for all women and their providers.

Reparations Discussion @ UU Princeton Oct. 29 7 p.m.

by Rev. Rob Gregson Leave a comment

Racial Justice Program: The Case for Reparations to Descendants of Enslaved People

 Have you been wondering what Reparations are all about? The ACLU believes the issue of reparations should be seriously considered by all Americans and some institutions have already taken action. Last year, the Princeton Theological Seminary announced it had pledged to spend $27 million reparation on scholarships and other initiatives to address its historical ties to slavery, in what appears to be the biggest effort of its kind.

The UU Congregation of Princeton Racial Justice Task Force has invited local attorney and activist, Caroline Clarke, Esq., to give her presentation with time for Q&A:

Date and Time: Thursday, October 29, 2020 at 7 pm on zoom:

Please register in advance for this meeting:

https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJItcO2gpjssHNz23c1dpPKH43ByguyYI8re 

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.  The program is free and open to the public.

COVID-19 Update/Ltr. from Exec. Director

by Rev. Rob Gregson 2 Comments

After a two week virtual shutdown here at UU FaithAction NJ, I am at last able to be back in touch with all of you, our family of supporters.  I’d like to explain why I have been so silent in the midst of the coronavirus crisis, explain how we go about our work together going forward and provide an update about the previously scheduled Sat. April 25th Annual Meeting. Please also see information at the bottom of this email outlining 2 actions–one happening TODAY—to support detainees and release them and other vulnerable inmates in NJ ASAP.

March 11th to Today

As some of you will already know, I tested positive for COVID19 after experiencing my first clear symptoms on Weds. March 11 (though those symptoms did NOT include a fever–an important point as we begin to see a surge in cases here in NJ.)  I began self-isolating that same day and immediately notified all those with whom I had been in close and sustained contact over the previous week–including some of you.

After receiving a positive result 4 days later, I was asked by hospital staff to stay in self-isolation until at least Monday, 3/30.  I have been recovering slowly but surely.  I am especially pleased to report that my two children have been off-site over the past 2+ weeks, show no discernible symptoms and remain well.
To date only one other person has tested positive for the virus among those 100+ people with whom I had been in relatively close and sustained contact 10 days prior to showing obvious symptoms; it is worth noting that that person shared an hour car ride with me carpooling to a UUFANJ event.
The Board and Task Force leaders have fully supported my recovery for which I am very appreciative.  I will begin working from home on a part-time basis as my recovery progresses, though I have to take it more slowly than I would wish.  Please know that I appreciate your patience and many thoughts and prayers as we make this adjustment together. UU FaithAction NJ continues on!
One additional reminder: we have not had an office administrator since Feb. 28th and most likely will not hire another one for the time being so communications in the short term will likely be more sporadic than usual.  Thanks again for your continued understanding.
Rescheduling the Annual Meeting
Update your calendar!  The Board has voted to changed the date for the Annual Meeting from April 25th to Sat. June 6.  We expect this will be a VIRTUAL meeting via conference/video call; more details will be sent out as soon as possible.

The Annual Meeting is necessary to UU FaithAction NJ since it is there that we carry out the mandated annual business of the organization. In particular we are required to pass the official budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year; we also need to offer candidates for election to the Board of Trustees, and vote on those nominees.

There is a UUFANJ Board working group charged to determine the particulars of the Annual Meeting. If you would like to offer suggestions or otherwise assist this group in planning the June 6 Annual Meeting, please reach out to Tom Moran (UU Morristown):

thomasmoran.inspace@gmail.com   Mobile: (973) 960-2346

You may also contact Board Vice President, Nick Lewis (ozballnick@gmail.com)

Social Justice Actions Now

We are all aware that nothing is “business as usual” these days; still, there remains much that we CAN do which in itself is cause for hope and renewed vitality even while we deal (sometimes chafe) with the stressors of self quarantine, the knock-on effects to our employment and income streams, and general worries about the illness making its way through our families, congregations and state.
There are 2 immediate actions we are asking you to take:
Two immediate ways to help support Federal migrant detainees as well as some of most vulnerable inmates (the elderly, those with preexisting medical conditions that make them especially prone to COVID!19, etc.) still being held in coronavirus-prone cellblocks in our county jails and detention centers.
1) Sign this  Open Appeal to Governor Murphy to immediately release a select group of inmates, including Federal ICE detainees, who pose no immediate threat to public safety.  The letter is on behalf of the coalition group, NJ Campaign for Alternatives to Isolated Confinement (NJ CAIC) of which UU FaithAction through our Criminal Justice Reform Task Force (sign up here!) is a part.

 

2) Consider joining a “drive through” protest TODAY (NEARLY NOW) at Bergen Co. jail campaign in support of the inmate hunger strikers asking for similar help during the COVID19 outbreak.
There remains much we can and are called to do.  We’ll get through this together, as we have done before and will do again. I’m lighting a virtual chalice here at “Office #2” (aka my living room) for each one of you and for this organization as we channel our grief, anger, worry and uncertainty into a future-oriented hope.  It’s how we will make it through this current crazy rip-tide, with the understanding that we mean not only to survive these times but to be part of the wave demanding a better way of living for all God’s/the universe’s creatures.  Now we gotta help make it so.

In faith, with love, for justice,

Rev. Rob Gregson, The Board and Task Force Leaders of Unitarian Universalist FaithAction NJ

 

Interactive Map of 2020 UU social justice organizations

What Does the UU Social Justice Universe Look Like?

by Rev. Rob Gregson Leave a comment

If you’ve ever wondered at the “alphabet soup” of Unitarian Universalist justice organizations that crop up in our own email alerts, and no doubt find their way independently into many of our supporters’ inboxes, here is a useful tool!

Read More “What Does the UU Social Justice Universe Look Like?”

Immigration Justice Prayer, Feb. 26 (Ash Wednesday) 2020

by Rev. Rob Gregson Leave a comment

Pilgrimage by Rev. Rob Gregson

“Spirit of Life and Love,

Amor sin fronteras ni paredes…love without borders or walls

We gather and we march with strength and determination to call out evil actions

while holding fast to our faith that no one is forever outside the circle of amor sin fronteras ni paredes.

Neither migrants nor the undocumented, not Jews nor the police.

Not African-Americans nor gays, lesbians or transgendered people.

We pray that our strength today builds and grows along the path we walk, the same one named by so many prophets across time and tradition: Buddha, Jesus, Mohammed, Mother Theresa.

In the words of contemporary Buddhist monk and teacher, Thich Nhat Hanh, written the day after the 9/11 attacks that took place just across the harbor from us here today, we call on that same prophetic tradition,

‘…So that we can hold in our arms the suffering of America as a nation, the suffering of humanity as a family–[una familia]–the suffering of the earth as a home for all of us. 

We need their energy so that we can become lucid and calm, so that we will know exactly what to do and what not to do in order not to make the situation worse.

We know that…responding to hatred and violence with hatred and violence only makes the hatred grow one thousand-fold.  Only with compassion can we disintegrate hatred.’

We recommit ourselves today to standing up to hatred with a thirst for la justicia: for justice informed by love.”

#UUtheVote!

by UU FA Office Leave a comment
UU the Vote is a non-partisan faith initiative to engage our neighbors, educate our communities, mobilize voters, and rally around key ballot initiatives. All through 2020 the UUA is supporting congregations and UU organizations in activating thousands of Unitarian Universalists to mobilize for electoral justice at the local, state and national levels.
Read More “#UUtheVote!”

UU FaithAction NJ Annual Meeting Rescheduled!

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Please Note!  As of today, March 27th, this meeting has been rescheduled to Sat. June 6th, place and time TBD.  We will NOT be holding either an in-person or virtual annual meeting on April 25th.  Please inform others in your congregations and social justice circles.  Thank you!

This event has been rescheduled!

First Annual Eco-Gala Rousing Success!

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Though we would be among the first to admit we were “gala-production- newbies,” we were thrilled with your response and the outcome of last Friday’s “1st Annual” UU FaithAction Eco Gala fundraiser!

Sold out a month in advance – 135 tickets!–nearly all of our 21 UU congregations in New Jersey were represented during the celebration of a decade of social justice ministry.  What an outpouring of support!  Volunteers from throughout the organization helped to turn Beacon’s Fellowship Hall into a gala-worthy space, featuring a slide show photo review of some of the justice highlights over the last 10 years, live music and song by singer/songwriter, John DeMasi, (Dorothea Dix UU/Bordentown) and an amazing Indonesian and Eritrean buffet dinner provided by the skilled chefs of Global Grace Cafe in Highland Park.

Read More “First Annual Eco-Gala Rousing Success!”