Tag: featured

Criminal Justice Reform

CJRTF Policing and Mental Health Working Group

by Marlene Miller Leave a comment

By Thomas Moran

 

There have been some high-profile incidents of police violence and killings where the precipitating cause was a mental health issue. The Criminal Justice Reform Task Force has been working informally for more than one year to see what can be learned about these and many lesser-profile cases. The goal has been to determine whether and where a case can be made for moving greater resources to mental health interventions and moving some of those corresponding resources out of policing by force. The CJR-TF is forming a Policing and Mental Health Working Group tasked with gathering and analyzing data on policing and mental health.

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🌈 UU FaithAction at North Jersey Pride!

by Marlene Miller Leave a comment

By Marlene Miller

It was a fun day of celebration on June 8th when Beacon Unitarian Universalist Congregation, the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Montclair, and UUFANJ got together to share a Pride tent. We saw queer folks of all walks of life, and invited them to paint a rock with us or peruse our LGBTQ+ affirmations, brochures, and goodies. We met so many interested folks for whom religion had never seemed like something they could participate in! Lots of people even wrote their own affirmations to leave for other members of the LGBTQ+ community who may need them. It was a beautiful outpouring of support for a marginalized demographic, and all as part of a much larger, family-friendly event. If you missed it this year, be sure to keep an eye out for it next year!

Why We OPPOSE NJ Constitutional Amendment to Protect Abortion Rights

by Emily Parker Leave a comment

By Jami Thall & Carol Loscalzo, Reproductive Justice Task Force Co-chairs

Here’s a headline you never expected to see:

“UUFA Reproductive Justice TF Opposes a Constitutional Amendment to Protect the Right to Abortion Care in NJ”

The Reproductive Justice Task Force of UU Faith Action NJ opposes a Constitutional Amendment initiative to protect the right to abortion care in NJ.

We are unapologetically pro abortion.  As Unitarian Universalists we believe that abortion care is life affirming care, and should be available to all without shame or stigma. We are all, no matter our economic status, our age, or our zip code, entitled to essential health care.  It is a matter of justice.

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Join us at UU the State House!

by Emily Parker Leave a comment

Join us for our UU the State House event in Trenton on May 5!

WHAT:  In-person Legislative Advocacy Training for UUs
WHEN:  Monday, May 5th, 10:00am-2:30pm
WHERE:  NJ State House Annex, 145 West State Street, Trenton NJ

Are you a UU interested in learning how to get involved in Legislative Advoacy? Come join us to learn the fundamentals of advocacy, become familiar with the NJ State House, meet with a legislator, and attend a legislative committee hearing.

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Senator Cory Booker Takes Historic Stand as Unconstitutional Cuts Begin Hitting New Jersey

by Emily Parker Leave a comment
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 1st, 2025

Over the past 24 hours, Senator Cory Booker has taken a historic stand on the Senate floor—speaking out against a government that prioritizes billionaire tax breaks over working families, veterans, and essential public services. As reckless, unconstitutional cuts on critical services like education and public health begin to hit home in New Jersey, his leadership could not come at a more critical moment. Eric Benson, For the Many NJ coalition comments: 

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Mayor Ras Baraka Joins Advocates Calling for More Progressive and Sustainable Revenue Solutions in the New Jersey Budget

by Emily Parker Leave a comment

For Immediate Release: March 26, 2025
For The Many NJ

Newark, N.J. — This morning, outside of the New Jersey Senate Budget public hearing in Newark, Mayor Ras Baraka and dozens of leaders from For the Many’s coalition of statewide organizations called on state legislators to stand up for working families and protect essential services that keep N.J. affordable for working families and support the most vulnerable communities.

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Environmental Justice

NJ’s Energy Future: Unitarian Universalists Push for Bold Climate Action

by Emily Parker Leave a comment

By Mike Skelly, Dorothea Dix UU Community
March 13, 2025

Concerned about the future of New Jersey and the planet, members of the Unitarian Universalist (UU) community are actively participating in the revision of the state’s crucial Energy Master Plan (EMP). This comprehensive plan, mandated by a 1977 law and regularly updated, aims to guide New Jersey towards its ambitious energy and climate goals.. Its overall intent is to meet the 80% carbon reduction goals of the Global Warming Response Act (adopted in 2007), as well as the governor’s goal to have a 100% clean energy economy in NJ by 2050. 

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Community & Corrections Working Summit 2025: Setting the Reform Agenda for Next 20 Years

by Emily Parker Leave a comment

By Tom Moran, Criminal Justice Reform Task Force Chair

The 2025 Community and Corrections Working Summit was held on January 7 and 8 at Monmouth University in West Long Branch, NJ. The weather was bitter cold and windy, which made navigating the various halls, breakout rooms, and the lunch hall a bit of a challenge.

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