Muusja Mailing List: E-EVENT UPDATE FOR SEPTEMBER 13, 2007

[Lauren Culbert (lculbert]

MUUSJA E-EVENT UPDATE FOR SEPTEMBER 13, 2007
 
Minnesota UU Social  Justice Alliance--Bringing  together UUs to work
collectively for social change.
 
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This  update includes announcements about: 

A. Action Alerts
B. Local Social Justice News
C. National UU Advocacy
C. Social Justice Links

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A. ACTION ALERT ACTION ALERT ACTION ALERT ACTION ALERT 

1.
CALL YOUR LAWMAKERS--ENDA BILL UP FOR VOTE

On September 5th, the Subcommittee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions
of the U.S. House of Representatives' Committee on Education and Labor heard
testimony in support of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, HR 2015.
ENDA would protect GLBT people from discrimination in the workplace.  In
thirty states, GLBT people are not protected from discrimination.  A recent
survey of over a decade of research by the UCLA School of Law has found that
job discrimination happens to a huge number of people in our GLBT community
nationwide. 

Please, help us support efforts by the Human Rights Campaign, the National
Gay and Lesbian Task Force and the National Center for Transgender Equality
to protect our nationwide GLBT community from employment discrimination. 

Email or call your US Representative TODAY.  

Sample letter:

Dear Representative ________,

I am writing to urge you to vote in support of the HR 2015, the Employment
Nondiscrimination Act.  In 1993, the Minnesota Legislature amended our
state's Human Rights Act to protect employees from discrimination on the
basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.  Since that time, employees
have been reassured that workplace equality laws require that employment
decisions be based on job performance and not sexual orientation or gender
identity.  No one should be fired because of who they are or who they love.


Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from
you that you have chosen to support this vital legislation.   

Contact Information for your Congressional Representative:

District 1:  Representative Tim Walz, (202) 225-2472
http://walz.house.gov/Home.aspx

District 2:  Representative John Kline, (202) 225-2271
http://kline.house.gov/

District 3:  Representative Jim Ramstad, (202) 225-2871 mn03 [at] mail.house.gov

District 4:  Representative Betty McCollum, (202) 225-6631
http://www.mccollum.house.gov/

District 5:  Representative Keith Ellison, (202) 225-4755
http://ellison.house.gov/

District 6:  Representative Michele Bachmann, (202) 225-6475
http://bachmann.house.gov/

District 7:  Representative Collin Peterson, (202) 225-2165
http://collinpeterson.house.gov/

District 8:  Representative James Oberstar, (202) 225-6211
http://oberstar.house.gov/

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B. LOCAL SOCIAL JUSTICE NEWS

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1.
SUN, SEPT 16
12:30 PM
FIRST UNIVERSALIST CHURCH, CUMMINS ROOM

VOTING RIGHTS LUNCH AND A MOVIE--See a short documentary and join a
discussion to learn about the critical issue of election integrity.  We'll
also report on efforts by the MUUSJA Voting Rights Working Group including a
resolution passed at General Assembly.  Suitable for one-time visitors and
Working Group team members.  FFI: Jenny Thomas, jjthomas [at] skypoint.com or
Carol Johnson 612-825-3322.

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2.
SAT, SEPT 15
1:00 PM
STATE CAPITOL, SAINT PAUL

UU ACTION FOR PEACE! PEACE MARCH AND RALLY. Join UUs from across the metro
area and state. Our goal is at least 500 Unitarian Universalists at the
peace rally! Bring your congregation's banner!  

September 15th is a national day of action for peace -let's make our march
and rally a big success!  

Gather at the Capitol at 1:00 pm; 1:30pm march to the Xcel Center, then
return to the Capitol for a closing rally. FFI: please contact Jenny Thomas
of First Universalist (jjthomas [at] skypoint.com) or Sarah Martin of White Bear
UUC, IPAC, Twin Cities Peace Campaign and WAMM (scsrn [at] yahoo.com). This 
peace
march and rally co-sponsored by Pathways to Peace of First Universalist
Church of Minneapolis and organized by IPAC (Iraq Peace Action Coalition). 

**********   AFTER THE MARCH AND RALLY--A REQUEST FROM ANTI WAR YOUTH
*******

The military seems to be increasing recruitment pressure on high school
students--expanding their access.  And, youth in a number of metro schools
are banding together, and asking for help, to pressure school boards to
restrict military recruiters access to students while still complying with
No Child Left Behind regulations. First, we would like to talk with you
regarding our plans, in order to get your feedback, at a meeting after the
antiwar protest on September 15th, 
in St. Paul. We will gather at 4pm, on the 15th, at Nina's Café, which is on
the corner of Selby and Western, just a few blocks from the Cathedral. We
hope this meeting can be the start of a short-term committee or coalition to
help us in our school board pressure campaign this fall and probably into
next spring.

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3.
TUES, SEPT 18 AND
TUES, OCT 16
6:30 PM TO 8:30 PM
MINNEAPOLIS URBAN LEAGUE
2100 PLYMOUTH AV N, MPLS

NOTE: This news item comes from Fresh Energy, a key coalition partner of
MUUSJA's EcoMinds Working Group. 

CLIMATE JUSTICE WORKING GROUP brings all voices to the table. The group will
focus on building the capacity of low income and minority communities.

The effects of global warming will have a disproportionate impact on people
of color and low income, communities that have not historically had their
voices heard. Environmental Justice Advocates of Minnesota's Climate Justice
Working Group is working to give these communities opportunities and
resources for making themselves heard. The Working Group serves people of
color and low-income communities as a place to engage, network, and be
empowered for self-advocacy around global warming impacts and the solutions
that affect their communities. 

This group is creating a community base and a plan that articulates global
warming justice-related issues. Future work will include advocacy at the
local and state level.The Climate Justice Working Group comprises religious,
academic, political, and community leaders. This working group is committed
to making room for everyone at the table, regardless of race or income.

GET INVOLVED All are welcome to attend Working Group meetings. 

Please contact Karen Monahan at 612-302-3100 with questions or ideas for
making this group a success.

****
4.
SUN, SEPT 23
1:00 PM
STATE CAPITOL 

UNPREDEDENTED! UNIQUE COALITION ORGANIZES SEPTEMBER 23RD RALLY AGAINST THE
WAR--It's not just the usual suspects any more. On Sunday September 23, 1:00
pm, at the state capitol labor unions, religious bodies, and non-profits
will hold a rally at the state capitol to tell Congress it is time to end
the war. Adding new voices to those of the traditional peace community,
participating groups include the Minnesota AFL-CIO, the Minneapolis and St.
Paul central labor councils, AFSCME, SEIU, the Office for Social Justice of
the Catholic Church, the Methodist Social Ministry Team, the Sierra Club,
Iraq Veterans Against the War, Wellstone Action, TakeAction Minnesota, and
Progressive Majority. 

The rally will feature Gold Star Mother Becky Lourey and others directly
impacted by the war. It is designed to maintain and build on the momentum
generated by the September 15 march and rally in the period following the
Gen. Petraeus report as Congress prepares to vote again on Iraq war funding.


No coalition of this breadth has previously come together in Minnesota ? nor
apparently anywhere else in the country ? to end the war.   With two-thirds
of Americans opposed to continuing the war, this grouping provides the
opportunity to reach out to a broader cross-section of the public than ever
before. 

The participating organizations believe that this is a tipping point and the
right time for the broadest number of Minnesotans to stand up and be
counted. Please join us at 1:00 pm, Sunday September 23, at the state
capitol! 

FFI:  Larry Weiss larrymweiss [at] gmail.com

****
5.
SUN, SEPT 23
3:00 TO 5:00 PM
FIRST UNITARIAN SOCIETY
900 MOUNT CURVE, MPLS

MINNESOTA UU SOCIAL JUSTICE ALLIANCE--MUUSJA--FALL GENERAL MEETING. Join UUs
from across the metro and state for inspiration, fellowship, and action on
key justice issues.  Presentation and discussion of legislative, policy and
direct-action agendas for state-wide efforts through 2008 - global warming,
reproductive rights, voting integrity, GLBT equality.
Bring finger food to share. FFI: Ralph Wyman rwmuusja [at] gmail.com

****
6.
WED, SEPT 26
NOON AND/OR 7:00 PM
HUMPHREY INSTITUTE 

VOTING RIGHTS ACTIVISTS--Andrew Kohut, president of the Pew Research Center,
will give two public lectures on Wednesday, September 26, that analyze
American politics and our position on the global stage. At noon, he'll focus
on ?American Elections? and at 7 p.m. he'll talk about ?America's Place in
the World.? Both presentations will be held in Cowles Auditorium. For more
information, visit http://www.hhh.umn.edu/centers/cspg/
 
****
7.
SUN, SEPT 30
1:00 TO 4:45 PM 
Presbyterian Church of the Apostles
701 E. 130th St., Burnsville, MN  55337

CALLED TO BE PEACEMAKERS--Exploring peace through music, speakers,
workshops, children?s activities, and exhibits. A Community Event for the
Entire Family     

Speakers-- Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer on ?Choosing a Visionary Path to Peace? and
Bharat Parekh on ?United Nations Millennium Goals?

Workshops-- Visualizing Peace, Identifying Violence and Acting
Non-Violently, Writing Letters to the Editor, Making your Voice Heard,
Labyrinth tours

Children?s Program for ages 4 to 12
?       Drumming for Peace
?       Win, Win Games
?       Music
?       Labyrinth Walk
?       Crafts and Activities
?       Building Friendship Skills
.       Conflict Resolution

Nursery provided for under-threes, light refreshments. FFI: 952-890-7877

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C. NATIONAL UU ADVOCACY
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1.
ACTION: KEY ELECTION REFORM VOTE IN THE HOUSE THIS WEEK--As early as
Thursday, Sept 6, the House of Representatives could vote on Rep. Rush
Holt's Voter Confidence bill, HR 811. This legislation--which is supported
by the UUA--would require paper records and mandatory audits of electronic
voting machines to ensure their accuracy and guarantee secure, verifiable
elections. In the next 24 hours, we will have our best - and, most likely,
our last - opportunity to ensure that electronic voting machine ballots are
backed by paper records in the critical 2008 elections. 

To support this critical legislation, call your Representative at (202)
255-3121 as soon as possible and ask them to support HR 811. Our friends at
Common Cause are encouraging callers to share the results of their efforts. 

For more information about the bill, see
http://www.federalelectionreform.com/holt_bill.html. 

The UUA General Assembly adopted an Action of Immediate Witness on
Electronic Voting in 2004; and a Responsive Resolution in 2007 on Voting
Rights for Communities of Color.
http://www.uua.org/news/newssubmissions/44089.shtml

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2. 
ACTION: IMMIGRATION--This Thursday and Friday, the Unitarian Universalist
Association is partnering with the American Friends Service Committee and
other faith groups to call our senators and tell them that we oppose the
Immigration Enforcement and Border Security Act of 2007 (or S. 1984). This
bill threatens to further criminalize immigrants, add border fences and
patrol agents, and increase the holding capacity of detention centers. The
bill was introduced in the Senate on August 10th, and is currently in
committee. You can access the AFSC's webpage for a toll-free number to your
senator's office and tips on how to talk to your senators about the bill.
You can also view the text of the bill by going to http://thomas.loc.gov/
and searching for S. 1984. 


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3. 
DEADLINE FOR NEW CONGREGATIONAL STUDY ACTION/ISSUE SUBMISSIONS--The deadline
to submit proposals for new Congregational Study/Action Issues (CSAIs) is
October 1st. This is the process by which an issue is chosen for study,
action, reflection, and dialogue by and between Unitarian Universalist
congregations for the next four years. The four year process culminates in a
Statement of Conscience (SOC), which represents the views of the Unitarian
Universalist Association of Congregations on this issue. The certification
forms necessary to submit the proposals are now online at
www.uua.org/socialjustice/socialjustice/44091.shtml. Proposals must be
submitted to the Commission on Social Witness by the October 1st deadline. 
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D. SOCIAL JUSTICE LINKS
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To learn about other local and national social justice events, check out
these websites.  

UU SOCIAL JUSTICE AND OTHER UU LINKS:
Unitarian Universalist Association:  http://www.uua.org/

Unitarian Universalist Service Committee:  http://www.uusc.org/

UUA Washington Office for Advocacy http://www.uua.org/uuawo/new/

UUA Congregational Advocacy and Witness:
http://www.uua.org/programs/justice/

Minnesota UU Social Justice Alliance (MUUSJA):  http://www.muusja.org/

Prairie Star  District: http://www.psduua.org/

FOR UU SOCIAL ACTON CHAIRS, sign up for regular e-news from the UUA, called
Sac-news www.uua.org/mailman/listinfo
 
UU Ministry for Earth http://uuministryforearth.org/index.shtml

UUs for a Just Economic Community http://www.uujec.net/

UU Committee for Socially Responsible Investing
http://www.uua.org/finance/sri/ 

UU Gulf Coast Advocacy http://www.uua.org/news/gulfcoastrelief/advocacy.html

OTHER SOCIAL JUSTICE LINKS: 
*note: if you are  member of a group who would like us to list your web
site, send it to muusja-editor [at] muusja.org

Alliance for Sustainability www.afors.org

Citizens for Election Integrity Minnesota www.ceimn.org

Minnesota  Alliance of Peacemakers  http://www.mapm.org/
 
Women Against Military Madness at  www.worldwidewamm.org
 
Progressive Calendar subscribe by emailing  shove001 [at] tc.umn.edu.
  
Planned Parenthood of Minnesota:   www.ppmns.org
 
NARAL Pro-Choice Minnesota:   www.prochoiceminnesota.org

Metropolitan Interfaith Council on Affordable Housing (MICAH):
http://www.micah.org/
 
Code Pink: www.codepink4peace.org

Center for Victims of Torture: http://www.cvt.org/main.php

Congregations Caring for Creation http://www.c3mn.net/

Network of Spiritual Progressives: http://www.spiritualprogressives.org/

Network of Spiritual Progressives, local chapter http://www.nspmn.org/