Michigan UU Social Justice Network

Our Interfaith Reproductive Justice Coalition advocated for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies proposal that was funded for $12.6 million in FY 2021.
We worked with Planned Parenthood of Michigan to oppose a ballot proposal that banned D&E abortions in the second trimester. This proposal died for lack of valid signatures.
MUUSJN received a $14,000 grant to advocate for Paid Sick Leave at the federal and state levels. MUUSJN took organized action alerts, a town hall and extensive social media work;
The Coalition advocated for Congress to nominate a person to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court AFTER the next president was to be installed. This did not happen.;
We advocated for legislation that would protect women giving birth while in prison from being shackled. It has a chance of being adopted during the 2020 lame duck session.

MUUSJN made a difference with our new Michigan Interfaith Get Out the Vote Campaign;
We were awarded grants that allowed us to hire a campaign manager and other staff;
Over 244,000 people were encouraged to vote by phone and text banking;
It distributed over 3,000 post cards/flyers and emailed 23 action alerts to 6,400 people;
MUUSJN organized educational forums on topics that could help motivate people to vote: racism, the environment, paid leave and voter suppression;
Michigan’s 2020 election saw a record 5.5 million turnout, the highest percent in 60 years;
MUUSJN testified that the Michigan Board of Canvassers should ratify the votes as they were tabulated by local clerks. The Board voted three to ratify and one to abstain.

LGBTQ+ justice was included as part of MUUSJN’s Interfaith Reproductive Justice Coalition. Through that venue, LGBTQ+ issues were raised and discussed each month;
It advocated for the Fair and Equal ballot campaign to amend the Elliot Larsen Civil Rights Act to protect LGBTQ+ rights in Michigan. In spite of COVID challenges, the campaign got more than enough signatures to send the petitions to the Michigan Board of Canvassers;
With a grant from the UUA, MUUSJN hired an LGBTQ+ Justice Organizer who was able to encourage five UU congregations to gain the Welcoming Congregation Renewal status;
MUUSJN organized a webinar on the Welcoming Congregation Renewal and LGBTQ+ legislative opportunities after the 2020 election;
The MUUSJN Director served on the Executive Committee and as a legislative point person for Inclusive Justice, an interfaith LGBTQ+ welcoming and advocacy organization.

We worked in coalition to urge Governor Whitmer to declare a moratorium on water shutoffs and restore water, urgently needed by low income people. The Governor agreed!
Unfortunately, a lawsuit rescinded the Governor’s Executive Orders. MUUSJN is now advocating with a coalition for legislation to restore access to water.
MUUSJN’s Special Project Coordinator invited the public to testify against building a Line 5 tunnel under in the Straits of Mackinac. The Governor agreed to oppose this move!
MUUSJN has been collaborating with the Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition and the Interfaith Power & Light. Both spoke at a MUUSJN Environmental Justice GOTV webinar.

2020 was notable for protesting the racism and demands for police reform. MUUSJN published a week of daily actions after George Floyd’s death by Minneapolis police;
It informed the public how to support the Black Lives Matter movement, how to be a white ally and organized a car caravan from Detroit to the Birmingham Unitarian Church and back to highlight the need for police reform;
MUUSJN advocated for police reform legislation at both the state and federal levels;
The Special Projects Coordinator helped plan a women against racism conference and worked with Black Lives UU in Michigan to study and take action on the Cash Bail issue.