Accomplishments by Year

2020

REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE

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.

GET OUT THE VOTE!

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

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.

WATER JUSTICE & THE ENVIRONMENT

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.

RACISM

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.

2019

REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE:

Promoted attendance at the Women’s March in Washington D.C. and in Lansing and promoted attendance at Pay Equity Day;
Received a grant from the UU Funding Program to sustain our Interfaith Reproductive Justice Coalition that collaborated with LGBTQ related organizations to take action on legislation and organize a Women’s and LGBTQ Justice conference.
Urged Gov. Whitmer to veto a bill that limits abortions via telemedicine. It was vetoed.
Sent a letter, signed by 15 organizations, to Michigan Congressional delegation that urged funding for the Violence Against Women Act. Funding for the Act was approved.
Endorsed and sent action alerts about federal and state legislation that affirmed women’s right to choose.
Investigated conditions faced by women giving birth while in prisons. A workshop on this topic is being planned for 2020.

ECONOMIC JUSTICE:

Informed the public about how lame duck legislators gutted a new minimum wage law achieved by a citizen initiative organized by the Economic Justice Alliance and other allies.
With help from MUUSJN Board members, got editorials published about the need to restore these benefits in the Traverse City Eagle and the Daily Mining Gazette (Houghton).
Filed an amicus brief with the Michigan Supreme Court calling on the court to challenge the process of adopting, then amending citizen initiated policies.
Supported and sought to restore coverage for Michigan Paid Sick Leave ballot proposal.

LGBTQ JUSTICE:

Worked with Inclusive Justice (IJ), an interfaith welcoming and advocacy group, to plan and co-sponsor two conferences addressing LGBTQ rights in the Catholic Church & throughout society. MUUSJN’s Director agreed to serve as IJ’s legislative point person.
The previously mentioned UUA grant supported LGBTQ advocacy as part of MUUSJN’s Interfaith Reproductive Justice Coalition.
Issued action alerts on three LGBTQ related bills: the Elliot Larsen Civil Rights Act; The Equality Act (federal) and a state bill to extend ethnic intimidation protections based on sexual orientation and gender identify. The Equality Act was adopted in the U.S. House.
Applied for a grant from the UU Funding Program to advocate for LGBTQ rights with the Michigan ACLU and to promote the UUA’s Welcoming Congregation Renewal program in Michigan congregations.
Was invited to be part of a UU the Vote webinar that focuses on how to turn out the LGBTQ vote for 2020.

WATER JUSTICE & THE ENVIRONMENT:

Helped organize meetings of faith leaders with Detroit City Council member Mary Sheffield who agreed to introduce a Water Affordability Ordinance for the City. Meetings are ongoing.
Arranged a meeting of faith leaders with a representative of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to urge the Governor to adopt water reforms such as demanding that water be considered a human right, calling for a moratorium on shutoffs and supporting a water affordability plan.
Hosting UU Environment Justice Task Force conference calls to share environmental justice ideas. Promoted reading “Justice on Earth” and the UUA’s Green New Deal resolution. Supported actions to implement the Green New Deal.
Encouraged people from UU congregations to participate in Climate Strike protests.

IMMIGRATION/RACISM:

Demanded that the Homestead Detention Center for immigrant youth in Florida be shut down. Youth from this Center were evacuated and later in 2019 the Center was shut down!
Participated in weekly Michigan United conference calls and promoted attendance at a Michigan United immigration lobby day.
Sent an alert to the network to oppose a bill that would penalize local Michigan communities not cooperating with federal immigration officials. MUUSJN testified against this bill at a legislative hearing. The Governor vetoed funding for this bill in October.
Promoted participation at 27 Lights for Liberty events in Michigan held in July to protest the conditions faced by migrant families detained at the southern border.
Provided a scholarship to an African American UU justice leader to attend UUA General Assembly conference in Spokane, Washington.
Organizing a “Home for the Holidays” anti-racism workshop scheduled for December 15th at the UU Church of Farmington.
Published information about a community gathering to mourn the massacre of Muslims at a New Zealand mosque and alerted UU justice leaders about an anti-Muslim event at a church in Bloomfield Hills.

VOTING, GUN VIOLENCE & SOCIAL MEDIA:

The MUUSJN Board of Directors agreed to make voter engagement a priority in 2020.
Informed UU justice leaders about the new “UU the Vote” campaign.
The MUUSJN Director was invited to be part of a UU the Vote webinar that focuses on how to turn out the LGBTQ vote for 2020.
As a member of the Michigan Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence, MUUSJN forwarded an action alert on HR 1112, a bill to extend the time allowed to do background checks.
The Network forward information about two vigils that remembered and resolved to address the tragedy gun violence in our state.
MUUSJN hired a talented website and social media consultant to upgrade the network’s website (www.uujustice) and to enhance its social media presence.

2018

Received major funding from the Economic Justice Alliance of Michigan (EJAM) that supports MUUSJN justice priorities of reproductive justice, racial justice, LGBTQ rights, immigration reform, economic justice, environment/water rights and civic engagement.
Published action alerts and won policy battles: helped block cuts in Planned Parenthood funding, expanded funding for CHIP and SNAP, increased disaster aid for Puerto Rico. Alerts encouraged attendance at events such as World Water Day and Pay Equity Day.
Organized a workshop (attended by 70) on “Conscience and Religious Freedom”, a threat to both women’s and LGBTQ rights. This workshop included an opportunity to submit testimony on Pres. Trump’s new religious liberty “civil rights” policy that allows religion to be used to discriminate.
Received a grant from the Clean Energy, Clean Michigan campaign. It negotiated with Michigan utilities to commit to a 25% increase in their clean energy portfolio by 2030.
Received a UU Funding program grant and a Buck Dinner grant to promote coordination between Michigan’s Women’s and LGBTQ Rights movements. With these funds, MUUSJN co-sponsored a Planned Parenthood national convention and an LGBTQ Rights conference. It formed a Task Force that is submitting issue recommendations to Governor elect Gretchen Whitmer.
MUUSJN successfully urged Governor Snyder to not oppose a Michigan Human Rights Commission interpretation that Michigan civil rights law also protects rights of LGBTQ communities. The Governor’s Attorney General vigorously opposed this position.
Organized a Challenging Racism workshop attended by UU’s from several congregations at the Community UU’s of Brighton. Sold 100 of MUUSJN’s Interfaith Challenging Racism toolkits to the United Church of Christ of Michigan. We are reaching out to engage the Jewish community.
MUUSJN informed and encouraged UU’s across Michigan to participate in the Poor People’s Campaign. This involved rallies and protests in Lansing, Detroit and Washington D.C.
MUUSJN was part of an EJAM team of organizations that collected over 4,000 signatures to help put the Earned Paid Sick Time and the One Fair Wage proposals on the 2018 ballot. However, both ballot issues were adopted by the legislature to keep them off the ballot. MUUSJN is mobilizing its network to oppose efforts to gut these laws during the “lame duck” session.
As a member of the People’s Water Board and its Faith Outreach Committee, MUUSJN helped organize a clergy/faith leader press conference on October 4^th that attracted over 250 people. It demanded an end to water shutoff’s and the establishment of a water affordability plan.
The Network participated in a coalition calling for the shutdown of the Line 5 pipeline that creates risk of polluting the Great Lakes. Members of several UU congregations participated in a MUUSJN Environmental Justice Task Force organized by Jennifer Teed.
UU congregations were encouraged to participate in Get Out The Vote (GOTV) activities in 2018, contributing to a record Michigan voter turnout and a “Blue Wave”. An NPR news article about MUUSJN’s GOTV efforts was covered by 15 radio stations.
Advocated for legislation to restore DACA protections for immigrant youth and urged UU’s to participate in demonstrations protesting the separation of children from their families.
Regularly posted calls for action on two UU Facebook pages and updated the website

2017

Celebrated MUUSJN’s 15th anniversary, honoring Michigan UU congregational justice leaders at an anniversary celebration
Through its Interfaith Reproductive Justice Coalition, organized a conference, took action on issues and educated the public at various women’s rights events, including the Women’s March in Michigan and Washington DC, the National Women’s Convention in Detroit and an Interfaith Prayer Breakfast at Planned Parenthood of Michigan’s Day of Action
In coalition, pressured Governor Snyder to veto a bill to fund anti-abortion clinics through a “Choose Life” license plate program
Advocated for abortion rights legislation with the Michigan Women’s Progressive Caucus
Published an Interfaith Challenging Racism Toolkit and organized a workshop to promotes its use in UU congregations, networked with local racial justice organizations, and participated in meetings, events and actions
Issued a MUUSJN Board position encouraging UUs to challenge President Trump’s blaming anti-racism demonstrators as being part of the problem at a white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia and shared hate crime information and anti-racism training opportunities
Worked with the Peoples Water Board and other faith groups to fight for water as a human right and to promote legislation to protect vulnerable people from water shutoffs
Organized legislative visits at two lobby days on behalf of water rights legislation
Organized a UU Environmental Justice Task Force and shared information with our congregations about Line 5 pipeline and the Nestle water grab
Published “Water Justice Congregational Resources” and distributed it to all UU congregations
Secured funding from the Economic Justice Alliance of Michigan to sustain MUUSJN work on several of its issues, mobilizing UU’s and others to collect signatures on two ballot campaigns: raising the minimum wage and earned paid sick time
Promoted transgender rights in partnership with national, state and local organizations, promoted attendance at Equality Michigan’s lobby day, and supported a new LGBTQ rights policy with the Michigan Civil Rights Commission
Through intensive advocacy, helped block repeal of the Affordable Care Act in Congress
Blocked state legislation (in 2017) that would allow concealed weapons to be brought into schools, places of worship and other safe zones
Advocated for legislation to restore DACA protections for immigrant youth; and
Published e-newsletters and maintained three Facebook pages and a website: www.uujustice.org.

2016

Worked in coalition to defeat strict Michigan Voter ID bills that would disproportionately suppress votes of low income persons, people of color and people from the LGBTQ community
Pressured the U.S. House to approve $170 million for water infrastructure and health resources for the people of Flint. The Network supported passage of HB 5210, a human rights bill requiring citizens be promptly notified when there are dangerous levels of lead in their water
Secured a grant from the Public Leadership Institute to work in a campaign to promote greater access to abortion in Michigan. The Network’s Interfaith Reproductive Justice Coalition held a statewide conference in Flint and issued action alerts that supported women’s and family rights
Worked with Inclusive Justice to provide LGBTQ related educational programs in SE Michigan places of worship. Advocated for State Board of Education guidelines that were adopted to make schools more safe for LGBTQ students. Helped block “bathroom bills” that would discriminate vs. transgender persons
Secured grants from the UU Funding Program and the Buck Dinner to develop an Interfaith Challenging Racism Toolkit for White People. The project would also educate and activate UU, United Church of Christ and Jewish people to take action on racial justice
Held three “Justice Parties” at the First UU Congregation of Ann Arbor, the Birmingham Unitarian Church and the UU Fellowship of Central Michigan that raised funds needed to sustain the Network
In partnership with the Michigan Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence, the Network helped defeat HB 4795, that would have required local units of government to pay for the NRA’s attorney fees if they had issued new gun safety regulations
Helped defeat the “SAFE” (Security Against Foreign Enemies) Act that would make if more difficult for refugees to come to the U.S; and
Published monthly e-newsletters, maintained a lively Facebook presence and issued action alerts on a variety of justice issues.

2015

Pressured Governor Rick Snyder to veto a bill that would have allowed persons who were stalkers or spouse abusers to get a concealed weapons permit. MUUSJN joined a Michigan Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence
Mobilized its network of 2,400 activists to help prevent passage of legislation that would have eliminated the Earned Income Tax Credit for low income working families. Some legislators proposed using EITC funds to repair Michigan’s roads
Organized an Interfaith Reproductive Justice Coalition. The coalition, which includes representatives from seven faith groups, meets quarterly and empowers people of faith to have their voices heard on policies such as equal pay for women, opposing the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, and standing up for choice. It’s collecting signatures to put paid sick leave on the 2016 ballot. These activities were supported by grants from the UUA and the Buck Dinner fundraiser.
Educated UUs and other people of faith on Detroit’s and Flint’s water crisis and new water justice policies through action alerts, through public demonstrations, through a UUSC workshop at General Assembly, and by organizing an interfaith Water teach-in. This was supported by a grant from the UU Service Committee.
Helped promote marriage equality, advocate for expansion of the Elliott Larsen Civil Rights Act and opposed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) that would allow use of religion to discriminate against LGBTQ people. In collaboration with Inclusive Justice, MUUSJN secured a Community Foundation of Southeast Michigan grant to expand LGBTQ rights education to more faith groups.
Supported a team of UU congregations to plan ways to educate and take action on the UUA’s Escalating Inequality Study/Action Issue.
Published monthly e-newsletters, maintained a lively Facebook presence and issued weekly action alerts on a variety of justice issues

2014

Secured grants from the UUA and the UUSC to educate UUs and engage them in a campaign to raise federal and state minimum wages. MUUSJN volunteers collected over 5,820 signatures to put $10.10/hour wage on the ballot. The campaign pressured State legislators to raise Michigan’s minimum wage to $9.20/hour
Assisted the Michigan UU Clergy Caucus to support full expansion of the Elliot Larsen Civil Rights Act to protect the rights of gay and transgender persons. Mobilized the Caucus to oppose the Religious Freedom Restoration Act that would allow religious beliefs to be used to violate the civil rights of others
Supported UU work for LGBT human rights policies in Marquette and Jackson. Helped organize two forums to support marriage equality. Secured a grant to promote second parent adoptions, holding forums in Lansing and Southfield
Worked with Michigan United to urge President Obama to reduce deportations of immigrant families. In November, President Obama issued executive actions to grant up to five million immigrants protection from deportation. Helped plan an interfaith gathering to welcome immigrant children coming to Vassar in July 2014
Advocated successfully to expand State in-home services for the elderly, the Healthy Kids Dental program, and child care for low-income Michigan families
Petitioned and demonstrated with the UU Service Committee for more fair treatment of poor families whose water is being shut off by the City of Detroit
Submitted testimony to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality on its proposed fracking regulations, calling for a halt in fracking in Michigan; and
Published monthly e-newsletters, maintained a lively Facebook presence and issued action alerts on a variety of justice issues

2012-2013

Worked with allies to pass legislation expanding Medicaid to 470,000 low-income Michigan residents
Helped block Michigan legislation that would have allowed concealed weapons to be brought into places of worship, schools and other “safe zones”
Advocated for LGBT rights by supported congregations’ efforts to pass local human rights ordinances and opposing discriminatory legislation
Secured UUA funding to launch a Reproductive Justice campaign that included organizing educational conferences and interfaith legislative advocacy
Worked in coalition to reform Michigan’s indigent legal defense system
Mobilized Unitarian Universalists and allies to protect Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, home care and human services
Shared information with people of faith about opportunities to advocate for immigrants and to promote immigration reform legislation
Organized a statewide Protecting Access to Health Care conference that attracted people from 10 UU congregations
Organized Standing on the Side of Love public witness events to stand up for human rights of immigrants, Muslims, and people from the LGBT community
Published monthly e-newsletters, maintained a lively Facebook presence and issued action alerts on a variety of justice issue
Established a statewide MUUSJN Board of Directors that meets quarterly.

2011-2012

During the past year, MUUSJN supporters have put our hearts, hands, and donations to work standing up for justice, equality, and compassion at a time when our families and neighbors need it most.

LGBT Equality

In January, members of the First UU Congregation of Ann Arbor, others UUs and MUUSJN staff braved the cold for a Gay Families Matter Rally on the Capitol steps. Together with partners such as Inclusive Justice, we organized UUs from all over the state to call for a strong anti-bullying bill for our schoolchildren and to amend the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to protect against discrimination based on gender or sexual identity.

We held two statewide workshops, one for youth and one for adults in the Heartland District, to help activists get educated and network for immigration reform (above left). The UU Church of Greater Lansing is among our congregations that have rallied with friends and neighbors from various faiths throughout the year in support of reform (above center and right). Rev. Kathryn Bert of UUCGL spoke at the Rally for Immigrant Family Unity at the Capitol in May. We encouraged over 70 UUs to write letters in support of a Family Unity Waiver.

Criminal Justice and Public Safety

We joined the Michigan Campaign for Justice to successfully lobby Governor Snyder to reform Michigan’s broken public defense system. We also fought for release and/or compensation for some of the victims of this broken system, wrongfully convicted prisoners such as Temujin Kensu (pictured at left, in white, at his 2000 wedding in a Saginaw prison). Members of the Community UUs in Brighton (CUUB) have extended the Prison Book Ministry, which was started by UUs in Ann Arbor. CUUB teamed up with New Hope UU Congregation in May (right) to deliver 49 children’s books to the visiting room and 367 books to the inmates of the Handlon Correctional Facility in Ionia. Our network also urged UUs to oppose SB 59, which would allow concealed weapons to be brought into places of worship, day care centers, schools, and other “safe zones.”

Health Care for All

Our director, Randy Block, and other UUs gave testimony on the need for consumer oriented health exchanges. We organized three community forums on the benefits of the Affordable Care Act, especially the good it does for women and seniors. MUUSJN mobilized UUs to contact their State legislators, testify and demonstrate against legislation that would undermine Michigan womens’ health and reproductive rights.

Economic Justice

Our Standing Up for Families & Kids Conference at First UU Church of Detroit was organized in response to devastating cuts to services for poor families and children. We have prepared an amicus brief in a lawsuit against the State of Michigan on behalf of 11,000 families who were unfairly cut off public assistance. We helped stop a federal policy that would allow privatization of workers who determine Medicaid eligibility. We successfully advocated to restore full funding for a program to assist older persons to leave nursing homes to live in the community and we mobilized UUs to advocate with federal legislators to preserve Social Security and Medicare benefits.

Organizational Accomplishments:

Obtained a non-profit incorporation status from the State of Michigan in 2011
Developed and adopted a set of bylaws in March 2012
Begun planning in 2012 to apply for our non-profit status with the IRS
Secured grants to help continue our work on immigration reform, LGBT equality, health care for all, and fundraising for our network and our member congregations

2007-2010

MUUSJN campaigned to raise revenues to balance State budgets and successfully advocated for expanded federal child care funding. In coalition, we worked for passage of national health care for all in 2010. We continue to educate the public about the provisions of the new law and advocate for health reforms at the State level. The network organized statewide justice conferences and, in partnership with community organizations, advocated for prison and environmental reform, justice in the Middle East and LGBTQ rights.

2006

We participated in successful campaigns to raise Michigan’s minimum wage and to protect its water. We organized a conference and established task forces on Universal Health Care, Poverty, Environment and Affirmative Action.

2004-2005

The Network organized workshops on voter registration, the environment and networking for justice at Heartland UU District meetings. We organized a petition drive to help defeat anti-gay marriage legislation and issued e-mail justice action alerts, e.g., Darfur & Katrina.

In 2005, the UUSC (Unitarian Universalist Service Committee) made a five year financial commitment to build and expand our Network statewide. MUUSJN used this funding to survey Michigan Unitarian Universalist congregations to learn their top justice issues; recruited additional members; created a website; and published a monthly e-newsletter.

2002-2003

MUUSJN was founded when volunteer activists from nine UU churches across Michigan first met as a social justice network and agreed on a common vision and mission to improve our communities. The Network polled Southeast Michigan UU’s on their most important justice issues and held a workshop on civil liberties.