December 14th, 2020 by MUUSJN
Urge Rep. Lee Chatfield & Your Rep.to Vote for SB 241
Which Prevents Water Shutoffs & Turns Families’ Water Back On
BACKGROUND: According to data from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, there are over 317,000 Michigan households who are behind on their water bills and are at risk of having their water shut off during the COVID pandemic. How will they wash their hands to protect their families — and the rest of us — during this national emergency?
Earlier this year, Governor Gretchen Whitmer (at the urging of water advocates) issued an Executive Order that put a moratorium on water shutoffs and required local water providers to restore water to these low income families without water. Michigan received $25 million in CARES Act funding to reimburse over 90 Michigan communities for this expense. This is not just a Detroit or a Flint problem! Here’s a LINK to charts that show how many households have water bills in arrears in Michigan Republican Representatives’ districts and funds granted to assist such families.
However, on October 2nd, our state’s highest court rescinded the “Emergency Powers of the Governor Act” that authorized Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to issue many Executive Orders, including her order for a moratorium on water shutoffs and restore water to all occupied homes that had been shutoff due to lack of payment.
The GOOD NEWS: The Mayor of Detroit declared a moratorium on shutoffs until 2022! Water advocates (including MUUSJN) successfully advocated for passage of SB 241 in the Senate. Now YOUR help is needed: Please call House Majority Leader Lee Chatfield and YOUR State Representative to vote for S 241, that would protect Michigan families from water shutoffs until March 31, 2020.
PLEASE CALL Rep. Chatfield: 1-517-373-2629
(980 people with accounts in arrears)
PLEASE CALL YOUR STATE REPRESENTATIVE
Click HERE to get Your Representatives Phone/Email
TALKING POINTS:
- Over 317,000 families or about 800,000 individuals are living without water or are at risk of having their water shut off;
- Cares Act federal funds have been allocated to assist families in your District;
- The CDC says the top way to prevent spreading COVID is to frequently wash hands;
- Support passage of SB 241 for the sake of families (voters) in YOUR district.
MUUSJN has been working as a water advocate for several years with the People’s Water Board, the National Defense Resources Council and Senator Stephanie Chang.
December 11th, 2020 by MUUSJN
Urge Our Michigan Senators
Senator Debbie Stabenow: 1-202-224-4822
Senator Gary Peters: 1-202-224-6221
Support COVID Relief Package That Throws A Life-line to the Unemployed, Families Facing Evictions & Communities
TELL YOUR SENATORS:
- There now is bi-partisan interest in adopting a COVID relief bill before the holiday recess. A $908 billion relief package would protect millions of people who could lose unemployment benefits and millions of people who face evictions from their homes;
- This more modest “skinny” COVID relief bill has bi-partisan support from moderate legislators, but it does not extend emergency paid leave for families whose members get sick. Some Republicans insisted that this bill to protect corporations from COVID liability;
- On 12/9/20, the U.S. House passed a “Continuing Resolution” to keep the government open another week so Congress can negotiate the 2021 federal budget AND COVID relief;
- Urge Michigan Senators to champion a COVID-19 relief package that: extends emergency unemployment benefits; protects families from evictions, includes paid family leave but does NOT protect corporations from liability during the pandemic.
URGE OUR SENATORS TO FIGHT FOR FAMILIES IN NEED
Click HERE to read an article in the 12/9/20 issue of Forbes magazine that describes the provisions of this more modest bi-partisan COVID Relief bill just released on 12/8/20:
- UNEMPLOYMENT – Provides an additional $300/week in federal supplemental UI benefits between the end of December up until April (benefits would not be retroactive);
- STATE AND LOCAL AID – The lawmakers have an agreement “in principle” to spend $160 billion in aid for State and Local governments;
- SMALL BUSINESSES – $300 billion would be allocated to allow small businesses to take out second forgivable Paycheck Protection loans;
- HEALTH CARE – $6 billion for vaccine development and distribution; $10 billion for testing and tracing; and $35 billion for health care provider relief;
- EDUCATION – $82 billion for education providers, including K-12 and higher education;
- HOUSING – Extends eviction moratorium to January 2021 — $25 b. for rental assistance;
- STUDENT LOANS – Suspends payments of federal student loans through April 2021;
- LIABILITY – An “agreement in principle” for liability protections for businesses in COVID-related lawsuits:
- OTHER PROGRAMS – Food; postal service; agriculture; childcare providers; broadband internet; addiction and mental health services.
This week President Trump offered his own $916 billion COVID relief bill that includes $600 stimulus checks, state and local aid and liability protections, but cuts unemployment insurance protections. President Elect Biden has said that he would support the bi-partisan bill as a “down payment” with more COVID relief in 2021.
PLEASE CALL OUR SENATORS (See phone numbers & talking points at the top of this alert.)
Urge them to advocate for meaningful relief for struggling families. We must honor the 443,000 Michiganders who have contracted the COVID-19 disease, the 10,000+ people of our state who died from it and the millions of Americans who are suffering its social and economic consequences.
December 5th, 2020 by MUUSJN
GEORGIA RUN OFF VOTE KEY TO WHICH PARTY CONTROLS SENATE
Recent polls show both races are close
According to The Hill newspaper (12/30/20), Democrat Rev. Raphael Warnock leads his opponent, GOP Senator Kelly Loeffler 52 to 45%. Democrat John Ossof is slightly ahead of his Republican opponent Senator David Perdue 50 to 48%. If either Republican wins, the GOP will retain control of the Senate. However, if both Democrats win, the parties will be evenly split which would allow VP Kamala Harris to cast tie breaking votes on legislation. Elections have consequences!
Recently, Trump ally Attorney General William Bar declared that he has “not seen fraud on the scale that could affect a different outcome of the election”. In mid November, Christopher Krebs, a top Trump administration official overseeing election security, said that the 2020 election was “the most secure in American history”. After that statement, #45 fired Krebs by Twitter. On November 1st, Georgia election official, Gabriel Sterling (a Republican) expressed outrage over threats to election workers and unfounded cases of election fraud.
The stakes are high in the Georgia election. Without changes in the Senate, it will more difficult to make progress with legislation that benefits ALL people. Non-partisan efforts have been successful in encouraging traditionally disenfranchised people, such as youth, people of color, women, immigrants, LGBTQ+ people to get registered and to vote. We need to assure that all voices are heard and that every vote is counted. Special efforts by non-profit organizations in Georgia are being made to affirm that the integrity of free and fair elections is maintained.
KEY DATES FOR THE ELECTION:
- December 7th – Voter Registration Deadline;
- December 14th – Early Voting Begins;
- December 15th – Absentee Ballot Requests Due;
- January 5th – Election Day
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
- VOLUNTEER TO DO PHONE BANKING TO PEOPLE IN GEORGIA. You may have your own outlets for making these calls. However, the “UU the Vote” campaign is offering phone banking sessions. Click this link for dates/more information: www.uuthevote.org/Georgia/
- DONATE TO NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS IN GEORGIA THAT ARE DOING GOTV WORK. Click HERE to get a list of such organizations developed by MUUSJN consultants.
FOR YOUR INFORMATION: MUUSJN’S Interfaith Get out the Vote Campaign, in partnership with the Restaurant Opportunity Center, with Interfaith Power and Light, with the United Church of Christ of Michigan; the National Council of Jewish Women and other groups was able to:
- Contact 244,000 people in Michigan through phone and text banking;
- Issue 23 action alerts related to GOTV that reached 6,432 people statewide; and
- Distribute flyers and post cards to over 3,000 people.
TOGETHER, WE CAN DO GREAT THINGS!
November 29th, 2020 by MUUSJN
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.
November 9th, 2020 by MUUSJN
Urge State Senator Mike Shirkey to Take Up SB 830 & SB 831 to Unshackle Pregnant Women in Prisons!
WHAT DO THESE BILLS DO? SB 830 and 831 are companion bills that provide protection for pregnant and post-partum women who are incarcerated. These bills would prohibit pregnant and post-partum women from being restrained. These bills also outline a process to determine if such a person needs to be restrained, e.g., if she is a flight risk. SB 830 also establishes the right for incarcerated women to breastfeed and to be provided with sanitary supplies to express breast milk.
SB 830 and 831 WERE SPONSORED BY:
Senators Erika Geiss, Stephanie Chang, Sylvia Santana, Jeff Irwin, Rosemary Bayer, Betty Jean Alexander, Marshall Bullock, Curtis Hertel, Paul Wojno and Adam Hollier.
You can read the full text of SB 830 here:
https://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2019-2020/billintroduced/Senate/pdf/2020-SIB-0830.pdf
You can read the full text of SB831 here:
https://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2019-2020/billintroduced/Senate/pdf/2020-SIB-0831.pdf
WHY NOW?These bills enjoy broad bipartisan support. They have the potential to dramatically improve the health of incarcerated women and their infants. WE DEMAND IMMEDIATE ACTION. We understand that the Lame Duck session is short and will likely be very busy. Since these bills already have expansive support, they can be taken up expeditiously.
ACTION: Call and email Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey and urge him to bring SB 830 and SB 831 up for an immediate vote: SenMShirkey@senate.michigan.gov (517) 373-5932
This call to action was issued on November 9th by MUUSJN’s Interfaith Reproductive Justice Coalition, a statewide coalition of 26 organizations that support women’s and LGBTQ rights. For more information on the Coalition, contact Randy Block at 248-224-5572 (cell) or randyblock@yahoo.com. This alert was written by Nomi Joyrich, MUUSJN’s Reproductive and Economic Justice Organizer.
November 3rd, 2020 by MUUSJN
Elections and Courts Have Consequences in LGBTQ+ Communities
On the doorstep of the historic 2020 election, if you haven’t already, please vote! It can have an impact on how our country survives the COVID pandemic and if LGBTQ+ rights can thrive.
After the election, here are three events that may interest LGBTQ+ people & their allies:
- Wednesday, November 4th – 8 p.m. SUPREME COURT VIRTUAL TOWN HALL — LGBTQ Rights. This event will include experts who will review legal arguments and provide options for action in response to a new Fulton vs. Philadelphia case that’s being introduced to the Supreme Court this Wednesday. The outcome of this case could be to allow private agencies that receive taxpayer funding to provide government services — such as foster care providers, food banks, homeless shelters and more — to deny services to people who are LGBTQ, Jewish, Muslim, or Mormon. Click this link: https://www.ourdayincourt.org/ to register for this Town Hall. MUUSJN is a co-sponsor of this national event.
- Thursday, November 5th – 2 p.m. MICHIGAN LGBTQ CENTERS will host a post election discussion. Click this link to join the Zoom call: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81660710706?pwd=VktVck5EWE9qaStJUStnRG52WGtwdz09
- Saturday, November 7th, 2 p.m. LIVING OUR PRINCIPLES: LGBTQIA ADVOCACY & WELCOMING Join three dynamic advocates to get a jump start on LGBTQ+ welcoming and legislative advocacy after the 2020 election. Presenting at this MUUSJN webinar will be: Jay Kaplan, LGBT Project Staff Attorney for the ACLU of Michigan, and Erin Knott, Director of Equality Michigan, who will discuss what’s next for LGBTQ+ legislative advocacy. This virtual event will also feature Rev. Michael Crumpler, a UCC clergy and Director of UUA LGBTQ and Multicultural Programs, who will describe how UU’s can Renew their Welcoming Congregation status. For more information, contact Dee Church at churchde@umich.edu Zoom link for this event: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87993731769 or Call: 1-646-558-8656; Meeting ID: 879 9373 1769
Thanks for Living Your Values
October 31st, 2020 by MUUSJN
Activists are concerned that politicians are trying to undermine the 2020 election by attacking mail in ballots, suppressing the vote and refusing to commit to a peaceful transfer of power. Throughout Michigan and the nation, demonstrations are being held on November 4th to protect election results in the following Michigan cities: Ann Arbor; Ferndale/Detroit; Brighton; Howell; Lansing; Traverse City; Grand Rapids; Benton Harbor; Kalamazoo; Houghton; and other cities. Let me know if a demonstration is being held in your community that’s not listed here.
Click here to find a demonstration near you.
Let’s Help Get Out the Vote & Protect the Election
More than 2 million Michigan voters have have already cast their ballots in the 2020 election. Maintaining the integrity of the 2020 election means protecting our Democracy. We’ve seen efforts to suppress the vote by slowing down the U.S. postal system, calling vote by mail a “scam”, shortening deadlines for vote counting, voter intimidation at the polls, etc.
It’s troubling that President Trump has said he would not commit to a peaceful transition if he doesn’t win the election. Some say #45 or his surrogates could argue that the elections were taking too long to tabulate or that there was absentee ballot fraud. During that uncertainty, officials could demand that state legislatures make decisions about voting delegates rather than honoring the popular vote. We need to lend our voices and presence to send a calming message that elected officials must take the time they need to count every vote. Public demonstrations are being planned throughout Michigan and the country. Organizers want demonstrators to help create a strong, peaceful influence so that those who seek to undermine our democracy will know that the public is watching and cares about the integrity of our elections
Opportunities for Action!
- If you haven’t yet voted, you can still vote on Monday or on election day. Go to your local clerk’s office to get a ballot, complete it and turn it in to the clerk or put it in a ballot drop box. Encourage your friends and family to do the same. Click HERE to find your clerk at the Michigan Voter Information Center. Click HERE to search for a drop box location near you.
- Encourage your friends to spend some time phone or text banking. MUUSJN’s Interfaith GOTV campaign will be text banking from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. this Saturday and Sunday. Click HERE to register. Contact Sharon Pedersen at sspedersen@sbcglobal.net for more information.
- Sign up and encourage your friends to attend a demonstration on November 4th, the day after the election. Click this link, enter your zip code and sign up for a demonstration in your area: www://protecttheresults.com These demonstrations are being initiated by a Protect the Results coalition of over 100 organizations supported by Indivisible and Stand Up America. There may also be demonstrations on November 7th.
- A large coalition called “We Make Michigan” has organized a number of activities for citizens and faith leaders. Anchor organizations for this coalition are: We The People Michigan; Progress Michigan; SEIU; Michigan Liberation; Michigan United; and Detroit Action. Options for action:
- Encourage your elected officials to sign this pledge. Click HERE
- Click HERE for your organization sign on to an Every Vote Must Count (501 c3) open letter.
- Sign up HERE to be a Poll Watcher or a Poll Challenger.
- Click HERE for Unitarian Universalist Associations’ “UU the Vote” campaign resources.
- The Michigan Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Network is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization that works with other faith groups and allies for justice. Donate HERE to support our movement.
October 24th, 2020 by MUUSJN
All Hands on Deck! Voting Resources
Share Them with Your Friends and Family
It’s Not Too Late to Make a Difference
With just 11 days until the election there are still things you can do to make sure people are empowered to vote absentee or in person. Here are some practical election resources:
- ENCOURAGE YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY TO VOTE – We can gently encourage our friends and family to vote absentee. As of this week, over one third of the people who’ve requested absentee ballots have not yet returned them. With a little more than a week to go until November 3rd, we can help increase the turnout for this most important election. Click on Ballotpower.org to learn if your friends or relatives have requested an absentee ballot and if the clerk has received it. Just enter their names (as written on their drivers’ licenses) and their addresses. This is all public information provided through the Secretary of State. For more information, call or text Randy Block at 248-224-5572.
- MICHIGAN SUPREME COURT CANDIDATES ON THE BALLOT – State Supreme Court judges will continue to play an important role in Michigan policy disputes. Click HERE to see a list of endorsements of 2020 candidates on the ballot for the MIchigan Supreme Court gathered by Nomi Joyrich, MUUSJN’s Reproductive and Economic Justice Organizer.
- COURT BLOCKS PAID RIDES TO THE POLLS BUT VOLUNTEER RIDES ALLOWED – The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit Court ruled in favor of the Republican led legislature, reinstating a ban on hiring transportation to the polls. However, the ruling does not prohibit volunteers from driving voters to the polls for free. Click HEREto read article in Detroit Free Press. It’s advised that volunteers use face masks and exercise Covid-19 caution when assisting frail, elderly or people without transportation to the polls.
- PICK UP YOUR BALLOT EARLY AT YOUR CLERK’S OFFICE. You can apply for your ballot, complete it and submit ballot all on one visit to your clerk’s office. Or you can take your ballot home, complete it and return it to the clerk’s office. Or you can take your completed (and signed) ballot to your clerk’s secure drop box. Go to this website find the dropbox that applies to your voting precinct: www.MichiganDropBox.comYou must use the dropbox designated for the area in which you are registered to vote. For the address for your local clerk, go to: ballotpower.org
- The ELECTION AND BEYOND: A FORUM WITH THREE SOCIAL JUSTICE LEADERS – Tuesday October 27th, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Join the MUUSJN Interfaith GOTV Campaign in a conversation about racial justice and voting on Tuesday, October 27th, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Click HEREto register for this zoom forum featuring: Desirae Simmons, Co-Director, Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice; Piper Carter, Detroit Hip Hop Caucus, Hartwell Block Club; and Branden Snyder, Director, Detroit Action. Click HERE for a colorful flyer to share with others.
- OPPORTUNITIES TO PHONE & TEXT BANK – MUUSJN’s Interfaith GOTV Campaign invites people who would like to enjoy the company of other activists while reaching out to the public to do phone and text banking to join Sharon Pedersen and Vicki McGaffigan.
- SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24th, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Join the MUUSJN Interfaith GOTV Campaign in phone banking to people of color and others whose voices may not be heard Register HERE
- TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27th, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Join the MUUSJN Interfaith GOTV Campaign in a conversation about racial justice and voting. Click HEREto register.
- THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29th, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Register HERE
- SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31st, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Register HERE
For more information, contact Sharon Pedersen at 517-740-2629 or sspedersen@sbcglobal.net
October 19th, 2020 by MUUSJN
Urge Your Michigan Senator & Representative& Key State Legislatorsto Vote for SB 241 Which Codifies Governor’s Executive Order 2020-144 That Turns Families’ Water Back on & Prevents Water Shutoffs
BACKGROUND:
On October 2, our state’s highest court rescinded the “Emergency Powers of the Governor Act” of 1945, which authorized Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to issue many Executive Orders during the Covid pandemic.
One of the Executive Orders, EO 2020-144, was to restore water to all occupied homes that had been shut off due to lack of payment.
During this pandemic, it has become even more evident why families need water in their homes to stay safe and healthy. And yet, low income families across the state are in jeopardy of having their water turned off. For the safety and well being of these families and our communities as a whole we must keep the water on!
A SOLUTION:
Michigan State Senator Stephanie Chang and other government and environmental groups have made efforts to put forward legislation to codify the Governor’s Executive Order on water restorations (EO 2020-144).
On the legislative front, mostly Democratic House and Senate representatives are seeking to “codify” (i.e., arrange laws or rules into a systemic code). In particular, there is a modified version of SB 241 — a water protection shutoff bill — that incorporates the Executive Order 2020-144 and was introduced in the Senate on October 13th by Senator Chang. Although no action was taken that day, Senator Chang has called on water advocates to urge key legislators and our own Senators and Representatives, to support SB 241 before it comes up for a vote as soon as next Tuesday, October 20th. It will be helpful to remind State legislators that $25 million has already been allocated by the State to help local communities assure access to water for their families.Some Republicans are meeting with the Governor to address our COVID pandemic crisis.
HERE’S WHAT WE NEED YOU TO DO IMMEDIATELY:
1. Please email and call your Michigan Representative and Senator, especially they are in Republican districts. Urge them to “codify EO 2020-144 regarding water restorations and shutoff protection.” Click HERE for phone/email of your State Senator.Click HERE for phone/email of your State Representative.
2. Contact at least three (3) Senators and Representatives outside your community that you are familiar with, e.g., where your children or parents live; where you have a vacation home; where you have some type of connection to ask them to “codify EO 2020-144 regarding water restorations and shutoff protection.”
Here are four legislators suggested by Senator Chang:
- Senator Mike Shirkey (Jackson), Senate Majority Leader: 517-373-6932
- Senator Peter MacGregor (Kent County): 517-373-0797
- Senator Jim Stamas (Midland): 517-373-7946
- Rep. Lee Chatfield (northern Michigan), Speaker of the House: 517-373-2629
3. Finally, if you have not already done so, please complete this online form from ACLU Michigan so you can send an email to your Senator and Representative to Keep the Water On.
The Peoples Water Board (PWB) is trying to keep track of legislators you have reached. Please reply to me jennifer.a.teed@gmail.com after you have made your connections and let me know who you contacted, I will forward the information to PWB.
As always, thank you for engaging in this very important human rights work, rooted in our UU values.
October 18th, 2020 by MUUSJN
She’s Extreme on Roe v. Wade, the Affordable Care Act, LGBTQ Rights and Voting Rights
Senator Lindsey Graham Flip Flops on Supreme Court Justice Nomination Process
THANK Michigan Senators for Their Plans to Vote NO on this Nominee
Senator Gary Peters: 1-202-224-6221
Senator Debbie Stabenow: 1-202-224-4822
AND Call Five Other Senators (see #’s & talking points below)
Our access to affordable health care, reproductive rights, LGBTQ justice, voting rights and democracy itself are threatened by the appointment of Amy Coney Barrett (ACB) to the Supreme Court in the middle of the 2020 election. Clearly, President Trumps wants an ally on the Supreme Court if he decides to challenge the outcome of the election. He has refused to commit to a “peaceful transition” if he doesn’t win the election. Both Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Judiciary Committee Chair Senator Lindsey Graham are flip floppers. They refused to allow President Obama appoint Judge Merrick Garland to the high court because it was “too close’ (seven months away) to an upcoming Presidential election. Now they are trying to PACK THE COURT in a pre-election power play. Let key Senators know that we do not approve!
Here are four other reasons to urge our Senators and five other key Senators to vote NO!
- HEALTH CARE – More than 11 million people rely on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) for their health care. A Texas case to be heard by the Supreme Court shortly after the election attempts to gut the ACA. A recent New Morning Consult poll showed that a record 62% of voters support the ACA and 79% of voters support health insurance that protects people with pre-existing conditions. The Trump administration has not proposed any alternative to the ACA.
- ROE V. WADE – One of #45’s litmus tests for a Supreme Court nominee would be the willingness to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade abortion rights decision. ACB, who is a member of a fringe religious group called “People of Praise”, described abortion as “barbaric”. She even declared that fertility treatments should be illegal. Click HERE for more information on People of Praise.
- LGBTQ RIGHTS – ACB has a long history of stances that endanger the LGBTQ communities. She does not believe that equal rights protections on the basis of sex should extend to transgender people. Ms. Barrett is on record questioning the 2015 Supreme Court decision that legalized same sex marriage. A recent Gallup poll shows that two thirds of Americans (67%) say marriage between same sex couples should be legalized.
- VOTING RIGHTS – The Supreme Court in 2013 struck down the heart of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 by a 5-to-4 vote, freeing nine states, mostly in the South, to change their election laws without advance federal approval. Amy Coney Barrett couched this attack on the Voting Rights Act as a minor technical decision that allowed the law to still stand. However, this attack on the voting rights act made the act unenforceable.
We already miss the conscientious, hard working leadership of Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Court to protect access to health care, voting rights, women’s rights, and justice for LGBTQ+ people. Judge Ginsburg’s last words were: “it is my most fervent wish that I not be replaced until a new President is installed”.
THANK MICHIGAN SENATORS FOR OPPOSING THIS NOMINATION
Senator Gary Peters (1-202-224-6221)
Senator Debbie Stabenow (1-202-224-4822)
Vote is scheduled for 1 p.m. October 22nd
THEN CALL THESE FIVE KEY SENATORS:
- Senator Mitt Romney (R-Utah): 202-224-5251
- Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska): 202-224-6665
- Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine): 202-224-2523
- Senator Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) Louisville # 502-582-6304 (not his DC #, which often doesn’t take messages.)
- Senator Lindsay Graham (R-North Carolina): 202-224-5072
TELL THEM:
- Rushing a judge onto the U.S. Supreme Court in the middle of a Presidential election is just wrong. It undermines democracy and disrespects the will of the American people;
- Judge Amy Coney Barrett has a history of taking extreme positions on issues that can harm the majority of Americans by undermining the Affordable Care Act, women’s and LGBTQ rights and our voting rights;
- Do NOT vote to approve Amy Coney Barrett. I urge you to delay this appointment until the next President is installed.
Michigan Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Network is a statewide organization that works for justice with other faith groups and allies. Click HERE to join or support support our movement.
