Michigan UU Social Justice Network

2020 Accomplishments

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.

Urge Michigan Legislators to Take Up Bills to Unshackle Pregnant Women in Prisons!

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.

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.

3 LGBTQ+ Events This Week!

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

3 Days To The Election — Coalition of Groups Working in Michigan to Make Sure Election is Fair and All Votes are Counted

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:
1. Encourage your elected officials to sign this pledge. Click HERE
2. Click HERE for your organization sign on to an Every Vote Must Count (501 c3) open letter.
3. Sign up HERE to be a Poll Watcher or a Poll Challenger.
4. 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.

Resources to Empower Michiganders to Vote — Pass Them Forward

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 3^rd, 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

WATER ACTION NOW! Email Key Senators & Rep’s to Protect Families from Water Shutoffs; Call YOUR Legislators

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.

Thank Michigan Senators. Urge Key Senators to Vote NO on Amy Coney Barrett for Supreme Court

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.

Forum on Wages and Paid Leave Tuesday October 13th & National UU’s Support Interfaith GOTV Event on Thursday October 15th

October 10th, 2020 by MUUSJN

FIGHTING FOR ONE FAIR WAGE & EARNED PAID LEAVE FORUM

The Status of these Campaigns for Workers

Tuesday Oct 13, 2020, 7:30-8:30pm

A Zoom educational event brought to you by

MUUSJN and the Michigan Interfaith GOTV Campaign

Join us on Zoom: Register in advance for this meeting:https://bit.ly/32QxbfY

Speakers: Aisha Wells, Paid Family Leave Organizer, Mothering Justice Pete Vargas, State Organizing Director, Restaurant Opportunities Center

Click HERE for event flyer you can share

Email Sharon Pedersen, sspedersen@sbcglobal.net, for more information

*****

NATIONAL UU GOTV CALL IN DAY FOR MICHIGAN!

“UU the Vote” Supporting MI Interfaith GOTV Campaign

Thursday Oct 15, 2020, 6:30-8:30pm

RSVP Today!

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAvfuGprT4oEtMEpMWnmCDQxNOKr59VN-Q8

BACKGROUND ON NATIONAL “UU THE VOTE” CALL IN DAY FOR MICHIGAN

The Unitarian Universalist Association invited the nation to call on Michigan voters…I don’t have to tell you that the stakes are high. Far right white supremacist groups have been emboldened by frightening calls to action from the White House. The COVID pandemic continues to threaten the lives and jobs of millions. Voter suppression is ramping up across the country. We have the power to change course. We have the opportunity to advance legislation to protect healthcare, to grow our economy and fight climate change through the Green New Deal, and to defend Black lives with the Breathe Act. One way that we get there is by making sure every voice is heard in November.

Join Michigan UU Social Justice Network and Restaurant Opportunities Center at our phonebank on Thursday, October 15 at 6:30-8:30 pm ET/ 3:30-5:30 PM PT.

The election is on in Michigan! Early voting started on September 24th. Thanks to democracy reforms that organizers have won here, we have lots of voting options to help folks vote early and safely in this year’s election–vote by mail, in person at the clerk’s office, ballot drop boxes, on-line voter registration and in person election day registration but a lot of people don’t know about them. Can you help us Get Out the Vote in Michigan, a critical state in this election?

UUs in Michigan along with Michigan UU Social Justice Network (MUUSJN-our state action network) are partnering with the Restaurant Opportunities Center (ROC-MI), an organization that has been working for fair wages for restaurant workers and now for covid-relief and electoral justice. They are in full swing to Get Out the Vote among people of color and others who are often targeted for voter suppression. Many of these workers and their families are infrequent voters who do not get reminder calls from partisan campaigns. Their voices need to be heard and we can help people get the information they need to be able to fight for their needs during this time of pandemic, economic crisis, racial injustice and democracy on the line.

Now that we’re in the homestretch, UU the Vote is asking UUs from around the country to join UUs and their partners in Michigan for a National Phonebank on October 15 from 6:30-8:30 pm EST.

On our calls we will be helping people check their registration, make on-line absentee ballot requests, answer any questions about voting by mail and encourage them to vote early. We will also be offering them the opportunity to sign up to be a paid poll worker as part of ROC’s organizing efforts to ensure everyone can vote and all the votes are counted.

Our frontline partners have been dealing with the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on the health and economic conditions for people of color. MUUSJN has been organizing with them to cut through the campaign of election misinformation being waged in MI by those who want to suppress the vote. We UUs can help fill a critical need in electoral organizing in Michigan and help them make some calls!

Help your congregation organize phone banks if you are not currently participating in them. Email sspedersen@sbcglobal.net to set up a training as needed.

In solidarity,
Sharon Pedersen

Project Manager (she/her/hers)

MUUSJN Interfaith GOTV Campaign

Urge Senators — Before October 12th — to DELAY Hearings on Supreme Court Nominee Until 2021

October 9th, 2020 by MUUSJN

Sen. Lindsey Graham Flip Flops On Timing for Supreme Court Nomination

Ditto — Senator Mitch McConnell

Call and email our Michigan Senators & Call and email Senator McConnell and Senator Graham

Demand that all Judicial confirmation processes be halted until after January 20^th

Sen. McConnell: 202-224-2499

https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=Contact

Sen. Lindsey Graham: (202) 224-5972

https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=contact-form

Senator Debbie Stabenow: (202) 224-4822

https://www.stabenow.senate.gov/contact

Senator Gary Peters: (202) 224-6221

https://www.peters.senate.gov/contact/email-gary

(Use drop down box to “Comment on Issue”)

This Coalition press release was issued on October 9, 2020

Michigan Interfaith Reproductive Justice Coalition Urges Delay in Supreme Court Confirmation Process

The Michigan Interfaith Reproductive Justice Coalition, a statewide group that includes representatives from 25 Michigan faith, women’s and LGBTQ+ rights groups, voted on October 5^th to demand that hearings on a nomination to U.S. Supreme Court to fill the seat of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (RBG), be delayed until after the installation of the next President in January 2021. Hearings on President Trump’s Supreme Court nomination are scheduled to start on October 12^th. The coalition strongly believes that a candidate for the U.S. Supreme Court should be nominated by a President who reflects the views of the American people.

The Coalition, which monitors policies and takes action on reproductive justice issues that affect both women and people from the LGBTQ communities, said it was the final wishes of Ruth Bader Ginsburg that her replacement only be made by the next President in January. Th Coalition is concerned that President Trump’s court nomination, Amy Coney Barrett, seems likely to threaten women’s and LGBTQ+ rights, and undermine access to health care and voting rights.

In February, 2016, Senator Mitch McConnell, after the death Judge Antonin Scalia, adamantly stated that “The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice…Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president.” Likewise, Senator Lindsey Graham, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee that would hold hearings on the nominee, outspokenly insisted that no hearings be held in advance of an election. Despite these vows, the Senate Majority Leader and Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee have done an about face and now pledge to confirm President Trump’s Supreme Court judicial nominee.

Randy Block, staff for the Coalition with the Michigan Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Network (MUUSJN), said that “the Coalition urges the public to hold Senator McConnell and Senator Graham to their word. We demand that all judicial confirmation processes be delayed until a new president is installed”.

TELL Senators Mitch McConnell, Lindsey Graham, Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters

Rushing people onto the Supreme Court just before a Presidential election or during the lame duck session undermines democracy’s principle of respecting the will of the people;
Judge Ruth Bader Ginsberg has been a voice for voters rights, women’s rights and equality for countless others who face discrimination. That voice must be preserved;
Do not appoint someone to the U.S. Supreme Court until the next President is installed in January 2021.

The Coalition is a project of the Michigan Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Network (MUUSJN), a 501 (c)3 non-profit organization that works with 26 UU congregations and progressive faith and secular allies for justice. Click HERE to support our movement.

Stand Up for Earned Paid Leave! Post These 2 Messages on Your Personal/Organization’ Facebook Pages

October 7th, 2020 by MUUSJN

PLEASE POST THESE HEALTH & SICK LEAVE THOUGHTS ON YOUR FACEBOOK PAGES

When the President gets COVID-19, he has the best health care that money can buy. But many families are uninsured or underinsured. Nearly 25% of the workforce have no paid sick leave. As the Senate prepares to take on the House’s COVID relief bill, contact your Senators. Urge them to support family and medical paid leave coverage for all Americans, not just elected officials. https://paidleaveforall.org/take-action

On October 7^th, Kamala Harris and Mike Pence will face off in a debate. America’s workers will be watching to hear what they say about health care coverage and family medical leave. Please contact your Senators. Urge them to pass the HEROES Act 2 relief package that includes health coverage and paid sick leave. https://paidleaveforall.org/take-action

Click this link for more information on the HEROES Act 2: https://conta.cc/2SocEdO

This call for action is being supported by the MI Paid Leave Coalition of which the Michigan Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Network is a member. For more information, email or call Randy Block: randyblock@yahoo.com or 248-224-5572 (cell).

MUUSJN