This week will be an important time to call Michigan’s two Senators. Urge them to support the “Respect for Marriage Act”.
This bill would protect same sex and interracial marriage. The right to marry who you love seemed to be established law. However, after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the door was opened to some conservatives who may want to take away these rights. The “Respect for Marriage Act” bill was adopted in July in the U.S. House in a vote that included 47 Republicans. Now a group of bi-partisan Senators have crafted language they believe can be adopted in the Senate. They’re starting voting this week.
LGBTQ+ people and their allies have fought long and hard for marriage equality.
Here are some talking points drawn from an action alert from the Interfaith Alliance:
GET REGISTERED – If you haven’t yet cast your ballot, there is still time to exercise your right to have your voice heard. Here are some tips for making sure your vote is counted:
* VERIFY THAT YOU’RE REGISTERED TO VOTE AND LEARN IF YOUR POLLING LOCATION CHANGED:
* IF YOU’RE NOT REGISTERED, DO SO ASAP:
*LEARN ABOUT THE CANDIDATES AND FIND OUT WHAT’S ON YOUR BALLOT:
* VOTE!
PLEASE SHARE THIS INFORMATION WITH A FRIEND OR RELATIVE!
Shortly after 3 p.m. on Sunday, August 7th, the U.S. Senate voted 50 – 50 to adopt the Inflation Reductive Act of 2022. Vice President Kamala Harris cast the tie breaking vote. Senator Joe Manchin (D – W.VA) and Senator Krysten Sinema (D – AZ), two outspoken opponents of comprehensive Build Back Better proposals that Michigan Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Network and other progressive organizations supported during 2021, negotiated to make this historic legislation work for them and many others. Now the bill will be voted on next Friday, August 12th in a special session of the U.S. House.
The bill (HR 5376) includes what Senator Chuck Schumer called the “greatest pro-climate legislation in history”. To pay for $430 billion in new spending in this package, the bill would generate $730 billion in new revenue by closing tax loopholes on wealthy individuals and establishing a 15% minimum tax on corporations.(At least 55 of the largest corporations paid NO FEDERAL CORPORATE TAXES during the most recent fiscal year.) Also, the bill would generate savings allowing Medicare to negotiate prices on a limited number of prescriptions that benefit older and disabled persons on Medicare.
The Senate was able to pass this legislation with only 50 votes due to a Senate “reconciliation” rule that required the legislation to address federal budget matters. After a two day weekend marathon of debate, the Inflation Reduction Act maintained most of its key provisions. Here’s are highlights of those benefits:
Greetings People In MUUSJN’s Statewide Network:
Michigan Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Network (MUUSJN) Board members invite you to consider making a donation or purchasing tickets to a Detroit Repertory Theater performance of “Fairview” at 3 p.m. at the Detroit Repertory Theater on July 30th.
ABOUT THE PLAY
Fairview is the winner of a 2019 Pulitzer Prize. It’s “hilarious searing examination of deep seated paradigms of race in America”. It was described by the Pulitzer committee as “a hard-hitting drama that examines race in a highly conceptual, layered structure, ultimately bringing audiences into the actors’ community to face deep-seated prejudices.” The play was written by Jackie Sibblies Drury and is directed by Will Bryson.
MUUSJN and THE REP
MUUSJN has partnered with Detroit Repertory Theatre for this event. A portion of each ticket purchased and all donations will benefit MUUSJN’s work. Throughout our communities statewide, we foster social justice and community service in numerous areas including voting rights, reproductive freedom, gun violence prevention, and racial, LGBTQ+, environmental, and economic justice.
DETROIT REPERTORY THEATRE
The Detroit Repertory Theatre is a model of grassroots artistic development and remains in the forefront of race transcendent casting, casting without regard to ethnicity unless germane to the play, and when possible, gender. It operates under an Actors’ Equity Association Small Professional Theatre contract. Parking is available adjacent to the theatre at 13103 Woodrow Wilson St. in Detroit. It is accessible and ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant. Reserved seating spaces are available for those with mobility needs.
PURCHASE TICKETS
Tickets can be purchased here. That url is https://MUUSJN-Fairview.eventbrite.com
If you can’t attend, there’s an option to make a donation to support MUUSJN’s work.
The Michigan Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Network is pleased to be awarded two grants, one from the Unitarian Universalist Association for a “UU the Vote” campaign in Michigan and one from Michigan Voices to do reproductive justice education and outreach. Those funds will allow MUUSJN to hire three part-time Outreach Workers — preferably in different parts of the state — who will each be paid $15/hour for up to $400/month to work to support Get Out the Vote activities and to help with reproductive justice education and outreach on a statewide basis. MUUSJN works with 24 UU congregations who will be involved in these activities and also will provide educational services to the general public.
Click HERE for a job description of the MUUSJN Outreach Worker.
SEND RESUME/COVER LETTER TO: Randy Block, randyblock@yahoo.com or mail to: 4220 Arlington Dr., Royal Oak, MI 48073. For more information, call or text Randy at 248-224-5572.
The Reproductive Freedom For All (RFFA) ballot proposal will be turning in signatures of their successful ballot campaign on Monday, July 11th. MUUSJN volunteers played an important part of this effort. This means that an amendment to Michigan’s Constitution to protect women’s right to choose an abortion and to have access to a range of reproductive services will be on Michigan’s ballot this fall. Sign up HERE to join RFFA’s Virtual Celebration at 7 p.m. on Monday, July 11th.
There is excitement among the leaders of three ballot campaigns that signatures for their proposals will be turned in next week. MUUSJN’s statewide network of faith activists has worked with our partner, Fem’s for Democracy, on all of these campaigns:
REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM FOR ALL (RFFA) – This Constitutional Amendment would repeal the 1931 law that makes abortion a felony and would enshrine reproductive freedom in Michigan’s Constitution. Reproductive freedom includes the right to obtain contraceptives, to have an abortion, and prohibits prosecution for terminating a pregnancy or helping someone to exercise their reproductive freedom. The campaign, led by the Michigan ACLU, Planned Parenthood of Michigan and Michigan Voices, is scheduled to turn in their signatures at a press conference at 10 a.m. on Monday July 11th in Lansing. Michigan Voices, a strong supporter of this campaign, is holding a “RFFA Celebrates Virtual Event” at 7 p.m. Monday night. See: www.michiganvoices.org
According to Julie Campbell-Bode, Fem’s for Democracy Board Chair, this organization’s volunteers (that included MUUSJN volunteers) collected over 100,000 signatures. The number of volunteers doubled after the U.S. Supreme Court leak and expanded another 50% after SCOTUS declared abortion to be illegal!
FAITH LEADERS: INTERESTED IN SIGNING MUUSJN AMICUS BRIEF SUPPORTING LAWSUITS TO PROTECT WOMEN’S RIGHT TO AN ABORTION? Our brief supports Planned Parenthood of MI and Governor Whitmer’s lawsuits to block the 1931 anti-abortion law and declares that right wing religious groups are discriminating against many other people of faith who believe abortion should be legal all or most of the time. If you are a faith leader, consider adding your name or that of your faith group to this brief. Click HERE for more information and to sign up. So far, MUUSJN and its partner organizations, Jews for a Secular Democracy and Inclusive Justice, have gathered names of 140 faith leaders from 19 religious groups. We would welcome more!
RAISE THE WAGE MICHIGAN – This proposal would gradually raise Michigan’s minimum wage to $15/hour by 2027 for all workers. This campaign, supported by the One Fair Wage Campaign, is planning to turn in its signatures next Wednesday to put its proposal on the 2024 ballot.
PROMOTE THE VOTE MICHIGAN – This Constitutional amendment would would make voting more accessible. Among other things, it would create early voting, guarantee the right to vote without a photo ID, make it easier to obtain absentee ballots, establish more drop boxes, and establish that audits can only be done by clerks and elected officials. Promote the Vote signatures will be turned in on Monday, July 11th.
UPDATE ON MICHIGAN RIGHT TO VOTE CAMPAIGN – The Michigan Right to Vote campaign has two proposals that are making progress in collecting signatures to put two constitutional amendments on the 2024 ballot. The proposals would block the Michigan legislature from suppressing the vote on a ballot issue by-passing review by Michigan’s Governor and by-passing a vote of the people! This campaign plans to continue to collect signatures until September 30, 2022. To volunteer or donate to support this campaign, go to the Michigan Right to Vote campaign website: www.mirighttovote.com
The U.S. Supreme Court court today overturned Roe v. Wade, the historic 1973 court case that has protected women’s right to have an abortion, for almost 50 years.
Michigan Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Network (MUUSJN), its Interfaith Reproductive Justice Coalition and many other allies are taking actions that we want you to know about:
For more information on collecting signatures and on reproductive justice events, call MUUSJN’s Nomi Joyrich at 248-497-1226.
The U.S. Supreme Court court overturn Roe v. Wade any day now! Michigan’s 1931 law could make it a crime to have an abortion in all cases (including rape or incest) except to protect the life of the mother! A major defense against this anti-woman ruling and a cruel, archaic law, is to put the Reproductive Freedom for All proposal on the ballot this fall.
To reach this goal, people in your community need to have the opportunity to sign these petitions. There are only 10 day left to collect their signatures.
Any time you can give to achieve this goal will be greatly appreciated. Please pick up petitions and spend a few hours in front of the library or post office, at the farmers market, at a busy park, in front of the grocery store, knocking on your neighbor’s doors, at parties, at an outdoor concert, etc.
Here’s a list of locations throughout Michigan where you can sign or get copies of petitions. Invite a friend to join you so this labor of love can be more enjoyable: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040e48a4ac2ba3fe3-ballot1
Nomi Joyrich, MUUSJN’s lead petition organizer, wants you to know that if you live in the Farmington area, you can get petitions from her home. To find a distributor near you, click on the above link. For more information, you may call Nomi at 248-497-1226.
It is expected that the U.S. Supreme will overturn the landmark Roe v Wade abortion rights law. When that happens, a 1931 Michigan law would criminalize this long held right to women’s reproductive choice unless it’s blocked in court. Planned Parenthood of Michigan has sued to oppose the 1931 law. A judge in the Michigan Court of Claims has already issued a preliminary injunction. However, the Michigan legislature has announced that it will support implementing the 1931 law. This challenge means that the important decision about women’s right to abortion in Michigan will likely be made in the Michigan Supreme Court. This is where it’s important to hear more faith voices through an amicus brief,
Faith leaders and leaders of other justice organizations are invited to sign our amicus brief. It affirms women’s right to an abortion and it challenges the practice of allowing extremist faith groups to dictate what we should we believe about when life begins. This matters! If life begins when the egg is fertilized that means that almost any abortion and even contraception could be banned! Research has shown that the majority of people from major faiths groups do believe that abortion should be legal all or most of the time. Letting extreme faith dictate what is legal amounts to religious discrimination. It also violates the long-held principle of separation of church and state.
An attorney for Planned Parenthood of Michigan (PPM) is fully supporting this amicus brief. He has reviewed and approved the concepts of our brief in attached document.
Click HERE for more details. You are invited to join the following organizations in standing up for women’s rights and opposing religious discrimination: Michigan Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Network, Inclusive Justice of Michigan and Jews for a Secular Democracy.
We are primarily inviting LEADERS of religious groups to become signatories but also LEADERS of other justice organizations may participate. You will have the opportunity to read the brief’s final form before signing. There will be no financial obligation on your part. We are requesting that you let us know of your interest by June 24, 2022.
1) Click here to let us know if you would be interested in adding your name to the amicus brief.
2) Once the amicus brief is finished, it will be sent to you for your review. At that time, you will be advised of a brief window of time to affirm your final approval.
Join us in supporting this amicus brief for women’s rights and religious justice!
Thank you for your consideration and response!
Randy Block, MUUSJN Director: randyblock@yahoo.com , 248-224-5572
Rev. Dr. Roland Stringfellow, Chair, Inclusive Justice: mccdpastor@gmail.com , 248-399-7741
Nomi Joyrich, Organizer, Jews for a Secular Democracy: nomi@jfasd.org , 248-497-1226
Ten mass shooting happened throughout the country last weekend! This plague of gun violence has become the leading cause of death among American children, according to Senator Dick Durban, Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
The PROTECTING OUR CHILDREN ACT BILLS THAT INCLUDED THESE PROVISIONS:
The Protecting Our Children’s Act has been sent to the Senate Judiciary chaired by Senator Dick Durban. On June 15th, Senator Durbin is scheduled to hold a hearing that includes expert testimony on the impact of that gun violence has on children.
There is a bi-partisan group of Senators discussing ways to find “common ground” on gun violence reform in the Senate.
Encourage Senators Peters and Stabenow to join this bi-partisan group.
Getting gun violence reform adopted in the Senate with be an uphill battle!
There are Republicans, like Rep. Jim Jordan, who claim that gun violence reform tramples on “law-abiding Americans second amendment rights”.
Here’s a link to Mom’s Demand Action events in Michigan: https://momsdemandaction.org/events/
Another great information source: Michigan Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence
MUUSJN is an affiliate of this coalition.
