MUUSJN

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT TO MAINTAIN OUR STATEWIDE JUSTICE WORK

December 20th, 2021 by MUUSJN

Help Sustain our Statewide Justice Network in 2022

By Renewing Your Membership or Donating Generously

Dear Friends:
It’s been a challenging and a rewarding year for Michigan Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Network (MUUSJN) activists and our allies as we continue to work for justice for all people in Michigan. We continue to fight voter suppression, stand up for women’s and LGBTQ+ rights and demand economic, environmental and racial justice. We’ve worked to support bold legislation to support families suffering during the COVID pandemic.

Click HERE to see our accomplishments during 2021.

Here are some of MUUSJN’s key plans for 2022: ·     

• Continue working to protect the rights of women and LGBTQ+ people as anti-choice legislators and Supreme Court justices strive to undermine them;  
• Expand Get Out the Vote (GOTV) work, with focus on encouraging and assisting our fellow citizens who are Black or Brown, LGBTQ+, or incarcerated to get registered to vote;
• Continue to oppose several types of voter suppression in Michigan;
• Advocate for affordable water and environmental justice;
•  Further clarify and advocate for racial equity priorities of Black and Brown communities through MUUSJN’s new Interfaith Racial Equity Task Force; and
• Advocate for resources for low-income families who are struggling to make ends meet during the ongoing COVID pandemic, such as raising the minimum wage and making childcare affordable.  

We are grateful to generous people like you for supporting our justice movement in 2021.  We request your support to sustain our justice work in 2022.  If you’ve already paid your membership for 2022, please accept our heartfelt thanks. If you haven’t yet done so, please become a member or renew your membership in MUUSJN. 

2022 memberships paid now are tax deductible for 2021.

(Over 40% of MUUSJN 2021 memberships were paid before January 1st)

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Can Your Spend 30 Minutes to End Partisan Gerrymandering?

December 14th, 2021 by MUUSJN

LAST CHANCE to HAVE YOUR VOICE HEARD!!!

The Michigan Independent Redistricting Commission (MICRC) is winding down. There is only a small window left to help end partisan gerrymandering. The good news is that the MICRC has been very receptive to public comment and they have worked hard to improve the maps and make them more fair. The bad news is that most of the maps presented have not yet achieved partisan fairness. (More details on this below.) 

Analysis and suggestions are based on research and recommendations from NextVote and Promote the Vote. Analysis also draws on reporting done by Bridge Magazine and the Detroit Free Press as well as many conversations with coalitions including Michigan Voices and the VAAC (Voting Access for All Coalition.) 

The MICRC is planning to vote on the maps on Dec. 30th. If they make any changes to the maps, or introduce any new maps, then they have to open another 45 day period of public comment and this would force them to miss the Dec. 30th deadline. The MICRC is very hesitant to do this. 

We have a two-pronged strategy:

1. Advocate for our favorite map that has been proposed.

2. Tell the MICRC that while we hate to delay the process, the worst outcome will be unfair maps.

We are not striving for maps that are less unfair.

We are demanding maps that are fair. 

There are three ways to communicate with the MICRC:

(Please do as many of these as you can!) 

1. Testifying in person (12/16/21 in Detroit, 10am-2pm)
2. Testifying via zoom (12/21/21, 10am-2pm) 
3. Making written comments on the MICRC portal (portal is open 24/7 and will be open until 12/29)
4. Send an email to the commission at: redistricting@michigan.gov

The remainder of this email gives clear instructions on how to make written comments and offers suggestions of what to say on each map.

Reminder: the last public hearing will be on December 16th in Detroit. We hope you will testify! More details about testifying (in person or via zoom) are at the very end of the letter. 

If you did not receive the previous email I sent about how to testify in person or via zoom, then let me know and I will resend.

Written comments are made through the MICRC portal. Each map has its own page (linked in this document.) You can make comments and put “pins” or “dots” on specific locations on each map. These dots are color coded as follows: 

Red = Oppose

Yellow=  Sorta like but needs some help

Green= Approve

This method of commenting can be tedious, but its extremely important.

It is our hope that the most egregious maps will become seas of red dots and the most promising will be flooded with green and yellow dots and filled with constructive comments. 

Step by step instructions to add dots: 

• Click on the link below for the map you want to comment on. This will take you to the map. 
• In the upper right hand corner, click the blue button that says “Add Comment” 
• The button will now say “Click on Map”
• If you are making a general comment, you can click anywhere on the map
• If you are making a comment about a specific location, you can zoom in to find it, or put the location in the “search address” box on the top left corner. (You can put in a specific address or a city or county name) 
• When you click on the map, it will bring up a window that gives you the opportunity to push red (dislike), yellow (opinion) or green (approve) . Click on the appropriate button. 
• Fill in the personal information
• Scroll down to “additional comments” and write your comment
• Click blue button that says “Add Comment”
• After your first comment, you will have to go to your email and “verify your comment.” This only has to be done after the first map. After you verify your comment, you should see it appear on the upper right corner. (If you don’t get the email, then check your spam.) 
• Go back to this document and click the link for the next map you wish to comment on.

Below are links to each proposed map, (the maps with tree names were developed collaboratively. The maps with last names were introduced by individual commissioners.) There are also sample comments for each map. You can put as many dots and comments on each map as you would like. We know this is a lengthy process. If possible, make at least one-two comments on each map. There are 15 maps and we hope you will comment on all of them, If you don’t have time to do that much, please prioritize the House maps and the maps indicated as being the most fair.  

Feel free to contact Nomi if you want someone to walk you through it at: nomijoyrich@gmail.com  248-497-1226

Make your comments as soon as possible. Be sure to comment by December 29th. 

Please note that most of these are general comments and can be made anywhere on the map. Changes in any county will impact the entire state, so you can comment anywhere on the map regardless of where you live.

MICHIGAN HOUSE

Sadly, NONE of the House maps are fair. Every one of them would likely result in the majority of seats going to the party that receives the minority of votes.

We have two messages: 1. Even though it will delay the process, we don’t want to settle for unfair maps. Maps that are less unfair, are still unfair. Please go back and fix these maps. 2. Of the proposed House maps, Hickory is the best of the worst. If you have to settle for one of these maps, please adopt Hickory. 

Hickory: YELLOW AND GREEN DOTS

https://michigan.mydistricting.com/legdistricting/comments/plan/262/23

Thanks for unpacking Democrats in the Lansing area and/or the Ann Arbor area. All the maps have Republican bias, but this one is the best of the bad. 

Maps that are less unfair, are still unfair. We want maps that are actually fair.

• It’s unfair but the best of the worst
• Seat count of 53D to 57R gives the majority of seats to the minority of voters
• 19 VRA districts with 6 over 50%
• This is the best of the worst for Communities of Interest.

Szetela: YELLOW AND RED DOTS

https://michigan.mydistricting.com/legdistricting/comments/plan/276/23

• Please Keep Working!  There are no fair house maps to choose from!
• Each proposed House map gives the majority of seats to the minority of voters!
• No MI House map addresses the concerns heard from Detroit voters about being able to elect their own candidates
• Maps that are less unfair, are still unfair. We want maps that are actually fair.

Magnolia: RED DOTS

https://michigan.mydistricting.com/legdistricting/comments/plan/263/23

Most unfair

• Please Keep Working!  There are no fair house maps to choose from!
• Each proposed House map gives the majority of seats to the minority of voters!
• No MI House map addresses the concerns heard from Detroit voters about being able to elect their own candidates

Pine: RED DOTS

https://michigan.mydistricting.com/legdistricting/comments/plan/259/23

Most unfair. 

• Please Keep Working!  There are no fair house maps to choose from!
• Each proposed House map gives the majority of seats to the minority of voters!

No MI House map addresses the concerns heard from Detroit voters about being able to elect their own candidates. 

MICHIGAN SENATE 

Once again, various groups are using different methods of analysis. Some say that Cherry and Linden achieve partisan fairness.

Others conclude that all of the Senate maps have partisan bias.

We have three messages: 1. Of the proposed maps, Cherry and Linden are the most fair. 2. Palm and Lange are unfair. 3. Maps that are less unfair are still unfair. We deserve fair maps. Despite the delay it will cause, please go back and improve the Cherry and Linden maps. 

Cherry V2: GREEN DOTS

https://michigan.mydistricting.com/legdistricting/comments/plan/251/23

This is one of the most fair maps. It still favors one party, but comes closer to partisan fairness. (some people think Linden is the best. Some people think Cherry is the best. Its probably a tossup, but I think Cherry is slightly better with partisan fairness.) 

Maps that are less unfair, are still unfair. We want maps that are actually fair. 

• 6 Voting Rights Act districts
• Does well with Communities of Interest

Linden: GREEN DOTS

https://michigan.mydistricting.com/legdistricting/comments/plan/260/23

Thank you for drawing maps that unpack Democrats in Washtenaw County and Ingham County. I wish you would reduced the partisan bias further, but this map is the best.

(some groups think Linden is the best and other think Cherry is the best.) Maps that are less unfair, are still unfair. We want maps that are actually fair.

• 2 competitive districts make this map a possible tie with a small Dem lean
• 6 Voting Rights Act districts

Szetela: YELLOW DOTS

https://michigan.mydistricting.com/legdistricting/comments/plan/268/23

• 5 Voting Rights Act districts, which are strengthened in Detroit, something many Detroiters asked for
• Maps that are less unfair, are still unfair. We want maps that are actually fair.

Kellom: RED DOTS

https://michigan.mydistricting.com/legdistricting/comments/plan/270/23

This map creates the most majority-minority districts. But it has a terrible partisan fairness score and will virtually guarantee victories by the party which receives the fewest votes. 

Palm: RED DOTS

https://michigan.mydistricting.com/legdistricting/comments/plan/261/23

This map packs Democrats in Washtenaw County. While all the maps give an unfair advantage to Republicans, this one is the worst.

This map looks like it was designed to guarantee Republican majorities. Does not come close to being fair. 

Lange: RED DOTS

https://michigan.mydistricting.com/legdistricting/comments/plan/274/23

This map creates no Minority-Majority districts and has a terrible partisan fairness score. This map is horrible. It will virtually guarantee majorities by the party that receives the fewest votes.

CONGRESSIONAL

Different groups use different methods of analysis. Some of these groups believe that Szetela, Birch and Chestnut achieve partisan fairness. Other groups believe that only Szetela is fair. Some commissioners have indicated that they will lean towards the collaboratively drawn tree maps rather than consider any maps proposed by individual commissioners.

We have three messages: 1.The Szetela map is the only fair map. 2. The Birch and Chestnut maps are reasonably fair, but not as fair as the Szetela map. 3. The Apple and Lange maps are extremely unfair. 

Szetela: GREEN DOTS

https://michigan.mydistricting.com/legdistricting/comments/plan/275/23

Thank you for combining the best parts of Chestnut and Birch. This is the fairest map.

On both PlanScore and PTV’s Michigan-specific model, it gets close to a 0% Efficiency Gap. This is THE ONLY map that shows true partisan fairness, adequately addressed COI and establishes Voting Rights districts

Birch V2:  GREEN DOTS

https://michigan.mydistricting.com/legdistricting/comments/plan/253/23

This is the most fair of the Congressional tree maps, but not as fair as Szetela

Some analysis show this has good partisan fairness, but PTV says this still gives more seats to the party that has the fewest votes. 

• 2 Voting Rights Act districts
• Protects the most Communities of Interest in Detroit

Chestnut: GREEN DOTS

https://michigan.mydistricting.com/legdistricting/comments/plan/254/23

This map is pretty good, but not as fair as Szetela

Some analysis show this has good partisan fairness, but PTV says this still gives more seats to the party that has the fewest votes. 

• 2 Voting Rights Act districts
• Protects the most Communities of Interest in Detroit

Apple V2: RED DOTS

https://michigan.mydistricting.com/legdistricting/comments/plan/252/23

This map makes it likely Republicans win most seats even when Democrats get most votes. This map is awful. Not quite as bad as Lange, but still pretty horrible. 

Lange: RED DOTS

https://michigan.mydistricting.com/legdistricting/comments/plan/273/23

This is the worst map. This map makes it likely Republicans win most seats even when Democrats get most votes. To say this map is horrible is an understatement. 

Thank you for working to help end gerrymandering!

Nomi Joyrich

MUUSJN Consultant

nomijoyrich@gmail.com

P.S. the last public hearing will be on Dec. 16th in Detroit, 10am-12pm. This will be the last chance to testify in person or via zoom. Please let me know if you would like help writing your 60 second comment. Here’s some info about the meeting: 

3044 W Grand Blvd, Detroit, MI 48202 

Comment is first come first serve. You can sign up for in-person comment beginning at 9:45am. 

You can sign up to testify via zoom until 9am on Tuesday.  Requests to speak remotely must be submitted via signup form available at https://www.research.net/r/QM252L8

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Urge Our Senators to Support Progressive Priorities in Build Back Better Bill

December 9th, 2021 by MUUSJN

Call our Michigan Senators:

Sen. Gary Peters: 1-202-224-6221

Sen. Debbie Stabenow: 1-202-224-4822

Vote Expected this Month
Urge Their Full Support for a Strong Build Back Better Plan

BACKGROUND

The Michigan Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Network (MUUSJN) supports the $2 trillion Build Back Better (BBB) plan that some have described as the most transformative domestic policy agenda since the Great Society. It supports families, creates jobs, protects our environment and makes housing and health care more affordable. This bill was adopted in the U.S. House of Representatives on November 19th. Click HERE for more details of what’s in the House bill from a November 19th article in the Washington Post.

The BBB package now is in the Senate where, in consultation with the Senate parliamentarian, Senators are confirming that all bill provisions can be adopted within “reconciliation” rules that allow passage with 51 votes instead of being blocked by a filibuster. But this requires that all 50 Democrats and V.P. Harris would vote to support this package. Senator Joe Manchin and Senator Krysten Sinema have been persistent critics of the bill. President Biden and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer have a goal of getting this major legislation adopted before Christmas.

Build Back Better Provisions:

1. Expand Medicaid & Medicare and extend improvements in the Affordable Care Act;
2. Provides paid family leave to help families with health problems;
3. Extend Child Tax Credit (it expires this month) and expands Earned Income Tax Credit;
4. Housing Choice vouchers;
5. Expand nutrition assistance for children;
6. Allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices and to provide hearing aids;
7. Provide universal preschool;
8. Create good paying jobs that support climate justice.
9. Require wealthy individuals and corporations to pay their fair share of taxes to help sustain the BBB plan and build a more just society.

CALL OUR SENATORS AND SAY:

1. Thank our Senators for their support for a transformational Build Back Better plan!
2. Urge our Senators to work to preserve the strong benefits in the House plan;
3. Urge them to require wealthy individuals and corporations pay their fair share in taxes;
4. Support the BBB for our families, create good paying jobs and protect our environment.

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WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT TO MAINTAIN OUR STATEWIDE JUSTICE WORK

November 30th, 2021 by MUUSJN

Help Sustain our Statewide Justice Network in 2022

By Renewing Your Membership or Donating Generously

Dear Friends:
It’s been a challenging and a rewarding year for Michigan Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Network (MUUSJN) activists and our allies as we continue to work for justice for all people in Michigan. We continue to fight voter suppression, stand up for women’s and LGBTQ+ rights and demand economic, environmental and racial justice. We’ve worked to support bold legislation to support families suffering during the COVID pandemic.

Justice Highlights of 2021

REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE

• Our Interfaith Reproductive Justice Coalition met monthly to advocate for women’s and LGBTQ+ rights, support legislation such as the federal Women’s Health Protection Act and the new state Reproductive Health Act;
• MUUSJN received a grant from Mothering Justice to advocate for Paid Sick Leave at the federal and state levels. MUUSJN sent action alerts, helped organize several community events and did extensive social media work;
• In the face of courts and legislators hostile to women’s right to choose, MUUSJN applied for a national grant to continue to fight for women’s rights to an abortion in 2022.

GET OUT THE VOTE/FIGHT VOTER SUPRESSION

• MUUSJN secured funding to promote the vote and oppose voter suppression during 2021 and 2022. Special efforts were made to register people to vote;
• Working with a statewide coalition, we sent dozens of action alerts to our 3,000 + network of activists supporting positive voting reforms, opposing voter suppression bills and challenging a Secure MI Vote ballot petition; 
• MUUSJN applied for a grant to extend our GOTV efforts in 2022 to people in jails, LGBTQ+ people and Black and Brown people.  

LGBTQ+ JUSTICE 

• Through MUUSJN’s Interfaith Reproductive Justice Coalition, LGBTQ+ issues were monitored and discussed;
• MUUSJN’s LGBTQ+ Justice Organizer, published a monthly newsletter, advocated for public policy issues, e.g., the Equality Act, and continued to encourage UU congregations to become Welcoming Renewal congregations; 
• MUUSJN’s Director served on the Executive Committee and as a legislative point person for Inclusive Justice, an interfaith LGBTQ+ welcoming and advocacy organization.
•  As mentioned above, MUUSJN applied for grant to do GOTV work with people in LGBTQ+ communities during 2022.

WATER/ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE 

• Advocated with the People’s Water Board to protect the right to access clean, affordable water in low communities;
• MUUSJN’s Special Project Coordinator organized monthly meetings of its UU Environmental Justice Task Force;
• This staff worked with MAJIC (Michigan Alliance for Justice in Climate) to work to oppose the Line 5 tunnel under in the Straits of Mackinac;
• MUUSJN helped organize, promote and attend several days of action in front of members of Congress on behalf of Build Back Better funding for environmental justice.

RACISM 

• Secured a grant from the UU Funding Program to establish a Racial Equity Project that created a Racial Equity Task Force to take action on racial equity issues, promote inter-racial dialogue and oppose voter suppression;
• The Special Projects Director informed and is supporting UU congregations to address our denomination’s “8th Principle” to “build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community” to take actions to “dismantle racism and other oppressions”.
• The Special Projects Coordinator helped, along one of MUUSJN Economic Justice Alliance Fellows, took action to with allies to demand reforms of the cash bail system that disproportionately affects people of color. 

  ECONOMIC JUSTICE 

• As a partner with the Economic Justice Alliance of Michigan (EJAM), MUUSJN advocated for a raise in the minimum wage. A grant proposal was submitted to the United Way of Southeast Michigan, to help sustain this effort in 2022;
•  MUUSJN provided ongoing action alerts about the Build Back Better Act that, if adopted, would provide transformational assistance to families, e.g., child care, paid leave, support for elder care and green jobs;
• MUUSJN supervised seven EJAM Fellows, providing job experience that can help them with future employment.

 2022 memberships paid now are tax deductible for 2021.

(Over 40% of MUUSJN 2021 memberships were paid before January 1st)

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Thank & Urge Our Senators to Support Progressive Priorities in Build Back Better Bill

October 26th, 2021 by MUUSJN

Call our Michigan Senators
Sen. Gary Peters: 1-202-224-6221
Sen. Debbie Stabenow: 1-202-224-4822
Vote Expected this Week

Thank Them & Urge Their Full Support for the Build Back Better Plan

BACKGROUND

The Michigan Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Network (MUUSJN) supports the Build Back Better (BBB) plan that some have described as the most transformative domestic policy agenda since the Great Society. It supports families, creates jobs, protects our environment and makes housing and health care more affordable. This bill can be adopted by Congress by reconciliation, a process that requires only 51 votes instead of 60. But this would require support from all 50 Democratic Senators plus V.P. Kamala Harris. This has given great leverage to two so called “moderate” Democrats, Sen. Joe Manchin and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema. They have pressured Democrats to reduce the scope and funding for the BBB package. However, Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair, Rep. Pramila Jayapal continues to be optimistic and says their priorities are still in the package.

MUUSJN SUPPORTS THESE BBB PROVISIONS:

• Expand Medicaid & Medicare and extend improvements in the Affordable Care Act;
• Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit;
• Housing Choice vouchers;
• Nation’s first comprehensive Family & Medical Leave;
• Expand nutrition assistance for children;
• Allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices;
• Provide universal preschool;
• Create good paying jobs that support climate justice.
• Require wealthy individuals and corporations to pay their fair share of taxes to help sustain the BBB plan and build a more just society.

CALL OUR SENATORS AND SAY:

Thank our Senators for their support for a transformational Build Back Better plan!
Urge our Senators to remain strong supporters of the plan;
Urge them to require wealthy individuals and corporations pay their fair share in taxes;
Support the BBB for our families, good paying jobs and the environment.

PLEASE FORWARD THIS ALERT TO YOUR NETWORKS OF ACTIVIST FRIENDS.

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To Fight for Our Voting Rights, We Need to Demand End to the Filibuster!

October 23rd, 2021 by MUUSJN

Call Senator Debbie Stabenow: 202-224-4822 & Senator Gary Peters: 202-224-6221

Call Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Chair, Senate Rules Committee: 202-224-3244

Or email her: https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/email-amy
Urge Them to Champion Ending the Filibuster Rule

Don’t let Senate Continue to Be a Graveyard for Justice

The tail “wagged the dog” — again — on Wednesday, October 20th when the Freedom to Vote Act was blocked by a Senate minority party filibuster rule that requires 60 votes for a policy to be adopted in the Senate. The Freedom to Vote Act, developed by West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin in hopes of getting bi-partisan support, fell to an undemocratic filibuster power play. Other transformational policies have also been blocked by a Senate filibuster such as: the Equality Act, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, the Women’s Health Protection Act (that protects abortion rights); and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act.

On October 20th, the Unitarian Universalist Association Side with Love UU the Vote campaign hosted a forum on the Freedom to Vote Act that called for contacting our Senators to stand up for the Freedom to Vote Act and to oppose the filibuster. The forum included Jennifer Lamson, the Senior Advisor for the Democracy Initiative. This organization is an “intersectional (national) coalition of 75 labor, environmental, civil rights and civic organizations” to address “urgent crises affecting our communities”. Jennifer Lamson said the filibuster is an “issue whose time has come”.

Click HERE for a the coalition’s toolkit on how to fight for filibuster reform.

During an October 20th Town Hall, President Joe Biden stated he would like to modify the filibuster to allow protection of voting rights after he gets passage of his Build Back Better human infrastructure bill. Click HERE to read a Brennan Center for Justice article on how to “Fix the Filibuster”.

The Senate Rules and Administration Committee, Chaired by Senator Amy Klobuchar, has jurisdiction over the filibuster rule. Please call or email Senator Klobuchar urging her take up abolition of the filibuster. Urge Michigan’s two Michigan Senators to publicly call for abolishing or at least reforming the filibuster.

Democracy Initiative Talking Points for Calling Michigan Senators and Senator Klobuchar:

1. Democracy is under assault;
2. Senate rules reform is the key to progress;
3. The filibuster ensures the Senate governs for the privileged and powerful, not people;
4. The filibuster is a racist remnant of a Senate designed to entrench white minority rule;
5. The filibuster makes partisan gridlock worse;
6. Publicly oppose the filibuster and call for its abolition or significant reform.

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Two Build Back Better Rallies on Monday; Call Your U.S. Representative for Transformative Change

October 21st, 2021 by MUUSJN

Build Back Better Act – A Historic Opportunity

To Improve the Lives of Millions & Take Steps To Help Build a Better World for Future Generations

Attend a Build Back Better (BBB) rally in Warren or in Detroit (Additional Events are Being Planned)
Rally with Rep. Andy Levin 11:30 a.m., Monday, October 18th 30500 Van Dyke Avenue, Suite 306, Warren, MI 48093
Rally with Rep. Rashida Tlaib 3:30 p.m., Monday October 18th Pallister Park, 616 Pallister, Detroit, MI 48202
BBB Registration Form: https://secure.everyaction.com/pNM2LcGWUEu9ilk_f6LWIg2

RALLY SUPPORTERS: Sierra Club MI Chapter; Michigan League of Conservation Voters; Michigan People’s Campaign; Michigan People’s Campaign; Detroit Action; Mothering Justice; 482 Forward; MOSES Action; MI Liberation; We the People – Action Fund; Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition; Michigan Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Network (MUUSJN); and Michigan Climate Action Network

CALL YOUR U.S. REPRESENTATIVE

1-202-224-3124(Capitol Switchboard)

TIMELY CALLS ARE IMPORTANT: Progressive are pushing for this bill to be adopted this month. Tell your Representatives that we want the full BBB Act to be funded.

 Provisions of the BBB Plan:

1. Health Care: Close the Medicaid gap & extend improvements in the Affordable Care Act;
2. Home & Community Based Services (alternatives to nursing homes for elderly/disabled);
3. Child Care, Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit: Help moms and dad’s to work and support their families;
4. Housing Choice Vouchers: Help 1.7 million households and reduce homelessness;
5. Nation’s first comprehensive Family & Medical Leave;
6. Nutrition Assistance to reduce childhood hunger;
7. Allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices and cover vision, hearing and dental care;
8. Provide universal preschool and free community college;
9. Environmental & climate justice: create good paying jobs that support climate justice.
10. Pay for this plan by increasing taxes on the wealthy and corporations who use loopholes to avoid paying their fair share of taxes.
11. MUUSJN works with several organizations that are fighting for these transformative reforms.

THANK YOU FOR CARING, ATTENDING A FORUM AND CALLING YOUR U.S. REPRESENTATIVE!

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A BIG WEEK: TAKE ACTION FOR FAIR REDISTRICTING IN MICHIGAN

October 21st, 2021 by MUUSJN

TAKE ACTION ON REDISTRICTING VOTING MAPS

As you may have heard, the Michigan Independent Redistricting Commission has been working for months to create new voting district maps for the Michigan House and Senate and for U.S. House of Representatives. These maps were drawn to represent community interests, civil rights, equal representation and partisan fairness. These maps have gotten input from citizens and organizations around the state.

You are encouraged to make your voice heard at one of five hearings near you or on-line:

Detroit: October 20th, TCF CenterLansing: October 21st, Lansing Center

Grand Rapids: October 22, Amway

Gaylord: October 25, Treetop Resorts

Flint: October 26, Dort Center

For times and other information on these hearings, go to: https://www.michigan.gov/micrc/0,10083,7-418-108477_108479—,00.html

Public comments can also be made on-line: https://www.michigan.gov/MICRC

MUUSJN will be co-hosting with Voters Not Politicians an on-line event “Redistricting Maps – Take Action” on Tuesday, October 19th at 7 p.m.

Join the Zoom meeting by clicking this link:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83849009895
Or Call: 1-646-558-8656; Meeting ID: 838 4900 9895

HERE ARE SOURCES OF MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT REDISTRICTING:
https://votersnotpoliticians.com/redistricting/

A Detroit Free Press article is a good overview of where things are now:https://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/2021/10/11/michigan-redistricting-2021-map/5934136001/?fbclid=IwAR1WgJKFGzK1FS3poeiMsc9gDZKqMmUXlZStjPFD1vUpI7jfRVvWd-OeKZ8

You can get up to date blog posts here: https://votersnotpoliticians.com/micr

Here is the official Michigan Independent Redistricting Commission website:https://www.michigan.gov/MICRC

Special thanks to Jennifer Teed, MUUSJN Special Projects Director, for helping organize the public hearing and developing the language for this alert.

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October 16 & 17, 2 Days to Learn About Solitary Confinement & How to End It!

October 14th, 2021 by MUUSJN

October 16 & 17, 2021 –Two Days to Learn and Take Action

On SOLITARY CONFINEMENT

The Michigan Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Network (MUUSJN) is co-sponsoring two opportunities to hear Lois Pullano, Executive Director of Citizens for Prison Reform, speak on “Open MI Door! — Ending Solitary Confinement in Michigan” at two different events: one by Zoom at 10 a.m. Saturday, October 16th and one in person at 7 p.m. Sunday, October 17th at the UU Church of Greater Lansing.

Solitary Confinement, defined as being isolated for at least 20 hours or more, creates physical and psychological harm to over 3,000 Michigan prisoners each year.  A United Nations expert has voiced ALARM at the excessive use of solitary confinement by correctional facilities in the United States. Click HERE for more information.           

Lois, an inspirational speaker, draws her understanding and her commitment from having a teenage son who was victimized in solitary confinement in a Michigan prison. She went far beyond advocating for her son when several years ago she organized Citizens for Prison Reform. This group has a full blown campaign that includes seeking to influence Governor Whitmer and developing reform legislation. 

October 16th Zoom Presentation

The Saturday 10 – 11 a.m. October 16th Zoom presentation is hosted by Gray Panthers of Metro Detroit and co-sponsored by MUUSJN, Southeast Michigan Green Parties; United Church of Christ – DMA; Peace Action of Michigan; Michigan Coalition for Human Rights; SE Michigan Jobs with Justice; Women’s International League for Peace & Freedom, Southeast Michigan; and Citizens for Peace. Gray Panthers is an intergenerational social justice organization. Click HERE for a flyer to share.

Click HERE to RSVP your attendance

Click HERE to join the meeting 

October 17th In Person Presentation

The Sunday, 7 – 8:30 p.m. October 17th presentation will be held at the UU Church of Greater Lansing located at 5509 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Lansing 48911. Lois Pullano and Rev. Kord Brown will be updating the audience on what’s being done to end solitary confinement in Michigan.The church will follow COVID mitigation procedures including: urging people to stay at home if they suspect they have been exposed to the virus or feel unwell; wear a mask that fully covers the mouth and nose at all times; maintaining physical distance from others to the extent possible; and washing/sanitizing hands frequently. For more information, call 517-351-4081.

P.S. In addition to working for the UU Church of Greater Lansing, Rev. Kord Brown was hired by MUUSJN as a Racial Justice Organizer with its new Racial Equity Project.

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U.S. House Passes Women’s Health Protection Act: March For Women’s Rights on 10/2/21

October 1st, 2021 by MUUSJN

Something to Celebrate and Something to Protest!

Womens’ right to an abortion is under assault

On Wednesday, September 1st, the Texas legislature adopted and Gov. Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 8 that criminalized abortion after six weeks, effectively making most abortions in Texas illegal without exceptions for rape and incest — even before most women even know if they are pregnant. Unfortunately, the U.S. Supreme Court refused in a 5-4 decision to intervene to protect women’s choice to have an abortion in Texas. The Texas law, which allows anyone in the U.S., including anti-abortion vigilante’s, to cruelly file a $10,000 lawsuit against anyone they suspect of helping of perform an abortion, even a taxi driver driving a women to a clinic!

The state of Mississippi is taking a 15 week abortion ban law to the U.S. Supreme Court this December to challenge the 1973 landmark Roe v. Wade abortion rights decision. A ruling on this case could happen this coming summer.
Fighting Back!

Later this month, the Biden Justice Department filed a suit against the state of Texas. asking a federal judge to rule the Texas law invalid since it infringes on women’s constitutional rights and it violates the supremacy clause of the Constitution that federal law supersedes state law.

To oppose attacks on women’s rights, advocates helped pass the Women’s Health Protection Act in the U.S. House on September 24th. MUUSjN’S Interfaith Reproductive Justice Coalition sent a statewide action alert urging Michiganders to support this bill that was adopted 218-211.

ANOTHER WAY TO FIGHT BACK: A national coalition of women’s advocacy groups, including Planned Parenthood, are organizing hundreds of “Women’s Led Uprisings” on Saturday, October 2nd. Click HERE to find an event nearest you.

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