In May of 2018, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) approved and published a “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Plan” to “promote and foster a culture that values diversity, equity and inclusion” throughout the MDHHS and the diverse communities its serves. The plan defines “equity” as “fair and just treatment, access and opportunities for all people while building better outcomes for historically and currently disadvantaged populations”. The plan stated, and the COVID pandemic confirmed, that people from various cultures continue to suffer from “systemic inequities such as: racism, sexism; heterosexism; ableism; and ageism”.
In the fall of 2020, Governor Whitmer proposed allocating $2.1 million that would establish a new “Race, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion” (REDI) Office that would support 13 full time employees to promote equity in MDHHS services. However, the FY 2021-2022 Appropriations bill adopted by both the House and the Senate did NOT include any funding for the new Office. These funds must be restored!
Governor Whitmer proposed allocating $6.7 million to expand sickle cell disease services to adults 21 years and older who are not eligible for Medicaid coverage. This disease is an inherited blood disorder that affects African Americans at much higher rates than people from other ethnicities. The disease can be painful and has resulted in reducing life expectancy by more than two decades compared to the general population. However, the FY 2021-2022 Appropriations bill adopted by the Michigan Houses and Senate would eliminate the proposed expanded funding for sickle cell disease services for adults. These funds must be restored!
(from Michigan ACLU)
This week, we are asking you all to take action to oppose Senate Bill 285, Senate Bill 303, and Senate Bill 304. On Wednesday, May 26 at 2 p.m. EST, the Michigan Senate Elections committee will be taking testimony on Senate Bills 285, 303, and 304.
These voter suppression bills will create unnecessary restrictions designed to make it harder for some people to vote. The bills will eliminate Michigan’s long-functioning system of allowing a voter to prove who they are by signing an affidavit under penalty of perjury if they arrive at a polling place without ID. The bills go so far as to require you to send a copy of your ID through the mail if you choose to vote absentee, putting your personal security at risk. Anti-voter bills like these are a solution in search of a problem. This blatant voter suppression tactic will disenfranchise thousands of voters who show up on Election Day without their ID.
Michiganders turned out in record numbers to vote in 2020 in one of the state’s most secure elections in history. This is a reason to celebrate, and we should be working to build on that success. SB 285, 303, and 304 are misguided and a step backwards in our ongoing quest for a more democratic society. Elected officials should be seeking ways to encourage more voters, not inventing excuses to deny voters the ability to cast their ballots. Photo ID requirements present substantial barriers to voting and negatively affect voter participation, with no proven security benefit.
BACKGROUND: On March 3rd, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act was adopted by the U.S. House of Representatives. President Biden and Rep. Karen Bass, Chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, set a goal of getting this historic bill adopted on Tuesday, May 25th, the anniversary of George Floyd’s death. However, even though the bill is not expected to be adopted by this deadline, there are reasons to be hopeful that police reform can still be adopted “soon” with help from Michigan’s two Senators and 10 Republican Senators.
MUUSJN is working in coordination with the “Promote the Vote Coalition”, ACLU People Power and the ACLU of Michigan, Voters Not Politicians, the NAACP and other groups that are working to oppose voter suppression in Michigan. We are sending you action alerts for different voter suppression bills that are being heard each week in the Michigan Senate Elections Committee that meets at 2 p.m. each Wednesday. Jessica Ayoub, Public Engagement Specialist with the Michigan ACLU is sending action alerts week before these hearings. To get on her list, email Jessica at jayoub@aclumich.org For more information on MUUSJN efforts to promote the vote and oppose voter suppression, contact randyblock@yahoo.com. We’ve just begun to fight!
This week, we are asking you all to take action to oppose Senate Bills 275, Senate Bill 276, and Senate Bill 296, and 297.
Well, it’s been many years we’ve been in this fight against Enbridge, and finally Governor Whitmer has ordered the Shut Down of Line 5 — the 68-year-old pipeline in the Straits of Mackinac is set to be shut down on May 12. However, Enbridge is refusing to shut down, so we must continue to fight. On May 12 & May 13 there will be Rallies and Water Ceremonies in Mackinac, Lansing and Detroit to show Enbridge the PEOPLE POWER standing with the governor’s decision. As you know, the pipeline is already overdue for a rupture, which would impact 700 miles of Great Lakes shoreline, take years to clean up and devastate our Great Lakes economy. Shutting down Line 5 is crucial to protect the Great Lakes from a catastrophic oil spill.
MUUSJN co-hosted a great event with League of Conservation Voters and FLOW for Water on 5/4, I encourage you to watch and share: https://fb.me/e/1g6unqREM
Let me know if you’d like info on Indigenous water ceremonies and festivals in Mackinaw on May 12th and 13th. On May 13th join us in delivering Enbridge their Eviction Notice. In Lansing and Mackinac register here: https://www.oilandwaterdontmix.org/events?fbclid=IwAR1e2wxicsbWJAfbKEw0I_FmECCy-jEVSBnADiwhKorWb4ankfQij5HMz9A
In Detroit join this solidarity water ceremony and rally on May 12th: Kemeny Park, 2260 S. Fort St. https://www.facebook.com/events/171899074803549
If you can’t be there in person, put up a lawn sign, write a letter to the editor, send a thank you card to the governor, and share on social media and in your daily conversations, why the pipeline and tunnel are not safe for Michigan, and as one of the greatest sources of freshwater, detrimental to the entire earth and her population.
Another thing to do is sign and circulate these petitions:
https://www.oilandwaterdontmix.org/president_biden_support_the_line_5_shutdown
https://campaigns.350.org/petitions/shut-down-line-3-don-t-replace-it
Enbridge’s time has run out — but they aren’t going down without a fight.
Let’s show them what we got!!!!
Jen Teed, Special Projects Coordinator
Please contact me if you would like to join monthly Zoom sessions with other UUs concerned about Environmental Justice around the state. There are many issues around the state to pay attention to. If we work together, we are a stronger force.
One example of this is lobbying for the current water bills in the Michigan Legislature… we will talk more about this on future Zoom calls. I’ll also be reaching out to the social justice leaders in your congregations to help mobilize groups to set up lobby meetings with your state Representatives or Senators.
Great stuff is happening in our denomination, as well as right here in our Michigan congregations- I’m really proud to be a Unitarian Universalist right now, more than ever!!
In my next newsletter article, look for information about the 8th Principal and the New Welcoming Congregations Accreditation. If you are already interested or working on either of these in your congregations, I’d love to talk to you and learn together!!
Jen Teed, Special Projects Coordinator
MUUSJN co-hosted a very powerful event on 5/7 with Michigan Liberation, The Advancement Project and the UU Church of Greater Lansing: Black Mama’s Bailout, Community Conversations – The Impact of Cash Bail on Black Women. I encourage you to watch and share this video of the event: https://youtu.be/sZXngkn_DR0
To make a donation and learn of other ways to support getting women out of jail, ending cash bail and helping to create a different level of support and changes to the carceral system, check out this Resource Guide: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UVqrtMcA43afll4kVIiE6BW7ufVsb9fF/view?usp=sharingMUUSJN will be continuing to work with Michigan Liberation to End Cash Bail, please let me know if you are interested in being involved or would like to get your congregation involved in a deeper more meaningful way. The women from the event are looking for other opportunities to share their stories, there is lobbying to do with our legislators on soon to be introduced legislation. Nick Buckingham is interested in teaching communities how to coordinate their own bailouts.
In Love & Struggle, Jenny Teed, Special Projects Coordinator, jennifer.a.teed@gmail.com
Most UU congregations in Michigan consider themselves “Welcoming” to people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer, along with other identities such as intersex, asexual, or nonbinary. UUs have been on the front lines with supporting equal rights, including the right to marry and to adopt children, for people who may not fit traditional heterosexual or cisgender norms.
But we can’t just sit back on our laurels, declaring we are welcoming, without continuously demonstrating this with our church’s actions in our communities. For this reason, the Unitarian Universalist Association asks that congregations renew their Welcoming Congregation status on an annual basis. That sounds like it could be a lot of work, but with resources on-line making it fairly easy to intentionally observe days of importance for LGBTQ+, the renewal process becomes an enjoyable part of the worship year. For instance, my congregation just tied in Lesbian Visibility Day with a historical look at The Iowa Sisterhood.
As the LGBTQ+ Justice Organizer for MUUSJN, I am in touch with each congregation on what they can do to initiate or renew their Welcoming Congregation status. I have helped with services for congregations that are becoming Welcoming for the first time, and ones that are in the process of Welcoming Renewal, talking about the Welcoming Renewal process, the “alphabet soup” of LGBTQ+ acronyms, and/or my own coming out story.
I am excited to report that the UU Fellowship of Bay de Noc in Escanaba has just completed its application to be recognized as a Welcoming Congregation, and has interacted with the Petoskey Fellowship, which also hopes to achieve Welcoming status for the first time this year. Also, the UU Congregation of Flint has started its Renewal process, and the UU Church of East Liberty hopes to renew for the first time this year. as do several other congregations. I am also working with two EJAM “Fellows” on LGBTQ+ advocacy; they’d love to share their stories with your congregation. Please let me know if we can help your congregation with its Welcoming Congregation renewal.
Each month our “Welcome In!” newsletter lists ideas for inclusion of LGBTQ+ people and themes, in worship and in the community, and for advocacy on state and national legislation and matters affecting this community (see related MUUSJN article). In addition, the newsletter lists orientation times for the Welcoming Congregation process, led by Rev. Michael Crumpler, LGBTQ and Multicultural Programs Director. These friendly Zoom sessions go over Renewal process with lots of great suggestions. Rev. Michael has a wealth of information and ideas for Congregations that want to work on Welcoming Renewal in unique ways. For instance, Rev. Crumpler has helped get out the word on opportunities for UU members to talk with key legislators in states that are important to sway on the Equality Act, and this type of effort can count as activities related to a congregation’s Welcoming Renewal. See the Facebook page Welcoming Congregations of Unitarian Universalism.
Sharon Pedersen, LGBTQ+ Justice Organizer, sspedersen@sbcglobal.net
MUUSJN has been in the fight for all workers to get paid leave. The ability for any worker to stay home when they or their dependents are ill has always been a moral and economic issue. The pandemic has also turned this into a public health emergency.
In May of 2018, the Michigan Time to Care and the Michigan One Fair Wage campaigns, in partnership with MUUSJN and other organizations, filed petitions with enough signatures to put on two proposals on the 2018 ballot. Workers would earn one hour of paid sick time for every thirty hours worked. A second proposal and would raise Michigan’s minimum wage to twelve dollars per hour for all workers including those making the sub-minimum tipped wage. Instead, the legislature engaged in a devious tactic now known as “Adopt and Amend”. They adopted the two proposals to keep them off the ballot and then, during lame duck, gutted the new laws.
Despite polls showing that over 70% of Michigan voters support earned paid sick time and raising the minimum wage, Governor Rick Snyder signed legislation enacting anemic, hollow versions of these proposals into law. Under Article 2, Section 9 of the Michigan Constitution, the legislature may not adopt and amend ballot measures in the same legislative cycle. However, former Attorney General Bill Schuette issued a legal opinion that the legislature could do exactly that during the lame duck session. Their actions were an assault on workers and an attack on democracy. The result was 1.7 million people, or half the Michigan workforce, lack access to paid sick time during a global pandemic. In Michigan 33.2% of workers make less than $12/hour and 45.8% make less than $15/hr. Tipped workers in Michigan make $3.67/hour. Many who are laid off due to the pandemic have not been eligible for unemployment protections.
As Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson aptly noted, “Both the Michigan Constitution and the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protect Michigan citizens’ right to amend our laws or state constitution through direct citizen petitions.” Adopt and Amend sets the alarming precedent of blocking Michigan citizens from engaging in the democratic process, regardless of their purpose or which party is in power.
MUUSJN has been an active member of the MI Time to Care and the Earned Paid Leave coalition. The coalition submitted a letter to Attorney General Dana Nessel that was signed by over 230 individuals, over 90 organizations and over 30 elected officials. The letter requests that AG Nessel take immediate action to rectify this injustice. She can take action either by rescinding the Schuette opinion, or by issuing a new opinion. On April 22nd, 2021 MUUSJN co-sponsored a rally in front of AG Nessel’s Detroit office. The rally began with a powerful prayer by Rabbi Brent Guttman from Temple Kol Ami in West Bloomfield, Michigan. It also featured speakers including several people who have experienced the hardship of having COVID while not having any paid leave benefits. We are still awaiting an official response from AG Nessel.
Nomi Joyrich, Economic and Reproductive Justice Organizer, nomijoyrich@gmail.com
On March 13th, the MUUSJN Board of Directors voted to apply for funding and to launch a Racial Equity Project that aims to achieve three goals:
Leadership for this Project will be taken by a new part-time Racial Justice Organizer with support from the Special Projects Coordinator and other MUUSJN consultants. Applications are being accepted during May for this position that pays $1,000/month. Click HERE for a job description.
Launching a Racial Equity Project Is a reflection of MUUSJN’s commitment to working with people of faith for racial justice and supports its current work to protect the vote and vigorously oppose voter suppression. MUUSJN’s statewide social justice network is coordinating with Black and Brown led organizations, e.g., the Economic Justice Alliance of Michigan, the NAACP, Michigan Liberation, Michigan Voices, etc. to address racial justice.
MUUSJN is working in coordination with a “Promote the Vote Coalition” of organizations, including the MI ACLU, the NAACP, Progress Michigan, the League of Women Voters, and other groups, such as Voters Not Politicians to oppose voter suppression. Currently, MUUSJN is issuing action alerts to urge the public to oppose Michigan legislation that would create barriers to voting. In addition to working to protect the vote in Michigan, MUUSJN will continue to advocate for federal legislation such as the For the People Act (S 1) and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act.
For more information or to get on MUUSJN’s action alert list, contact MUUSJN Director, Randy Block, at randyblock@yahoo.com or 248-224-5572.
Water warriors through the Peoples Water Board and other organizations such as MUUSJN have been meeting with Michigan legislators, urging them to restore Governor Whitmer’s statewide moratorium on water shutoffs during the pandemic. This article reflects some of the concerns about water issues shared with these elected officials.
No matter where we live, water issues touch all of us, and so we are grateful to you for taking the time to share the issues that impact your district while listening to the concerns that we outlined in the meeting.
Some of the issues we discussed with you were:
Click HERE for a list of 2021 water access and affordability bills.
TAKE ACTION:
Water and environmental advocates fought to get COVID relief funds to help cover the costs of delivering water to Michigan’s people. Now state legislators and local officials need to the right thing! Michigan can afford and must to do right by low income people. Keep the water flowing for Michigan families!
Call your mayor or county leaders and tell them: Extend the water moratorium until at least June 30th.
Call Your State Senator and share with him/her your concern that low income families have access to affordable water during the pandemic. Click HERE to get the name and phone number of your Senator.
P.S. Detroit’s Mayor Duggan has stated that he extended a moratorium on water shutoffs until 2022.
MUUSJN is working in coordination with the “Promote the Vote Coalition”, ACLU People Power and the ACLU of Michigan, Voters Not Politicians, the NAACP and other groups that are working to oppose voter suppression in Michigan. We are sending you action alerts for different voter suppression bills that are being heard each week in the Michigan Senate Elections Committee that meets at 2 p.m. each Wednesday. Jessica Ayoub, Public Engagement Specialist with the Michigan ACLU is sending action alerts week before these hearings. To get on her list, email Jessica at jayoub@aclumich.org For more information on MUUSJN efforts to promote the vote and oppose voter suppression, contact randyblock@yahoo.com. We’ve just begun to fight!
This week, we are asking you all to take action to oppose Senate Bill 290, Senate Bill 291, and Senate Bill 309
Here is how to take action:A. Submit a card to the Senate Elections Committee, in opposition to Senate Bills 290, 291 and 309 before 2 p.m. on Wednesday, May 12.
To submit a card, email the Committee Clerk, Heather Dorbeck (hdorbeck@senate.michigan.gov) and cc the Committee Chair, Senator Ruth Johnson (senrjohnson@senate.michigan.gov) and Minority Vice Chair Senator Paul Wojno (senpwojno@senate.michigan.gov)
Paula Kensu and other organizers are holding a rally on the Capitol steps in Lansing at noon, May 14th for Temujin Kensu (Fred Freeman) and other prisoners who are innocent, medically frail or over-sentenced, and are unjustly being held in Michigan prisons. This rally will demand more funding, resources for the Attorney General’s Conviction Integrity Unit (CIU) created two years ago to investigate prisoners’ claims of innocence in Michigan.
The rally will include presentations by seven wrongfully convicted exonerees: Larry Smith, Ken Nixon, Julie Baumer, Eric Anderson, Lucino Hamilton, Marvin Cotton and Lamar Monson. Speakers will start at 12:30 p.m. then there will be a march around the capitol.
Bring comfortable shoes, signs and chairs. Signs designed by high school students on various prison reform issues will be provided. Snacks, water and free Temujin Kensu masks will be provided. For more information, contact Paul-Randolph Kensu: 810-712-7004.
There is overwhelming evidence that Temujin Kensu (Fred Freeman) has been in prison for 35 years for a crime he did not commit. The University of Michigan Innocence Project has been fighting for Mr. Kensu’s release for many of these years. I have been writing Temujin and have been appealing to Michigan Governors for his release. For a recent national news article about the history of Temujin Kensu, click HERE
MUUSJN is working in coordination with the “Promote the Vote Coalition”, ACLU People Power and the ACLU of Michigan, Voters Not Politicians, the NAACP and other groups that are working to oppose voter suppression in Michigan. Anti-democracy legislators introduced 39 bills this spring and are expected to review and take action on these bills through the Senate Elections Committee each Wednesday up until they break for summer recess during June, 2021. Jessica Ayoub, Public Engagement Specialist with the Michigan ACLU is offering to send an action alert each Monday before these hearings. To get on her list, email Jessica at jayoub@aclumich.org For more information on MUUSJN efforts to promote the vote and oppose voter suppression, contact randyblock@yahoo.com. We’ve just begun to fight!
Thank you so much to everyone who took immediate action last week to voice your opposition to Senate Bill 287, which would bar local clerks from offering prepaid postage on absentee ballot envelopes. This morning, we learned that nearly 300 volunteers submitted cards in opposition to these bills, and over 200 volunteers called their legislators to voice their opposition! This impressive showing is a fantastic tool to show the legislature that voters are opposed to these suppression efforts! The Senate Election Committee held a hearing that lasted nearly two hours. The bills were not voted out of committee and onto the Senate floor. We do not yet know if and when this might happened. This week, we need volunteers to take action to oppose Senate Bills 273 and 286, which would restrict the use of ballot drop boxes.
Ballot drop boxes are commonly and effectively used across the country, and provide large numbers of Michigan voters with a safe, secure way to vote. Putting restrictions on the use of drop boxes will burden Michigan voters that have used drop boxes for years, especially in rural communities that don’t have updated infrastructure and face geographical barriers to voting.
To submit a card, email the Committee Clerk, Heather Dorbeck (hdorbeck@senate.michigan.gov) and cc the Committee Chair, Senator Ruth Johnson (senrjohnson@senate.michigan.gov) and Minority Vice Chair Senator Paul Wojno (senpwojno@senate.michigan.gov)
When you call, you will be prompted to enter you zip code and will then be routed to your Senator. Whether you reach a person or a voicemail, please let them know you’re a constituent and that you oppose Senate Bills 273 and 286 because putting restrictions on the use of ballot boxes will burden Michigan voters. Instead of putting up deliberate barriers, our elected officials should be working to ensure every Michigander has a voice in the future of our state.
Email your legislator using this LINK:
The May 12 deadline to shut down Enbridge’s 68-year-old pipeline is fast approaching, but we know Enbridge is going to fight it tooth and nail. We’re joining Michigan LCV and a panel of experts on May 4 to hear how we get this ticking time bomb out of our Great Lakes for good. There’s still time to register! Reserve your spot: https://michiganlcv.zoom.us/…/WN_2wld9MwDR8WM43bmx55bt
For the past 3 years Black Lives of UU (BLUU) has encouraged Unitarian Universalists across the country to participate in Black Mama’s Bailout. In Spring 2019, Michigan Liberation organized to free Black womxn, mothers and caregivers from cages in Michigan— jailed because of the immoral and unconstitutional practice of money bail and the industry that profits from it.
This year to deepen the work and connections in Michigan, MUUSJN is joining Michigan Liberation in this crucial work! Money bail (and the industry that profits from it) has long been instrumental in destroying our communities, so until we end the practice of caging our black women, mothers and caregivers— we will fight to free them and bring them home!
Don’t miss this important conversation on Thursday, May 6th at 7PM ET as women who’ve been directly impacted and failed by the criminal legal system share their stories and experiences… and learn how YOU can be a part of the movement to dismantle the oppressive system of cash bail. Washtenaw Assistant Prosecutor, Victoria Burton-Harris will be joining us as well to share about how they are ending cash bail in Washtenaw County!
There’s still time to register! Reserve your spot: https://bit.ly/TheCriminalizationofPoverty For more information, contact Jenny Teed, MUUSJN Special Projects Coordinator at jennifer.a.teed@gmail.com or call 313-247-3399.
On March 3rd, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act was adopted by the U.S. House with a vote of 220 – 212. All six of Michigan’s Democrat (and no Republican) Representatives co-sponsored the bill. This police reform was propelled by the public killing of George Floyd, a 26 year old unarmed black man by a Minneapolis Police officer almost one year ago. The pattern of police misconduct toward people of color created the environment for the Black Lives Matter movement. Since 2015, an investigation by NPR has found 135 unarmed black men and women have been fatally shot by police nationwide. These killings have made it clear that reforms are urgently needed in how policing is done in our country. President Joe Biden has urged passage of this Act by the anniversary of George Floyd’s killing on May 25th.
The Prison Within|| Friday, April 23, 6:30-8:00 pm Are you curious about what Restorative Justice is? Do you wonder what a Restorative Justice program might look like in your community? In short, Restorative Justice is a powerful tool for reducing harm and increasing healing for those caught up in our criminal justice system, so is a key part of the pursuit for racial justice as well.
Please join the Restorative Justice Group of First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Ann Arbor and Michigan UU Social Justice Network for a live panel discussion to hear from and interact with people who directly experienced a Restorative Justice Program while incarcerated for murder at San Quentin Prison. All are featured in a remarkable film, The Prison Within, produced and directed by Katherin Hervey, who will also be with us on April 23rd to discuss Restorative Justice.
We encourage you to watch this film in advance: https://theprisonwithin.org/. It is available on YouTube, iTunes, or possibly your public library through Hoopla.
Pre register here: https://forms.gle/vbfbRS7QxhYRWx4BAFor questions, please contact Mary Ann Hergenrother at UUAA at 203-247-4836 or mahergen@gmail.com.
