Reproductive Justice 4 All; Raise the Wage – MI; and Promote the Vote Turning In Signatures Next Week
By MUUSJN on Friday, July 8th, 2022
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 […]
The Decision Day We’ve Expected is HERE: What You Can Do to Fight Back
By MUUSJN on Saturday, June 25th, 2022
The U.S. Supreme Court Overturns Roe v. Wade It’s Time to Fight Back! 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: This morning, an amicus brief, launched by MUUSJN, Jews for a Secular Democracy and by Inclusive Justice — at the request of Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s attorney — was extended to support the legal actions of both Planned Parenthood of Michigan and Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s lawsuits against a 1931 law that makes abortion a felony, could go into effect […]
All Hands on Deck! Only 10 More Days to Collect Signatures on the Reproductive Freedom for All Ballot Proposal
By MUUSJN on Thursday, June 23rd, 2022
IT’S TIME TO STEP UP Collecting Reproductive Freedom Petition Signatures 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 […]
Faith & Justice Leaders Invited to Sign Amicus Brief Affirming Abortion Rights and Opposing Religious Discrimination
By MUUSJN on Tuesday, June 14th, 2022
Religious and Justice Leaders You are invited to sign Our Amicus Brief Opposing Criminalizing Abortion And Opposing Extremist Faith Groups from Making Abortion Decisions for Other People of Faith 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 […]
Enough is Enough! Time to Protest and Demand Gun Violence Reform
By MUUSJN on Saturday, June 11th, 2022
CALL: 1-202-224-3121 (The Capitol Switchboard) March for Our Lives Youth Led Nation-wide Protests TODAY! Urge Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow to Support GUN VIOLENCE REFORM IN THE SENATE Moms Demand Action Events In Michigan This Month HOUSE ADOPTS “PROTECTING OUR CHILDREN ACT ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8TH 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: Raise the legal age to buy certain semi-automatic rifles; Establish new federal offenses for gun trafficking and selling large capacity magazines; Allow local units of government to compensate individuals who surrender their magazines […]
Thank Michigan’s Senators and Urge Two Women Senators to Support the Women’s Health Protection Act
By MUUSJN on Wednesday, May 11th, 2022
CALL: 1-202-224-3221 (The Capitol Switchboard) Thank Sen’s Gary Peters & Debbie Stabenow for Co-Sponsoring The Women’s Health Protection Act (WHPA) – S. 1975 Urge Senators Kyrsten Sinema & Lisa Murkowski To Ok Filibuster Exception to Allow its Passage Abortion rights must be protected: Congress must pass the WHPA Now! However, the only way the WHPA can be adopted is if an exception is made for the filibuster rule that would require 60 votes in the Senate. These two Senators, if they allow a filibuster carveout, could make it possible for the WHPA to get adopted. Call Sen. Kirsten Sinema, D-AZ. She’s a co-sponsor of the Women’s Health Protection Act and has said that “a woman’s health care choices should be between her, her family and her doctor” […]
Black Mama’s Mother’s Day Bail Out 2022!
By MUUSJN on Wednesday, May 4th, 2022
Mama’s Day Bailout – Help Mothers Who Can’t Afford to Get Out of Jail to See Their Children on Mother’s Day As you’re likely aware, Mother’s Day is Sunday. For the fourth year, MUUSJN is encouraging participation with MI Liberation for the Black Mama’s Bail Out! More than a “bailout”, this yearly event has evolved into a quest for transformational change across the criminal legal system in Michigan. It is so exciting that since last year’s “bailout”, Washtenaw County has brought an end to cash bail! We are making progress! Statewide legislation was also re-introduced, a bi-partisan bill package: House Bills 5436-5443. This year, we hope to get as many Mamas home to celebrate with their children as possible, but we need more help! We hope to get as many […]
US Supreme Court Draft Ruling — That Would Overturn Roe v. Wade — Is A Call to Action!
By MUUSJN on Wednesday, May 4th, 2022
With the leak of the impending SCOTUS decision, the alarms have been sounded! Due to a 1931 law that is still on our books, the moment that Roe is overturned, abortion will become a felony offense in Michigan. NOW is the moment for all of us to work to enshrine reproductive rights in the Michigan Constitution! The Michigan Unitarian Universalists Social Justice Network (MUUSJN) has been partnering with Fems for Democracy to work on the Reproductive Freedom For All ballot initiative. We are also working on Promote the Vote, Raise the Wage and Good Time (criminal justice) ballot initiatives. Can you help? Whether you can collect 5 signatures or 500, we need your help! Please sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040e48a4ac2ba3fe3-ballot1 Shortly after you sign up, you […]
The Killing of Patrick Lyoya by a Grand Rapids Policeman
By MUUSJN on Tuesday, April 19th, 2022
A TIME TO REFLECT — A TIME TO TAKE ACTION This weekend demonstrators continued to protest the April 4th fatal shooting of Patrick Loyoya by a Grand Rapids police officer. This is another tragic example of police violence toward a Black man. This email also shares reflections of a UU minister from Grand Rapids and includes options for action. Rev. Colleen Squires, minister of Grand Rapids All Souls Community Church of Western Michigan, told shared her thoughts about this incident on her church’s Facebook page. They are shared here for your information. Members of this congregation have been publicly demonstrating weekly in solidarity with Black Lives Matter activists for seven years. My heart is with the family of Mr. Patrick Lyoya. This is a tragic […]
Hear Senator Stephanie Chang at 10 a.m. April 16th Explain Two Visions of Tax Cuts for People of Michigan
By MUUSJN on Tuesday, April 12th, 2022
Dear Justice Advocates: The Michigan UU Social Justice Network (MUUSJN) is pleased to invite you to hear Senator Stephanie Chang speak at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 16th on “Michigan Tax Proposals: Who’s Helped? Who’s Hurt?”. This presentation shines a light on a tug or war of values between the Michigan legislature and the Governor’s office. MUUSJN, along with 10 other organizations, is co-sponsoring this event with Gray Panthers of Metro Detroit. Click HERE for a flyer with more information. To RSVP Click HERE At the urging of dozens of activist groups, Governor Gretchen Whitmer vetoed a $2.5 billion tax cut proposal by Michigan legislators on March 18th. She invited the legislators to join in formal negotiations. The GOP’s two bill package is part of an ongoing debate about how to spend […]