Our Accomplishments 2019

By MUUSJN on Thursday, November 28th, 2019

2019 was another tough year under the current right wing political leadership.We faced threats of cuts in domestic programs, attacks on women’s and LGBTQ rights, cruelty toward immigrants and people of color and indifference toward our environment and poor people.

THE GOOD NEWS: In partnerships with progressive allies, MUUSJN sent over 40 action alerts to our statewide network of almost 3,000 people to call elected officials, to educate and protest. We won several battles!

We are grateful to continue to be a partner with the Economic Justice Alliance of Michigan (EJAM), an organization started by African American women. It’s funding has supported all of our justice priorities and it has provide a coalition for collective action.

Take a look at our ACCOMPLISHMENTS in 2019! You and your congregation are invited to renew or become a new member of MUUSJN. Donations now are tax deductible and count for a membership in 2020.

REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE:

  • Promoted attendance at the Women’s March in Washington D.C. and in Lansing and promoted attendance at Pay Equity Day;
  • Received a grant from the UU Funding Program to sustain our Interfaith Reproductive Justice Coalition that collaborated with LGBTQ related organizations to take action on legislation and organize a Women’s and LGBTQ Justice conference.
  • Urged Gov. Whitmer to veto a bill that limits abortions via telemedicine. It was vetoed.
  • Sent a letter, signed by 15 organizations, to Michigan Congressional delegation that urged funding for the Violence Against Women Act. Funding for the Act was approved.
  • Endorsed and sent action alerts about federal and state legislation that affirmed women’s right to choose.
  • Investigated conditions faced by women giving birth while in prisons. A workshop on this topic is being planned for 2020.

ECONOMIC JUSTICE:

  • Informed the public about how lame duck legislators gutted a new minimum wage law achieved by a citizen initiative organized by the Economic Justice Alliance and other allies.
  • With help from MUUSJN Board members, got editorials published about the need to restore these benefits in the Traverse City Eagle and the Daily Mining Gazette (Houghton).
  • Filed an amicus brief with the Michigan Supreme Court calling on the court to challenge the process of adopting, then amending citizen initiated policies.
  • Supported and sought to restore coverage for Michigan Paid Sick Leave ballot proposal.

LGBTQ JUSTICE

  • Worked with Inclusive Justice (IJ), an interfaith welcoming and advocacy group, to plan and co-sponsor two conferences addressing LGBTQ rights in the Catholic Church & throughout society. MUUSJN’s Director agreed to serve as IJ’s legislative point person.
  • The previously mentioned UUA grant supported LGBTQ advocacy as part of MUUSJN’s Interfaith Reproductive Justice Coalition.
  • Issued action alerts on three LGBTQ related bills: the Elliot Larsen Civil Rights Act; The Equality Act (federal) and a state bill to extend ethnic intimidation protections based on sexual orientation and gender identify. The Equality Act was adopted in the U.S. House.
  • Applied for a grant from the UU Funding Program to advocate for LGBTQ rights with the Michigan ACLU and to promote the UUA’s Welcoming Congregation Renewal program in Michigan congregations.
  • Was invited to be part of a UU the Vote webinar that focuses on how to turn out the LGBTQ vote for 2020.

WATER JUSTICE & THE ENVIRONMENT:

  • Helped organize meetings of faith leaders with Detroit City Council member Mary Sheffield who agreed to introduce a Water Affordability Ordinance for the City. Meetings are ongoing.
  • Arranged a meeting of faith leaders with a representative of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to urge the Governor to adopt water reforms such as demanding that water be considered a human right, calling for a moratorium on shutoffs and supporting a water affordability plan.
  • Hosting UU Environment Justice Task Force conference calls to share environmental justice ideas. Promoted reading “Justice on Earth” and the UUA’s Green New Deal resolution. Supported actions to implement the Green New Deal.
  • Encouraged people from UU congregations to participate in Climate Strike protests.

IMMIGRATION/RACISM:

  • Demanded that the Homestead Detention Center for immigrant youth in Florida be shut down. Youth from this Center were evacuated and later in 2019 the Center was shut down!
  • Participated in weekly Michigan United conference calls and promoted attendance at a Michigan United immigration lobby day.
  • Sent an alert to the network to oppose a bill that would penalize local Michigan communities not cooperating with federal immigration officials. MUUSJN testified against this bill at a legislative hearing. The Governor vetoed funding for this bill in October.
  • Promoted participation at 27 Lights for Liberty events in Michigan held in July to protest the conditions faced by migrant families detained at the southern border.
  • Provided a scholarship to an African American UU justice leader to attend UUA General Assembly conference in Spokane, Washington.
  • Organizing a “Home for the Holidays” anti-racism workshop scheduled for December 15th at the UU Church of Farmington.
  • Published information about a community gathering to mourn the massacre of Muslims at a New Zealand mosque and alerted UU justice leaders about an anti-Muslim event at a church in Bloomfield Hills.

VOTING, GUN VIOLENCE & SOCIAL MEDIA:

  • The MUUSJN Board of Directors agreed to make voter engagement a priority in 2020.
  • Informed UU justice leaders about the new “UU the Vote” campaign.
  • The MUUSJN Director was invited to be part of a UU the Vote webinar that focuses on how to turn out the LGBTQ vote for 2020.
  • As a member of the Michigan Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence, MUUSJN forwarded an action alert on HR 1112, a bill to extend the time allowed to do background checks.
  • The Network forward information about two vigils that remembered and resolved to address the tragedy gun violence in our state.
  • MUUSJN hired a talented website and social media consultant to upgrade the network’s website (www.uujustice) and to enhance its social media presence.
If you value the work our statewide network is doing for justice please consider making a generous gift to MUUSJN. Your support helps sustain our commitments to fight for the rights of women, low-income people, people of color, LGBTQ people, immigrants and environmental justice.   

Gifts or 2020 memberships paid now will be tax deductible for 2019

Click HERE to make a contribution or become a member

Category: News, Newsletter |