UU Mass Action Calls for a Ceasefire

Originally posted Nov. 9, 2023

We call for a ceasefire. At UU Mass Action our heartbreak continues as suffering, tragedy, and pain persists in the Middle East. Since imperialism and colonialism has been perpetuated by the West and the US, our nation has been complicit in pain throughout the Middle East. We were devastated by the violence of Oct. 7th. Our hearts and souls are heavy as the violence in Gaza and the West Bank continues and we urge and work for an end to this destruction and genocide. We work and pray for all Jewish people to feel safe globally. For all to feel safe; Jews, Palestinians, Israelis, Arabs, Muslims, everyone. We, as a Unitarian Universalist organization, believe not only in the inherent worth and dignity of every person, but in the right for all to have the ability to flourish and thrive. This right is being comprehensively denied as the Israeli government enacts a genocide of the Palestinian people. As an action network that works to end oppression, we recognize that the freedom of some is connected to the freedom of all. As we work on justice in Massachusetts we also show up for Palestinians who have been oppressed for decades and are now being killed in Gaza and we work to show up for Jews that have been oppressed for millenia. We at UU Mass Action, work for peace, to organize UU’s to create a world where all people are honored and valued, where all people do not have to fear for their lives and where racism, Islamophobia, anti-Semetism, colonialism, and imperialism no longer exist.

UU Mass Action joins many of our partner organizations and the UUA in calling for

1. Ceasefire, de-escalation, and restraint by all sides

2. All parties to abide by the laws of war, including the Geneva Conventions and customary international law

3. Prioritizing steps to secure the immediate release of hostages and ensure international protection for civilians

In faith and solidarity, 

UU Mass Action 

Bytes of Justice!

Our Byte of Justice recordings accompany our newsletter! Check them out below.

A Reluctant Activist

Feature article for Murray UU Church newsletter, March 3, 2022 by Judy Depue

I have never seen myself as a political activist. Perhaps some of you can relate, although I know others of you are energized by these activities. While I came of age in the midst of the Women’s Rights, Civil Rights and Environmental Movements, and I applauded those causes, I wasn’t one to participate directly in marches and sit-ins. I never spoke out to a legislator and I dislike politics. I suppose those activities went against my aversion to conflict and my basic introvert personality. My talents were more suited for behind the scenes. So that’s where I spent my time. That is until recently.

You see I’ve never lost the idealism and optimism of my youth. And my love of nature and concern for all who are hurt by its exploitation has never ebbed. This is compounded by the looming climate crisis. A new UN report out this week points to worsening trends. As a UU, I’ve learned that it’s important to live my faith in action, preserving our interdependent web and promoting justice. But surely like many of you, I’ve wondered what does this require of me exactly? 

Of course, activism can take the form of individual action. For climate change, that means reducing my personal and household footprint and encouraging others to do the same. It also means supporting businesses that enact environmental justice values. These are all good and necessary. Yet I’ve come to learn that Individual actions are not enough to move the needle and avoid the rapidly approaching tipping points for climate disaster. We need policy changes and incentives to build a fossil free infrastructure that only governments can do. Now I can understand why the big social changes I’ve witnessed and benefited from in my lifetime didn’t come about quietly. They were pushed by marches and protests. By visible people power.

People power can push politicians to pay attention, although the people have to be louder than the paid lobbyists and others aiming to keep the status quo. The people power of citizens has to inspire legislators to resist the political power machines and go with the people instead. It has to tip the scale. That’s a tall order.

Now as an elder, I have participated in protests and marches. My fellow Murray marchers provided moral support for my first climate march in 2019. Thanks to Barbara, Tovah, Ellen, Bertha and Roy. From there I got more involved with UU Mass Action, where I’ve learned about how social movements are formed, while grounded in UU values. UU Mass Action is part of a larger coalition of over 200 organizations, allowing us to be more strategic and have a louder voice. 

I’ve learned that for grassroots activism to be successful, it has to be coordinated and strategic to counter the influence of deep-pocketed lobbies or social inertia. Our individual actions are like drops of water. But as we join with others, we have the power of a stream that merges into a river. As multiple rivers flow together, they become an ocean. That’s how people power becomes a social movement.

This led to our first legislative forum at Murray Church in October 2019 and a second forum this January. Both were co-hosted with state Representative Jim Hawkins’ office. Thanks to our Murray Climate Action Team—Barbara, Dave, Sue and Roy; and thanks to all who attended! The good attendance at these events demonstrated to our legislators that local people care about climate justice. 

Over time, I’ve learned It is not necessary to change my introvert personality or take political action alone. I just have to join with others who share my values. Together we can build the people power necessary for social change. In between these action events, I can go back under my rock, at least for a little while. But if I want to protect our precious Earth habitat, promote social justice and push the movement along, I do have to get out of my individual silo and out of my comfort zone. I’m hoping others will join me. We’re stronger together. 

Light the Flame of Justice with us!

Update! We met our goal for end of December 2021 and raised $100k from individual donors - thank you all! We will continue to fundraise through the end of our fiscal year to reach $155k by July 2022.

UU Mass Action is in a historic moment of our organization as Laura Wagner, Executive Director for seven years, transitions out of her role at the end of 2021. We are sad to see Laura leave after seven wonderful, powerful, and impactful years at UU Mass Action. And, we are excited for our next chapter as Rev. Jo Murphy joins us and supports our continued work to organize UUs in MA to confront oppression and be in solidarity with our long time frontline partner organizations.

To support UU Mass Action during this transition, we have launched a bold fundraising campaign to raise $155k this year from individual donors! This will be the most we’ve ever raised from individual donors. This is both to honor Laura’s work at UU Mass Action, and to ensure we are able to continue our focus on showing up for our frontline partners during this transitional and critical moment. Our organization has grown immensely throughout Laura’s leadership, and we invite you to help us sustain our work by lighting the flame of justice with us and investing in UU Mass Action!

As of January 2022, thanks to the generosity and commitment of our supporters, we have raised over $100,000 - more than halfway to our goal of $155,000 this year! (We are aiming to raise $155k by June, the end of our fiscal year, with a benchmark of $100k by the end of December 2021). Here is our rough guideline about the breakdown of the contributions needed to reach this goal. We appreciate anything you are able to contribute!

If you would like to donate you can do so by:

• Mailing a check to UU MASS ACTION, P.O. Box 300159 655 Centre Street Jamaica Plain, MA 02130-9998

• Donating one time or monthly at this link here.

• Contact Rev. Jo if you'd like to donate a gift of stock at jmurphy@uumassaction.org.

If you would like to get more involved in supporting our individual fundraising efforts, or if you would like to set up a time to talk with a staff member about your contribution, please email Tali Smookler at tsmookler@uumassaction.org.

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Below you can see some testimonies about the powerful work Laura has supported at UU Mass Action and with our partner organizations.

These are from our virtual party we had in October 2021 to celebrate all of Laura’s amazing work!

Gladys Vega shares about our solidarity work with La Colaborativa and immigrant partners.

Jacob Stern shares about our climate legislative work.

Staff member Cassandra Bensahih shares about our work to end solitary confinement.

Lew Finfer shares about our economic justice work.

Mahtowin Munro shares about our Indigenous solidarity work.

Amy Grunder shares about our work with the Safe Communities Coalition.

Announcing Our New Executive Director!

Welcome Rev. Jo Murphy

Rev. Jo worked as a chaplain at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston for the past two years, in addition to being a case manager supporting people living with brain injuries. She is a volunteer organizer with the Boston Immigration Justice Accompaniment Network and with the Boston chapter of Standing up for Racial Justice.

She has volunteered with 350.org, participated in the #StandupCharlie effort (a campaign to pressure Governor Baker to stop the construction of the pipeline in West Roxbury), as well as the current 'Stop Line 3' movement. Jo is excited to jump right in to mobilizing and organizing with UU Mass Action in the role of Executive Director.

"As a Unitarian Universalist minister, as an organizer, I am thrilled and ready to take on the responsibilities and roles of the Executive Director of UU Mass Action. As a chaplain during the pandemic, I have witnessed the injustices not only in our healthcare system, but in all of our systems from economic to immigration injustice. At a time when our world sometimes feels at the brink of catastrophe, I am ready to dive into the work UU Mass Action has already done and continues to do. I believe UU Mass Action is poised to tackle the challenges that are continually arising and threatening our environment and peoples. I am ready to grow with our campaigns, the incredible UU Mass Action team, and I cannot wait to instigate, create, and craft more spaces for collaboratory justice amongst our congregations and communities."
Rev. Jo will begin her role on November 22nd. Laura Wagner will remain on staff to help with the transition through December 31st.
The UU Mass Action team is excited to welcome Rev. Jo!

UU Mass Action is Hiring!

Celebrating our Success and Preparing for the Future

Over the past seven years, UU Mass Action has grown from a small organization with two part-time staff to an organizing force with four full-time staff, managing five campaigns and working with hundreds of congregational leaders each year.  The power of UU organizing and what we can accomplish when we work together has been remarkable.

As we enter our next phase, I want to share that I will be stepping down as Executive Director at the end of 2021. I am confident in our team and our work, and see this as an exciting opportunity for UU Mass Action as we enter a new phase in the growth of our organization. We’re making the job search process public today and the transition will occur over the next 5 months. The UU Mass Action Board and staff have created a transition plan that will prepare us for the next phase of our organization. 

To apply for this position, send your resume and cover letter to: employment@uumassaction.org. Please share this opportunity with your networks to help us find our next leader!   Job Description

In reflecting on my past seven years here, it is clear that our successes have been extraordinary!  We are one of the few multi-issue organizations in Massachusetts that work with our coalition partners to confront oppression and create new just and equitable systems.  All our work is grounded in racial justice and we both build relationships with and center the leadership of those who are most impacted by forms of oppression and injustice. Some of our successes over these past years include:

• Helped build an immigrant justice accompaniment network

• Launching 9 regional teams organizing 100 UU congregations

• Raised almost $70,000 to support our frontline partners during the pandemic

• Invested/donated over $50,000 in the Boston Ujima Project (solidarity economics)

• Legislative Successes:

  • $15 Minimum Wage

  • Paid Sick Leave

  • Paid Family & Medical Leave

  • Transgender Rights Bill

  • Change the State Flag and Seal

  • The Next Generation Road Map Bill (Environmental Justice & Climate)

  • Criminal Justice Reform Act

And, just last week, the Dept. of Corrections announced that within the next three years they will end the Dept. Disciplinary Unit where people are imprisoned in solitary confinement for up to 10 years per offense.  We are continuing our fight to completely end the torture of solitary confinement long before the DOC’s three-year goal, but their announcement is a testament to the power of the Massachusetts Against Solitary Confinement Campaign, convened by UU Mass Action.

We have come a long way since the founding of UU Mass Action 15 years ago. We are grateful to the many activists and generous donors who helped make UU Mass Action what it is today.  There is still much more work to do as we prepare for the future and ensure that UU Mass Action remains a powerful force.  

We will be sharing news and updates about our transition in the months ahead, and opportunities for you to invest in the future of the organization.  For now, save the date of Saturday, October 16th!  This is the tentative date of our celebration when we will say goodbye to each other and welcome a renewed and revitalized UU Mass Action!

In solidarity,
Laura Wagner MSW, Executive Director

At UU Mass Action we value having staff who come from diverse backgrounds. We encourage Black, Indigenous, People of Color, LGBTQ people, transgender and gender non-conforming people, immigrants, formerly incarcerated folks, and people with disabilities to apply. 

UU Mass Action is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.  

This policy applies to all areas of employment and volunteer participation, including recruitment, hiring, training and development, promotion, transfer, termination, layoff, compensation, benefits, social and recreational programs, all other conditions and privileges of employment in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.

UU Mass Action 15th Anniversary Celebration & Fundraiser

Thank you to everyone who made our 15th anniversary celebration a fun, unforgettable evening!!  

A special thank you to:

• Lynn Holbein, founder and board president emerita, who shared the story of our beginning and the challenges we faced along the way.

• Hillary Goodridge, of the landmark 2003 State Supreme Court case, Goodridge v. Dept. of Public Health who reminded us of how much we need each other when fighting for justice

• Grammy nominated, Melanie DeMore for sharing her musical talents - it wouldn't be a celebration without music!

And, thank you to our board members, especially

• Board President, Tony Rodriguez, who shared his personal story about why he supports the work of UU Mass Action

• Our fantastic staff, Cassandra Bensahih, Tali Smookler and Claire Müller and

ALL OF YOU! - Thank you!!

We hope you can take the time to watch the video!

Helpful Info About 2020 Ballot Questions

Statewide:  Question 1: Right to Repair Law    
Ballotpedia           WBUR Overview Video    Blog post, David Eherns
UU Mass Action Position: Vote Yes on Question 1

Statewide:  Question 2: Ranked Choice Voting
Ballotpedia           WBUR Overview Video    Video, How does RCV Work?
UU Mass Action Position: Vote Yes on Question 2

Get a free Yes on 2 Lawn Sign!
Contactless pick-up locations available statewide

Renewable Energy Question:  19 Districts

[Climate:] Shall the representative for this district be instructed to vote in favor of legislation that would require Massachusetts to achieve 100% renewable energy use within the next two decades, starting immediately and making significant progress within the first five years while protecting impacted workers and businesses?

Transparency in Massachusetts State Government: 16 Districts

[Democracy:] Shall the representative for this district be instructed to vote in favor of changes to the Legislature's rules that would make the results of all votes in Legislative committees publicly available on the Legislature's website?

See list of districts that will have these Questions on their Ballot

UU The Vote MA - Join a Reclaim Our Vote Phone Bank!

Each week, UU Mass Action is hosting a zoom gathering for everyone participating in Reclaim Our Vote phone banking. Reclaim our Vote is a National UU The Vote partner,  organized by the Center for Common Ground, a People of Color led organization. This phone banking action is focused on key states that have a history of voter suppression. Volunteers will call voters who are People of Color and provide important information to help increase voter turnout and reduce voter suppression
Dates: Wednesdays 5:00 - 7:00 PM  Zoom Link 

Oct 7 (Climate Gathering), Oct 14, Oct 21, Oct 28

It's easy, fun and effective!  As we rapidly draw closer to election day, phone banking is the best use of your time if you want to have an impact.

LET US KNOW YOU'RE COMING

Have you taken the 30 minute training yet?  Our staff can help you, but it's easier for you if you take the training first

There's a UU volunteer-led training today at 2:00 PM, (RSVP HERE).

OR, WATCH THIS 10 MINUTE TRAINING VIDEO NOW

Helpful Suggestions - Prep for Phone banking

1. You'll need to be in front of your computer!

2. You'll be using your own phone to dial.  If you don't want your personal number visible to those you are calling, set up a google voice phone now.  It's free, click here: https://voice.google.com/  (you'll also need to download the google voice app to your cell phone, or you can call via your computer)

3. It's a good idea to print the phone script, especially if you're not comfortable scrolling through the text on your computer screen while you're talking. 

4. Set up your ID Action Account before phone banking tonight 
a. Go to: http://centerforcommonground.org/main/
b. Select:  Campaigns  >  The Voter Project  > [choose a state]
c. You'll see a county map of the state selected.  Scroll Down, and you'll see phone banking options for selected counties.  Click on one of the counties
d. Now, you'll see a screen that says, "Get Started."   Click that, and create your ID (under the box that says, "Log In."  You'll see an option - create an ID Action account)

5. Review these guidelines

6. Review these frequently asked questions

 UU Mass Action Staff will be hosting the zoom meeting and will be there to answer any questions

THANK YOU !

100% Renewables Act, Faith Leaders Sign on Letter

On Monday, July 13, 2020, The following letter was sent to the Chairpersons of the Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy Committee in Support of the 100% Renewables Act. This bill is a priority for UU Mass Action and our Mass Power Forward Coalition Partners. The lead organizer for this bill is our partner, Environment Massachusetts.

Dear Chairperson Barrett and Golden, and members of the TUE Committee,

We write to you as faith leaders who are concerned about the impact of the climate crisis.

We believe that legislative leaders are called in this moment to take bold action and commit to a just transition to 100% clean, renewable energy for all.  

We urge you to report favorably on the 100% Renewable Energy Act (H.2836), filed by Representative Marjorie Decker and Representative Sean Garballey.  This comprehensive bill is the most effective bill to move us towards our goal of a just transition to a clean renewable energy future for all.

While we represent diverse faith traditions, we share common values that lead us to join together in calling for a just transition to 100% clean and renewable sources of energy. We believe that every person deserves a healthy environment, with clean air to breathe and clean water to drink. We are deeply concerned by the ways that climate change is already harming our communities, and the devastating impacts that are predicted in future decades. 

We are also concerned about the economic impact on low-income families who are forced to pay expensive energy bills, particularly in old, inefficient buildings.  These inefficient buildings force families to choose between keeping the lights on and meeting other basic needs. We know that all of these impacts are felt the hardest by marginalized communities, including people of color, low-income people, the disabled, many senior citizens, immigrants, and non-English speakers.

We also believe that a commitment to creating a shared, clean energy future will create living wage jobs that benefit workers, their families, the communities in which they live.  An increase in well-paying jobs will also benefit the Commonwealth’s economy and create tax revenue at a time when it is sorely needed.

We believe Massachusetts must end the use of fossil fuels and transition to non-polluting forms of energy as quickly as possible, while protecting and including the communities that have been hurt the most by our dependence on dirty energy. That is why we support the Decker/Garballey 100% Renewable Energy Act. This bill will transition Massachusetts to 100% renewable electricity by 2035 and 100% renewable energy for heating and transportation by 2045, while ensuring that environmental justice communities have a seat at the table in determining how these goals are met.

At a time when the health and safety of our communities is threatened, we are counting on you to show moral leadership. Please advance the Decker/Garballey 100% Renewable Energy Act out of your committee with a favorable report, and please do everything you can to ensure this bill is passed into law before the end of the 2019-2020 legislative session.

Sincerely,

Rabbi Leora Abelson Nehar Shalom Community Synagogue, Jewish

Rev. Debra Adams Trinitarian Congregational Church, UCC, Protestant

Rabbi Katy Allen Jewish Climate Action Network - MA; Ma'yan Tikvah, Jewish

Ms. Susan Almono Merrimack Valley Interfaith Team, Iglesia Episcopal de Gracia, Lawrence, Episcopal

Reverend Lorraine Anderson, retired pastor of International Community Church, American Baptist

Pastor Carlos Barranco Home Restoration Ministries Protestant, Christian 

Rev. Pamela Barz First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church of Scituate, Unitarian Universalist

Rev.  Wendy L. Bell First Parish of Watertown, Unitarian Universalist 

Rev. Lee Bluemel North Parish of No. Andover, Unitarian Universalist

Sara Blumenthal, Jewish

Rabbi Joshua Breindel, Congregation Beth El of the Sudbury River Valley, Judaism

Rabbi Gary Bretton-Granatoor Congregation Shirat HaYam of Nantucket, Jewish

Rabbinical Student Michaela Brown Hebrew College Rabbinical School, Judaism

Rev.  Barbara Callaghan Hancock United Church of Christ, United Church of Christ

Rev Eva Cameron First Universalist Church of Essex, Unitarian Universalist 

Sister Betty Cawley Office of Justice & Peace, Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston Boston, Catholic

Rev Jessica Clay First Parish Brewster Unitarian Universalist

Rev. Heather Concannon Unitarian Universalist Area Church at First Parish in Sherborn

Rev. Nathan Detering First Parish in Sherborn, Unitarian Universalist

Rev. Joy Fallon King’s Chapel Unitarian

Ms. Clare Fortune-Lad UU Church of Haverhill, Unitarian Universalist

Rabbi Lev Friedman Azamra Minyan, Clergy team Mishkan Tefila, Brookline, Judaism 

Rabbi Shoshana Friedman, Jewish

Rev. Kali Fyre UU Congregation in Andover MA, Unitarian Universalist

Rev. Dr.  Sara Garrard Old West Church, United Methodist 

Rabbi Robert Goldstein, Jewish

Rev. Dr. Kristen Harper The Unitarian Church of Barnstable, Unitarian Universalist 

The Rev. Lise Hildebrandt Creation Care Justice Network, Diocese of MA Episcopal (Christian)

Rabbinical Student Neil Hirsch Hebrew College Rabbinical School, Jewish

The Rev. Canon Martha Hubbard Episcopal Dioceses of Massachusetts, Episcopalian

Rev. Adam Isbitsky Church of the Covenant, Boston, United Church of Christ

Rev. Monica Jacobson-Tennessen, First Parish Church of Kingston, MA, Unitarian Universalist

Rabbi David Jaffe Kirva-Inside Out Wisdom and Action, Jewish

Rabbi Daniel Klein Hebrew College, Jewish

Rabbi Kohenet Margie Klein Ronkin , Jewish

Rabbi Van Lanckton, Jewish

Mr. Larry Decker Unitarian Universalist

Rabbinical Student Talia  Laster, Jewish

Rev. Arthur Lavoie First Parish in Plymouth, Unitarian Universalist

Dr. Julie Leavitt, Jewish

Rachel Leiken, Jewish

BethLevin, Temple Shir Tikvah, Jewish

Rabbi Elias Lieberman Falmouth Jewish Congregation, Judaism (Reform)

Rev. Joanna Lubkin All Souls Church, Braintree MA, Unitarian Universalist

Fran Ludwig, Catholic

Mrs Carolyn Lynes First Parish UU Needham, Unitarian Universalist

Rev. Rob Mark Church of the Covenant, Boston, Presbyterian Church (USA)

Amalia Mark, Jewish

Dr. GaryMartin North Parish of North Andover, Unitarian Universalist

The Rev. Dr. Kelly Murphy Mason UU Wellesley Hills, Wellesley, MA. Unitarian Universalist

Donna Massey, Unitarian Universalist

Rabbi Emily Mathis, Jewish

Cantor Michael McCloskey, Temple Emeth, Jewish

The Very Rev. Amy McCreath Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Boston (Episcopal) Episcopal

Rabbi David Meyer, Jewish

Rev. Christopher Morck Grace Episcopal Church, New Bedford, Episcopal

Donna Morris, First Parish Unitarian Universalist Northborough, Unitarian Universalist

Rev. Jordinn Nelson Long, UU Society of Fairhaven, Unitarian Universalist

Rev. Aaron Payson,Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester, Unitarian Universalist

Rev.  Hank Peirce Unitarian Universalist Church Of Reading, Unitarian Universalist 

Rev. Lisa Perry-Wood First Parish in Brookline, MA, Unitarian Universalist 

Rabbi Louis Polisson JALSA, Conservative Judaism

Rabbi Elaine Pollack, Reconstructing Judaism

Rev. Catriona Portillo Presbyterian Church in Burlington, Protestant Christian

Rabbi Michael Ragozin Congregation Shirat Hayam, Jewish

Rev. Ken Read-Brown First Parish in Hingham (Old Ship Church, Unitarian Universalist

Rabbi Victor Reinstein, Jewish

Cantor Ken Richmond Temple Israel of Natick, Jewish

Rev. Tracey Robinson-Harris First Parish in Framingham, Unitarian Universalist

Miriam Rubin, Judaism

Rabbi Daniel Schaefer, Temple Ohabei Shalom, Jewish

Mr. Graham Schwass, UU Haverhill, Unitarian Universalist

Minister Emeritus Stephen  Shick Unitarian Church of Marlborough & Hudson, Unitarian Universalist

Rev. Julie-Ann Silberman-Bunn, Unitarian Universalist

Rabbi Becky Silverstein Beyn Kodesh l'Chol, Jewish

Rev. Fred Small Massachusetts Interfaith Power & Light, Unitarian Universalist

Rev. Ellen Spero First Parish of Chelmsford, Unitarian Universalist

Rev. Paul Sprecher, First Parish Unitarian Universalist in Bridgewater, MA Unitarian Universalist

Rabbi Talia Stein Temple Sinai, Jewish

Rabbi Keith Stern Temple Beth Avodah, Jewish Reform 

Rabbi-in-Training Jamie Stolper Hebrew College Rabbinical School, Judaism

Rev. Lynda Sutherland First Parish UU Church of Northborough MA, Unitarian Universalist 

Rev. Rachel Tedesco, Unitarian Universalist

Rabbi Matisyahu Tonti, Jewish

Cantor Louise Treitman, Jewish

Rev. Jennifer Vath, Christ Church Episcopal

Laura Wagner, MSW, Director of Unitarian Universalist Mass Action

Rev. Dr. Michelle Walsh United First Parish Church UU, Quincy, Unitarian Universalist

Rev. Beverly, Waring First Parish Unitarian Universalist, Canton, MA, Unitarian Universalist

David Waters King's Chapel, Unitarian Universalist

Rev. Liz Weber First Parish in Concord, Unitarian Universalist

Rev. Dr.  Victoria  Weinstein Unitarian Universalist Church of Greater Lynn , Unitarian Universalist

Rabbi Ora Weiss, Jewish

Rabbi Alex Weissman, Jewish 

Reverend Dr. Jay Weldon Good Shepherd, Waban, Episcopal

The Rev. Pamela Werntz Emmanuel Church in the City of Boston, Episcopal

Rabbi David Winship Temple Beth David of the South Shore, Judaism

End State Sponsored Violence

“We can no longer increase the police budget. We have to do things that actually take care of human beings.” ‬ ‪ - Miski Noor, Black Visions
'These Protests Are the Community Grieving.'  Time, Josiah Bates, May 29

We have not forgotten the many black and brown victims of police and vigelante violence lifted up by the #BlackLivesMatter Movement. We are still enraged by the murder of Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia.

Following the death of George Floyd at the hands of the Minneapolis Police Dept., Reclaim The Block is calling for Minneapolis City Council to Defund the Police Dept.

The people’s rage in cities from Boston to LA is understandably boiling over. 

What would it take to completely reinvision our communties?

Here in Massachusetts, activists have fought for over a decade to reform the criminal law system, as well as prisons and jails.  The tortuous practice of solitary confinement was included in the reforms of the Criminal Justice Reform Act of 2018.  The response?  The Dept. of Corrections renamed the Restrictive Housing Units and reduced isolation time by 15 min, thus defying the mandated reforms.

Correction officers have yet to be be held accountable for the incident at Souza Baranowski in Jan 2020.  The handful of correction officers that were put on temporary disciplanary leave following this incident were called back to work when the COVID19 crisis began - and were given a raise and a bonus.

The Restrictive Housing Oversight Committee, which is supposed to oversee the implementation of solitary confinement reforms, has cancelled its meetings during the pandemic - at the very moment when prisons and jails are being locked down, people in the prisons, jails and detention centers are being isolated, attacked, and at some facilties, legislative officials have been barred from entry.
The Dept. of Corrections alone, has a payroll for 2020 of $177 Million ($439 Million for 2019).  The salary for a corrections officer is is as high as $260,000

Ending the state sponsored violence directed towards Black, Brown and Indigenous people requires a radical change to the systems that perpetuate this violence.

At UU Mass Action, we call for a recommitment to #BlackLivesMatter, an end to mass incarceration and the punative criminal law systems that perpetuate the systems of violence and investment in the communities that have been underfunded for far too long.  We call on all UUs to join our frontline partners and answer their calls for action.

Laura Wagner, Executive Director, UU Mass Action

UUA 5/30/20 Post - Read Full Post, Actions listed belwo

1. Support the uprising and commit to joining other UUs in working to combat the violence of militarism and the police state: Share this message widely with your networks. Speak about your convictions in support of Black liberation. Articulate your support of Black organizing, grounded in your Unitarian Universalist faith. Have hard conversations with your family, your social networks, your neighbors. And sign up at this link to be connected with a network of UUs committing to learning, reflecting, and acting together.

2. Support the front line organizers providing leadership: Give your money, ask others to give, and take up a collection at this Sunday’s service in support of organizations like Black Visions Collective, Reclaim the Block, and Minnesota Freedom Fund.

The Story of Tali's Broad Street Run!

Tali Smookler, Community Organizer

Tali wins first place!

Every year on the first Sunday in May, for the past six years, I’ve done the Broad Street Run in Philadelphia. I learned about this run when I lived in Philly right after college. It’s huge - the largest 10 mile race in the country, with over 35,000 runners, running through many different Philly neighborhoods, it's a staple of the city. It’s hard to go on a run without seeing someone wearing a Broad Street Run T-shirt.  

On March 23, I found out the inevitable - that what would have been my seventh Broad Street Run this spring was postponed to the fall (on a day that I can’t make it, if it even still happens). I knew it was coming, but it still felt like a shock all the same, a loss of the annual traditions that has kept me connected to my friends and time in Philly, a city I love. What would I do without my annual pre-run carbo load with friends of spaghetti bread? (That’s bread with spaghetti inside.) What would I do if I couldn’t stand in line for 30 minutes waiting to go to the bathroom before the race (a core part of the experience)? What would I do without the theme song to Rocky blasting at the start line (and once, even high-fiving the Mayor as I ran by)?

My roommate encouraged me to continue to train anyways and host my own solo run here

(an idea I’d been toying with), with friends cheering me on in support. It was both an exciting and scary idea (could I do it in a mask? what if my friends didn’t show up? what if I didn’t finish with all my friends watching?), but I decided to go for it. For weeks, I continued to run, and as I got stronger,  I could run further to pretty and new places (ie, further than my regular 1-mile radius from my house where I’d spent 99% of my time since March). 

Another traditional part of the run has been, every other year or so, to use it as an opportunity fundraise for an organization. I’ve found that many of my friends, family, and family friends were excited by the opportunity to support me, and also had the financial resources to do so. I generally raise around $500. It added an extra layer of significance to my run, a chance to move resources to organizations that could use the extra financial support, to make training for the run not just about me. 

This year, as we launched the UU COVID19 Emergency Fund, it was clear that that was where I should direct my fundraising efforts.  With COVID19 highlighting all the systemic inequalities that existed previously in such a stark way, I’ve been thinking and learning a lot more about the importance of moving financial resources. I’ve given more this year than I ever have (including pledging to donate my $1200 stimulus check to several funds, including the UU Mass Action one) and as I continue to dig more into this fundraising work for our partner orgs at UU Mass Action, it was a special opportunity to bring in my personal community to my work of raising $50,000 by June 1st.

And my community responded - I raised more than I ever have for my run ($1,429 with more on the way). I aways write haikus for people who donate, and give a personalized gift to those who give over $50 (usually a crossword puzzle I make based on the person’s interest) . And I have my work cut out for me - I’ve received more $50+ donations this year than any other. 

What I learned from all this is that people (especially those with some amount of financial security) are looking for meaningful places to give right now, more than I’ve experienced before. It’s a clear form of taking action, in a world that is terrifying and uncertain. And my community was excited to support me, because this was important to me, and they trusted that if I cared about this fund, it must be going to good places. This fund is supporting people in prisons (where conditions are terrifying), immigrant, and environmental justice communities we work with at UU Mass Action - all issues I care deeply about, and which are completely connected to each other. 

So in a time where we are encouraged to isolate, let’s come together as UUs from across the state to show up for our partner organizations in this way, in addition to all the other organizing and justice work we are continuing to do. I learned from my personal fundraising experience that this is a time to reach out to your communities, your people, to those who have the ability to give, to share this fund as one way to take meaningful action right now in the face of covid. I know that there is class diversity and different financial realities in the UU community, especially in this time. I invite those of you who are able, who have some financial security and/or access to wealth, to join me and the over 100 others in making a gift to our fund today to help us reach our goal of $50,000 by June 1. And exciting news as of this past week, your donation will be DOUBLED for the next $10,000 we raise. 

LCR Press Release, Bristol County Jail

Court Finds Bristol County Sheriff and ICE Likely Violated Constitutional Rights of Immigrant Detainees in Their Care

Orders Widespread COVID Testing and Prohibits Future Admissions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 7, 2020

BOSTON — In a powerful order, a federal court in Boston ruled strongly in favor of immigrants detained by ICE at Bristol County. The court ruled that the Bristol County Sheriff and ICE likely have acted unconstitutionally and shown deliberate indifference to the substantial risk of serious harm posed by COVID-19 to the detainees in their care. As evidence, the court pointed to BCHOC’s failure to conduct comprehensive testing or contact tracing, and its refusal to voluntarily consider release of any detainees. To date, the class action has resulted in the release of 50 detainees. In an order known as a preliminary injunction, the court ordered COVID-19 testing be made available as soon as possible for all detainees and all staff at Bristol County having any contact with immigrant detainees, at ICE’s expense. The court also ordered that there be no new persons admitted to immigration detention at Bristol County, effective immediately. These key measures are important steps in addressing the very real life-or-death threats experienced by immigrants at Sheriff Hodgson’s facility. 

The court also powerfully acknowledged that the ICE detention policies as a whole, which the court must uphold, may well be “misguided,” as immigrants’ rights advocates long have argued. The Court noted that there may well be tens of thousands of individuals in immigration custody whom ICE might be equally able to supervise were they confined to a known place of residence rather than incarcerated.

The case is Savino v. Souza, 20-CV-10617, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.

Iván Espinoza-Madrigal, Esq.

Executive Director

Lawyers for Civil Rights

61 Batterymarch Street, 5th FloorBoston, MA 02110www.lawyersforcivilrights.org

 T 617 988 0624

F 617 482 4392

@LCRBOSTON

#NoWeymouthCompressor

Weymouth Compressor Station - what’s happening & what you can do to stop it: 

Following the leadership of the local community group Fore River Residents Against the Compressor Station (FRRACS), we demand that construction on the Weymouth Compressor Station be permanently halted. Paid for by the gas company Enbridge, this compressor station will connect pipelines bringing fracked gas from Pennsylvania to Canada for export outside of the United States. This project has never been essential for Massachusetts residents, and definitely is not essential to build now during a pandemic. 

The Weymouth Compressor Station is being constructed in the Fore River Basin, home to thousands of people. It already has industrial facilities, including a sludge pelletizing plant, a gas power plant, an oil and gas depot, and a biofuel refinery. This area includes two environmental justice communities (areas of lower income or larger populations of minority groups where industrial projects are more likely to be built): Quincy Point and Germantown. The surrounding community has been fighting this project for years, yet the state of Massachusetts has chosen to ignore them and the science and give Enbridge permits for construction. Construction began in late 2019. Find out more about the Weymouth Compressor Station and the community fight against it. 

Then came COVID-19. These community members are at higher risk of catching the virus because of existing environmental pollution that affects their health. The construction workers on the site are putting the community at further risk, and are at risk themselves. The workers do not have an option, but their employer should be held to the same expectations as all other employers right now to prioritize the health of their employees and the public. 

Governor Baker put out vague restrictions on what construction is deemed essential during the lockdown, including the Weymouth Compressor. Lives are being threatened by this choice and it cannot go on any longer.

Link to weekly action guide: bit.ly/NotEssential

UU COVID19 Emergency Fund

One of the most powerful things we can do is share resources in this time.  For those who are able to share, a little or a lot, now is the time to come together as a faith community and support our neighbors and partners who have called for our support.

Community-led efforts are leading the way on caring for people in crisis in need of resources.  To show up as UU’s, TOGETHER, we created the UU COVID19 Emergency Fund to support our partners in impacted communities who have called on us for resources. If you are able to provide any support, please consider making a contribution to UU Mass Action’s COVID19 Emergency Fund. Especially if you received a stimulus check that you don’t need - hundreds of folks are commiting to redistribute these resources. 

 Below are the partners to which we will distribute the funds, based on current need.  These may shift, depending on current needs. 

Of course, we recognize that it’s also important to make sure those in your own congregations and communities are taken care of, as well. We encourage you to check our Mutual Aid work or contact Tali at tsmookler@uumassaction.org if you’d like to initiate that in your community. 

If you prefer to Donate by check: UU Mass Action, 40 Mechanic St., Suite 306, Marlborough, MA 01752  Add, “Emergency Fund” in the memo line

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Help Feed Hungry Families

 The  Metrowest immigrant Solidarity Network (MISN) is providing food to 350+ families each week (average expense $2,500).

“This weekend [4/18], we served 170 families in Framingham and 64 in Milford. Each received 20 pounds of groceries as well as a grocery gift card.”

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Get Soap and Hygiene Products to People in Jail/Prison 

Our Partners at Black & Pink MA and #DeeperThanWater are providing funds to people incarcerated at Norfolk Prison who are without basic hygiene products.

Update: 5/15/20

Black and Pink Boston have been our valued partners for many years as we work to end the torture of solitary confinement. Considerable money has been raised for the canteen fund and we have now been asked to support LGBTQI people who are being released from jail and need help with this transition and housing. We are now providing the funds directly to our partner, Black & Pink Boston

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Chelsea GreenRoots &

Chelsea Collaborative

Chelsea is the hardest hit community in MA. Immigrant families are in crisis and they are being left behind by ongoing COVID-19 emergency response efforts. Our partners in Chelsea have asked us to direct our donations to the One Chelsea Fund which benefits The Chelsea Collaborative, GreenRoots The Chelsea Neighborhood Collaborative. These funds help to protect these vulnerable families, and ensure that their basic needs are met regardless of their immigration status. These funds and the support offered by these organizations are crucial to slow the spread of the virus in the Chelsea community.

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Join with our Mashpee Wampanoag Neighbors

Important Request from our Wampanoag Friends - Action Needed Now (Updated, 4/5/20)

Take Action

People across the country are calling for action, including Massachusetts Senators Elizabeth Warren and Edward Markey. The UUA urges Unitarian Universalists to support the forward movement of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Reservation Reaffirmation Act (Senate Bill 2628, introduced by Sen. Markey, the passage of which would override the Trump Administration’s order). The bill has already passed the House with strong bipartisan support, (HR 312), but is stalled in the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs.

In addition to advocacy for this legislation, the UUA urges Unitarian Universalists to take the following actions in solidarity with the Mashpee Wampanoag:

• Sign this petition calling on Congress to Pass the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Reservation Reaffirmation Act

• Call Senator John Hoeven of North Dakota, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs: (202) 224-2551. Urge him to support the forward movement of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Reservation Reaffirmation Act (Senate Bill 2628)Call and email David Berhardt, the Secretary of the Interior, who issued the order to disestablish the mashpee Wampanoag's reservation lands

• Call and leave a message for him at 202 208-3100, Ext 3Email him at feedback@ios.doi.gov

Learn More:

Watch this great 3-minute video by Teena Pugliese to hear directly from allies and leaders in the tribe about why this matters. 

The Doctrine of Discovery has been the religious and legal basis of land theft, extractive capitalism, Indigenous genocide, and violent colonization. 

Learn more about the history of the Doctrine of Discovery—and Unitarian Universalist efforts to make amends and repudiate the Doctrine in contemporary times—by clicking here.  Learn more about the history and contemporary life of the Mashpee Wampanoag on the Tribe’s official website.  

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The UUA has issued an official stateement, see March 31st statement

Senators Warren and Markey issued this statement on 3/30/20

Boston, MA – Massachusetts Senators Elizabeth Warren and Edward J. Markey released the following joint statement after the Department of the Interior announced the disestablishment of the Mashpee Wampanoag reservation in Massachusetts.

“The Mashpee Wampanoag have a right to their ancestral homeland no matter what craven political games the Trump administration tries to play. Disestablishment of the Mashpee Wampanoag reservation would re-open a shameful and painful chapter of American history of systematically ripping apart tribal lands and breaking the federal government’s word. We will not allow the Mashpee Wampanoag to lose their homeland. We will fight this cruel injustice that promises to have ripple effects across Indian Country.” 

Start a Mutual Aid Group

Start a Mutual Aid Group in your community

As we are facing this public health crisis, systemic injustices that are set up to serve just the elite are predictably failing to respond to this crisis in many ways. While so much messaging is around isolating and caring for ourselves, in the face of this, we must hold up the first and seventh UU principles: The inherent worth and dignity of every person, and respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. That is, to get through this, we must come together to support each other. 

UU Mass Action is inviting and encouraging our UU members and congregations to use a mutual aid framework to support each other through this crisis. Thousands of mutual aid networks are organizing across the country and world, hyperlocal efforts to connect people’s needs to resources (and of course many people have both needs and resources!). 

We want to do our part to expand these networks to every community within Massachusetts. We encourage you to find out and tap into your local existing mutual aid group and plug your congregation in, and if it doesn’t yet exist, we invite you to initiate one. Please email Tali Smookler at tsmookler@uumassaction.org if you would like support in getting started or, if you are already engaged in this effort in your community, so we can be resources for each other.  Below are some key resources to help you. 

• How to Replicate - clear instructions for starting a group. Use this for practically getting started. 

• Boston + MA COVID19 Resources - look at the “mutual aid” list for groups that already exist. This also has many other great resources for thinking about this crisis through a public health lens. 

• Collective Care is our Best Weapon - a national resource re: mutual aid, includes list of some MA groups already. This is long, only look through if you want more broad resources. 

As the COVID-19 pandemic sweeps around the world, statist and capitalist structures predictably continue to fail us in many ways. Underlying that failure is the stress on individual responses: stockpile, isolate, and care for yourself.

While “social” aka “physical” distancing is a necessary tool to help stop the spread of this virus, it will only be effective if it’s grounded in an ethics and practice of social solidarity and collective care. COVID-19 clearly demonstrates that only by deeply looking out for each other—acting as if everyone’s life has inherent worth and is at risk; as if the health of one is the health of all—will we actually be able to lessen the amount of sickness and death, not to mention the emotional weight on us all. Unless everyone cooperates, the virus exponentially spreads.

Such cooperation has to be about building on—rather than fearing—the fact that we’re all interconnected and impacted by COVID-19; that we’re all in this together. Our cooperation is about making sure everyone can take time off work, have a home and enough food, stay hydrated and wash their hands, not feel alone or abandoned, receive health and other care, and the list goes on. It’s what geographer Peter Kropotkin long called “mutual aid” in his book by the same title—a phenomenon that he saw repeated time and time again in his studies of various species, ecosystems, and societies: mutual aid allowed them to not only survive but also thrive! Or as Kropotkin put it, “Practicing mutual aid is the surest means for giving each other and to all the greatest safety, the best guarantee of existence.”

In the face of these dramatic and sudden changes brought about by Coronavirus (and the federal government's response to it), mutual aid is needed now more than ever. It's been incredibly encouraging to see folks like you stepping up to support members of your community.

In just the past few days, thousands of mutual aid projects have been cropping up nationally and globally and we want to do our part to expand these networks to every community within Massachusetts. Do you know of any mutual aid networks in your area? If not, we are hoping to support our members in connecting and/or creating to these networks. Would you be able to see if there are networks already in your area, and if not would you be interested in helping to initiate those conversations? 

We would provide you with the forms and sheets for laying out needs and offerings. You would:

• get the word out about the network by sharing via email, social media, and neighborhood online groups.

•  work to pair offers with needs.

• respond to community member inquiries.

 You would be supported by a team of organizers comprised of Vignesh Ramachandran, and Tali Smookler. *(or however individuals want to alter this as they send it out)*

 Here are some useful reflections from 350.org and Mutual Aid Network in Medford and Somerville (MAMAS):

Crises times can make us feel like each person has to look out only for themselves -- in reality, we know we have better chances if we stick together and support one another. Climate breakdown all but ensures there will be more disasters in the months and years ahead and building these systems of community resilience now will support us during other catastrophes down the road. Having a connected community will help us through it all.

If you aren't able to bottom-line a new mutual aid network in your community at this time, are there other ways that you would like to get involved?