Archive for August, 2012

Take Love to the Polls

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We all know how much is at stake in the upcoming election at the national, state, and local levels. Regressive policies and corporate control oppress people on the margins and disenfranchise the vulnerable among us. Nevertheless, you can use your voice to lift up the issues that affect our communities.

The outcome of an election is determined by who speaks up and who turns out. Join the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, Standing on the Side of Love, the Unitarian Universalist Association, and the UU State Advocacy Networks for the “Take Love to the Polls: Elections 2012 Webinar” to learn about what is at stake this season and how you, as a person of conscience and faith, can work with your congregation, community partners, and other allies to help level the political playing field this election season!

The “Take Love to the Polls: Elections 2012 Webinar” will be held Wednesday, September 12 at 7pm ET. Space is limited—click here to reserve your spot today!

Religious groups play a prophetic role in public life by calling attention to oppression, demanding change, and holding leaders and institutions accountable for their actions and policies. For Unitarian Universalists, participation in the democratic process is specifically held up as an act of faith in the Fifth Principle. You can help register members of your community to vote, get out the vote, and stop voter suppression. Most importantly, you can partner with community groups, organizations on college campuses, and statewide networks to lift up the voices of those in our society who are historically under-represented and help empower those who are most affected by regressive policies. By helping people participate in the democratic process, we show them we care that their voices get heard.

Please join me in standing on the side of love this election season. Click here to register for the “Take Love to the Polls: Elections 2012 Webinar.”

Inspiring the words of Abraham Lincoln’s famous “Gettysburg Address,” Unitarian minister Theodore Parker said that democracy is “a government of all the people, by all the people, for all the people.” Join us to learn how we can work together this election season to help make that a reality.

In solidarity,

kara_smith_headshot

Kara Smith
Associate for Grassroots Mobilization
Unitarian Universalist Service Committee

The message above went out on Thursday, August 30, 2012 to Standing on the Side of Love supporters. You can sign-up for these emails here.

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Preliminary Schedule for No Papers No Fear Ride for Justice in Charlotte

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Charlotte Welcomes the No Papers No Fear Riders

Saturday, September 1
4:00pm
El Siloe Church
2633 Eastway Dr. Charlotte, NC
(bus is estimated to arrive near 5pm)

No Papers No Fear Immigrant Rights Contingent in the March on Wall Street South

Sunday, September 2
Rally starts at 11am, bus to arrive at noon, march leaves at 1pm
Frazier Park
1201 West 4th Street Ext
Charlotte, NC 28202
https://www.facebook.com/events/434718556571531/

Sin Papeles y Sin Miedo Festival de Canto, Poesia, y Arte
**This will be the major public community event.**

Monday, September 3
6:00pm
Conozca a los viajeros del undocubus // Meet the riders
Vea a la exhibición de arte // See the art exhibit
Escucha la música de los Jornaleros del Norte // Dance to the Jornaleros del Norte
Restaurante Fiesta Jalisco/Skandalo’s
5317 E. Independence Blvd
Charlotte, NC
https://www.facebook.com/events/361385353938639/

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No Papers No Fear’ Delegation Makes First Stop in North Carolina

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PRESS RELEASE

No Papers No Fear’ Delegation Makes First Stop in North Carolina Towards
Democratic National Convention, Supports Undocumented Immigrants of Asheville

A national delegation of undocumented immigrants visits Western North Carolina to challenge practice of constant police check-points targeting undocumented immigrants and racial profiling and support workers in deportation proceedings, specifically those targeted in the 2011 Shogun Restaurant immigration raid.

Asheville, NC – Over the last six years, immigrants and advocates in Western North Carolina have been organizing against racial profiling, deportations, and the use of police check points targeting Latinos and undocumented immigrants. These practices have eroded the trust between local police and Latino communities. Additionally, in November 2011, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted a work place raid at the Shogun restaurant, that has led to 12 workers being placed in deportation proceedings. “We welcome the riders and hope that their visit will let other people know about the injustices that happen here in Asheville,” said Osvaldo Solis, one of the Shogun workers.

UNDOCUNIGHT: UNA NOCHE DE SUEÑOS Y ESPERANZA

UNA NOCHE DE CENA, TESTIMONIOS Y CONVIVIO CON LA JORNDADA POR LA JUSTICIA: SIN PAPELES SIN MIEDO SEGUIDO POR UNA CARAVANA AL RESTAURANTE SHOGUN BUFFET
AN EVENING OF SHARING A MEAL AND STORIES WITH UNDOCUBUS RIDERS FOLLOWED BY A CARAVAN TO SHOGUN BUFFET

WNCCHS FELLOWSHIP HALL
312 HAYWOOD ROAD
ASHEVILLE
Thursday, August 30 5PM

CARAVAN TO SHOGUN BUFFET 7PM

The No Papers No Fear Ride for Justice is a national delegation of undocumented people and allies that left Phoenix, Arizona on the anniversary of the state’s implementation of SB1070, July 29th, and is traveling across the country to rally the migrant community to overcome fear and organize to challenge anti-immigrant policies. The No Papers No Fear ride was inspired by actions of undocumented students, such as coming out of the shadows events and civil disobedience actions, that have demonstrated the power and results of communities acting and speaking for themselves. The riders are undocumented people from all over the country and their allies, including mothers, fathers, day laborers, people in deportation proceedings, students, and many others who continue to face threats of deportation, harassment, and death while simply looking for a better life in the only nation many of them know and call home.

More information on the No Papers No Fear Ride for Justice is at www.nopapersnofear.org, and follow @undocubus on twitter for updates.

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Save the Date for Thirty Days of Love

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What started as a reimagining of February 14th as National Standing on the Side of Love Day eventually blossomed into a beautiful Thirty Days of Love, bracketed by Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and Valentine’s Day.

In 2012, thousands of people reveled in 30 days of justice-and-love-filled actions; engaged in collective visioning, active listening and theological reflection with congregations; participated in service projects; presented courageous love awards to community heroes; attended special Standing on the Side of Love services; and engaged in transformative acts of public witness throughout the month, most especially on February 14—National Standing on the Side of Love Day.

In 2013, we are bringing back the Thirty Days, and we have listened to your feedback! Most importantly, we want to provide ample notice so you can start planning your participation now. So please add these dates to your calendar:

Saturday, January 19th – Sunday, February 17th, 2013

What else do we envision for our next Thirty Days of Love?

  • More activities geared for individuals not affiliated with a congregation, and towards children, youth, and young adults.
  • A continued focus on the interfaith spirit of the campaign.
  • Streamlined communications and resources that are easy to digest.

Do you have suggestions for us? We’d love to hear your ideas for daily activities, exercises, prayers, reflection, and meditations that we might share with the larger community. All ideas—big and small—are very welcome. The Thirty Days of Love is all about collective effort. Send your thoughts to love@uua.org.

Want to get a head start on planning for this year’s events? All of the resources from last year are available on our website.

If you are affiliated with a congregation, you might also think about identifying a small working group within your congregation to focus on planning for the Thirty Days of Love.

The Thirty Days is a wonderful, focused time to connect more deeply with others who are committed to standing on the side of love and to the calls of love and justice. So save the dates today and start brainstorming!

In partnership,

The Standing on the Side of Love Creative Advisory Team

The message above went out on Tuesday, August 27, 2012 to Standing on the Side of Love supporters. You can sign-up for these emails here.

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National Delegation of Undocumented Immigrants Arrives in Georgia

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National Delegation of Undocumented Immigrants Arrives to Georgia as Court Affirms Rights of Police to Verify People’s Immigration Status

The federal appeals court ruled that Georgia law enforcement may check the immigration status of those who fail to produce ‘proper’ identification, as the No Papers No Fear Ride for Justice, a group of undocumented immigrants publicly speaking about their status, arrives to work with local communities.

Tifton, GA – Two days ago the United States federal appeals court ruled in favor the section in Georgia’s HB 87, affirming the right of local law enforcement to question people about their immigration status if they are suspected of a crime or fail to produce proper identification. The ruling also blocked several provisions considered violation of constitutional rights and undermining of the powers of the federal government, including the making it a crime to transport, “induce or entice” undocumented immigrants to travel to the state.

The No Papers No Fear Ride for Justice is a national delegation of undocumented people and allies that left Phoenix, Arizona on the anniversary of the state’s implementation of SB1070, July 29th, and is travelling across the country to rally the migrant community to overcome fear and organize to challenge anti-immigrant policies. While in Georgia, they will be visiting members of the Comites Populares (CPG) in Tifton, Warner Robins, and Atlanta, relating to Secure Communities programs, deportations, access to education, deferred action, and detention of undocumented immigrants.

Calendar of No Papers No Fear Events in Atlanta

What: No Papers No Fear rally and press conference
When: Friday August 24, 2012; 2:00-3:00 pm
Where: Atlanta Detention Center, 254 Peachtree Street SW, Atlanta, GA. 30303

What: Public testimonies and cultural event
When: Saturday August 25, 2012; 2:00-5:00 PM
Where: 4166 Buford Hwy NW Atlanta, GA, 30303

The No Papers No Fear ride was inspired by actions of undocumented young people, such as coming out of the shadows events and civil disobedience actions, that have demonstrated the power and results of communities acting and speaking for themselves, the riders are undocumented people from all over the country and their allies, including mothers, fathers, day laborers, people in deportation proceedings, students, and many others who continue to face threats of deportation, harassment, and death while simply looking for a better life in the only nation many of them know and call home.

More information on the No Papers No Fear Ride for Justice is at www.nopapersnofear.org, and follow @undocubus on twitter for updates.

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