Stand Up for Human Rights in Arizona

You Are Needed in Arizona

At the end of this month, Arizona’s anti-immigrant, anti-family law — SB 1070 — is set to go into effect. This law would fan the flames of racial profiling, criminalize people, and separate families. No one is inherently illegal, and no family should endure the terror this law will cause.

Arizona has become a flash point in the movement for human dignity.  Activism and organizing in the “show me your papers” state has become more important than ever.  SB 1070 is a violation of human rights, and we are called as people of faith to stand witness, and stand on the side of love with immigrant families.

Will you join us there?

On July 28-30, Standing on the Side of Love supporters from across the country will join activists, labor leaders, concerned citizens, and faith leaders — including UUA President Peter Morales and UUA Moderator Gini Courter – in Phoenix . We are partnering with local organizations like ¡Alto Arizona! and Puente to make a difference, and we’ll participate in public witness events and the National Day of Non Compliance against SB 1070, set to go into effect July 29th.

If you can join us in Phoenix, or would like more information about how you can help, please sign our interest form and we will be in touch.

Thanks to a generous grant from the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock, in Long Island, NY, financial support may be available to offset your travel costs, and home hospitality is available, so please don’t hesitate. All are needed to be powerful witnesses for love in the face of fear.

For a tentative schedule of events, click here.

SSL in Action

Since Arizona shocked the nation by passing SB 1070, far reaching, anti-immigrant, anti-family legislation, SSL members from Phoenix to NYC have been Standing on the Side of Love with immigrant families and against the pain and terror that is being caused by SB 1070.

Thousands of people from around the country came to Phoenix on May 29 for a National Day of Action against SB 1070, including 500 people marching under the banner of Standing on the Side of Love and wearing our prominent gold SSL T-shirts.  The “love people”, as we were called, couldn’t be missed.

In New York City, Standing on the Side of Love supporters joined a protest against SB 1070. They linked arms and walked into the street to block traffic in front of the Federal Plaza, where many immigrants and their families face deportation every day. They sang We Shall Overcome, facing arrest.  Said Rev. Susan Karlson: “There were taunts from others who opposed our action, but I felt the strong cloud of witnesses to justice in whose line we stood.”

Local leaders and immigrant reform advocates gathered in Philadelphia to protest a proposed law in the PA legislature similar to SB 1070.  Said Rev. Nate Walker of First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia: “We gathered as people of faith, to not only condemn Arizona’s SB1070, but to make clear that we will not accept any such copycat legislation here in Pennsylvania.”

Take Action Now!

1. 1. Sign up to Join SSL in Phoenix for the National Day of Non Compliance
2. 2. Make a donation to support Standing on the Side of Love immigrant justice work.
3. 3. Send a message to your governor calling for him/her to prevent measures similar to SB 1070 from becoming law in your state.
4. 4. Order Standing on the Side of Love with Immigrant Families yard signs
5. 5. Plan a worship service or witness event in your local community on the National Day of Non-Compliance – July 29.
6. The UU Congregation of Phoenix is hosting a screening and panel discussion on the documentary 9500 Liberty and inviting other congregations to view the film simultaneously.