The Spirit of Partnership: Betty Jeanne Rueters-Ward’s Reflections (continued)

Afternoon, July 29th

Arriving at the UU Congregation of Phoenix on July 28th, the first familiar face I encountered wasn’t a Unitarian Universalist. It was Gopal Dayaneni, a trainer with Ruckus Society. Ruckus and Catalyst Project were developing an additional, last minute civil disobedience (CD) training geared especially to UUs. Those supporting civil disobedience, whether they took arrest or not, were the people we were focused on organizing. As we prepared for the training, we wondered: How many Unitarian Universalists would decide to step up to the movement’s call for civil disobedience?

We explained to the UU’s assembled that for every person who would choose to risk arrest the following day, additional support people would be required for logistical, legal, health/safety, media, and pastoral roles. Then we waited, to see who would commit to supporting civil disobedience. As Gopal remembers it,

"I’d rushed in, surprised and unprepared for what followed. I’d expected no more than thirty people to stay for the CD training. I was overwhelmed, in every sense, when over 100 people participated. And that moment, to me, captures the story of Unitarian Universalists coming to Arizona to stand for human rights. Giving themselves fully to the moment, to the community, to the action. You modeled for the larger faith/activist communities what movement accountability, and supporting local organizing, looks like. You were critical to the success of the actions, playing whatever roles you were called to take on. We at Ruckus Society were honored to work with you, and look forward to building together in the future."

Morning, July 29th

So many people have written about the events on the actual Day of Non-Compliance, so I will let those powerful accounts speak for themselves. But one beautiful moment does stand out. I watched two dear friends, from opposite coasts of the continent – one a Catalyst Project staffer, the other a Unitarian Universalist minister – link arms as they blockaded the Maricopa Jail in civil disobedience. They held tight to each other even as the police dragged them inside. They had just met the prior evening.

Morning, July 30th

While some waited outside the jail for our friends, other UUs gathered back at the congregation for briefings and task assignments. I huddled with Susan Leslie, the UUA Director of Congregational Advocacy and Witness, at the back of the sanctuary, calling for updates from Puente.

Before I arrived in Phoenix, I was lucky to connect with Leah Jo Carnine, a volunteer coordinator for Puente. Leah Jo came to the Anne Braden Program from Arizona, where she was committed to helping build a multiracial movement for human rights. This summer she helped orient fellow Anne Braden Program alumni, along with Unitarian Universalist leaders, to local organizing in Phoenix. She later told me,

"Working with the nearly 200 UUs who came for the National Day of Non-Compliance was simply transformational. Over and over again, my Puente friends shared their excitement about how UUs dove into the work. UUs were in the streets en masse, putting their bodies on the line, participating in civil disobedience and playing crucial support roles. They were outside the jail vigiling, celebrating, and raising money for bail. They were building strong and powerful relationships with migrant rights leaders. Quite simply, they were doing whatever needed to be done.”

The morning of the 30th, Leah updated me on what Puente needed most “legal volunteers to make calls; folks to greet and care for protesters just released from jail; and, to be honest… we need folks who are willing to get dirty. There’s a lot of cleaning needed.”

I walked to the front of the sanctuary, where I encountered more eager volunteers than I could delegate tasks to. I found out later that one of the folks cleaning the Puente office was part of the same congregation I would begin serving the following week. He had flown across the country to do whatever was needed of him in Arizona. If that meant sorting trash and rinsing banner-making supplies, then he was happy to be put to work.

Early afternoon, July 30th

On my way between congregations, I met with my Catalyst Project friends. Ari Clemenzi described her sleepless night in jail; how a number of the prisoners were comforted by the songs, prayers, and listening offered by the Unitarian Universalists. "There’s room for all our pain, room for all our struggle," one woman reassured her cellmates.

Sipping coffee, we told more stories, marveling at the collaborative nature of the movement here. We noticed how the relationships that Catalyst and Unitarian Universalists had built with one another and other organizations were fostering the trust and partnership needed on the ground in Arizona.

Ingrid Chapman, a Catalyst staffer and national coordinator for U.S. for All of Us, commented,

"The Unitarian Universalists really took to heart what local immigrant rights leaders where asking us for: to put our bodies on the line and participate in non-violent civil disobedience. UUs exemplified what movement building is about: showing up for each other from a place of love, courage and vision; supporting the leadership of people who are most directly targeted by injustice; and building relationships for the long-term."

For Chris Crass, Catalyst Project coordinator, it was a memorable day in his own faith journey. Chris began attending First Unitarian Church of Oakland, CA after being inspired by Young Religious Unitarian Universalists (YRUU), an international UU youth movement for which Catalyst provided training and mentorship. As Chris told me,

“As a Unitarian Universalist and an organizer with Catalyst, I was moved to tears, witnessing my people join together, saying ‘We will not allow these injustices to go unchallenged.’ I was moved to tears, watching my religious leaders stand against Sheriff Arpaio’s racist vision of our country – instead taking action for a vision of democracy and equality for all people. I was moved to tears, witnessing UUs from across the country take hands with working class immigrant activists from Arizona, building unity for the liberation of all people. All this, and shutting down one of the most notorious jails in the country.

By sharing values and strategy, we learned how powerful we can be together. Catalyst Project has been supporting Unitarian Universalist leaders for years, and in Phoenix, we were deeply honored to support UUs in taking direct action. Together, we put anti-racist principles into practice; nourishing the culture of the beloved community.”

Early Evening, July 30th

Most Unitarian Universalists – including those jailed the previous day – regrouped at Valley UU Congregation for food, fellowship, rest, song, and prayer. Our laughter and tears were interrupted with the latest news: a group blockading vehicles headed on one of Sheriff Arpaio’s raids had been arrested. They included leaders from Puente, National Day Laborers Organizing Network, Ruckus Society, U.S. for All of Us, and Catalyst Project (including a Unitarian Universalist). Sal Reza, a key leader of Puente, was unjustly detained while observing their act of civil disobedience.

Hearing the news, I felt dizzy – and then, urgent. I felt so far away from my friends, some of whom held coordinating responsibilities for Puente; I imagined they hadn’t all anticipated taking arrest, but felt called in the moment to step up. I wanted to have been with them, but I’d also needed to be with my UU community. For a moment, I felt a deep ache, pulled in multiple directions by my multiple affiliations.

But then, the cars at Valley UU filled up fast, departing for an emergency rally and vigil outside the tent city jail. Some transported bullhorns, signs, extra food and candles; others picked up supplies along the way. When I arrived, weary but energetic protesters lined the streets, chanting and singing.

I found Linda Wells, an Anne Braden Program alum who was volunteering with Puente for the month. We’d met in our teens, through Unitarian Universalist youth conferences. Linda’s coordinating responsibilities doubled when the police arrested our friends. "I have to raise bail, right away. Do you know anyone who can help?" she asked. I directed her to Gini Courter, the UUA Moderator. Gini immediately assured us, "Whatever you need, we’ve got you covered," then nodded toward the jail and added, "those are our people in there."

And so we rallied outside the jail, together. When we got word that our friends would be arraigned downtown, we packed up and departed for the Maricopa Jail. The late night heat soon gave way to a powerful summer rainstorm. Still, we waited outside for the hearings. A local dee jay arrived to blast salsa music, and community members brought their largest speakers, so that those locked up might hear as well. And so we danced outside the jail, together.

This week

It’s been a month, and each day I’m hearing new reflections from Arizona. Leah wrote me this week about sitting inside Sheriff Arpaio’s paddy wagon, after she and others were arrested..

“…I remember someone saying ‘Look, the yellow shirts are here! The UUs are here!’ Our energy, our hearts were immediately lifted.”

Z! Haukeness, an organizer from Madison, WI who coordinated legal support for Puente, shared Leah’s sentiments. Z! and I met through the Anne Braden Program, but our communities had been collaborating for some time. Z! had most recently worked with Unitarian Universalists through the U.S. for All of Us network. When U.S. for All of Us encouraged its network to answer Puente’s call for volunteer organizers, Z! headed to Phoenix. On the ground, Z! encountered local UUs again and again. Of working with local minister Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray, Z! told me,

"Witnessing Rev. Susan go through a spiritual transformation, and bringing that transformational process to her congregation… I can’t tell you how inspired I have been in my organizing."

Back in Madison, Z! recently protested an anti-immigrant speaker, and instantly spotted a Unitarian Universalist at the rally. "When I saw one of those [Standing on the Side of Love] shirts again, I felt a connection: a hope that this person would stand strong for justice, the way that so many did in Arizona." Shortly after the Day of Non-Compliance, Z! wrote me,

“They were there
Standing on the side of love
There with signs after Salvador Reza was wrongfully arrested
There when we, arrested for blockading another Arpaio raid, were driven away
There when we got out of jail
There waiting for everyone to get out of jail
There posting bail
There learning how to do challenging racial justice work
There listening to Puente members
There risking arrest
There singing
There, locally and nationally, as part of an ongoing and growing movement
There in those yellow orange shirts
Standing on the side of love
They were there.”

Hearing Z!’s and others’ reflections, I’m hopeful for our movements. For Unitarian Universalists and so many others, there is much struggle, learning, and transformation ahead. By moving forward in the humble spirit of partnership, I’m hopeful we can fulfill this calling to counter racism, and create a world grounded in love and justice.

—Betty Jeanne Rueters-Ward

For more information, visit:

Puente and Alto Arizona (www.altoarizona.com) Coverage from the SB1070 Day of Non-Compliance, action alerts, and organizing resources.

Catalyst Project (www.collectiveliberation.org) Applications for the 2011 Anne Braden Anti-Racist Organizing Training Program are available now, and due October 1st, 2010.

Ruckus Society (www.ruckus.org) Training and support for non-violent direct action and civil disobedience.

U.S. for All of Us (www.USforAllofUs.org) Sign on to the statement of commitment; connect with anti-racist organizations in your area.

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