September 2006
Dear UU Activists and Friends:
Welcome to JUUstice News! This monthly e-newsletter provides news about how Michigan UU’s and other activists are working together to influence policy makers on justice issues through the Michigan UU Social Justice Network (MUUSJN). Send information for this newsletter to Network Coordinator, Lynda Smith, at Lyndajs@earthlink.net. Due to an operation today to correct retinal detachment, Network Manager Randy Block will not be able to respond to e-mails for at least a week. Please direct all MUUSJN inquiries to Lynda Smith by e-mail or call 313-617-4615. A copy of this newsletter is attached for duplication and distribution.
IN THIS ISSUE:
- Affirmative Action Information Mailed to UU Churches
- S.O.S. Proposal Dies After Defend Michigan Coalition Challenge
- MUUSJN Sends Letters to Editors on Iraq War; YOUR HELP NEEDED
- Support from UU Churches Needed to Secure UUA Match
- Health Task Forces Recommends That UU’s Campaign for Universal Health Care
- Network Co-Chair Election at Next Statewide MUUSJN Conference Call: October 19th
Affirmative Action Information Mailed to UU Churches - The MUUSJN mailed information on its position on the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative (Proposal 2) and materials from One United Michigan to all Michigan UU churches during August. Currently, about 10 churches are holding such forums. Will your church get involved? Barbara Stevenson, chair of the MUUSJN Affirmative Action Task Force, urges you to visit the One United Michigan website to learn about actions you can take and upcoming events: www.oneunitedmichigan.org To request a speaker, contact Gwen Winston at 313-965-9582.
S.O.S. Proposal Dies After Defend Michigan Coalition Challenge – Advocates for adequate funding for State services gave a collective sigh of relief when the Michigan Supreme Court recently denied an appeal to put the S.O.S. (Stop Overspending) Constitutional amendment on this fall’s ballot. The MUUSJN, at the recommendation of its Poverty Task Force, voted in August to join the Defend Michigan coalition and had started to launch a campaign to educate UU’s on this dangerous measure. According to news reports, the proposal fell about 20,000 short of the number of valid signatures needed to get on the ballot. For more information see: www.milhs.org/default.asp
MUUSJN Sends Letters to Editors on Iraq War; YOUR HELP NEEDED - The following letter to the editor on Iraq was e-mailed by MUUSJN to 14 Michigan newspapers located in communities served by UU churches. Its position reflects the Declaration of Peace resolution passed this summer at General Assembly. You help is needed in three ways to expand the impact of this effort. Some newspapers, e.g., the Lansing Journal and the Flint Journal, indicated they would not print the letter unless it came from a local resident.
1). Please consider if you or your social justice group would submit this letter to the editor.
2) Scan the following local media to see if our letter to the editor was published: The Michigan Daily (Ann Arbor); Ann Arbor News; Detroit Free Press; Detroit News; Jackson Citizen Patriot; Flint Journal; Grand Rapids Press; Kalamazoo Gazette; Lansing State Journal; Ludington Daily News; Mt. Pleasant Morning Sun; Muskegon Chronicle; and the Travers City Record Eagle.
3) An incomplete list of e-mail contacts for Michigan Newspapers is attached. Please let us know what additions or corrections are needed. Thanks!
Letter to the Editor
It is time for Congress to develop a plan for the rapid end of U.S. military involvement in Iraq. This plan should include: providing increased support for U.S. military personnel and their families; closing all U.S. bases; supporting an Iraqi-led peace process; ending U.S. control of Iraq’s political and economic life, including its oil; making reparations; and supporting the reconstruction of this war-torn country. Unitarian Universalists, a denomination that has endorsed this stand and that has a congregation in this community, urges local leaders to become involved in interfaith campaigns to end U.S. military involvement in Iraq.
Support from UU Churches Needed to Secure UUA Match – We are serious about UU justice in Michigan; our budget is one measure of this commitment. The MUUSJN budget for FY 2006/2007 includes funds for additional campaign work, including the costs of conference calls to promote statewide UU justice planning and coordination, to address poverty, affirmative action, the environment and health care. This budget includes $5,000 that needs to be raised that will be matched through a UU Funding Program matching grant. However, to be eligible for full matching funds, $2,720 needs to be raised by December 31, 2006. The MUUSJN Steering Committee voted to appeal to all Michigan UU churches for their help, perhaps through a special plate collection, through fund raisers or other justice funding. Please encourage your church to respond generously to need. Of course, it’s never too late to make a tax deductible individual contribution. Please write your check to the Birmingham Unitarian Church (with MUUSJN in the memo line) and mail it to: Rev. Lynda Smith, Network Coordinator, 1703 Orleans, Detroit, MI 48207
Health Task Forces Recommends That UU’s Campaign for Universal Health Care - Three actions were recommended by the MUUSJN Health Task Force for action at tonight’s Network Steering Committee:
1) Take a public stand for universal health care;
2) Support the establishment of a “Michigan Health Car Finance Commission” to study the financing of health care and to make recommendations to change the way that health care is financed so that all Michigan residents will have access to health insurance; and
3) join MichUHCAN and make a $100 contribution to this group as part of its organizational membership.
The Task Force envisions launching an educational campaign for universal health care after the election. Lucille McNaughton is Co-Chair of this Task Force and may be reached at 313-561-5692.
Network Co-Chair Election at Next Statewide MUUSJN Conference Call: October 19th – Representatives of every UU church in Michigan are invited to participate in a MUUSJN Steering Committee conference call at 7 p.m. on October 19th. On this meeting’s agenda will be the election of Network Co-Chairs. You are invited to nominate justice activist (possibly your minister?) for this leadership position. Steering Committee conference calls will be held every other month, making it possible for anyone to be part of the action without leaving their home! A list of MUUSJN justice contacts is attached. Please let Lynda Smith (313-617-4615) know if representatives from your church need to be updated.
Upcoming Events: (See MUUSJN Calendar of Events: www.uujustice.org )
