MUUSJA Connection
Minnesota Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Alliance

November 5, 2010

 
Greetings!

Polling continues to show that the majority of Americans want EPA action on global warming.  Come to our Fall Meeting on Sunday, Nov. 14th to find out what impacts the recent election may have on the EPA, and particularly the intent to regulate greenhouse gasses.  Learn what we are what we can do to help keep moving forward on this critical long-term issue.

The new legislature is months from being sworn in, and we're already hearing of a renewed push to constitutionally ban same-sex marriage and civil unions in Minnesota.  MUUSJA's Out for Marriage (UUO4M) campaign has been at work for five legislative sessions, and will stay in this until liberty and the pursuit of happiness is equal for all.  UUO4M urges you to head to Anoka on Nov 16th to get engaged again in the work of equality!

In election news, Voting Rights co-chair Jenny tells us there is a need for non-partisan recount observers, and an election audit will come first.  We could use more volunteer observers as the audit is the first time ballots are handled and there will be more scrutiny than usual, given the recount that will follow. Please note election audit volunteers can sign up to be an audit observer through today at 5pm www.ceimn.org. There will be information about being a recount observer available soon, also at CEI's site.

There's lots more in this issue of the Connection.  Take a look, and hope to see you soon!

Ralph Wyman
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Thank you.
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MUUSJA Director/Organizer
[email protected]
612-998-6624
 

MUUSJA Fall Meeting
After the election: the EPA and Climate Change
Sunday, November 14Fresh Energy
1:00 - 2:30 pm
First Unitarian Society, Lower Assembly Hall
900 Mt Curve, Minneapolis

Come hear from J. Drake Hamilton, the Science Policy Director at Fresh Energy! J.'s work is in scientific analysis, policy development, and advocacy of clean energy solutions to global warming. Her policy work also emphasizes solutions that will maximize economic opportunities for the Midwest.

Given the recent elections you'll want to hear her insights on threats to EPA authority, and actions we can take together to keep the EPA working for climate protection. We'll have time for lively Q&A, too.

We're also featuring a quick and exciting update from Marcus Harcus, the coalition organizer for HIRE Minnesota.  MUUSJA takes pride in our shared leadership of this broad-based movement for employment equity.  We're workHIRE MN Logoing hard (and making some waves) to ensure equitable participation in LRT construction.  MUUSJA is also a strong voice for green jobs within the coalition.

And of course, we'll get updates from our working groups.  As a grass-roots membership organization, sharing the progress and challenges of our work together is fundamental to who we are.  Come be a part of the work for justice!


MUUSJA Working Groups

Sacred Choices meets this Saturday, November 6, at 9:30 am, First Universalist Cummins Room.  Planning is underway for their annual, much anticipated inter-generational movie night in February 2011 as well as other possible events/actions.

MUUSJA EcoMinds meets on Tuesday, November 9, 7-8:30 pm at First Universalist Church, room 200.  There is a new Environmental Justice table starting up in the Twin Cities taht we want to connect to.  Plus we'll be hearing a lot about the election and climate change including J. Drake at the Fall MUUSJA Meeting.

The MUUSJA board meets on Thursday, November 11, 7:00pm at First Unitarian Society.  All are welcome to join our monthly conversation!

Voting Rights will be active in volunteer participation in the statewide recount.  See CEI for details.

UUs Out for Marriage urges everyone to head out to Anoka on Tuesday evening, Nov 16th, for the next Speaking from Faith event.  We're mobilizing again to stop any proposed amendment to constitutionally ban gay marriage.  Watch for a UUO4M meeting announcement soon!

E-mail Ralph to find out more about any of our campaigns or to get connected to our volunteer working group leaders.  Everyone is welcome.
Many more events that our working group partner organizations host each month are on our facebook page and on MUUSJA's home page, too.


Bullied posterBullied: A Student, a School, and a Case that Made History
Free documentary screening
Tuesday, November 9th

7:00 pm
Central Lutheran Church
333 South 12th Street, Minneapolis


Bullied chronicles the powerful story of a student from Ashland, Wis., Jamie Nabozny, who stood up to his anti-gay tormentors with a federal lawsuit. The suit led to a landmark decision that held school officials accountable for not stopping anti-gay bullying.  The Southern Poverty Law Center (hosts of the film) urge school districts to adopt policies that specifically address bullying based on sexual orientation and gender expression.  Reservations are free but required. Reserve early, demand is expected to be high.


Safe
Speaking from Faith on Marriage and Safe Schools

Tuesday, November 16th
6:30-8:00 p.m.
First Congregational Anoka UCC
1923 Third Avenue South
Anoka, MN 55303

Faithful voices of many backgrounds have a significant role to play in keeping kids safe in schools, and in supporting equal access to civil marriage for all.  This workshop will provide insights into how to speak from your own perspective, to tell your story of why you are for fairness and against bullying based on sexual orientation.  You'll leave equipped to speak from your faith to these timely issues.

This workshop will be available to travel to other communities of faith in the year ahead, with special interest in touring greater Minnesota.  E-mail Ralph if you would like to offer/suggest future locations.

 
Flow: How did a handful of corporations steal our water?
Flow: documentaryDocumentary Discussion Group
Sunday, November 14th
1:00 pm
UU Church of Willmar
500 5th Street Southwest
Willmar, MN 56201

Water is the very essence of life, sustaining every being on the planet. 'Flow' confronts the disturbing reality that our crucial resource is dwindling, and corporate greed may be the cause.
With issues of pollution, politics, and human rights all coming to a head with water, film maker Irena Salina points the finger at specific corporate and governmental figures responsible for the crisis, and takes a look at how grassroots organizations work to fight the increasing privatization of water, hoping to end the imbalance in access to this precious resource.   84 minutes, 2008.
 

LRT TrainHIRE Minnesota at the next Central Corridor meeting
Thursday, November 18
2:30 - 4:00 pm
Central Corridor Project Office
Griggs Midway Building
540 Fairview Ave. N., Suite 200, St. Paul, MN 55104

Contractors are not meeting hiring goals for a diverse workforce.  This public meeting of the Disadvantaged Business & Affirmative Action work group of the Central Corridor Project is where HIRE Minnesota is standing up to hold officials and contractors accountable.  Turning out engaged citizens to observe and support this work in a true multi-cultural coalition will be key to success.  Please join MUUSJA at this very important meeting. FFI contact Marcus or Ralph.

Watch for future issues of our e-news for plenty of UU justice news, calendar items, and links.
 
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