MUUSJA Connection
Minnesota Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Alliance
January 20, 2011
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Greetings!
A new governor is sworn in, and a realigned Minnesota Legislature is in session. We're busy connecting to our many allies and coalition partners - and many rallies, days-on-the-hill, and citizen lobbying - to get our unique UU voice heard on the issues that matter to us all.  We're already hearing of a renewed push to ban same-sex marriage and the possibility of civil unions and other same-sex recognition and benefits, right here in Minnesota. Join with hundreds of people of faith as we rally in the rotunda at noon on February 10th to say that we stand on the side of love, equality and freedom. Next Tuesday, HIRE Minnesota invites everyone to dinner and a program, including House Minority Leader Paul Thissen, as we talk about moving employment equity and opportunity for all when public dollars are spent. ProChoice lobby day, the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition Day on the Hill, and the Second Chances Coalition's work for felon enfranchisement are all on tap for us. Check out all the events below, stay in touch, and join us as we work for together to advance our UU values! Ralph Wyman Your gift helps! Thank you.  | MUUSJA Director/Organizer 612-998-6624 |
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HIRE Minnesota winter meeting
Special guest: Minority Leader Rep. Paul Thissen
Tuesday, January 25th
6 - 8 pm
Rondo Community Outreach Library
461 N. Dale Street (at University), St Paul
Dinner provided
Join us! HIRE Minnesota's strength is our collective voice,
a voice we used to hold MnDOT accountable and increase the number of
women and people of color the agency hired by 45 percent last year.
We continue to use our voice to tell the Metropolitan Council we expect to see women and people of color getting jobs building the Central Corridor light rail line.
More recently, we added our voice to a coalition of groups surfacing ideas for how to reduce disparities while expanding job growth and economic opportunity.
Now, it's your turn to speak up at our winter quarterly meeting!
HIRE Minnesota is a coalition of community organizations working to ensure that public
investments in infrastructure and renewable energy provide jobs that
create pathways out of poverty, reduce racial disparities and contribute
to healthier communities for us all.
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MUUSJA Working Groups
Sacred Choices meets this Saturday, January 22, at 12:30 pm, First Universalist Room 202. Sacred Choices is working with NARAL to train new clinic escorts, and with Planed Parenthood to host a work-day to make gifts for Planned Parenthood patient engagement volunteers.
MUUSJA EcoMinds meets on Tuesday, February 1, 7-8:30 pm at First Universalist Church. EcoMinds will support two MEP goals: 1. Defend Minnesota's Environmental Policy Foundation, 2. Clean Energy Jobs. EcoMinds also works with HIRE MN on green jobs and equity, and supports EPA authority to regulate greenhouse gasses.
The MUUSJA board will meet in February at First Unitarian Society. Date & time TBA, contact Ralph for meeting date to be set soon. All are welcome to join our monthly conversation on our UU work for justice!
Voting Rights is hosting an important panel discussion on February 6th on civic engagement and election integrity.
UUs Out for Marriage urges everyone to attend the Freedom to Marry rally on Thursday, February 10th at the Minnesota Capitol. We need 100s of voices of faith to carry our message that "We're all families, supporting equality!"
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.
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 Second Chance Day on the Hill 2011
Wednesday, January 26th, 10 a.m.
Minnesota Capitol Rotunda
Please join us in the State Capitol
Rotunda as hundreds of ex-offenders, their families and supporters of
justice reform come together to highlight the importance of second
chances.
The Minnesota Second Chance Coalition is a partnership
of over 50 organizations that advocate for fair and responsible laws,
policies, and practices that allow those who have committed crimes to
redeem themselves, fully support themselves and their families, and
contribute to their communities to their full potential.
Creating Change: The 23rd National Conference on LGBT Equality
February 2-6, 2011
Hilton Minneapolis Hotel
1001 Marquette Avenue South
The premier annual organizing and skills-building
event for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and their
allies is right here in Minneapolis, and registration is still open! Limited income registration starts at $150 for 5 days of training,
connecting and getting inspired for justice. Single-day registration is
available, and a special people of faith track is offered.
The conference attracts more than 2,500 people from all over the
country every year and include members of the business community, elected officials,
students, faith leaders and staff and volunteers of non-profit
organizations. This five-day program features over 250 workshops
and training sessions, four plenary sessions, and tons of networking
opportunities.
Civic Engagement and Election Integrity: Keeping Minnesota #1Sunday, February 6th 12:30-2:00 pm First Universalist, Cummins Room 3400 Dupont Ave S, Minneapolis MUUSJA and AUW is sponsoring a panel discussion to learn about the recent survey
of Minnesota's County Attorneys published by MUUSJA/AUW and Citizens for
Election Integrity, "Facts About Ineligible Voting and Voter Fraud in
Minnesota." Learn about the implications for election reform from the report authors and special guests planned, including Secretary of State Mark Ritchie. A light lunch will be served. FFI: Carol Johnson 612-825-3322 or Jenny Thomas jjewell.thomas@gmail.com
 Freedom to Marry faith rally in the Rotunda!
Thursday, February 10th
Noon-1 p.m.
Minnesota Capitol Rotunda
75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, St Paul
We will take a stand with hundreds of our friends, neighbors, community
and faith leaders in defense of justice, equality and freedom for LGBT
Minnesotans and their families! These are the values Minnesotans hold
dear and we're here to defend love, family, marriage, equality, faith,
and freedom for all.
JRLC Day on the Hill
Thursday, February 17th
St Paul River Center and MN State Capitol
Registration is now open. The Joint Religious Legislative Coalition organizes an amazing day on the hill each year for citizen engagement that includes great training, policy briefs, a rally, and meetings with legislators. This year's issues include Safe Schools for Allto address bullying in schools, an issue UUs are passionate about and that passed with bipartisan support last year, only to meet a gubernatorial veto.
 ProChoice Lobby Day
Wednesday, February 23rd
8:45 am - 2:30pm, Rally at noon
Minnesota Capitol building
We need to stand strong and defend the right to choose! Reproductive health care and sex ed in schools need support now more than ever. Join over 200 of your neighbors and supporters. Registration and information available now!
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Watch for future issues of our e-news for plenty of UU justice news, calendar items, and links.
MUUSJA - Minnesota UU Social Justice Alliance  Donations to MUUSJA are tax deductible and support our work as the public voice for our UU values in Minnesota. |
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