The legislative session is under way, which means there are lots of lobby days under way and coming soon, and plenty of calls for action on issues important to UUs in Minnesota.

One quick thing you can do today is to sign a giant Valentine that will be delivered to Minnesota's legislative leaders on February 14th as part of Andrew's Round Table's "Change of Heart" campaign

At the capitol recently, our allies in racial equity, the Organizing Apprenticeship Project, released their annual Legislative Report Card on Racial Equity. Check out your Minnesota Representative and Senator's grades!

The next major event in MUUSJA's work for equity in employment is HIRE Minnesota's launch event for the Worst-to-First campaign. We're thrilled that White Bear UU Church's vocal Ensemble will be performing at HIRE's event on Tuesday evening, February 21st. Everyone is invited!

There's a ton of great things going on, see below for key events and actions you can participate in for marriage equality, for voting rights, for women's health and choice, and more. Come be with fellow UUs and our allies in the work for justice!

Ralph Wyman 
MUUSJA Director/Organizer
612-998-6624

 

SACRED CHOICES

Annual Intergenerational Film Night

Friday, February 10th, 6:30 - 9:30pm

First Universalist Church

Social Hall 

3400 Dupont Ave S, Minneapolis 

   

The Sacred Choices-Reproductive Rights group invites you to an Intergenerational Film & Discussion Night. Anybody aged 13-100+ yrs is welcome and encouraged to take part! "The Fragile Promise of Choice" by award-winning filmmaker Dorothy Fadiman examines how worsening socio-economic, political and legal conditions for reproductive justice have affected the lives of providers and the women who seek their services. The film also looks at the complexity of religious issues and ways faith can lead to supporting a pro-choice viewpoint. Evening starts with pizza dinner followed by the film and discussion. RSVP not necessary but helpful; contact Cathy Apostle at caquilt51@aol.com 

 

 

UUs FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY

Monday, February 13th, 6:30-8:30pm
First Unitarian Society
900 Mt Curve, Minneapolis

The national conversation about marriage and same-sex relationships has arrived in Minnesota. This November, voters will decide if discrimination should be written into our state constitution. Come hear Ralph Wyman, Director and Organizer for MUUSJA, present a short, accessible training on how best to talk about why marriage matters to LGBT Minnesotans - and to us all. We'll explore ways to move conversations in helpful directions, and have time to practice together. Also, a campaign update from UU and OutFront staffer Phil Duran. 

This is an open event for all UUs. RSVPs helpful but not required. Thank you to FUS Social Action for providing space and refreshments.  

 

 

SACRED CHOICES    

ProChoice Lobby Day

Wednesday, February 15th

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!    

  

 

MUUSJA/AUW Voting Rights

Saturday, February 18th, 9:00-11:00 am 

First Universalist Church

3400 Dupont Ave S, Minneapolis

 

Learn about the issue of Voter ID, which is expected to be on the 2012 Minnesota ballot. There is a great new video prepared by the League of Women Voters Minnesota that can help educate voters on the key points of this anticipated constitutional amendment.  Not needed to secure Minnesota's top-notch election system, a Voter ID requirement would make it much harder to vote for about 12% of eligible citizens, particularly older and younger voters, low income people, the disabled, and people of color.   

AUW/MUUSJA is a state leader in demonstrating that Photo ID is unnecessary via this report published a year ago , showing that cases of voter fraud by voter impersonation are non-existent in Minnesota's elections.    

FFI: Carol Johnson 612-825-3322 or Jenny Thomas jjewell.thomas@gmail.com

 

 

RACIAL EQUITY  

HIRE Minnesota Worst-to-First Campaign Launch!

Tuesday, February 21st, 6:00-8:00pm  

Zion Baptist Church 

621 Elwood Avenue N, Minneapolis 55411

A Vikings stadium could cost the City of Minneapolis, a city with some of the widest employment disparities in the country, hundreds of millions in tax dollars. But in all we hear about the stadium, city officials are not talking about the workforce disparities around us. As we have done with Mn/DOT and Central Corridor, we must connect public investments to reducing disparities, and not just in the construction sector.

Employment disparities in our community are unacceptable and HIRE will be rolling out a major new initiative. We're expanding our scope to more sectors and more opportunities, so that our region moves from Worst to First in equity!

 

Join us on February 21 to learn how you can help HIRE tell the city and region that reducing racial disparities in employment must be a priority. Dinner will be served, and music will be performed by the Zion choir and WBUUC's vocal ensemble. FFI contact Avi at HIRE MN.   

 

 

UUs FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY

Sunday, February 26th, 6:00-8:00 pm
First Universalist, Library
3400 Dupont, Minneapolis

Our regular meeting of congregational leaders - and potential leaders - to implement our plan for how UU and interfaith work to defeat the 2012 anti-marriage amendment. We continue to call for representatives from as many Minnesota congregations as possible to attend, either in person or via phone or web conferencing.
You can join the meeting by web conference streaming video & audio, at BigMarker.com  Please e-mail Ralph to receive a link and login instructions.