[JTWNews] Action on Supreme Court Alito Vote & More!

[Susan Leslie]

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JOURNEY TOWARD WHOLENESS (JTW) - NEWS
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Dear JTW-News Readers:
 
This issue brings you news of important actions at the national level:
 
(1) Call-In Day Jan. 26th (Wed) to oppose Judge Alito's confirmation
(2) Call-In Day Jan. 25th (Today) to support Senate version of PATRIOT Act
(3) A Report on Let Justice Roll Martin Luther King Living Wage Days - 
----Greater Boston Event with Senator Edward Kennedy & UU Services in US
(4) Living Wage Days Continue with UU Justice Sunday March 26th
 
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I apologize for the extremely short notice on these call-in days. The pace in Washington is often last minute but still we will do better to give you more notice when these are coming up.  That said, please go to the links included in this e-mail and call your representatives today, and ask other people to do so as well.  The need to stand up now for our religious principles for safeguarding civil rights and civil liberties has never been greater or more urgent. 
 
I hope you will be as proud as I was at the large event we had at First United Parish Unitarian in Quincy MA with Senator Edward Kennedy.  Sponsors included the UUA, UUSC, UU Urban Ministry, UUs for a Just Economic Community, American Friends Service Committee, SEIU, ACORN, and the Let Justice Roll Coalition.  We had 'the beloved community' in the room and modeled what multi-racial, multi-class partnerships look like. See http://www.uua.org/news/2006/060116_justice/index.html for a full report about this event and UU activities around the country!  A just minimum wage is becoming a growing organizing issue in several states that intersects issues of race and class, as people of faith and conscience are alarmed by the growing rate of poverty in this nation.  To find out about initiatives in your state see www.LetJusticeRoll.org and see www.uusc.org Justice Sunday about holding a Living Wage Day on March 26th.  
 
Thank you all for your leadership in these challenging times.
 
In faith, Susan
 
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(1) CALL FOR ACTION ON EVE OFALITO SUPREME COURT VOTE
 
For HTML see front page of www.uua.org.
 
(January 23, 2006) - When the UUA announced its opposition to the confirmation of Judge Samuel Alito to the US Supreme Court, we pledgedto "use the Union for Reform Judaism's policy in relation to the confirmation hearings External Site, which is that we have ample evidence to oppose now, and we will continue to do so unless the
hearings manage to bring forth information which allays our concerns."

As predicted, Judge Alito's testimony did not allay our concerns. In fact, Judge Alito affirmed his opinion that the strip-search of a mother and a 10 year old girl without a specific warrant to do so was legal; he did not distance himself from a long-troubling history in cases involving discrimination based on race, gender, and disability, as well
as in cases involving people claiming rights under the First Amendment. He also refused to call Roe vs. Wade "settled law" or affirm support for a health exception in anti-abortion legislation.

Notably, several members of the Judiciary committee who supported the confirmation of (now Supreme Court Chief Justice) John Roberts have announced their opposition to Judge Alito, based largely on concerns that Judge Alito would not provide an effective check on presidential power.

As the full Senate prepares to vote on Alito's confirmation, the UUA Washington Office for Advocacy is encouraging interested Unitarian Universalists to participate in a national day of action on Thursday, January 26th. On the preceding day, the Rev. Calvin Dame, former UUA Board Member and minister of the UU Community Church of Augusta, ME, will join staff from the UUA Washington Office and other religious organizations on lobby visits organized by the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice.

On Thursday, January 26th, interested Unitarian Universalists are encouraged to communicate their opposition to Judge Alito's confirmation with letters, phone calls, and emails. Let your Senators know that you're a Unitarian Universalist (and/or person of faith) who values civil liberties, and fears that Judge Alito's confirmation will
undermine too many fundamental rights. For more information, see the Washington Office's flyers http://www.uua.org/news/2006/060116_justice/index.html for the national day of action as well as other materials helpful in making your voice heard!
 
For full report, see http://www.uua.org/.
 
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(2) CALL-IN TODAY TO SUPPORT SENATE VERSION OF REAUTHORIZATION OF PATRIOT ACT
 
ACTION:
On Wednesday, January 25th, please phone both your Senators and your Representative and ask them to ensure protection of civil liberties by supporting provisions in the Senate version of the PATRIOT Act reauthorization bill. (The House and Senate have each passed differing versions of legislation to re-authorize the law; the Senate bill, while not perfect, does a better job of protecting civil liberties) Simply call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask for your Senators and Representatives by name; when you reach the Senator or Representative's office, identify yourself as a constituent with a message for the Senator/Representative. 
 
For more information, udpate, and talking points see http://www.uua.org/uuawo/new/article.php?id=723
 
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(3) MOBILIZING FOR A JUST MINIMUM WAGE & A LIVING WAGE
 
The Let Justice Roll Living Wage Coalition, which includes the UUA  & UUSC, are working to raise the federal minimum wage and the state minimum wage in several states.  Establishing a just minimum wage is part of working toward establishing a living wage, and is bringing the issue to the public arena through advocacy and discussion at the federal level and through state organizing intiatives.
 
The UUA & UUSC had the honor of hosting the Let Justice Roll Martin Luther King Living Wage Day with Senator Edward Kennedy who has been working with the coalition to raise the national minimum wage.  Senator Kennedy spoke at the Let Justice Roll national kick-off at the Nov. 7 press conference in Washington, DC.  We chose First United Parish Unitarian to host the event because of the effective work they have been doing for economic justice through their participation in the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization.  UUSC Director Charlie Clements introduced Senator Kennedy and delivered greetings from UUA President William Sinkford who was at First UU San Diego preaching on Dr. King's legacy of working for racial justice and economic justice.   Rev. Sinkford called on UUs to support efforts for increasing the minimum wage in CA that are tied to cost of living adjustments.
 
To read about the Quincy and San Diego events and what other UU congregations did for MLK Living Wage Sunday, including sermons given, as well as for  living wage initiatives generally, and more resources see http://www.uua.org/news/2006/060116_justice/index.html.  
 
Also see UU World's report at http://www.uuworld.org/news/articles/uuchurchhostssenatorkennedyforlivingwagerally2543.shtml.
 
 
(4) UU JUSTICE SUNDAY FOR ECONOMIC JUSTICE & LIVING WAGE
 
If you missed the opportunity to have a Living Wage Day on MLK Day you can plan one for UU Justice Sunday on March 26.  See http://www.uua.org/news/2006/060116_justice/index.html for resources and information.
 
Susan Leslie
Director for Congregational Advocacy & Witness
UUA, 25 Beacon St., Boston MA 02108
617-948-4607; sleslie at uua.org
Visit www.uua.org/justice
Subscribe to SAC-News, SRI-News & Advocacy-News at
www.uua.org/mailman/listinfo
 
 
Susan Leslie
Director for Congregational Advocacy & Witness
UUA, 25 Beacon St., Boston MA 02108
617-948-4607; sleslie at uua.org
Visit www.uua.org/justice
Subscribe to SAC-News, SRI-News & Advocacy-News at
www.uua.org/mailman/listinfo