Iraq, Sexuality Education, World Water Day and Earth Hour

"If you want to make peace, you don't talk to your friends. You talk to your enemies."
- Moshe Dayan

ADVOCACY NEWS

A Newsletter of the UUA's Advocacy & Witness Staff Group

Iraq, Sexuality Education, World Water Day and Earth Hour

March 19th, 2009

---

Dear Friends of Justice,

Today our nation marks the sixth anniversary of the Iraq War. Read below for a positive, life-affirming way in which to observe this somber occasion, and visit our staff blog, Inspired Faith, Effective Action for a perspective from one UU veteran.

This weekend, UUs young and old will join UCC and Reform Jews for the Sexuality Education Advocacy Training (SEAT) in Washington, DC. Staff members from the Washington Office will help with the training, along with a diverse group of interfaith partners. This is the fifth year for this special event and it promises to be the best ever. So think about SEAT participants this weekend, join us by calling in on Monday and Tuesday, and stay tuned to hear all about it.

In faith and for justice,
Alex, Orelia, Kat, Lisa, Adam, Audra, Susan, and Meg

In This Issue:

1. Six Years Since The Invasion of Iraq
2. SUCCESS: UU Voices for the Repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell
3. March Action of the Month: Sexuality Education Call-In Days, March 23 & 24
4. World Water Day & Earth Hour: New Resource!
5. April's Action of the Month: Environmental Justice
6. Marriage Equality: Send a Love Letter to Salt Lake City!
7. Upcoming Dates and Deadlines

---

(1) Six Years Since The Invasion of Iraq

This week, we mark the sixth year our forces have acted as an occupying presence in Iraq. Since the initial invasion we have seen thousands of US, Coalition and Iraqi lives. We have seen billions of dollars wasted and lots of lost opportunities.

For six years, you marched, petitioned, wrote letters, prayed, and voted. After six years, the war continues. And it looks like we are going to have at least one more anniversary to plan.

While we mourn the loss of lives and resources, we also celebrate our successes. President Obama may have inherited this war, but he is acting quickly to end it in a safe and responsible manner. He has promised a redeployment home of 12,000 military personnel this summer followed by a near complete withdrawal of troops by the end of 2010. However, we are disappointed that a total of 50,000 troops will remain without a clear and concrete mission or time line.

We encourage your congregation to participate in the Iraq Memorial To Life and work to finish the job in Iraq in a timely manner.

Please visit our Iraq War pages at uua.org/socialjustice to find out how you can recognize this milestone as well as support our veterans and reconciliation with the citizens of Iraq.

---

(2) SUCCESS: UU Voices for the Repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell

Unitarian Universalist congregations are having a huge impact in efforts to repeal "Don't Ask Don't Tell," (DADT) the harmful policy of mandatory discrimination against gay, lesbian, and bisexual service members in the U.S military. Members of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Canton in New York collected signatures for three weeks in a row and sent 100 rainbow-colored letters to each of their members of congress asking them to support the Military Readiness Enhancement Act (HR 1283), which would repeal DADT and replace it with a policy of non-discrimination.

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax sent a petition with 185 signatures to their elected officials, and the Mount Vernon Unitarian Church sent over 200 signatures to theirs. Mount Vernon Church members also participated in the "Freedom to Serve Rally" that took place in Washington, DC on Friday, March 13th. Click here to read more. To learn how your congregation can get involved, visit uua.org/socialjustice or contact Joan Darrah (jedarrah@aol.com).

---

(3) March Action of the Month: Sexuality Education Call-In Days, March 23 & 24

On Tuesday, March 17th, the Responsible Education About Life (REAL) Act (HR 1551) was introduced into the 111th Congress by Rep. Barbara Lee from California and Senator Frank Lautenberg from New Jersey. Click here for a news article and footage from the press conference. The bill creates a federal grant program to fund age appropriate, medically accurate, comprehensive sexuality education. Currently, federal funding is limited to abstinence-only education programs, which can provide misleading information and do not effectively promote healthy behavior among youth. Now is the time to ask your congressional representatives to get REAL and support this bill.

Find more information on uua.org/socialjustice and use our resources and example scripts to set up an informational session and phone bank at your congregation. Encourage others in your community to participate.

Call your elected officials on March 23rd and ask them to co-sponsor or vote for the REAL Act. While you are calling, participants in the fifth annual Sexuality Education Advocacy Training will be visiting Capitol Hill, and our voices will create a buzz about comprehensive sexuality education. Your congressional representatives are listening; make your voice heard!

---

(4) World Water Day & Earth Hour: New Resource!

While you are making plans for Earth Day (April 22nd), don't forget two important Environmental Justice events in March:

March 22nd is World Water Day - a day to remember that access to clean, safe water for drinking and bathing is a human right. The trend has become to privatize water so that only those who can afford to pay have access to clean water. We must resist that trend. The UU Service Committee has several resources devoted to the Human Right to Water.

March 28th is Earth Hour. At 8:30pm local time, participants will turn off their lights for one hour in order to show their concern about global climate change. Earth Hour is a global event, with 934 cities and towns in 80 countries officially participating. The UUA encourages UUs who are participating in Earth Hour to use the time to reflect on energy justice - what is the real cost of the energy we use to power our lights? To assist with this reflection, we have created an Earth Hour Energy Meditation. Check it out!

---

(5) April's Action of the Month: Environmental Justice

April's Action of the Month will Environmental Justice In partnership with Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Earth (UUMFE) and Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC), we invite Unitarian Universalists to engage in environmental justice - recognizing the disproportionate impact that both environmental problems and proposed "solutions" have had on women, low-income families, and communities of color both in the U.S. and around the world. Join UUs across the country as we work on a variety of consciousness-raising actions, culminating in Earth Sunday services on April 26th.

For more information, visit our April Action of the Month page.

---

(6) Marriage Equality: Send a Love Letter to Salt Lake City!

Can you imagine a "Marriage is a Civil Right" banner waving over downtown Salt Lake City? This year, we have a unique opportunity to hang a three by ten foot marriage equality banner on the large tower of the Salt Palace Convention Center during General Assembly in June.

Did you know that Utah residents donated $2.6 million in 2008 - more than any other state outside California - to support the passage of Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriage in California? Displaying our banner will send a strong message that we are standing on the side of love.

$6,000.00 alone will make this advocacy event possible, but the Salt Palace will not reserve the space until payment is in hand. We aim to make the reservation by May 1st, so the time to act is now. Gifts of $35 or more are especially helpful.

Consider contributing a percentage of your tax refund check this spring!

Click here to read more and/or make a donation.

---

(7) Upcoming Dates and Deadlines

March's Action of the Month: Sexuality Education Call-In Days

March 19: Anniversary of Iraq War

March 20: Vernal Equinox

March 21-24: Sexuality Education Advocacy Training (SEAT)

March 22: World Water Day

March 28: Earth Hour

March 29: UUSC Justice Sunday

April's Action of the Month: Environmental Justice

April 9-15: Passover/Pesach

April 12: Easter

April 15: Tax Day

April 16-18: UU-UNO's Intergenerational Spring Seminar

April 17: National Day of Silence (BGLT Solidarity)

April 22: Earth Day

April 26-28: National Center for Transgender Equality Religious Summit and Lobby Day

May 4-5: Human Rights Campaign Clergy Call

---

Contact Us:

Rev. Meg Riley
Director of Advocacy & Witness
mriley@uua.org

Washington Office

Adam Gerhardstein
Acting Director
also working on International Issues
agerhardstein@uua.org, 202.393.2255 x21

Kat Liu
Assistant Director
also working on Environmental Justice
kliu@uua.org, 202.393.2255 x13

Orelia Busch
Legislative Assistant for Women's Issues
UU Women's Federation Clara Barton Intern
obusch@uua.org, 202.393.2255 x12

Lisa Swanson
Legislative Assistant for Economic & Racial Justice
lswanson@uua.org, 202.393.2255 x22

Alex Winnett
Program Associate for Peacemaking
Mary Bonner Memorial Intern
awinnett@uua.org, 202.393.2255 x20

Congregational Advocacy & Witness

Susan Leslie
Director
sleslie@uua.org, 617.948.4607

Audra Friend
Program Coordinator
afriend@uua.org, 617.948.4656

[SAC-News] MARCH: Support Comprehensive Sex Ed, Witness Six Years of War in Iraq, and More!‏

Social Action Chair (SAC) News

A Newsletter of the UUA's Advocacy & Witness Staff Group

MARCH: Support Comprehensive Sex Ed, Witness Six Years of War in Iraq, and More!

March 11th, 2009

Dear SAC-News Readers:

It is so good to be working with you collectively for national advocacy and organizing efforts and to hear what you are doing at the local level. As of this writing we learned that 97 congregations in 36 states participated in the January Living Wage Action and collected over 500 faith leaders' signatures on the Letter to Congress for $10 in 2010. Our Actions of the Month (which you can view on our UU Social Justice Calendar) are building strength for attaining our Legislative Objectives for social justice. See below for information about the March Action of the Month on Supporting Comprehensive Sexuality Education.

This month's issue of SAC-News also brings resources and news of UUs witnessing on the sixth anniversary of the Iraq War, health care, environmental justice, the economic crisis and a new economy. Please send reports of what your congregation is doing to sleslie@uua.org. We want to share your news.

Note: March 18th is the deadline for registering for the April 3-5 Conference on Leading Congregations into a Multiracial, Multicultural Future: Now is the Time!

In faith, gratitude, and hopefulness,

Susan, Audra, Orelia, Kat, Alex, Lisa, Adam, and Meg
UUA Advocacy & Witness Programs

In this Issue:

1. March Action of the Month: Sexuality Education Call-In Days
2. CONGREGATIONAL SUCCESS: UU Society, East of Manchester CT Joins Interfaith Health Care Action
3. Witness Six Years of War in Iraq March 20th: Resources & Actions
4. RESOURCES for Earth Day and April's Action of the Month
5. RESOURCE: New Comic Book from Jobs with Justice Illustrates the Economic Crisis
6. Upcoming Social Justice Conferences & Trainings
• UUJEC-Changing our Economic Story- April 3-5, Rowe, MA
• Now Is the Time! Conference in Tulsa, OK, April 3-5, 2009
• Ethical Investing for UU Congregations-May 9, Washington, DC
7. Pre-GA Gathering for Social Justice Makers
8. Help Bring a Banner for Marriage Equality to GA in Salt Lake City!

---

1) March Action of the Month: Sexuality Education Call-In Days

March's Action of the Month is Sexuality Education Call-In Days. You can organize members of your congregation to call their elected officials for Sexuality Education Call-in Days, March 23rd and 24th. Congressional representatives need to hear from constituents and people of faith who support age-appropriate, medically accurate sexuality education curriculums such as Our Whole Lives (OWL).

While participants in the fifth annual Sexuality Education Advocacy Training (http://www.uua.org/socialjustice/issues/healthfamily/comprehensivesexuality/seat/index.shtml) will be lobbying their Members of Congress, you can help by setting up a phone bank. Copy and hand out example call scripts or ask your OWL facilitators to call and speak about their experiences. For more information or resources, please contact Orelia Busch (obusch@uua.org) at the Washington Office for Advocacy.

---

2) CONGREGATIONAL SUCCESS: UU Society, East of Manchester CT Joins Interfaith Health Care Action

On March 6th, Rev. Josh Pawelek and a delegation from UU Society, East of Manchester CT, participated in an action led by the Interfaith Fellowship for Universal Health Care, of which their congregation is a leading member. Dozens of religious leaders, along with groups from their congregations, totaling upwards of 150 people, marched to the State Capitol where they held a rally and hand-delivered a request to Gov. Rell's staff for a meeting with the governor.

The coalition is pushing for health reform through a proposal before the legislature by the Universal Health Care Foundation of Connecticut. The foundation says the plan, called SustiNet, could insure 98 percent of state residents by 2014.

The group of interfaith clergy read from a collection of 16 statements about the importance of universal health care from various religious traditions to demonstrate the similarity of viewpoints among religious groups representing thousands of state residents. Rev. Pawelek spoke about the long-time commitment of Unitarian Universalists to health care, and drew on the large body of General Assembly resolutions on health care and read from the 2008 Action of Immediate Witness for Single Payer Health Care. Pawelek lifted up that for his largely white middle class congregation and denomination, health care for all is a religious issue not just about valuing all people, but recognizing the inequities that have privileged some while disadvantaging people with low-incomes and many people of color.

Over the past four years, the Universal Health Care Foundation developed relationships with several key groups that would be instrumental in creating broad change in the health system, including medical societies, hospitals, businesses and clergy. Juan Figueroa, the foundation's president, said clergy members are well suited to make a wide range of voices heard.

The action received coverage in the Hartford Courant and Rev. Pawelek's interview was on several radio stations. Click here for more photos.

---

3) Witness Six Years of War in Iraq March 20th: Resources & Actions

In a week and a half, we mark the sixth year our forces have acted as an occupying force in Iraq. Since the initial invasion we have seen thousands of US, Coalition and Iraqi lives. We have seen billions of dollars wasted and lots of lost opportunities.

While we mourn the loss of lives and resources, we also celebrate our successes. President Obama may have inherited this war, but he is acting quickly to end it in a safe and responsible manner. He has promised a redeployment home of 12,000 military personnel this summer followed by a near complete withdrawal of troops by the end of 2010. However, we are disappointed that a total of 50,000 troops will remain without a clear and concrete mission or time line.

We encourage your congregation to participate in the Iraq Memorial To Life and work to finish the job in Iraq in a timely manner.

Please visit our Iraq War pages to find out how you can recognize this milestone as well as support our veterans and reconciliation with the citizens of Iraq.

---

4) RESOURCES for Earth Day and April's Action of the Month

This year, UUA, UUSC and UU Ministry for Earth are teaming up to bring you April's Action of the Month. In anticipation of Earth Day, In anticipation of Earth Day, April's Action of the Month will be Environmental Justice. Leading up to and during the month of April, we invite Unitarian Universalists (UUs) to engage in environmental justice-recognizing the disproportionate impact that both environmental problems and proposed "solutions" have had on women, low-income families, and communities of color both in the U.S. and around the world. Join UUs across the country as we work on a variety of consciousness-raising actions, culminating in Earth Day Sunday services on April 26th. Please see April's Action of the Month page for more details.

The UUMFE Resources now available at uuministryforearth.org for download for Earth Day 2009 will make it easy for your congregation to:

• Take action to promote a green economy and/or work to guarantee the human right to water in collaboration with the UUA and the UU Service Committee.
• Bring Van Jones and his 2008 Ware Lecture to your congregation via DVD at a special Earth Day price, thanks to funding from the UU Program Fund
• Honor an Eco-Hero in your congregations and nominate them for the UUMFE Guardians of the Future Award 2009.
• Educate your members about UU Ministry for Earth and encourage support for this vital UUA Affiliate organization through congregational & individual memberships.
• Take a special offering or shared-plate collection for UUMFE.
• Save money when purchasing UUMFE's newest publication, Environmental Justice: A Guidebook For Understanding And Action by Rev. Katherine Jesch. Special half-off price when it becomes available in late spring.

Visit the UUMFE website and click on the RESOURCES button to learn more, to purchase the Van Jones DVD, and to download the following free resources:

• Cover for Earth Day Sunday Order of Service
• Certificate of recognition for congregational honoree
• 9 beautiful posters to print and display

(Please Note: Congregations who are current members of UUMFE have been mailed a free Earth Day Worship Resources Packet this week.)

---

5) RESOURCE: New Comic Book from Jobs with Justice Illustrates the Economic Crisis

Everyone's looking for a straightforward explanation of what went wrong with the economy - and we all could use a good laugh, too.

This engaging 20-page comic book graphically explains the causes of our current economic crisis, and how we can get the economy working again. Published by Jobs with Justice and the Institute for Policy Studies Program on Inequality and the Common Good, it's available both online and in hard copies.

The "Economic Meltdown Funnies" is accessible, entertaining, and filled with facts to help students understand the causes and consequences of the current crisis. Formatted as a comic book, it's a graphic explanation of how Wall Street and Washington caused the financial crisis, how it's affecting real people in the real economy, and what we can do about it.

The book is available at a special rate for classrooms, unions or other organizations. Bulk orders are just $5 each for 1-10 copies, $3.50 each for 11-99 copies, and $2 each for 100 copies or more. The book can also be downloaded for free at www.economicmeltdownfunnies.org. The website features links to action and educational resources.

---

6) Upcoming Social Justice Conferences

Several important social justice conferences are coming up in the next few months. In chronological order:

Unitarian Universalists for a Just Economic Community (UUJEC) 20th Anniversary Conference

will be held April 3-5 at the Rowe Camp Conference Center in Massachusetts

The theme of this year's conference will be "Changing Our Economic Story." Help create a vision of an earth-centered, humane, and sustainable economic system that benefits all beings. Examine and understand the causes of the collapse of the current economic system, not just its symptoms.

Keynote Speaker: David Korten, author of The Great Turning

Now Is the Time! Conference in Tulsa, OK, April 3-5, 2009

"Leading Congregations into a Multiracial, Multicultural Future: now is the time!" will be in Tulsa, OK on April 3-5, 2009. The three day conference will explore what it means to be a multicultural congregation. How do we learn to see and challenge the ways in which white culture and privilege define our community? How do we create and sustain congregations that are truly welcoming and inclusive?

The conference will be in Tulsa because of the diversity of congregations in the city, and because we are partnering with the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Tahlequah and joining them for worship on Sunday morning. The keynote speaker will be Dr. L. Lee Knefelkamp. For more information, see the flyer.

Socially Responsible Investing Conference: Money, Values, and Impact - A Conference on Ethical Investing for UU Congregations

May 9th, 2009, 9am-5pm at All Souls Church, Unitarian, Washington DC

Join the social justice leaders and finance leaders of the Joseph Priestley District churches for this one-day conference. SRI advocates and skeptics alike will leave with new resources and insights for aligning our UU finances with our UU values. Guest speakers include Tim Brennan, UUA Treasurer; Donna Katzen, Founder of Shared Interest; and Stephanie Leighton of Trillium Asset Management among others. For more information, see the flyer.

---

7) Pre-GA Gathering for Social Justice Makers

PLEASE NOTE: You do NOT have to arrive a day early to make this meeting!

Get to General Assembly in time for a Pre-GA gathering for UU social justice makers on June 24th, at 2:00-:500 p.m.

We will offer training, best practice case studies, and time for networking on issues. Come meet with UUA social justice staff and other UUs working for social justice around the country.

We will send out more information and details as we get closer to GA. To register, write to Audra Friend at afriend@uua.org.

---

8) Help Bring a Banner for Marriage Equality to GA in Salt Lake City!

Send a Love Letter to Salt Lake City

Can you imagine a Marriage is a Civil Right banner waving over downtown Salt Lake City?

Donate now to make it happen.

This year, we have a unique opportunity to hang a three by ten foot marriage equality banner on the large tower of the Salt Palace Convention Center during General Assembly in June.

Did you know that Utah residents donated $2.6 million in 2008 - more than any other state outside California - to support the passage of Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriage in California? Displaying our banner will send a strong message that we are standing on the side of love.

$6,000.00 alone will make this advocacy event possible, but the Salt Palace will not reserve the space until payment is in hand. We aim to make the reservation by May 1st, so the time to act is now. Gifts of $35 or more are especially helpful.

Consider contributing a percentage of your tax refund check this spring!

Click here to read more and/or make a donation.

---

Contact Us:

Rev. Meg Riley
Director
mriley@uua.org

Congregational Advocacy & Witness

Susan Leslie
Director
sleslie@uua.org, 617.948.4607

Audra Friend
Program Coordinator
afriend@uua.org, 617.948.4656

Washington Office

Adam Gerhardstein
Acting Director
also working on International Issues
agerhardstein@uua.org, 202.393.2255 x21

Kat Liu
Assistant Director
also working on Environmental Justice
kliu@uua.org, 202.393.2255 x13

Orelia Busch
Legislative Assistant for Women's Issues
UU Women's Federation Clara Barton Intern
obusch@uua.org, 202.393.2255 x12

Lisa Swanson
Legislative Assistant for Economic & Racial Justice
lswanson@uua.org, 202.393.2255 x22

Alex Winnett
Program Associate for Peacemaking
Mary Bonner Memorial Intern
awinnett@uua.org, 202.393.2255

Amnesty International USA

Native American and Alaska Native women face a 1 in 3 chance of being raped in their lifetime. Call your Senators today to support the Tribal Law and Order Act.

		Dear Shawna, The numbers are shocking. In our report, Maze of Injustice, we uncovered the staggering statistic that Native American and Alaska Native women are more than two and a half times more likely to be raped or sexually assaulted than women in the USA in general. Thankfully, our insiders on Capitol Hill say the Senate is considering re-introducing the Tribal Law and Order Act, a bill that would help fix this broken system of justice. That's why we've made this week the national call-in week for women's rights. Call your Senators today and ask them to support the Tribal Law and Order Act. Our call-in page will give you phone numbers, detailed talking points and a sample script. If passed, the Tribal Law and Order Act would do two critical things: Clarify jurisdiction between federal, state, tribal and local governments, and Increase coordination between their law enforcement agencies for responding to violent crime against American Indians.	Call for justice for women Urge your Senator to support the Tribal Law and Order Act! A young Alaska Native girl at school in NW Alaska © AFP
		Non-Native men who rape Native American and Alaska Native women can often do so with impunity, because of a lack of tribal authority to prosecute non-Native people who commit crimes of sexual violence on tribal lands. Most perpetrators are never punished because of a complex maze of tribal, state and federal jurisdictions that is so confusing that officials are often not clear on who is responsible for responding. This maze of injustice is exactly what the Tribal Law and Order Act would help fix. Pick up the phone now and call your Senators to support and cosponsor legislation for Native American and Alaska Native women after it is introduced in the Senate. We promise it will take you less than two minutes. Our call-in page has everything you need, including phone numbers, talking points and even a sample script. Without your phone call the Tribal Law and Order Act may never see the light of day. Thank you for joining the hundreds of others who will call this week to support women's rights. Sincerely, Meredith Larson Director, Stop Violence Against Women Campaign Amnesty International, USA P.S. Join us for an online chat with our experts! Renata Rendon and Daphne Jayasinghe will be online to answer your questions on this important legislation Wednesday, March 11 from 2-3 pm ET.

E-News: Iraq Exit Strategy, Putting a Price on Carbon, and More

		Friends Committee on National Legislation A Quaker Lobby in the Public Interest

E-News: Iraq Exit Strategy, Putting a Price on Carbon, and More March 10, 2009 Iraq: Signs the U.S. Could Leave Take This Flyer to Anniversary Events Afghanistan: More Troops Won't Bring More Peace The Carbon Tax: A Market Solution to Global Warming Take Action: Urge Congress to Put a Price on Carbon Nuclear Weapons: Time to Ban Nuclear Testing Event: FCNL Spring Lobby Day Coming Up April 5-6 Immigration: Vigils and Lobby Visits Urge Humane Reform War Is Not the Answer Photo of the Week: Albany, NY See the online version of this newsletter. Iraq: Signs the U.S. Could Leave As the sixth anniversary of the U.S. invasion approaches on March 19, we at FCNL are encouraged by President Barack Obama's announcement that the United States will withdraw from Iraq by December 31, 2011. Now we all need to hold the president and Congress accountable for withdrawing all U.S. troops and bases by this date. We also need to urge them not to make Afghanistan the exit strategy for Iraq. Find out more. Take This Flyer to Anniversary Events On March 19 people around the country will hold vigils, demonstrations, and lobby visits with elected officials. Help spread the word that war is not the answer in Afghanistan, just as it wasn't in Iraq, by passing out these flyers at your meeting, church, or elsewhere in your community. Looking for an anniversary event near you? Check out the event listing prepared by the American Friends Service Committee. Afghanistan: More Troops Won't Bring More Peace In the coming weeks, the president will likely ask Congress for $75 billion more for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The United States will not be able to bring peace to Afghanistan by sending more troops. Urge your members of Congress to instead invest in the long-term diplomacy and development assistance that will lead to a comprehensive peace. The Carbon Tax: A Market Solution to Global Warming Proposals to tax carbon emissions and return the money to taxpayers are gaining wider support. This tax is a simple way to create a level playing field for low-carbon energy sources, spur investment in new low-carbon alternatives, and provide a financial incentive for people to reduce their carbon consumption. Find out why FCNL believes a carbon tax is the best mechanism to reduce CO2 emissions and what its prospects are in Congress in the February Washington Newsletter. Take Action: Urge Congress to Put a Price on Carbon Legislation introduced last week by Rep. John Larson (CT) would tax fossil fuels based on their carbon content. The vast majority of the tax would be returned directly to consumers. Does your representative support this legislation? Urge her or him to sign on as a cosponsor. Nuclear Weapons: Time to Ban Nuclear Testing During his election campaign, President Obama promised to "build bipartisan consensus behind ratification of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty." Since the United States failed to ratify the treaty 10 years ago, technical advances and a changing political climate have increased the chances that this country will make the world safer by banning nuclear test explosions. This flyer will help you spread the word and lobby your senators to support ratification. Event: FCNL Spring Lobby Days Coming Up April 5-6 Come to Washington in April to practice lobbying and meet the new Congress. On Sunday, April 5, you will receive training and be briefed on Congress's legislative agenda, in preparation for meetings with Congress on Monday. The training sessions and lobby visits will focus on diplomacy with Iran and ratification of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. Find out more. Immigration: Vigils and Lobby Visits Urge Humane Reform Last month, more than 150 communities nationwide gathered to pray for Congress to pass humane immigration reform. The events were covered by more than 60 local media outlets. Now the Interfaith Immigration Coalition, of which FCNL is a member, is encouraging people to take the next step and lobby their members of Congress when they are home for recess April 6-17. Find out how you can take part in a lobby visit in your area. War Is Not the Answer Photo of the Week: Albany, NY Albany Friends Meeting gathers to declare that War Is Not the Answer Order your own War Is Not the Answer sign and put yourself on the map.

Will NE Senators Ban Cluster Bombs?

	ABOUT US GIVE TELL A FRIEND CONTACT US	Urge Your Senators to Ban Cluster Bombs
Will NE Senators Ban Cluster Bombs? Before taking office, President Barack Obama promised he would review the U.S. decision not to ban cluster bombs. Now President Obama needs our help. The Pentagon and many people in other parts of the government don’t want to give up these weapons. President Obama will be much more likely to act if he has political support in the Senate, which will have to ratify the global cluster bomb treaty. Last month, 16 senators introduced legislation to effectively stop the United States from using these weapons, which kill many more civilians than soldiers. FCNL has already persuaded six more senators to cosponsor the Cluster Munitions Civilian Protection Act (S. 416), which now has bipartisan support. Last year, you helped FCNL build support for a cluster bomb ban in the Senate. Will you help us keep up that work? Take Action Your senators have not yet cosponsored this bill. Please ask them to join the bill immediately, then ask five friends to take action as well. Find Out More Half of the world’s nations, including most U.S. allies in NATO, have agreed to ban cluster bombs and destroy their existing stockpiles. The United States has used these weapons in civilian-populated areas of three countries in the past 10 years and has the largest stockpile of cluster bombs in the world. In February, FCNL organized a letter to President Obama from 67 medical, faith, humanitarian aid, and human rights organizations, urging him to sign the cluster bomb ban treaty. Find out what would happen if a cluster bomb were dropped in your town. Read more at banclusterbombs.org.

Advocacy News: Darfur, Iraq, Sex Ed., Immigration, Don't Ask Don't Tell, Earth Hour

"However many holy words you read, however many you speak, what good will they do you if you do not act on upon them?"
- Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha

ADVOCACY NEWS

A Newsletter of the UUA's Advocacy & Witness Staff Group

Darfur, Iraq, Sex Ed, Immigration, Don't Ask Don't Tell, and Earth Hour

March 5th, 2009

---

Dear Friends of Justice,

This week we are paying special attention to two parts of the world: Darfur, where Sudan's President al-Bashir has been indicted for crimes against humanity. It is a dangerous time for aid workers still in the country and an even more dangerous time for Darfuris in refugee camps. (See item number 1 below.) Our eyes are also watching California, where the state Supreme Court has begun hearing oral arguments in a challenge to the constitutionality of Proposition 8, which passed last November.

We would like to remind you to look at the calendar of upcoming social justice dates and events, both in item number 7 and on our website. Many more dates are listed in the calendar than we have space to highlight in our newsletters.

In faith and for justice,
Alex, Adam, Orelia, Lisa, Kat, Audra, Susan, and Meg

In This Issue:

1. Darfur: International Criminal Court Calls for Arrest of Sudan's Al-Bashir
2. SUCCESS: President's Iraq Strategy
3. March Action of the Month: Sexuality Education Call-In Days
4. Immigration: Email Your Representative for Humane Immigration Reform
5. Freedom to Serve Rally - Friday, March 13th!
6. Earth Hour & Gearing up for April's Action of the Month: Environmental Justice
7. Upcoming Dates and Deadlines

---

(1) Darfur: International Criminal Court Calls for Arrest of Sudan's Al-Bashir

On Wednesday, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a warrant for the arrest of Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir, along with many high level cabinet officials, for crimes against humanity. The warrant calls for any government to apprehend and extradite Al-Bashir to The Hague for trial. This is the first time a sitting President has been called before the Court.

As a result, Al-Bashir's government has expelled over 10 foreign aid groups from the area including Oxfam, Doctors Without Borders and CARE International. The President believes these organizations were responsible for giving the ICC enough evidence to indict him. Without these organizations the nearly 3 million displaced refugees in the area will have reduced access to food, clean water or medical facilities. Doctors Without Borders believes an untended outbreak of cholera, meningitis or malaria would cause deaths in the thousands.

During his Presidential Campaign, President Obama made very strong statements concerning the future of Darfur in Sudan. He said the United States must have "unstinting resolve" to solve the crisis there. So far, we have seen no movement on his part to act even after the call from the ICC. The UUA, a member of the Save Darfur Coalition, is asking you to send a postcard to President Obama to help end the violence in Darfur. You can send your postcard electronically and request hard copies for your congregation by visiting the Darfur Action Center.

Rev. William G. Sinkford, President of the UUA, encourages every UU to sign their postcard to President Obama. He believes this is an issue for all Americans, especially UUs to learn more about. President Sinkford says, "We felt called to speak out, to shine the light of truth into a region overshadowed by the worst form of government oppression… Neither innocence nor ignorance can excuse us from acting, but despite the outcries from the United Nations and much of the world community, the killing continues. We must do more." See his complete remarks here.

---

(2) SUCCESS: President's Iraq Strategy

Last Friday, President Obama announced a new strategy in Iraq that will end all combat operations by the end of August 2010 and bring all our troops home by the end of 2011. After years of calling for a timeline for withdrawal, we finally have one!!!! Adam Gerhardstein, Acting Director of the UUA Washington Office, posted a video on our blog inviting Unitarian Universalists to celebrate this huge step towards a better foreign policy.

The Washington Office has produced a resource analyzing President Obama's strategy and suggesting talking points.

Even as we celebrate, we are aware that March 19th marks the sixth anniversary of the Iraq war. One opportunity to mark the anniversary is the Iraq Memorial to Life. Your congregation can create markers for civilian causalities of the war, and send them to be displayed on the National Mall in May.

---

(3) March Action of the Month: Sexuality Education Call-In Days

March is here! Call your elected officials this month to speak out in support of comprehensive sexuality education in schools and communities nationwide. On the March's Action of the Month page, you will find information about legislation that provides federal funding for comprehensive, age appropriate medically accurate sexuality education in public schools. Comprehensive sexuality education includes information about abstinence and contraception from both a values and public health perspective. Use our resources to set up an informational session and phone bank at your congregation. Hand out example scripts and urge people to call their Representatives and Senators. While you are calling, participants in the fifth annual Sexuality Education Advocacy Training will be visiting Capitol Hill, and our voices will create a buzz about this important issue. Your congressional representatives are listening; make your voice heard!

---

(4) Immigration: Email Your Representative for Humane Immigration Reform

The Interfaith Immigration Coalition, of which the UUA is a member, has created an online action campaign through which you can send an email urging your Congressional representatives to enact humane comprehensive immigration reform. Personalize and send your message. For more information about the Interfaith Immigration Coalition (IIC)'s super exciting, awesome work, check out interfaithimmigration.org. You can join their listserv and receive information about the monthly national grassroots conference calls they host by entering your email in the box on the right-hand side of their homepage.

---

(5) Freedom to Serve Rally - Friday, March 13th!

Join the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network for the Freedom to Serve Rally and Lobby Day in Washington DC, at noon Friday, March 13, 2009, on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol. Stand with us as we raise our voices for equality and call for repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

This is the only federal law on the books that forces employers - in this case military commanders - to fire their employees - our service members - for being openly gay. We'll be gathering at the U.S. Capitol and calling on Congress to pass the Military Readiness Enhancement Act (HR 1283), introduced into the House of Representatives on Tuesday, which would repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and establish a policy of nondiscrimination.

The time for action is now, so come shake things up in Washington. Progress is on the horizon and, together, we can bring about real change. Momentum is on the side of repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," but it won't happen unless we stand together to call upon Congress and President Obama for action. Unitarian Universalists have been outspoken on this issue and we hope to see you at the rally! For more information and to RSVP, click here or contact Joan Darrah (jedarrah@aol.com), a UU from the Mount Vernon Unitarian Church, who will be at the rally.

---

(6) Earth Hour & Gearing up for April's Action of the Month: Environmental Justice

April's Action of the Month is Environmental Justice, in anticipation of Earth Day, which is April 22nd. But leading up to April are two important dates in March:

March 22nd is World Water Day - a day during which to remember that access to clean, safe water for drinking and bathing is a human right. The trend has become to privatize water so that only those who can afford to pay can have access to clean water. We must resist that trend. The UU Service Committee has several resources devoted to the Human Right to Water.

March 28th is Earth Hour. At 8:30pm local time, on the last Saturday in March, participants are asked to turn off their lights for one hour in order to draw attention to the link between our energy use and global climate change. Earth Hour began in 2007 in Sydney Australia and is now a global event, with 934 cities and towns in 80 countries officially participating. Several UUA staff will be participating, including the entire Congregational Stewardship Services Team!

---

(7) Upcoming Dates and Deadlines

March 1: Deadline for nominations for the Bennett, Holmes-Weatherly, Skinner Sermon, Social Witness Sermon, and Wilton Peace Prize awards

March 8: International Women's Day

March 13-16: Ecumenical Advocacy Days

March 19: Anniversary of Iraq War

March 20: Vernal Equinox

March 21-24: Sexuality Education Advocacy Training (SEAT)

March 22: World Water Day

March 28: Earth Hour

March 29: UUSC Justice Sunday

April's Action of the Month: Environmental Justice

April 9-15: Passover

April 12: Easter

April 15: Tax Day

April 16-18: UU-UNO's Intergenerational Spring Seminar

April 17: National Day of Silence (BGLT Solidarity)

April 22: Earth Day

April 26-28: National Center for Transgender Equality Religious Summit and Lobby Day

May 4-5: Human Rights Campaign Clergy Call

---

Contact Us:

Rev. Meg Riley
Director of Advocacy & Witness
mriley@uua.org

Washington Office

Adam Gerhardstein
Acting Director
also working on International Issues
agerhardstein@uua.org, 202.393.2255 x21

Kat Liu
Assistant Director
also working on Environmental Justice
kliu@uua.org, 202.393.2255 x13

Orelia Busch
Legislative Assistant for Women's Issues
UU Women's Federation Clara Barton Intern
obusch@uua.org, 202.393.2255 x12

Lisa Swanson
Legislative Assistant for Economic & Racial Justice
lswanson@uua.org, 202.393.2255 x22

Alex Winnett
Program Associate for Peacemaking
Mary Bonner Memorial Intern
awinnett@uua.org, 202.393.2255 x20

Congregational Advocacy & Witness

Susan Leslie
Director
sleslie@uua.org, 617.948.4607

Audra Friend
Program Coordinator
afriend@uua.org, 617.948.4656

---

Congregational Advocacy & Witness
25 Beacon St | Boston, MA 02108 | Phone 617.948.4656 | Fax 617.742.03213

Washington Office for Advocacy
1100 G Street NW, Suite 800 | Washington DC, 20001 | Phone: 202.393.2255 | Fax: 202.393.5494

email: socialjustice@uua.org | website: www.uua.org/socialjustice To subscribe, click here.
You are subscribed to this list as socialjustice@firstuuomaha.org. Click Here to unsubscribe, or reply to this email with "unsubscribe" in the subject line.
Update your preferences or contact information here
(Note: The first time you go to update your preferences, you must first create a login and password.)

Opening Pandora's Box in Darfur

	Some international groups and countries are lobbying so that alleged war criminals may never have to answer for their crimes. Urge Secretary Clinton and UN Ambassador Rice to push for accountability in Darfur.

		Dear Shawna, Just hours ago, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity. The ICC, having never before issued an arrest warrent against a sitting head of state, sent a powerful message that no one, regardless of his or her status - including a head of state - has immunity from crimes under international law. However, some organizations and United Nations member states are quickly moving to defer the case against the Sudanese president. These international groups and countries are urging the UN Security Council to invoke Article 16 of the Rome Statute, in order to defer Bashir's case for one year. The Rome Statute was the treaty that established the ICC and according Article 16, cases are not only subject to a deferral for one year, but any deferral can be renewed annually.	Don't defer justice in Darfur Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir © 2008 AFP
		Invoking this provision of the Rome Statute would be like opening Pandora's Box. It could mean that the case against Bashir is put on the back burner indefinitely. Depending on the scope of the Article 16 request, the deferral could even be applied to other Darfur-related cases being investigated by the ICC. Proponents of Article 16 claim that if they are given one more year, they will be closer to securing the peace that has been absent in Darfur for more than six years. They have already wasted too much time in bringing justice to Darfur, and we can't wait any longer. Send an email to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and UN Ambassador Susan Rice thanking them for U.S. opposition to article 16 and asking them to stay committed to achieving accountability in Darfur. We can't allow a false choice to be set up between justice and peace in Darfur - the people of Darfur must to have both. Justice is essential to ensuring meaningful and lasting peace where serious human rights violations have been committed. By urging Secretary Clinton and Ambassador Rice to continue to lead the charge for justice, we can send a strong message to the UN Security Council - the final decision makers - that the people responsible for the crimes in Darfur must be held accountable for their actions. Tell Secretary Clinton and Ambassador Rice to continue opposing article 16. Amnesty activists responded in force beginning last summer when these same groups tried to block all charges from even being brought against Bashir in the first place. But thanks to the thousands of emails we sent to key UN and U.S. officials and the overwhelming support for justice in Darfur we displayed at our rally outside UN headquarters in September, we saw to it that justice was served. That same response is needed once again to ensure that justice will not be delayed any longer in Darfur. No one should have to decide between peace and justice. If we remain vigilant on human rights, then the people of Darfur will never have to choose. Sincerely, Denise Bell Darfur Campaign Amnesty International USA