Contact justice@uusaratoga.org for more information
1. Social Justice needs a new Chair – or two or more! Lucy Manning is stepping down in mid-May as chair of the Team and the position can easily be shared to lessen the workload for one person. Here’s a list of duties that can be divided among several people:
- Create Agenda and Run Meetings (this can rotate)
- Submit monthly report to the Board of Trustees (should be the same person)
- Submit weekly reports to Journey Well (multiple people could do this by rotating each week)
- Advertise events as needed outside of the congregation (via Loop, SIC newsletter, Saratoga Today, neighboring UUs, etc)
- Be the point person for activities (this can rotate)
Please email Lucy with any questions and consider taking on some of these duties! lucymnnng@gmail.com
2. New Movie Opportunity on May 3!
On Saturday, May 3rd at 3pm, we will present a screening of the new feature documentary film by Saratoga Springs resident Michael Wayne, How to Save Democracy.
How to Save Democracy is a film that looks at why democracy in the U.S. is struggling to survive. It looks at the roots of democracy, the periods when democracy has flourished and struggled, and how things can be restored to the true promise of what democracy holds. The people interviewed in the film–Pulitzer Prize winners, journalists, authors, activists, constitutional scholars, and historians–all give depth and perspective on what it would take for the U.S. to realize the true aspirations of democracy.The film includes archival images and footage from the 19th and 20th centuries, including talks and speeches by Franklin Delano Roosevelt that will be sure to truly inspire you.
While the times we live in right now seem dark, we can’t give up hope, and this film will surely give you that hope. It tells the story of where things went wrong, and shows how things can go right.
After the film showing, the filmmaker Michael Wayne will be joining us to have an open discussion about the film, answering questions, and discussing observations and any takeaways we may have about the film.
For more information about the film and to see the trailer, go to: https://savingdemocracyfilm.com/
3. What’s next after April 5 HANDS OFF! Honk and Wave?
Join the Honk and Wave rally tomorrow on April 19 near the Saratoga Springs post office from noon until 1:30pm. Don’t have time to come? Drive through the intersection and honk to support! Register here so they know you’re coming: Honk-n-Wave:Keep the Republic that the Revolution fought for 250 years ago ›
4. What’s Up with this Sign?
And a follow up from the Social Justice Team’s Coffee Chat on 4/6/25
I.C.E. and Our Role as a Sanctuary Space
When you return to our Meeting House, you will see this sign attached to the outside of the back door on the lower level and on the door from the sanctuary leading to the steps downstairs.
As you know, on January 20, 2025, the Trump Administration rescinded a Biden-era policy that protected certain areas—such as churches, school, and hospitals—from immigration enforcement, replacing it with an unreleased directive that gives ICE agents power to take enforcement actions in any of these spaces using so-called “common sense.” As a result, UUA joined 26 Jewish and Christian denominations in a lawsuit challenging this rescission: https://www.uuworld.org/articles/immigration-lawsuit-unitarian-universalist-association
UUA sent every congregation a list of guidelines to follow, which included identifying private vs public spaces in our building. Anyone has access to the public area, but ICE agents must have a judicial warrant to enter the private area. These signs mark our private areas in the building – everything except the sanctuary.
At the Coffee Chat on Sunday, April 6, Lucy Manning and Mark Long reviewed our status and shared suggestions on how to move forward as individuals and as a conjugation. Lucy reviewed the immigration lawsuit, the congregational resolution passed on April 9, 2017 , and explained the posting of the sign featured above.
Mark shared ideas on how to act/react during these challenging times including:
Be Informed
- Pay attention to local activity (ICE in Public Poster)
- Avoid TV news – shocking statements raise anxiety, are often retracted or reversed
- Find reliable analyses, commentary, look for recent and updated reports.
Join a Group
- Saratoga Immigration Coalition (SIC) – new members welcomed, or
Sign up for SIC’s weekly E-News list of upcoming social justice events
- Social Justice Social Hour – fourth Thursdays at Frederick Allen Lodge, 6-7:00pm
Vamos Todos Juntos! (Let’s All Go Together!)
- Engaging with allies helps us support and encourage each other
- Raise Hell! Write, call, and boy/girlcott
Take Care of Yourself
- Avoid Unnecessary Stress
- Get outside and appreciate nature, AKA “The Real World”
- Seek Inspiration – Books/Music/TV/Movies
Here are links to resources to help you remain informed and get involved!
Saratoga Immigration Coalition
Co-Leaders: Terry Diggory/Maxine Lautenberg
Website (OLF): https://www.ourlodgefoundation.org/sic
Phone/text: (518) 306 – 1313
email: SaratogaImmigration@gmail.com
UUCSS Liaison: Mark Long
Phone/text: 518-316-9740
email: 19abrican@gmail.com
Immigration Enforcement Action: What Churches need to know (UCC):
https://www.ucc.org/immigration-enforcement-action-what-churches-need-to-know/
ICE and Immigration Enforcement – Things You Should Know (UUA):
Factsheet: Trump’s Recission of Protected Areas Policies Undermines Safety for All (NILC): https://www.nilc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2025-02.25-Protected-Areas-Fact-Sheet-English_.pdf
5. It already passed the House.It’s up to the Senate to stop it. Please call your Senator!Help Stop the SAVE Act:
6. Save the Date for Movie Night on May 18
We will view a collection of short films, including animations, from the Climate Future Film Festival. Check their website for a preview: https://www.climatefuturefilm.com/host-the-festival/
7. NY public schools tell Trump administration they won’t comply with DEI order.
New York state officials have told the Trump administration that they will not comply with its demands to end diversity, equity and inclusion practices in public schools, despite the administration’s threats to terminate federal education funding. Daniel Morton-Bentley, counsel and deputy commissioner of the state Department of Education, said in a letter dated Friday to the federal Education Department that state officials do not believe the federal agency has the authority to make such demands.
“We understand that the current administration seeks to censor anything it deems ‘diversity, equity & inclusion,’” he wrote. “But there are no federal or State laws prohibiting the principles of DEI.” From AP News. Note: On March 27, the School Board of Saratoga Springs Central School District voted 7-1 with one abstention for a resolution reaffirming the district’s DEI policy. According to Saratoga Today, news of the resolution attracted national attention in the days preceding the vote, when the popular conservative X account “Libs of TikTok” accused the Saratoga Springs School District of supporting “radical gender ideology” in a post that garnered more than 237,000 views. The account also retweeted a post from [a local conservative blog] that listed the names and emails of Saratoga School Board members.
8. Weekly Action Updates from Side With Love
https://sidewithlove.org/action-center-updates/2025/4/15/041525-action-center-weekly-updatenbsp
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IN THE COMMUNITY
- Time to help with the Interfaith Garden!
Here’s a way to combine a love of gardening with community service!
To find out more about or to volunteer at the Interfaith Healing Garden at the Presbyterian Church send an email to Judy Beers at judybeers53@gmail.com.
- Attend this Skidmore Event
Please note and share this direct link for registering: https://sspl.libcal.com/event/13317040…
- Tuesday, April 22, 6:30pm – 8:00 PM: Know Your Rights Workshop
Sponsored by Capital District Border Watch. Location disclosed at registration: email Carrie Kuehl at kuehlcarrie@gmail.com.
- Tuesday, April 22, 7:00 PM: Become a Stronger Transgender and Non-Binary Ally
In person at Gannett Auditorium, Palamountain Hall, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs. Virtual at https://sspl.libcal.com/event/13317040?k=eb0ff333990258ef21e0dfb6570f2854
Sponsored by Saratoga Pride, Saratoga Springs Public Library, Planned Parenthood of Greater New York. Flyer.
- Wednesday, April 23, 6:00-7:30 PM: Congressman Paul Tonko Town Hall
Saratoga Springs High School Auditorium, 1 Blue Streak Blvd.
Doors open at 5:00 PM. Registration here.
- Tuesday, April 22, 6:30pm – 8:00 PM: Know Your Rights Workshop
Sponsored by Capital District Border Watch.
Location disclosed at registration: email Carrie Kuehl at
kuehlcarrie@gmail.com.
- Tuesday, April 22, 7:00 PM: Become a Stronger Transgender and Non-Binary Ally In person at Gannett Auditorium, Palamountain Hall, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs. Virtual at https://sspl.libcal.com/event/13317040?k=eb0ff333990258ef21e0dfb6570f2854
Sponsored by Saratoga Pride, Saratoga Springs Public Library, Planned Parenthood
7. Wednesday, April 23, 6:30 PM: General Meeting of Saratoga Immigration Coalition
The meeting will take place both in person and on Zoom. Attendance by Zoom requires registration at this link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/JuCMpAXtQRmgGL3Nk-wfZw
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
You may also attend the meeting in person, at the Presbyterian—United Church of Christ (24 Circular St., Saratoga Springs). Enter the Nolan House on the church grounds from the parking lot off Park Place.
Notes from the meeting of March 20 are available here.
Questions? saratogaimmigration@gmail.com; 518-306-1313.
- Thursday, April 24, 9:00 AM-9:00 PM: Library Budget Vote and Trustee Election
Saratoga Springs Public Library, 49 Henry Street.
- Thursday April 24, 11:30 AM: Immigration Actions in First 100 Days of Trump’s Second Term
Webinar sponsored by Migration Policy Institute.
Registration here
- Thursday, April 24, 2:30-4:30: How to Prepare Clients for Interviews and Best Practices When Working with USCIS
Luis Garza National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA) Legal Services Spring Webinar Series
Registration here.
- Thursday, April 24, 7:00-8:30 PM: Critical Conversations : Immigrant Justice
Sanctuary for Independent Media, t 3361 6th Avenue, North Troy.
Discussion with members of Columbia County Sanctuary Movement.
- SARATOGA IMMIGRATION COALITION EMERGENCY FUND
As “mass deportation” rips workers out of our community and tears families apart, SIC has re-launched the GoFundMe site to receive donations to meet immediate needs of our immigrant neighbors, in small amounts, enough to pay for a month’s rent, weekly groceries, or other daily needs while longer-term solutions are sought. Referrals come from service providers and faith leaders at work in the community, who in many cases are already familiar with the circumstances of those in need. And the fund is designed to serve the community well known to SIC, primarily Saratoga, Washington and Warren Counties.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/aid-saratoga-area-immigrants
or search for “Saratoga immigrants” on GoFundMe homepage https://www.gofundme.com/ .
13.
Register now to secure your spot on the bus and a lobby team! We’re going to have a powerful day:
- Meeting with target legislators
- Rallying with advocates and legislative champions of our bill
- Educating folks on the importance of the bill
Lunch and transportation from NYC and WNY will be provided!
We’ll have two orientation sessions on April 23rd @ 6:30PM and April 24th @ 12PM — to cover all details and assign folks to lobby teams, but please feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions.
- Wed., April 23, for a 7pm screening of “Heightened Scrutiny,” a film about anti-trans legislation, which will be followed by a Q&A. Ahead of the screening at 5pm, Sam Feder will offer a Be The Media! workshop on Centering Representation and Access in (Social Justice) Filmmaking.
This screening comes a week after our Critical Conversation: Protecting Trans Lives, taking place this Thu., April 17 at 7pm, with guests Atsushi Akera, General Manager and co-founder of Cafe Euphoria, and Meagon Nolasco, the founder and board chair of Collar City Pride, among others.
Since our beginnings, the Sanctuary has used media as a tool for social justice, and our programs aim to shed light on the issues of our day. We want to create a safe space for connection and solidarity during these times. The Sanctuary stands with our friends and neighbors, including children in our community, who find themselves at risk– now more than ever.