ACTIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES YOU CAN DO NOW From your SOCIAL JUSTICE TEAM!
Contact justice@uusaratoga.org for more information
-Support the 24 hour “black out” on purchases on Friday, Feb. 28 Join Americans pledging to stop making any purchases for a full 24 hours on February 28. The national economic blackout is scheduled as a way for Americans to boycott major retailers that have pulled back on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies as a response to President Donald Trump.
“The 24 hour Economic Blackout”
As our first initial act, we turn it off.
For one day we show them who really holds the power.
WHEN:
Friday February 28th from
12:00 A.M. to 11:59 P.M.
WHAT NOT TO DO:
Do not make any purchases
Do not shop online, or in-store
No Amazon, No Walmart, No Best Buy
Nowhere!
Do not spend money on:
Fast Food
Gas
Major Retailers
Do not use Credit or Debit Cards for non essential spending
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Only buy essentials of absolutely necessary
(Food, Medicine, Emergency Supplies)
If you must spend, ONLY support small, local businesses.
SPREAD THE MESSAGE
Talk about it, post about it, and document your actions that day!
WHY THIS MATTERS!
~ Corporations and banks only care about their bottom line.
~ If we disrupt the economy for just ONE day, it sends a powerful message.
~ If they don’t listen (they won’t) we make the next blackout longer (We will)
-UU Common Read is here in March
The 2024-25 UU Common Read is Authentic Selves: Celebrating Trans and Nonbinary People and Their Families (Skinner House, 2023).
Discussion Series:
March 2, 9, 16, and 30. 6:30-8pm in sanctuary
-UUA joined a multifaith coalition of twenty-seven religious plaintiffs bringing a lawsuit against the Trump Administration, seeking to keep houses of worship safe from raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Learn how the UUA is protecting immigrant rights.
Write to your representative now: A bill is being introduced in Congress to make the former ICE policy protecting “sensitive locations,” including churches, a matter of law. Please urge your representative to sponsor this bill.
Congressman Tonko use form at https://tonko.house.gov/contact/
Senator Schumer: use form at https://www.schumer.senate.gov/contact/message-chuck
Senator Gillibrand: use form at https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/contact/email-me/
Same letter:
Dear [Name],
I’m reaching out to urge you to be an original cosponsor of the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act of 2025, being introduced by Representative Espaillat and Senator Blumenthal. As a member of a sanctuary church, the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Saratoga Springs in New Yokr, this issue is very important to me.
Since 2011, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)’s Sensitive Locations policy, also known as the Protected Areas policy, prohibited immigration enforcement actions in places that provided vital services important to being. However, on January 20, 2025, the Trump Administration rescinded the Protected Areas policy and instead directed immigration officials to use “common sense” as it applies to immigration enforcement in previously protected areas.
The guidance on limiting enforcement in and near sensitive locations plays a critical role in providing immigrant families with a sense of security in places they access every day in order to thrive and contribute to their communities. The Protecting Sensitive Locations Act would codify policy that had been in
place for over a decade, and once again provide immigrants with that sense of safety in places, such as health care facilities, schools, child care facilities, places of worship, and other places crucial for immigrants and their families to be able to access. It is imperative that Congress codify this policy into law so that future administrations cannot disregard those protections that
provide immigrant families safety.
For a one pager on the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act of 2025, and a list of over 500 organizations that have endorsed please click here.
To cosponsor or for any questions related to the bill please reach out to Mary Rogers (mary_rogers@judiciary-dem.senate.gov) or Nia Thomas (nia.thomas@mail.house.gov)
Thanks for your attention to this important matter.
Sincerely,
[Name]
[Address (unless already supplied on form)]
Read our Sanctuary Resolution of April 9, 2017, on the web site:
https://uusaratoga.org/justice-inclusion/congregational-resolutions/
4. RESOURCES TO PROTECT DEMOCRACY
Websites
Political Grief Tool Kit https://politicalgrief.com/
Red Wine & Blue (Fabulous Political Action Group) https://redwine.blue/
Waging Nonviolence
https://wagingnonviolence.org/2018/12/how-to-take-on-fascism-without-getting-played/
Veterans Fighting Fascism https://www.veteransfightingfascism.org/
Open Democracy
https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/transformation/how-fight-fascism-position-strength/
Refuse Fascism https://refusefascism.org/
Choose Democracy https://choosedemocracy.us/
5 Calls (Political Action) https://5calls.org/
Open Secrets (Political Information & Action) https://www.opensecrets.org/
Faith Politics and Culture through the lens of the progressive Gospel. Grat online articles https://sojo.net/
Organizations
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
League of Women Voters (Men are welcome)
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
Black Lives Matter (lexisfiguereo@saratogablm.org)
Indivisible ADK Saratoga (Political Action) www.indivisibleadksaratoga.com indivisibleadksaratoga@gmail.com
5. COFFEE CHAT on March 16 following the Sunday Worship Service:
ICE and our Role as a Sanctuary Space
6. Climate Justice Revival
Your Social Justice Team has a sub-group lead by Linda Giancola who is preparing a worship service on April 27 and other events highlighting activities for all ages created by Side With Love. Email Linda if you are interested in being part of the planning team at lkg2370@yahoo.com
IN THE COMMUNITY
The Saratoga Area Welcome Circle is now working with some of the Afghan newly arrived refugees in Albany who have been left without caseworkers or initial financial support.
YOUR HELP IS NEEDED:
Jobs are needed: Do you have any connections or knows of someone with connections for such jobs in Albany..warehouse, cleaning, food service. general labor?
They need some seasonal clothing. In particular a pair of woman’s size 41 (10) winter boots. Also need any large or xl or xxl winter coats, pants and tops (sweaters, etc). Food items too.
Contact Donna Olson at olson64@yahoo.com if you can help
Sunday, Feb. 23, 1:00-4:00 PM: Film showing, Journey to Freedom, with community discussion
Dutcher Community Room, Saratoga Springs Public Library, 49 Henry St.
Sponsored by MLK Saratoga.
Screening an episode from the award-winning documentary series that highlights veterans of the civil rights movement who reside in the capitol region, followed by discussion with members of the Journey to Freedom team.
Sunday, February 23, 2:00-4:00 PM: Black & Banned: Refusing to Let Our History Be Whitewashed
Frederick Allen Lodge, 69 Beekman Street, Saratoga Springs.
Lifting up banned books either penned by Black authors or illuminating racism and Black American history. Flyer.
Thursday, Feb. 27, 6:00-7:30 PM: Social Justice Social Hour
Frederick Allen Lodge, 69 Beekman Street, Saratoga Springs
Discussion topics will include planning for a social justice contingent in the Flag Day parade on June 14 and harnessing the technology of AI for
social justice ends.
Bring a snack to share. Cash bar available. $5 donation at the door purchases “Temporary Associate Membership” to support the Lodge and provide access to bar services. This is part of an event series occurring on the fourth Thursday of every month.
Friday- Saturday, Feb. 28-March 1: Refugee Shabbat
Temple Sinai, 509 Broadway, Saratoga Springs
Temple Sinai welcomes all community members to local observance of HIAS’ Seventh Annual Refugee Shabbat,
Friday, Feb. 28: Family Shabbat & Refugee Shabbat Service will begin at 6:00 PM with refreshments at 5:30 PM. Remarks by SIC co-coordinator Terry Diggory.
Saturday, March 1: Refugee Shabbat Service at 10:30 AM followed by “Lunch & Learn” (attend either or both). Remarks by SIC co-coordinator Maxine Lautenberg and representatives from RISSE, USCRI, and the Afghan American Community Center. Donations to these groups are welcome. RSVP for lunch.