ACTIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES YOU CAN DO NOW
From your
SOCIAL JUSTICE TEAM
Contact justice@uusaratoga.org for more information
1. UU Common Read is POSTPONED until April
The 2024-25 UU Common Read is Authentic Selves: Celebrating Trans and Nonbinary People and Their Families (Skinner House, 2023).
Look for information here and how to register: https://uusaratoga.org/authentic-selves/
2. Immigration and Sanctuary Spaces
Join us for a Coffee Chat following the Sunday worship service on March 16 to discuss “ICE and our Role as Sanctuary Space”
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.
https://www.uua.org/leaderlab/ice-agents?fbclid=IwY2xjawIa9AZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHTY8y9MFqXvYTGVbmq1oN_yc9zdzfWLg03f1qEdW48kcDSv4Ya-A1JSGww_aem_ltEB503ryBDBDNTosjGUOQ
UPDATE: A federal judge last Monday temporarily blocked Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents from entering churches or targeting migrants nearby, a change in policy that religious groups fought as a violation of longstanding federal policy not to conduct enforcement actions in places of worship. More information here from USA Today: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/02/24/judge-blocks-immigration-enforcement-churches/80043880007/
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/
Click here for sample letter
Read our Sanctuary Resolution of April 9, 2017:
https://uusaratoga.org/justice-inclusion/congregational-resolutions/
3. UU MAID RALLY IN MARCH
Please save the date of March 25 from 10 AM-12 PM for a rally of Unitarian Universalists in support of Medical Aid in Dying.
This rally is being organized by Marian Bigelow, a member of the Saratoga Springs congregation and the NYUUJ MAID Issue Team, in partnership with Compassion and Choices NY. It is designed to publicize both MAID and Unitarian Universalism.
4. Click here for information about NYUUJ Monthly Call to Action
Register here to join on Monday, March 10.
5. 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
6. Weekly Action Updates from Side With Love
https://sidewithlove.org/action-center-updates/2025/3/4/3425-action-center-weekly-update
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IN THE COMMUNITY
1. Friday, March 7, 10:30 AM: Subject to the Jurisdiction: Birthright Citizenship in US Law and History
Webinar sponsored by the Zolberg Institute.
Details and registration here.
2. Saturday, March 8: International Women’s Day
— 9:00-11:00 AM: March, Crandall Public Library, 252 Glen Street. Glens Falls.
— 10:00 AM-Noon: Women’s Rights Action Coalition meeting, Saratoga Springs Public Library, 49 Henry Street.
— Noon-2:00 PM: League of Women Voters Winter Gathering, The Parting Glass, 40-42 Lake Avenue, Saratoga Springs.
3. Saturday, March 8, 10:00 AM: Upstate Queer Visibility March
Gathering in Pride Festival grounds in Washington Park, Albany.
— 11:00 AM: March begins.
— 11:30 AM: Rally and Speeches at the New York State Capitol.
Sponsored by Pride Center of the Capital Region.
4. Sunday, March 9, 9:00 PM: The Price of Milk: The Immigrants Behind the American Dairy
CBS Reports documentary.
Flyer. Preview.
5. Tuesday, March 11, 8:30 AM–1:00 PM: LGBTQIA+ Advocacy Day
New York State Capitol, Albany.
Sponsored by Pride Center of the Capital Region.
Register here. More details will be provided to those who register.
6. Tuesday, March 11, 9:00 AM-3:00 PM: “Care For Immigrant Families” Advocacy Day
New York State Capitol, Albany.
Demand that Governor Hochul include $165M for immigration legal services in this year’s budget and pass the Access to Representation Act (S270/A141).
Register here. Contact ewilliamson@nyic.org or jroldan@nyic.org .
7. Wednesday, March 12, 6:00 PM: Virtual Legal Orientation
Webinar sponsored by Immigrant Advocates Response Collaborative (IARC) and New York State Office for New Americans (ONA).
Conducted in Spanish. Part of a series continuing March 26. Register here. Flyer.
8. Thursday, March 13, 1:00-2:00 PM: Best Practices: How to Respond to Mass Deportation Tactics
Webinar sponsored by the Center for Migration Studies.
Registration here.