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Unitarian Universalists across the United States have taken to the streets in recent weeks to participate in large and small demonstrations against the Trump Administration’s harsh immigration policies.
About 100 UUs reportedly joined a large demonstration in San Diego on July 2 to protest the implementation of Operation Streamline in California—which fast-tracks prosecutions of people caught crossing the United States-Mexico border without documentation—and to call for an end to ICE. The Rev. Beth Johnson, of Palomar UU Fellowship in North County, explained that delegates to the UUA GA recently voted to support the abolition of ICE. “Our First Principle is that we affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person, and so it is just about how we live our faith and that we cannot allow our immigrant siblings to be treated in this way,” she said. (La Prensa – San Diego– 7.3.18)
You can watch a compilation video from the event. ( San Diego Union Tribune– 7.2.18)
Thousands of people rallied in Burlington, Vermont, June 30 in conjunction with nationwide protests against the Trump Administration’s immigration policies. The event began with a rally in the courtyard of First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington, followed by a march in which the crowd chanted “no papers, no fear, immigrants are welcome here.” ( Stowe Reporter– 7.5.18)
Members of the Champaign-Urbana UU Church showed up to protest along hundreds of others in Champaign, Illinois, June 23 against the separation of families. “We're upset that the ICE agents are here in our community snatching people away,” member Ben Galewsky said. “And separating families here in our community; it's not just a border issue. This happens all over America and we don't want this happening here in our town." ( FOX Illinois– 6.23.18)
Hundreds of people gathered in Fort Collins, Colorado, on the day of the primaries to protest immigrant family separations and detentions. Foothills Unitarian Church, the local UU congregation, was one of the sponsors of the event, and the Rev. Gretchen Haley led the crowd in prayer. ( Coloradoan– 6.26.18)
There are prominently displayed Side with Love shirts and signs in the header image of a story about a June 29 rally in Athens, Ohio. The protest was the result of a collaboration between several groups, including the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Athens. ( Athens News– 7.1.18)
Opinion was split over an act of civil disobedience during the Families Belong Together rally and march on June 30 in Nogales, Arizona. The Rev. Matthew Crary of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Amado said the act—blocking traffic at the Dennis DeConcini Port of Entry—was always the intention, but the move angered others in the community. ( Nogales International– 7.6.18)
See also:
Friday letters: Unitarians stand up for immigration justice ( Houston Chronicle– 7.6.18)
Tensions high at protest to 'end immigrant detention' at Worcester jail (Delmarva Daily Times – 7.1.18)
Mahoning Valley residents protest outside private prison housing ICE detainees (Youngstown Vindicator – 6.25.18)
As hundreds protest nearby, Sessions defends immigration policies ( AL.com– 6.25.18)
Immigration vigil on Newton Green opposes separation of children from parents (New Jersey Herald – 6.29.18)
Winchester faith groups join thousands in the march to protest immigration policies (Wicked Local – 7.2.18)
Capital Gazette shooting victim was longtime youth mentor
Among the five people killed in the June 28 shooting at the Capital Gazette newspaper in Annapolis, Maryland, was Wendi Winters, a longtime youth mentor at her congregation, the UU Church of Annapolis. Here & Now's Robin Young spoke with associate minister the Rev. John Crestwell about Winters. The congregation held a vigil for Winters on June 29. ( WBUR– 6.29.18)
See also:
Wendi Winters, killed in Maryland shooting, devoted more than two decades to community journalism ( Washington Post– 6.28.18)
‘You don’t want to believe it could happen here’: Annapolis residents mourn fatal shooting at Capital Gazette ( Independent– 6.30.18)
President of Unitarian Universalist Association responds to Capital Gazette shooting ( UUA.org– 6.29.18)