UU FA Office

Take the Bus for Progress to the Million People’s March

by UU FA OfficeJuly 20, 2015

Do you want to attend the Million People’s March this Saturday but don’t want to drive north alone? Get on board the Bus for Progress. There are three pickup points on the Garden State Parkway:

10:00 Monmouth Rest Area at mile 100

10:20 Red Bank Rest Area at mile 109

10:45 Cheesequake Rest Area at mile 120

RESERVE YOUR SEAT TODAY!

With a full restroom, couches, tables, chairs, a microwave, coffee maker and cooler, you’ll enjoy the ride and make new friends along the way.

If you are attending we ask that you take a moment to register yourself and any congregation members who may be coming with you so we have a more accurate count of the UU presence. This will also help our friends at People’s Organization for Progress to know how many people to expect on Saturday to better coordinate with local officials.

We are getting more information daily so keep checking this website for the latest information. The weather looks great for Saturday! We hope to see many of our UULMNJ friends in Newark!

UULMNJ Update on the Million People’s March

by UU FA OfficeJuly 16, 2015

Are you planning on marching with UULMNJ at the Million People’s March on July 25^th in Newark? Here is important updated information:

The March will begin with speakers at 12:00. The march will step off at 1 PM. It will be followed by more speakers at the end.
If you are taking the train, the site is approximately a 6 block walk from Penn Station.
Another option is to park at the Grove Street Park n Ride lot in Bloomfield then take the Light Rail from Grove Street to Washington Street. This station is two blocks from the monument. Daily parking rates at the Grove lot are $2. Light rail fair is $1.50 adult and $0.70 senior one way.
The actual march will be 3 miles in length —1.5 miles to the Federal Building and back. You can join all or half of the event
If you would like to march with UU’s from around the state, meet on the corner of University Ave. and West Market Street. We will have the UULMNJ Black Lives Matter banner and signs for you to carry. Please bring paper tube rolls (like from wrapping paper) to post and carry the signs. Also bring water, sun block if needed, and sustenance.
If you plan to drive, Park in Lot A on West Market Street.
For the latest information, please register and regularly check the UULMNJ march page.

YUUR Voice in Trenton: Summer 2015

by UU FA OfficeJuly 16, 2015

Congratulations to Rev. Alison Miller (Morristown), the President of the UULMNJ Public Policy Network, who led the Sunday service at the 2015 General Assembly in Portland! UUA President, Rev. Peter Morales commended Rev. Miller’s work with UULMNJ in his introduction. Watch the sermon.

July 25, 2015 Million People’s March Against Police Brutality, Racial Injustice, and Economic Inequality. Begins at 12:00 noon at the Lincoln Monument at the intersection of West Market Street and Springfield Avenue in Newark, NJ. Come march with other NJ Unitarian Universalists behind our UULMNJ Black Lives Matter banner. UULMNJ is a co-sponsor of the event. Register and be counted!

Two important pieces of legislation were passed by both houses on June 25, 2015. S2381/A3723 would allow drug court participants to complete or “graduate” from drug court programs while using medication-assisted treatments to conquer their addictions. Bill A4218 would require dangerous domestic abusers to turn in their guns before they have the chance to do more harm. Both of these bills await Governor Christie’s signature. Please email the governor with the above embedded links or call the governor’s office at (609)292-6000 today and urge him to sign these pieces of legislation.

Next year’s calendar is being set. Mark your personal and congregational calendars now!

September 12, 2015: Training and strategizing for task force leadership and congregational liaisons at the UU Church at Washington Crossing in Titusville.
October 17, 2015: UULMNJ Issues Conference in Summit.
March 12, 2016: 2nd Annual NJ MUUsic Festival in Lincroft.
April 16, 2015: UULMNJ Plenary and Annual Meeting in Cherry Hill.

Young Adult Advocacy And Training Steering Committee Forming! UULMNJ is looking for young adults to serve on a steering committee forming this summer. The steering committee will help plan and implement our Spiritual Leaders Advocacy and Training Program. Board member Ethan Anderson (East Brunswick) and summer intern Amanda Phillips (Somerset Hills) are coordinating the program. If you or someone you know is interested in serving in this exciting and creative process for socially concerned young adults, please let us know. Contact Amanda at intern@uulmnj.org

UULMNJ Dismantling Racism Task Force is forming this summer as well. We are currently gathering names of people who would like to help guide UULMNJ’s response to racism. If interested, please contact Rev. Craig at director@UULMNJ.org.

UULMNJ has joined NJ United for Marijuana Reform. At the 2015 Spring Plenary the Board released a statement supporting marijuana legalization. This is a bold step for a faith community. UULMNJ does not endorse the recreational use of marijuana, just as it would not endorse the recreational use of tobacco or alcohol. The UULMNJ position is based on the concern for social justice. The current drug policy laws and the resulting incarcerations for minor drug possession adversely affects life opportunities for many young people, and especially young black men. Read the UULMNJ statement on Marijuana Reform. Read more.

UULMNJ Liaison Training

by UU FA OfficeJuly 15, 2015

Save the Date! September 12, 2015

Dear Liaisons and Task Force Chairs.

There is never enough time at our state-wide UULMNJ meetings to do enough training and strategizing. Yet, this time is crucial to the effectiveness of UULMNJ efforts. I am inviting you to a UULMNJ training and strategizing summit on September 12 to be held at Washington Crossing. This is an opportunity for us to get feedback from around the state to see how we can serve our congregations and public policy work better.

You will be receiving training on working with media, Salsa, zoom, bill tracking service and the other tools available to you to do UULMNJ work. There will also be ample time for task forces to plan, strategize and collaborate with the liaisons. I am asking at least one representative from each congregation and three leaders from each task force to attend. If you have someone who might be interested in taking more of a leadership role, bring them along. If you can’t make it, ask someone to come in your stead. We would like to make this a huge success with full participation from all of our congregations and task forces.

Please mark your calendar and plan to join UULMNJ for this worthwhile and important meeting. The session will be from 9:30 to 2 pm. Lunch will be served.

Please RSVP by Aug. 30 to director@uulmnj.org

Thank you,

Craig

PS: While you have your calendars our, the regular Fall Issues Conference will be held Oct. 17.

UULMNJ Statement on the Marijuana Laws

by UU FA OfficeJuly 13, 2015

The Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry has joined New Jersey United for Marijuana Reform. The board released a statement supporting the decriminalization/legalization of marijuana at the 2015 Spring Plenary in Montclair. UULMNJ will be joining forces with ACLU-NJ, NAACP, Garden State Equality, and others to pursue this important social justice issue. To learn more visit www.NJUMR.org. Read the UULMNJ statement below or download the PDF to share with your congregation.

The UULMNJ Statement on Marijuana Laws

UULMNJ is intending to take a stand on the decriminalization/legalization of Marijuana. This is a bold step for a faith community. We take it with considerable forethought and awareness of its implications for our society. UULMNJ does not endorse the recreational use of marijuana, just as it would not endorse the recreational use of tobacco or alcohol. The UULMNJ position is based on the concern for social justice. The current drug policy laws and the resulting incarcerations for minor drug possession adversely affects life opportunities for many young people, and especially young black men.

The taxation and regulation of marijuana is not a new issue for Unitarian Universalists. In 1970, the Unitarian Universalist Association passed a general resolution calling for the legalization of marijuana. The resolution stated that the drug laws are making criminals of and causing undue and unjust punishment to many persons who have no criminal intent in the use of marijuana; and are being used as political weapons against those who dissent in politics or lifestyle from the accepted norms. It states that no reliable research on the effects of marijuana has shown its use to be as hazardous to the public or the individual user as the use of tobacco, alcohol or many other stimulants and depressants legally available to the public.

Now fast-forward 45 years. Many things have changed. We have learned that marijuana has some significant medical use in controlling seizures and pain. We have learned that a number of states have either decriminalized or legalized the use of the substance, allowing for significant regulation and taxation. Sadly, though, we now have documented the hundreds of thousands of lives that have been ruined because of arrest and incarceration due to minor drug charges. The cruel realities of these minor drug arrests have limited employment, education, family relationships and future opportunity for those who have been caught in these draconian policies. And people of color have particularly suffered.

Marijuana Reform is fast becoming a central focus of current efforts to dismantle the mass incarceration/”New Jim Crow” system and its widespread destructive effects on society and the lives of millions. In 2013 there were almost 700,000 marijuana arrests in the U. S., more than 45% of all drug arrests and more than for all violent crimes combined. This is a major part of the mass incarceration system which makes us, by far, the largest imprisonment country in the world. Criminalization of marijuana, and resulting incarceration and stigmatization, cripples lives and serves to increase rather than constructively address problems of drug use.

Despite this draconian and disproportionate system of alleged justice, marijuana continues to be the most widely used illicit drug in America, admittedly used at one time or another, by more than 114 million Americans. The true indictment of this system is the fact that marijuana arrests disproportionately target and affect people of color by rates nearly four times greater than others despite data showing very similar usage rates across racial and ethnic lines. The State of New Jersey typically accounts for more than 20,000 possession arrests annually with some counties showing arrest disparities of 4 or 5 times greater for people of color.

Eighteen states and Washington D. C. have enacted or initiated approaches to decriminalize marijuana possession. Five of these have lifted the prohibition of marijuana altogether with various approaches to control and regulation. About two dozen countries have taken steps toward drug decriminalization and legalization with constructive programs most notably Portugal, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Uruguay, Colombia and Argentina. This experience has demonstrated societal benefits and little or no increase in drug use or crime.

Decriminalization along with treatment programs when properly implemented can

Substantially reduce arrests and incarceration and the crippling effects of a criminal record,
Increase drug treatment and public health and safety,
Reduce criminal victimization of people of color,
Reduce criminal justice and incarceration costs and make funds available for needed social programs,
Help redirect law enforcement efforts to prevent serious and violent crimes,
Improve relations between law enforcement and the communities.

The call of our faith communities to demand regulation and taxation of marijuana is a call for justice. It is a call for compassion. The UULMNJ supports measures directed to eliminate criminal penalties for marijuana possession and to a broad expansion of harm reduction and drug treatment programs. In addition we support a serious examination and discussion of regulatory alternatives to drug prohibition to address the major drug related societal ills not alleviated by simple decriminalization. The New Jersey Unitarian Universalist Congregations are invited and urged to join us in this effort and discussion to eliminate this obstacle to social progress.

May 27, 2015

For more information, contact:

Rev. Craig Hirshberg, Executive Director

Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of New Jersey

Director@UULMNJ.org

Download this Statement as a PDF

Gov. Christie Must Sign S2381 and Save Hundreds of New Jerseyans from Heroin Addiction

by UU FA OfficeJuly 9, 2015

UPDATE: Governor Christie signed this bill into law on August 10, 2015!

According to CDC director Thomas Friedan, “heroin use is increasing rapidly across all demographics.” Roughly 1 in 50 heroin users will die of overdose each year. In New Jersey, death by heroin overdose is more common than homicide, suicide, or even death due to car accidents. The numbers are staggering. In 2013 there were 741 heroin deaths in New Jersey, a number triple the national rate. The number continues to rise with 781 deaths in New Jersey in 2014. And in Camden and Atlantic Counties the number of heroin overdoses was greater than the number of deaths due to flu or pneumonia combined. But why New Jersey?

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has found that heroine is being trafficked heavily through Port Elizabeth and Port Newark. Recent tests done by the Drug Enforcement Administration found that the types of heroin being sold and consumed in New Jersey are more pure than samples found anywhere in the US.

The Director of the White House Office on National Drug Control Policy believes that “Access to medication-assisted treatment can mean [the] difference between life and death.” Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is the gold standard for treating opioid dependence. Currently, most drug courts in New Jersey do not allow drug court participants to use MAT, even if it is recommended by a treatment professional or doctor. Drug court participants who are on MAT are usually required to discontinue their treatment in order to “graduate” or complete their drug court program. Demanding that an individual discontinue legitimate, necessary medication that supports their recovery and progress is morally, legally and medically unacceptable.

On June 25, 2015 a bill that is part of a broader package to address New Jersey’s addiction problem passed both houses. Bill S2381/A3723 would allow those who are in the special probation drug court programs to graduate with medication-assisted treatments, defined as the use of any medications approved by the federal FDA to treat substance use disorders, in combination with behavioral therapy and counseling. This bill clarifies that any urine test for drug or alcohol use conducted in the course of the drug court program which shows a positive result for an individual using medication-assisted treatment would not constitute a program violation unless the positive test result is for substances unrelated to the individual’s medication-assisted treatment. This change impacts incarceration and recidivism for drug violations.

The bill was approved by the Assembly with a vote of 76-0 and the Senate with a vote of 39-0. It now sits on the Governor’s desk, awaiting his signature. Christie has spoken out in favor of addiction treatment for heroin in the past. “I think what we’ve seen over the last 30 years is it just hasn’t worked,” he said. “And there are some people who make one bad choice to try drugs one time and their particular chemistry leads them to be an addict from the minute they try it. So we need to treat it as a disease. And not having mandatory incarceration for non-violent offenders but having mandatory treatment is something that’s going to yield a much greater result for society in general and for those individuals in particular.“ In 2014 Christie expanded a statewide Narcan program which equipped thousands of first responders with the ability to administer a life-saving antidotal medication that can reverse the effects of a heroin overdose. While the governor campaigns for the presidency we need to remind him that he has a job to do here in New Jersey. Write Governor Christie and urge him to sign S2381/A3723, keeping addicted people out of prison and on the road to recovery.

ACTION ALERT: Domestic Gun Violence Prevention Bill Passes but Christie Must Sign!

by UU FA OfficeJune 29, 2015January 31, 2018

In March of this year, UULMNJ Executive Director, Rev. Craig Hirshberg met in Trenton with former US Rep. Gabby Giffords, NJ Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, and other New Jersey lawmakers to work on important legislation that would take guns out of the hands of dangerous domestic violence offenders.

Why is this so important? A woman is 5 times more likely to be murdered by an intimate partner if there is a gun in the house. Of the female homicides reported in New Jersey in 2011, more than half of them were committed by intimate partners and a third involved the use of a firearm. A report released in 2011 by the New Jersey State Police found that between the years of 2007 and 2011 there were 212 domestic homicides, with a peek of 57 in 2008. There were 2,962 total arrests involving domestic violence restraining orders reported by police in 2011. Of these, 1,804 were arrests for violations of a restraining order only, while 1,158 were arrests for violations of a restraining order with an offense arrest. Children were involved or present during 31 percent of all domestic violence offenses.

The bill sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen), Senator Nia H. Gill (D-Essex) and Senator Nilsa Cruz-Perez (D- Camden) to strengthen New Jersey’s gun laws and protect victims of domestic violence from gun violence was approved Thursday, June 25, by both houses of the Legislature, with a 29-1 vote in the state Senate and 49-11 with 19 abstentions in the Assembly.

Among other provisions, the bill (S-2786/A-4218) would:

Require domestic abusers to turn over their firearms while a domestic violence restraining order is in effect, and require the seizure of firearms when an abuser is convicted of a domestic violence crime or offense;
Require an abuser’s firearms purchaser identification cards and permits to purchase a handgun to be suspended during domestic violence restraining orders;
Require an abuser’s firearms purchaser identification cards and permits to purchase a handgun to be revoked if the individual is convicted of a domestic violence crime or offense;
Require a search of the state’s central registry of domestic violence reports to determine whether a record of domestic violence exists that would make an applicant for a gun permit ineligible under state law;
Provide that firearms seized in furtherance of a restraining order be returned to the defendant if the order is dismissed; and
Require that before firearms are returned to a gun owner, in cases where firearms were seized following a domestic violence call, victims be provided information about their right to seek a restraining order against an abuser, and the ability to apply to the court to seek revocation of a firearms purchaser ID card or gun permit.

Under current law, the above are provisions the Courts CAN take but are not required. The new legislation tightens that gap and closing a potential loophole.

[one_half] [tt_vector_box icon=”fa-envelope” size=”fa-3x” color=#801E4B” link_to_page=”http://salsa3.salsalabs.com/o/50930/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=17063″ target=”” description=”link to action alert”]

Write Governor Christie

[/tt_vector_box] [/one_half]

This bill now sits on Gov. Christie’s desk, awaiting his signature. The Governor has refused to sign many gun control bills that have been passed in the last two years. He needs to hear from New Jerseyans! Remind Governor Christie that he still has a job to do in his home state. Write the governor now and urge him to sign bill A4218!

A Letter to the People of Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church

by UU FA OfficeJune 20, 2015

On Wednesday, June 17, 2015 amidst a peaceful bible study, Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church was attacked by a lone gunman and lost nine of it’s members, including two ministers, in a senseless act of hate and violence. The following letter was sent in support:

Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church

110 Calhoun Street

Charleston, SC 29401-3510

Dear Members and Supporters of Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church,

On behalf of the Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of New Jersey and our member congregations, we would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to your congregation, the victims’ families, your members and the larger community. The tragic loss of beloved pastors and members has surely left your congregation in a state of emotional shock, tremendous grief and bewilderment over this senseless violence.

UULMNJ works continuously against racial injustice and gun violence with the hopes of bringing about a saner and more just world. We work with the hope that someday, tragedies like these will be replaced with a world united by love.

Although nothing can bring back the lives lost this week, we hope that you can find comfort and solace from the support you receive from others who share in your shock and grief. We will continue to hold you in our hearts with compassion as you move forward and try to make sense of this awful tragedy.

Please know that we stand with you on the side of love.

Sincerely,

Rev. Craig Hirshberg

Executive Director

Support the Aid in Dying for the Terminally Ill Act

by UU FA OfficeJune 16, 2015January 31, 2018

Dear Friends,

Many of our supporters are concerned about end of life issues. Although this is not one of our official issues, I am sending this out for those of you who would like to support this issue.

Please take a moment to email a statement of support for S328, the Aid in Dying for the Terminally Ill Act to your Senator. This bill would permit qualified terminally ill patient to self-administer medication to end life in a humane and dignified manner. As UUs we support the inherent worth and dignity of all people until the very end.

Faithfully,

Rev. Craig

UULMNJ Joins the Million People’s March

by UU FA OfficeJune 10, 2015

UULMNJ is co-sponsoring the Million People’s March Against Police Brutality, Racial Injustice, and Economic Inequality. The march is Saturday, July 25, at 12:00 noon, beginning at the Lincoln Monument at the intersection of West Market Street and Springfield Avenue in Newark, New Jersey. This event is organized by the People’s Organization for Progress. Flyers and additional information are being sent to your congregational liaisons and through our mailings. Bring a bus full from your congregation. This is an excellent opportunity for UU’s across the state to stand up together in body and spirit in support for racial justice. Don your “Standing on the Side of Love” shirts and come march behind our UULMNJ “Black Lives Matter” banner as we live out our values together. We hope to see you there.

Here is important information if you will be joining us in Newark:

The March will begin with speakers at 12:00. The march will step off at 1:30 PM. It will be followed by more speakers at the end. If you have trouble standing for long periods of time and don’t intend to march, you may want to bring a portable folding chair;
The actual march will be 3 miles in length —1.5 miles to the Federal Building at 970 Broad Street and back. You can join all or half of the event or listen to the speakers;
If you are taking the train, the site is approximately a 6 block walk from Penn Station;
Another option is to park at the Grove Street Park n Ride lot in Bloomfield then take the Light Rail from Grove Street to Washington Street. This station is two blocks from the monument. Daily parking rates at the Grove lot are $2. Light rail fair is $1.50 adult and $0.70 senior one way;
If you would like to march with UU’s around the state, we will meet on the corner of UNIVERSITY AVE. and WEST MARKET STREET. We will begin gathering at 11:00. We will have the UULMNJ Black Lives Matter banner and signs for you to carry. Please bring paper tube rolls (like from wrapping paper. you can also create these by tightly rolling a piece of poster board) to post and carry the signs. Also bring water, sun block if needed, and sustenance;
If you plan to drive there is paid parking throughout the neighborhood. Bus parking has been designated in Lot A on West Market Street. To get to the neighborhood using a GPS system use 303 University Avenue (Essex County College) or 50 West Market Street (Veterans Courthouse).
Just a reminder, this is a grass roots effort. There are no corporate sponsors or celebrities. It is truly power to the people by the people. Accordingly, there will be a voluntary collection taken before the march to help defray costs. So if someone approaches you with a bucket for contributions, please help out.

Download Map as a PDF

The purpose of the march is to draw attention to the problem of police brutality; to demand an end to the murder of unarmed people, the use of excessive force, and the violation of people’s constitutional rights by police; to demand justice for the victims of police brutality; to demand fundamental and significant changes in the polices, practices, procedures, laws, structures and institutions related to policing and the criminal justice system in order to prevent these abuses by the police; to demand an end to racial injustice and economic inequality which are root causes of police brutality and to highlight the interrelationship of this struggle with those related to employment, housing, healthcare, education, war, and other important issues; and to help build a mass movement in this country that can exert the political and social pressure necessary to bring about the positive societal changes we seek.

The march is organized by People’s Organization For Progress (POP), a grassroots volunteer group that works for racial, social, economic justice and peace. It has been endorsed by community, labor, student, and progressive organizations. More than 40 groups and leaders have endorsed the event thus far. Recently, a press conference was held where the march was endorsed by Ras Baraka, Mayor of the City of Newark, and Dr. Cornel West.

“We’re trying to assert our humanity. If you look at what happened in Baltimore, it’s appropriate that the march is not just about police brutality, but it’s also about economic inequality, and inequality, period.” – Ras Baraka [read more]

If you are planning to attend the march please go to the March Facebook page. Please “Join” it, “Invite Friends” to join it, and share it. Please click the links below to see articles and video clips from our most recent press conference.

Planning for the march takes place at POP meetings every Thursday, 6:30 p.m. at Abyssinian Baptist Church,224 West Kinney Street, Newark, New Jersey. I invite you and members of your organization to attend.

/p>