Category: Social Justice

Plenary 2019 – Economic Justice Task Force Report

 

 

 

 

Economic Justice Task Force (EJTF) Plenary Report – April 13, 2019

EJTF has reached a point of stability after a couple of years of floundering. Our monthly videoconference meetings have a consistent group of attendees and we started the year with a workshop/educational event at which about 20 UUs explored income inequality under the guidance of an experienced facilitator. Those of us who participated feel like we gained valuable context for virtually all of social justice aspirations, grounding them in a multi-generational struggle to secure liberties which have been strategically undermined by wealthy and powerful interests which joined to reverse the people-powered wave built in the aftermath of World War II.

Legal Advocacy Signature Legislation

EJTF’s “signature legislation” to minimize or eliminate the stigma of those receiving free and reduced price lunches stalled because of broader legislation making its way through the NJ legislature. After meeting with Assemblywoman Sumter about her own school-lunch bill and speaking with Assemblyman Caputo’s office about his own more-comprehensive education bill which includes anti-stigma protections, we advocated for stronger language to assign responsibility firmly on individual schools to make sure free and reduced lunches got to those entitled fairly and effectively. The process was a bit of advocacy mixed with general coalition-building to expand UUFA’s influence in the legislature and position as faith advocates.

Changes to the Legal Advocacy Project itself call for a new examination of our efforts and better strategic thinking about how to identify potential advocates among our representatives, supporting their efforts while pushing them towards an even more-expansive view of government stewardship of individual opportunity and liberty. 

Initiatives and Issues

  1. 2018 Poor People’s Campaign (through its NJ branch – the NJ Prophetic Agenda) and the Time To Care Coalition – EJTF follows the movement of these groups and UUFA is still on the organizing team. In general, we feel that the overall PPC effort is inconsistently organized nationally, with NJ’s chapter an example of a lightly-staffed effort with a few victories but needing far more engagement by congregations and religious leaders. The two main organizers are Rev. Robin Tanner (Beacon UU) and Rev. Charles Boyer (Bethel AME Woodbury). The primary focus of these groups has been on the “Fight for $15” wage campaign, which was passed by the legislature and signed by Governor Murphy. Focus has shifted to IMPROVING this legislation by expanding its reach to tipped and younger workers excluded from the original bill.
  1. NJ Marijuana Legalization ONLY IF “Restoration” and “Reparations” are included. The Murphy administration had a very public failure to pass their legalization, cementing the public perception that the legislature’s key leaders (particularly Senate President Steve Sweeney) are not on the same page as the Governor, particularly as regards the social justice concerns which were a key element in his campaign for office. The legislation WAS indeed crafted in accordance with “the California model”, which we consider a good sign and confirmation of our advocacy efforts, but failure to corral the votes represents a tension likely to continue. Clearly UUFA can play an important role since the primary clergy group associated with legalization is a group of African American ministers in North Jersey who have joined with Assemblyman Ron Rice to oppose legalization because of the disproportionate burden from substance abuse falling historically in their own communities. Effective advocacy may take the form of joining other faith leaders like Rev. Boyer as they advocate for similar justice-seeking solutions.
  1. NJ State Bank – (Our January event covered this issue as well as income inequality in general) – The national UUs For a Just Economic Future (UUJEC) and our NJ member Sally Gellert continue to work on this issue, complex as it is. Our statewide partner, Banking On New Jersey, has been “laying low” over the past year and the Murphy administration has clearly put the issue on the back burner while it focuses on more popular or publicized political issues. My understanding is that an extensive report conducted by outside experts will be an important element in moving towards actual legislation. Creating such a bank will be very complex and with only the 100+ year-old Bank of North Dakota as a model, it will be important to get legislators the type of comprehensive analysis that such a report can provide. We should find ways to advocate for funding so that a report can lay the foundation for future efforts (not an overly-exciting or inspiring mission but one that can truly help)!

Jerry Fried, Economic Justice Task Force Chair, UU Faith Action NJ 

jerryfriedhome@gmail.com

 

Chuck Collins 2019 Plenary Keynote Speaker

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Chuck Collins is an author and senior scholar at the Institute for Policy Studies in Washington, DC, where he directs the Program on Inequality and the Common Good. He is also co-founder of Wealth for Common Good. He is an expert on economic inequality in the US, and has pioneered efforts to bring together investors and business leaders to speak out publicly against corporate practices and economic policies that increase economic inequality.

Collins has written a number of books about inequality, tax policy and social change philanthropy. In 2000, he co-authored the book, Robin Hood Was Right: A Guide to Giving Your Money for Social Change. In 2000 (revised in 2005), he co-authored with Felice Yeskel Economic Apartheid in America: A Primer on Economic Inequality and Insecurity.  Collins is coauthor, with William H. Gates Sr, of the 2003 book, Wealth and Our Commonwealth: Why America Should Tax Accumulated Fortunes, which argues that the estate tax is both fair and necessary. In 2013, he authored 99 to 1: How Wealth Inequality is Wrecking the World and What We Can Do About It. His most recent book is Born on Third Base: A One Percenter Makes the Case for Tackling Inequality, Bringing Wealth Home, and Committing to the Common Good.

Between 1983 and 1991, Collins worked at the Institute for Community Economics, based in Greenfield, Massachusetts, providing technical advice to community land trusts and mobile home resident cooperatives. Between 1991 and 1995, he was director of the HOME Coalition in Massachusetts and a field organizer for the Tax Equity Alliance of Massachusetts (now the Mass Budget and Policy Center). In 1995, he co-founded, with Felice Yeskel and S.M. Miller, United for a Fair Economy in Boston, Massachusetts, a left-leaning national organization devoted to education about growing income and wealth inequality.

Collins has worked with a number of prominent wealthy individuals, including William H. Gates, Sr. and George Soros, in an effort to promote tax equity. 

In 2005, he became a senior scholar at the Institute for Policy Studies, where he co-edits the web site, Inequality.org and directs the Program on Inequality and the Common Good. In 2008, he cofounded Wealth for the Common Good, which subsequently merged in 2015 with the Patriotic Millionaires.

At the Institute for Policy Studies, Collins’ research has looked at income and wealth inequality and the racial wealth divide. He has co-authored a number of studies including “Billionaire Bonanza” exploring the share of wealth flowing to the top 1 percent and Forbes 400, and the “Ever Growing Gap”, which examines the future of the racial wealth divide.

 

Trump-Pence’s Title X Gag Rule Will Harm New Jersey Women

PLANNED PARENTHOOD ACTION FUND OF NEW JERSEY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 22, 2019

Contact: Casey Olesko 973-775-2781 / Casey.Olesko@ppgnnj.org

Trump-Pence’s Title X Gag Rule Will Harm New Jersey Women

70 percent of Title X patients in NJ go to Planned Parenthood for care

TRENTON, NJ — Today, the Trump-Pence administration released a gag rule that undermines Title X, the nation’s program for affordable birth control and reproductive health care, and makes it illegal for health care providers in the program to refer patients for an abortion.

“The administration has put health care providers like Planned Parenthood in an impossible position: withhold information from our patients, or get pushed out of a program designed to ensure that people struggling to make ends meet can still access essential reproductive health care,” said Triste Brooks, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Northern, Central, and Southern New Jersey. “We won’t withhold critical information from our patients.”

“Health care is a human right and we will not let this stand,” said Roslyn Y. Rogers Collins, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan New Jersey. “The Trump-Pence administration may not think you deserve care, but we do.”

Title X is the nation’s only program for affordable birth control and preventive reproductive health care. Title X ensures that every person — regardless of who they are, where they live, how much money they make, or whether they’re insured — has access to basic reproductive health services, such as birth control, cancer screenings, and STD testing and treatment.

In New Jersey, more than 70 percent of the patients served by Title X received care at a Planned Parenthood health center. Planned Parenthood was the sole Title X provider in 13 New Jersey counties in 2018. Without Planned Parenthood, all other Title X-funded sites in New Jersey would have to increase their contraceptive client caseloads by 254 percent to serve the women who currently obtain birth control from Planned Parenthood health centers.

The Murphy administration has already publicly denounced the gag rule, and members of New Jersey’s Congressional delegation have also spoken out against the harmful change.

“The ‘gag rule’ targets women who live in underserved communities, already facing obstacles to accessing health care,” said Brooks. “We won’t be deterred; Planned Parenthood is committed to providing the care patients need — no matter what.”

A fact sheet on Title X’s impact in New Jersey is available here.

Virtual Reality Solitary Confinement Headsets

Regarding the solitary confinement Virtual Reality experience, this 6X9 website has more information.

Join us for Plenary 2019!

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Chuck Collins, author of Born on Third Base: Growing Up Advantaged in a Time of Extreme Inequality, will be the keynote speaker at this year’s annual Plenary to be held Saturday, April 13th from 10:00 am – 3:30 pm.  Join us at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Montclair located at 67 Church Street, Montclair NJ. 07042.  Register HERE!

 

Two Sundays, Two Awesome Conferences

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On Sunday, February 3rd, UU FaithAction held the first Justice Policy Update Conference, which featured Professor Meghan Sacks, Criminal Justice Program Chair at Fairleigh Dickinson University.  Professor Sacks talked very knowledgeably and passionately about the legislation that created mass incarceration, the current efforts to amend some of these policies, and the injustice these policies perpetuate.  As one seasoned conference attendee stated, “It was the BEST speaker she had ever heard on this topic.”  Professor Sacks recommends that anyone interested in mass incarceration watch the films 13th and Riker’s Island: An American Jail.

On Sunday, February 10, UU FaithAction held the second Policy Update Conference at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton.  Our guest speaker was journalist and WNYC on-air correspondent Matt Katz.  Matt Katz has become, over the past three yeas, a leading investigative reporter on immigration, detainees, protective status and refugees in America.  His talk was informative and riveting.  Prior to his deep dive into Immigration, Matt reported on former Gov. Chris Christie and was part of a team of journalists who earned a Peabody award for their reporting.

UU FaithAction Honors Sally Pillay

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On Sunday, February 10th during the Justice Policy Update Conference, UU FaithAction honored First Friends Director, Sally Pillay.  First Friends of New Jersey and New York’s mission is to uphold the inherent dignity of any immigrant who has been detained as well as any asylum seeker.  They coordinate volunteer visitation, aid with resettlement and are active and vocal advocates of the immigrant/asylum seeker community.

Sally Pillay, departing Director of First Friends and Ted Fetter, Chair, UU Immigration Justice Task Force

Sally Pillay is the out-going Program Director and has been with First Friends for over a decade.  Ms. Pillay is from South Africa and is required to return to her country of birth due to the current immigration policies.  First Friends, and Sally, have been strong partners in our efforts to advance immigration justice reform.  She will be missed!

Reproductive Justice Annual Report 2018

 

UUFANJ REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE TASK FORCE (RJTF)

ANNUAL REPORT – APRIL 21, 2018

The Reproductive Justice Task Force had a busy and productive year.  The task force has followed closely the progress of our Signature Legislation at the same time that we have followed new initiatives. Special concern is the reproductive justice issues that are intersectional and impact especially on the lives of women of color.  

Legal Advocacy Signature Legislation

The Legal Advocacy Signature Legislation, the first initiated by UUFANJ, is the Address Confidentiality Program for Reproductive Health Service Employees and Clients.  It will “initiate legislation to add abortion providers and their support staff to those eligible for protection under New Jersey’s Address Confidentiality Program (ACP)”.    Sen. Loretta Weinberg is Senate sponsor (S1761). The bill was referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee and was heard on March 5.  Lessie Culmer-Nier and Tom Moran were at the hearing representing UUFANJ.  Tom testified by reading one of the pieces of written testimony from a clinic worker.   Carol Loscalzo had submitted written testimony to the Senate staff from 4 people, 3 working in clinics and one, David S. Cohen, Esq. ,  the author who wrote “Living in the Crosshairs:  the Untold Story of Anti-Abortion Terrorism.  ” The bill was voted out of committee and referred to Budget and Appropriations Committee.  

A1861- Asw. Pam Lampitt is the Assembly sponsor with Asm.  John McKeon and Asw. Nancy Pinkin co sponsoring.  It has been referred to Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee.  

Initiatives and Issues

The task force joined with the Criminal Justice Task Force to sponsor an event at the Monmouth congregation on 2/ 18/18, “Know Her Truths: Life behind Bars for Women in NJ”.   It explored the gendered challenges women face in NJ prisons, including sexual violence, reproductive assaults, and mothering from the inside.  The panel featured our own Johanna Foster, PhD, Johanna Christian, PhD and two returning citizens.   Approximately 100 participants attended this early afternoon event.   The event involved the cooperation of two task forces and highlighted the intersectionality of the work.  We were very grateful for the hospitality of the Monmouth congregation, especially the Racial Justice Committee.   The legislative interests the task force is tacking reflect some of the outcomes of the day.   

An immediate outcome of the event presented itself when on 2/22 the Senate Law and Public Service Committee held a hearing about sexual assault allegations at Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women.  The task force was represented at the hearing by two members and Rev. Rob Gregson.   So far, there have not been any initiatives as an outcome.  

Other Legislation that is Being Tracked by the RJ Task Force

ASSEMBLY BILL 2186 – TO PROHIBIT RESTRAINT OF FEMALE INMATES DURING LABOR AND CHILDBIRTH (Huttle et al.  )   Under the bill, correctional facility staff or medical providers would not be permitted to apply restraints to a prisoner known to be pregnant during any stage of labor, any pregnancy related medical distress, transport to a medical facility, delivery, or postpartum.  Restraints would be allowed if determination is made that the prisoner presents a substantial flight risk; or some other extraordinary medical or security circumstance exists. In cases when restraints are permitted, the bill would require that the least restrictive type and application of restraint necessary would be used.

 SENATE BILL 495 ESTABLISHES MATERNAL MORTALITY REVIEW COMMISSION (Vitale, Ruiz) AND ASSEMBLY BILL 1862 (Lampitt, Mukherji, Huttle and Pinkin)  This bill would annually review and report on rates and causes of maternal death in New Jersey and recommend improvement to maternal care. This legislation is critical to help determine the causes of rising maternal deaths in NJ and ensure that health care providers are able to identify the most effective strategies for improving maternal care. Referred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee. The Assembly bill has been referred to the Assembly Women and Children Committee and was reported out of committee on March 12, 2018.  

 ASSEMBLY BILL 314 – RESTRICTS USE OF SOLITARY CONFINEMENT IN STATE PRISONS, JAILS, DETENTION FACILITIES  (Pinkin et al)  The bill prohibits inmates from being placed in isolated confinement unless there is reasonable cause to believe that the inmate or others would be at substantial risk of immediate, serious harm as evidenced by recent threats or conduct, and any less restrictive intervention would be insufficient to reduce that risk.  Defines isolated confinement as “confinement of an inmate in a correctional facility in a cell or similarly confined holding or living space, alone or with other inmates, for approximately 20 hours or more per day with severely restricted activity, movement, and social interaction.” Inmates determined to be “vulnerable” cannot be placed in solitary confinement:  21 years of age or younger; is 65 years of age or older; has a disability based on a mental illness, a history of psychiatric hospitalization, and other identifiers.

SENATE BILL 108 – ESTABLISHES A PROGRAM IN TO FACILITATE THE COMMUNITY REINTEGRATION OF CERTAIN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS FOLLOWING THEIR INCARCERATION FOR CRIMES AGAINST THEIR ABUSERS (Weinberg) AND ASSEMBLY BILL 1022 (Johnson and Mosquera)  The program is referred to as supervised community reintegration. Those selected undergo reentry training, and agree to a reintegration plan outlining their responsibilities under the program, which may include a secure residential community placement and participation in a work release program.  Participants who fail to fulfill their responsibilities under their reintegration plan or who violate the provisions of the program would be removed from the program. The State Parole Board may release an inmate from incarceration into the community reintegration program pursuant to criteria established in the bill.  Senate bill referred to the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee and Assembly bill referred to Assembly Women to and Children Committee.

Coalition /Advocacy Work

  • Co-sponsored the January 20 Women’s March on NJ in Morristown.  
  • My Health My Life Coalition – The task force chair continued as an active member of the coalition.  It advocated strongly for the restoration of family planning funding which was signed by the Governor on February 21.  
  • Sponsored National Council of Jewish Women, Essex County Unit‘s Roe event,   “Danger Pregnancy Ahead:  Examining the growing number of infringements on women’s access to health care and how the women’s overall health is being alarmingly jeopardized”.  
  • The task force chair was invited to join the Crisis Pregnancy Centers (Fake Clinics) task force representing UUFANJ.  A Round Table to determine next steps is planned for the fall.  

Carol A. Loscalzo, Reproductive Justice Task Force chair

Talking Points on the Reproductive Health Act

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TALKING POINTS ON THE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH ACT

January 30, 2019

The following talking points were developed in order to answer questions about New York’s Reproductive Health Act (RHA) or any related proactive abortion legislation, and particularly to respond to tough questions about these bills’ implications for later abortion care.

What the Reproductive Health Act does:

  • On January 22, 2019, New York passed the Reproductive Health Act (RHA).
  • With the RHA in place, medical providers are able to meet the needs of their patients without political interference. It accomplished three main things:
  • New York State now treats abortion as health care, not a criminal act. No other medical procedure is regulated as a crime, and abortion should be no different.
  • The RHA ensures that qualified health care providers can provide safe abortion care without fear of punishment.
  • Providers can now provide abortion after the 24th week of pregnancy if a woman’s health or life is in danger, or if a fetus is not viable.
  • Erika Christensen’s story is an example of the harsh reality women faced before the RHA if they had health complications or unviable pregnancies. They were often forced to risk their health and wellbeing by traveling out of state to receive critical abortion care.
  • Every pregnancy is different, and legislators should never tie the hands of medical professionals who should be free to provide the best care for their patients.

Tough Question: Does the RHA (or laws like it) allow abortion up to the point of birth?

  • This is an inflammatory misrepresentation of this bill/act. Anti-abortion politicians for too long have tried to micromanage this medical procedure to score political points. We need to leave medicine to the medical professionals.
  • Let me tell you what this bill/act actually does. It ensures that when serious medical complications arise later in pregnancy, doctors have access to the full range of medical treatment options, including c-section, induction, or abortion if that is the safest course– all based on what’s best for a woman’s specific medical circumstance, and without medically unnecessary requirements or political interference.
  • This bill/act is about making sure that at every point in pregnancy, a woman’s health drives important medical decisions. Politicians are not medical experts and this is not an area where they should be interfering.

    If you have further questions about the Reproductive Health Act, please contact Tara Sweeney, tsweeney@nirhealth.org

CONTACT UU FAITHACTION NJ:
4 Waldron Avenue, Summit NJ 07901 | (908) 376-6535 | execdir@uufaithaction.org