Traveling to Phoenix for General Assembly 2012
My name is Carolyn Saunders, I am from Tucson, AZ, and I am honored to serve as the District Coordinator for next year’s General Assembly (GA). The 10,000 Unitarian Universalists (UUs) in my home district of the Pacific Southwest are looking forward to hosting GA 2012 in Phoenix, and we invite you to join us at this historic Justice Assembly.
Since I last spoke to you at GA 2011, I am happy to report that progress is being made in Arizona on many fronts that concern all of us who plan to attend the Justice GA. Did you know that Russell Pearce, author of SB 1070, was voted out of office in a recall election this fall by the citizens of his district?
More recently a tough U.S. Justice report found Sheriff Joe Arpio’s office has carried out blatant discrimination against Latinos and systematically disregarded the Constitutional rights of immigrants. This report led to Homeland Security officials severing ties with Arpaio, stripping his jail officers of their federal power to check whether inmates are in the country without documentation.
The most egregious provisions of SB1070 are under an injunction upheld by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco last year that would have required law enforcement officials to determine the immigration status of anyone detained or arrested; authorized warrantless arrests of any undocumented resident who had committed a public offense; required immigrants to carry documents; and made it a state crime for illegal immigrants to look for or accept work. Grassroots efforts are underway to recall both Governor Jan Brewer and Sheriff Arpaio.
So the immigration issues that were so obvious in 2010 may change by the time we come to Phoenix in 2012, but the need for public witness and service will remain. That is why I look forward to having each of you join me and my fellow UUs from the Pacific Southwest District at the Justice GA.
What We Are Doing to Get Ready
The Arizona Immigration Ministry (AZIM) is organizing collaboration among Arizona congregations around immigration reform, human rights and Justice GA. AZIM has also implemented Unitarian Universalist partnerships with organizations representing those most affected by current immigration and enforcement policies. AZIM will be active in the creation of service and witness events that will take place at Justice GA. As Unitarian Universalists around the country prepare for Justice GA, AZIM is an outstanding resource for all congregations.
The Pacific Southwest District has sponsored two BorderLinks trips to Nogales, Sonora, and other points of interest along the border with a third trip planned for March 15-18. A pre-GA and a post-GA BorderLinks are being planned for attendees. The Southern California UU Justice Team was created to help UU congregations in the PSWD prepare for Justice GA 2012 and to link congregations working on migration and human rights issues.
Phoenix congregations are setting up home hospitality for GA attendees. UURISE in San Diego is holding legal clinics for migrants as well as travelling around the nation to train others in this process. Around the District congregations are reading The Death of Josseline and learning about the Doctrine of Discovery.
We remain united in our opposition to the unjust laws that Arizona has passed and that have been passed in other states. We are appalled by the human rights abuses that are taking place along our borders as well as in other states in the guise of “border security.” The time is coming for all Unitarian Universalists to speak out about these injustices and join voices with our partners in Phoenix.
So with hope in my heart for the change we can bring about, I invite you to come to our beautiful state filled with majestic and diverse natural beauty, as well as caring, compassionate and diverse human beings. I want you to know that the Arizona I am inviting you to is a hospitable, welcoming place for all visitors.
In today’s Arizona Latinos and Anglos are coming together to work for a future when all people will be treated with the civility and respect that they inherently deserve. In today’s Arizona, we believe that civil rights are for everyone. In today’s Arizona, UUs are joining business men and women, members of other faiths and human rights organizations to strongly resist the criminalization of immigrants.
Come to Arizona to join in this work and stand with us on the side of love.
Come to Arizona for Justice GA Next Year
Who should come to Justice GA? Everyone! This could be a life changing experience for everyone in your congregation. In my district, and perhaps in yours, we are raising funds to ensure that as many youth, young adults and other historically marginalized groups as possible are able to attend.
This is an opportunity for UUs from around the country to witness in ways that reflect our UU commitment to justice, equity and compassion for all. We will worship, witness, learn and work together. We will do hands-on work with our community partners like Puente, National Day Laborers Organizing Network, and Mi Familia Vota among others. Projects will take place in a variety of settings, and include multigenerational teams. Whether you choose to witness for one hour, make signs for other people to carry, or spend an entire day at a witness event, there will be opportunities for everyone.
Once again, I invite you to come to Phoenix June 20-24, 2012. Come experience the heat, the hope, the work, the love! I promise you a VERY warm welcome!
For more information contact generalassembly@uua.org.
This work is made possible by the generosity of individual donors. Please consider making a donation today.
Last updated on Sunday, January 8, 2012.
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