UUA President Issues Statement on Occupy Wall Street Protests
(BOSTON) The Rev. Peter Morales, president of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), has issued a statement regarding Occupy Wall Street and accompanying protests around the country. The statement says, in part:
"Unitarian Universalism embodies a long tradition of working for economic justice and workers' rights. Today is another opportunity for us to live our faith, and the Occupy protests are a first step on the road to repairing our country.
"I reach out to Unitarian Universalists everywhere to consider how you might be of service to any among us who are struggling to provide for their families, those who have been cheated and abused by financial institutions, and all those whose backs ache under a burden of debt, unemployment, and fading hope. Let the world see the power of our faith in action."
In support of those involved with Occupy protests, a collection of UUA resources related to economic justice is available below.
The UUA is a faith community of more than 1,000 congregations that bring to the world a vision of religious freedom, tolerance and social justice. For more information, please visit our online press room.
Resources for Economic Justice
- A November 2010 article from Rev. Morales in The Huffington Post: "Poverty and Thanksgiving: A Call to Righteous Love"
- A September 2011 article from Rev. Morales in The Huffington Post: "Unemployment as a Spiritual Issue"
- An October 2011 article from Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) President Rev. William F. Schulz in The Huffington Post: "Why the Left is Often Late to Tea"
- A statement from the Unitarian Universalist Women's Federation President Rev. Marti Keller.
- Economic justice information and resources, including information on our most recent Faith Advocates for Jobs campaign, from the UUA Witness Ministries staff group.
- A September 2011 letter to the United States Congress, signed by Rev. Morales for the UUA, urging representatives to exercise their Constitutional duty to "promote the general welfare" in ongoing budget negotiations.
- A list of Unitarian Universalist blogs currently discussing the Occupy movement from UUpdates.net
- Facebook page for Unitarian Universalists for a Just Economic Community
Social Justice Statements Related to Economic Justice
- Support Southern CA Supermarket Workers’ Struggle for Decent Wages and Benefits
2011 Action of Immediate Witness - Economic Globalization
2003 Statement of Conscience - Economic Injustice, Poverty, and Racism: We Can Make a Difference!
2000 Statement of Conscience - Working for a Just Economic Community
1997 General Resolution - Redirecting Economic Resources to Alleviate Poverty
1991 General Resolution - Ending Gender-Based Wage Discrimination
1987 General Resolution - Resolution Commending US Catholic Conference
1985 Business Resolution - Poverty and Unemployment
1985 General Resolution - Interfaith Action for Economic Justice
1985 General Resolution - Poverty
1964 General Resolution