Peace, Liberty, & Justice Task Force
Contacts:
George Shepherd (303 241 2423) prof92@earthlink.net or
Bob Shellenberger (303 642 0481) bob.shellenberger@gmail.com
Activities planned for this year include:
- Educational forums and workshops
- A day at the legislature
- Postcard and e-mail writing campaigns
- Candidate forums and voter registration
- Promote International Peace Day
- Collaborate with The Interfaith Alliance of Colorado on a variety of activities
PLJTF is a vehicle for providing JUC members the opportunity to be involved in working on our Jefferson Unitarians' sixth principle, the goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice. The PLJTF will accomplish this goal by focusing on key issues that will be studied and when appropriate followed-up with relevant action. The 10 key issues for 2007/2008 are described below in alphabetical order.
Clean Elections
In a survey by the PLJ Task force the subject of clean elections garnered the most votes. The task force responded by sponsoring an Exploration session conducted by a member of Common Cause and a member of the Interfaith Alliance. A DVD of an April 2006 Interfaith Alliance meeting on the subject of Clean Elections is in the possession of the current Chair of the sub committee, Tom Wier and can be loaned for showing.
Tom Wier, 303-238-7932, papasbeef@aol.com
Day at the Legislature
JUC will have a DAY AT THE LEGISLATURE again in 2008. For the past two years, JUC members have spent a whole day watching how the Colorado Legislature works to pass the laws that we all live by. The old saw that “If you love sausage and respect Democracy, don’t observe the making of either” no longer applies. Those who have participated in the past have learned much about how our State Government works. In 2008 we will change the format a bit. We will have a major public issue to follow throughout our Day at The Legislature. The issue will be Health Care. Currently a Legislative Commission considering options for assuring that ALL Coloradoans have health care. They are now examining Four Options for achieving this goal and we will watch as their findings get translated to proposed legislation and participate in the process by which the proposed laws more through the Legislature. Keep posted, as there will probably be some events this fall relating to Health Care.
Marv Spears, 303 716-9240, marvspears@comcast.net
Interfaith Alliance of Collorado
JUC and our members have been instrumental in forming, building, funding and developing The Interfaith Alliance of Colorado [TIA-CO], an accredited affiliate of the national organization. The mission of TIA-CO is "to promote justice, religious liberty and interfaith understanding by organizing and equipping progressive people of faith and good will for advocacy, dialogue and celebration."
TIA-CO envisions a pluralistic civil society in which people and communities of faith and goodwill uphold and contribute to diversity, respect, justice and opportunity for all. Rooted in progressive religious and spiritual values, and through its interfaith programs, civic participation and political activism, TIA-CO demonstrates the human capacity for compassion, cooperation and partnership in the service of the common good.
Chuck Mowry, 303 989-3117, chuckmowry@comcast.net
9/11/01
We'll study the evidence regarding the events of September 11, 2001 and advocate for a new Congressional investigation: an impartial, scientifically-based inquiry free of White House control. Because 9/11 served as the rationale for the U.S.'s establishing a permanent war footing in the Middle East and for the systematic destruction of civil liberties at home, it is critical that we who desire peace, justice and a democratic society examine the evidence ourselves. Most Americans assume the 9/11 Commission held such an investigation, but in fact the evidence examined and testimony permitted was tightly controlled by the Commission's executive director Philip Zelikow, a White House national security advisor and architect of the neo-con doctrine of pre-emptive war which now forms the centerpiece of our foreign policy.
Dorothy Lorig, 303-278-4266, lorigdv@aol.com
Peace and World Community
One of the covenants that UU congregations affirm and promote is the goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all. This Task Force works to keep the issue of peace in front of the Congregation. We have done this several ways. We raised money for and installed a peace pole near the front entrance to the Church. We have a banner which reads “Unitarian Universalists for Peace and Social Justice” to use at rallies and various events. We encourage participation at anti-war rallies and organize car pools. We help educate the Congregation about issues of war and peace through participation in Exploration Sessions, forums, handing out information, and providing post cards to send to our elected officials to register our thoughts and feelings. We do voter registration drives at the Church and at a local community agency. We intend to continue these efforts to affirm and promote the goal of a world with peace.
Janice Mowry, 303 989-3117, janicemowry@yahoo.com
The Challenge of Immigration
- Did you know that 40% of illegals in the U.S. are people from countries other than Latin America and Mexico? (This group of people came on legal visas and stayed without ever renewing their visas.)
- Did you know that South Carolina is the state with the largest population of foreign born?
- Did you know that 5% of American workers are undocumented?
- (Source: National Immigration Forum)
Since the 1990’s, every state must deal with the economic, cultural, and legal implications of immigration. Solutions require considerations that are both humanitarian and just. The states cannot manage this complex situation on their own, for it is a Federal Government responsibility. Contact your Representative and Senators and express your concerns. Lest they forget. SOURCES: National Immigration Forum(immigrationforum.org); Migration Policy Institute(migrationpolicy.org); Bell Policy Center( thebell.org)(Colorado Based)—and more.
Marian Katz, 303 445-0270, smokijn@aol.com
Torture and Crimes Against humanity
Our Task Force opposes the use of torture by our Government or any other entity used for the waging of the struggle against the so called "war against terrorism ." Our Government has signed and honored the Geneva Protocols and especially the Convention against the use of Torture of the United Nations. Compliance with these rules of war and humanitarian intervention are essential for an effective foreign policy in modern world conflicts. The violation of international law is a criminal offense under US laws and constitution and we undertake to educate our church members and the community on the extent of violations and demands for accountability by other countries as well as ourselves.
George Shepherd, 303 241-2423, prof92@earthlink.net
Universal Health Care
What sort of health care program for all Coloradoans would reflect our UU principles of "the inherent worth and dignity of every person" and "justice, equity and compassion in human relations"? How can we influence our state legislators to enact such a program? We begin by educating ourselves about the complexities of this issue and about effective ways of communicating with our elected officials.
Kaaren Hardy, 303-650-5617, k.k.hardy@worldnet.att.net
UN and Multilateral Programs for Darfur
This group in co-operation with the national Drumbeat for Darfur conducts programs to education our church members and the wider community about the conditions leading to ethnocide in Sudan.We hold forums with expert speakers who are familiar with the topic and cultures involved.
We especially support through post-card and other means United Nations humanitarian intervention programs. These protect the innocent civilians against Janjaweed marauders. We also urge our government to work through the UN and the African Union for a cease fire and peace settlement.
George Shepherd, 303 241-2423, prof92@earthlink.net
United Nations
From its inception, Unitarians and Universalists have supported the United Nations and the humanitarian concerns expressed in the United Nations Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. With the merger of these denominations in l961 the Unitarian Universalist Association created an Advisory Committee on the United Nations. In l962 the UU-United Nations Office was established. At the suggestion of US Ambassador to the UN, Adlai Stevenson, UU congregations across the US and Canada were encouraged to select envoys to promote public understanding of the functions of the United Nations. Today the UU United Nations Office represents 138 congregations.
Judith Green, 303 642-0481, demnewsb6@mindspring.com
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