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Civil Liberties Task Force Contact: Marybeth Bernhard Melizberna@gmail.com |
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Civil Liberties Task Force Contact: Marybeth Bernhard Melizberna@gmail.com |
The Civil Liberties Social Justice Task Force is a dynamic group of passionate individuals who believe in defending the rights and freedom of all humans by strengthening the democratic process and empowering individuals. New members are always welcome, and leadership positions are currently available.
There are a number of serious issues concerning the deprivation of civil liberties, facing both our fellow Americans and those abroad. The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee describes civil liberties as "the universal rights and freedoms that protect individual citizens from abuse by government power." Our task force believes that all should have equal rights to affordable housing, to a living wage, to privacy, to vote, and to not endure inhumane punishment or torture, as well as have freedoms of speech, of the press, of assembly, and of religious worship.
The Unitarian Universalist (UU) faith rests on the conviction that every person has inherent worth and dignity and is equally deserving of peace, liberty and justice. UUs have had a long history of engaging with the community to work for justice, by advocating for free speech and freedom of practice or abstinence from religion, supporting women's rights, and helping to abolish slavery, stretching back as far as the 14th Century.
Driven by these fundamental values and as an essential part our spiritual journey, the MVUC Civil Liberties and Actions of Immediate Witness Task Force is dedicated to continue working for the civil right and combating oppression. While we acknowledge that action cannot be taken on every issue that arises, through hard work, compassion, and an open mind, we pledge to do our best to make this congregation, our communities, our world a better place.
The MVUC Civil Liberties Task Force meets regularly to coordinate our fellowship's work and promote awareness on a number of issues. Activities include keeping a legislative watch on Fairfax County, Richmond and Capitol Hill, writing to our legislators urging them to take action when those in need have had their rights trespassed, engaging in brainstorming sessions to explore practical ways to promote solidarity action within our own community, hosting speakers and holding film screenings to help raise awareness of issues, attending rallies and signing petitions to slow down and stop the current abuse of power.
On September 2, 2007, members of this task force organized and conducted an MVUC Sunday service titled "The War in Iraq: a Unitarian-Universalist View". Following the service, a petition regarding the war was circulated and 59 signatures were obtained. In the following days it was transmitted by e-mail to the two Virginia Senators, Representative Moran and Representative Thomas Davis. In addition, to assure the legislators, photo copies of the petition and signatures were sent by regular mail.
The petition is still available for signature at the Social Justice table in the MVUC commons following worship services. Its text is as follows:
We, the undersigned Virginia citizens, appeal to Congress to bring the war in Iraq to an end by passing laws
that require the United States government to establish a definite timetable and deadline for the complete withdrawal
of all U S. troops, including:
In 2006, the Social Justice Council asked the task force to gather signatures on a pledge to vote against a proposed Amendment to the Virginia Constitution to ban legal status for relationships of unmarried individuals approximating marriage. About 100 names were gathered. Despite our efforts and those of others of like mind throughout the Commonwealth, the voters in November 2006 supported the amendment and it is now a part of the state constitution.
The task force collected 93 signatures in December 2005 on a petition to support the UUA resolution calling for repeal of the Patriot Act and to support the Senate version if it should be inevitable that some provisions would be extended. The petition was transmitted by e-mail to Virginia's two Senators and Representative James P. Moran. The Senate version did not prevail in the initial deliberations. A few months later, however, Congress agreed on an extension of the Act that reflected some but not all of our concerns. For example, the current version of the legislation no longer requires public libraries to report to the government which books are borrowed by library members.
Fairfax County Alliance for Human Services Annual Meeting - June 12, 2008
"What happens in Richmond doesn't stay in Richmond!: Focus on Human Services." Senator George Barker, Del. Tom Rust,
and Human Services lobbyist Sue Rowland discuss issues and actions taken by the General Assembly, the Governor, and
state agencies - and make predictions for the future. Come and bring your questions and opinions. Thursday,
June 12th, 7:30 p.m. Government Center conference rooms 9-10,
12000 Government Center Parkway. Light refreshments served
Virginia Housing Preservation Symposium - June 18, 2008
Hosted by Virginia Community Capital, 9:00AM-4:00PM, at Marriot Fairfax at Fair Oaks. To register, go to
http://vacommunitycapital.org/products/documents/VAHousingPreservationSymposium-Agenda_001.pdf
Enterprise Community Partners "Call To Action for Faith Communities" - June 24, 2008
A dialogue for faith communities interested in the development of affordable housing, Manassas Baptist Church, The
Rock Community Center, 8800 Sudley Road, Manassas, 12:30-2:30 PM, RSVP to Jennifer Bonsall at (202) 842-9190
ext 22.
DC Peace & Justice Coalition Meeting- June 16, 2008
Local Anti-War and Social Justice activists meet to prepare for major DC Demonstrations, with an eye towards
the Inaugural Festivities of January 20, 2009.
7:30pm. Sarah's Circle 2551 17th Street NW between Fuller and Columbia Rd
