Civil Liberties
Contact: Keith Keener,
ksquared226@cox.net
Who are we?
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.
Social Context
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.
Religious Rationale and Historical Context
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 and/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.
Methods of Action
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.
Recent Activities and Results
In October 2009, we marched on the National Mall and rallied at the Capitol Hill, to demand equality for all people, irrespective of sexual orientation.
In June 2009, we rallied at the White House to demand the appointment of a special commision to investigate the abuse of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay and elsewhere, during the "War on Terror."
In January 2006, summer of 2007 and winter of 2008, we marched against the war in Iraq and rallied at the White House, the Pentagon, and the Capitol Hill to demand an end to overseas hostilities and bringing the troops home.
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. The petition was then transmitted by e-mail to the two Virginia Senators, Representative Moran and Representative Thomas Davis. In addition, photo copies of the petition and signatures were sent to the legislators 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:
1. Closing all U S. bases in Iraq;
2. Supporting an Iraqi-led peace process;
3. Ending U. S. control of the political and economic life of Iraq, including Iraqi oil;
4. Making reparations and supporting reconstruction of this war-torn country;
5. Increasing support for veterans;
6. Supporting the troops remaining in Iraq during the withdrawal, and Prohibiting so-called 'preemptive war against other nations.
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 USA 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.
