By Bruce Wiggins, Chair, Social Justice Council
The Social Justice Council (SJC) encourages all First Church members and friends to join the UUA Love Resists Campaign. The goal of the campaign is to have congregations and individuals take a stand on important social issues we face as a society.
At the recommendation of the SJC, the Board of Trustees in November adopted this Declaration of Conscience: At this extraordinary time in our nation’s history, we are called to affirm our profound commitment to the fundamental principles of justice, equity and compassion, to truth and core values of American society.
Now it is your turn to sign the declaration of conscience on the UUA website. Sign up to become part of the network and receive emails with tools, tips, resources and ideas about how to work in Milwaukee. When you sign up, let me know, so we can form a network of people stepping up to help First Church become a center of faithful organizing and resistance.
Here are some excerpts of the declaration:
- In the face of looming threats to immigrants, Muslims, people of color, and the LGBTQ community, and the rise of hate speech, harassment and hate crimes, we affirm our belief in the inherent worth and dignity of every person.
- In opposition to actions that undermine the right of every citizen to vote and advances in access to health care and reproductive rights, we affirm our commitment to justice and compassion in human relations.
- In opposition to actions that weaken initiatives to address climate change, we affirm our unyielding commitment to protect the interdependent web of all existence.
- We oppose all unjust government actions to deport, register, discriminate, or despoil. As people of conscience, we declare our commitment to translate our values into action as we stand on the side of love with the most vulnerable among us.