UUCM has been paying attention to the opportunities for us to respond in community. Please see below for community resources, ways to support the Wright family, and avenues for action and advocacy. Keep connected with the Friday Update and UUCM Happenings to learn more in the days ahead.
MN Coalition for Justice For George Floyd & All Stolen Lives Demands Police Accountability Bills
A growing coalition of community groups including Communities United Against Police Brutality, Minnesota Disability Justice Network, Minnesota Justice Coalition, Racial Justice Network, Twin Cities Coalition for Justice 4 Jamar, Families Supporting Families Against Police Violence and Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) Minnesota demands police accountability and an end to police violence. Click here to learn more about the bill and show your support.
A 20-year-old Black man was shot and killed by police this past Sunday in Brooklyn Center. The specifics surrounding the shooting are still under investigation. However, the result is the same: another Black man killed by police.
His name is Daunte Wright. We extend our sincere condolences to Daunte’s family. We all will process and react to this differently. Some will experience re-traumatization; others will feel a sense of hopelessness, rage, sadness, frustration and disappointment.
Whatever your response is, we want to make sure you have the support and resources necessary to deal with this effectively. Our mission is to respond to emergency needs, and for some this is an emergency. Therefore, here is a list of resources available to those who need support.
As a community I want to remind us that “everyone counts; everyone has an irreplaceable role to play.”
Your ED,
Kevin Ward
Executive Director
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 This is a full video of the vigil yesterday, Monday, April 12, 2021, with clergy and family of Daunte Wright in Brooklyn Center MN. Thank you to UU clergy and lay faith leaders able to be there, with interfaith movement chaplains.
What brings you to tears may be different than what brought me to tears… but if you need a space to mourn (not that there’s any shortage of that for many), here is one. And if you need to connect, please reach out, we are here.
Standing in a circle of faith leaders, watching the little boy enjoying an LED votive candle held by a family member, who switched off and re-lit the candle, again and again, for the toddler to “blow out.” Tears, prayers, and a few well-warranted swears from beloved movement clergy who speak so well. But what seared my heart was this beautiful child, practicing a ritual of birthdays. May he grow old and gray.
“Mourn the dead… and fight like hell for the living” – Mother Jones
How can I help?
Contacting officials and representatives to demand Justice for Daunte
Donating to Daunte Wright’s son & widow for care
Donating to Daunte Wright’s family for funeral expenses
Donating goods or money for mutual aid in Brooklyn Center
Changing the policies & culture of policing (across Minnesota)
Changing the policies & culture of policing (specific to Minneapolis)
For Minneapolis residents, learn more about how to change the Charter Amendment which impacts policing rules for your city: Join Elliott Altbaum (who grew up in Minneapolis’ First Universalist congregation, by the way!), ISAIAH’s Young Adult Coalition leader, for one of the following Public Safety Charter Amendment and Caucus Trainings “to find an answer to our despair and create a future for Minneapolis. Join us for a conversation about what is possible and to build the power we need to win”:
TONIGHT, April 13th from 6:30-8:30pm
Tuesday April 20th from 6:30-8:30pm
Thursday April 22nd from 6:30-8:30pm
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May we all grow old and gray, and find solace in the growing.
Karen Wills, Executive Director
director@muusja.org
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