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The New York Times and newspapers in North Carolina remembered the civil rights work of the late Rev. Clark Olsen, who died last week. The New York Times recounts Olsen's encounter with white supremacists in Selma, when he witnessed the attack that resulted in the Rev. James Reeb's death and later testified at the trial of the attackers. The Rev. Jay Leach of the UU Church of Charlotte said, “Clearly, Clark was highly respected in our ministry. . . . The fact that he showed up in Selma was completely consistent both with what he was about and what Unitarian Universalism is about: A religion that isn’t about belief. It’s about what one does in the world.” (New York Times, 1.28.19; Charlotte Observer, 1.24.19)
Continuing the work of justice
The Rev. Mark Harris of First Parish Church of Watertown, Massachusetts, received this year’s Unity Award from a local human rights organization. Retiring after twenty-three years of service, Harris said of the award, “It feels like a culmination of everything. . . an affirmation of people caring for each other and trying to make the community a better place. A place where everyone is welcome, and everyone has a voice.” (Wicked Local, 1.23.19)
Four volunteers with the No More Deaths Ministry of the UU Church of Tucson, Arizona, were convicted of the misdemeanor crime of entering a national wildlife refuge without a permit, and abandonment of property. They face fines and possible prison time of up to six months for leaving water and cans of beans for migrants who might otherwise die crossing the refuge. No More Deaths volunteer Catherine Gaffney said, "This verdict challenges not only No More Deaths volunteers, but people of conscience throughout the country. . . . If giving water to someone dying of thirst is illegal, what humanity is left in the law of this country?" (CNN, 1.22.19)