Advertisement
During a bond hearing for the four men accused of the violent mugging of two UUA employees in New Orleans for General Assembly, UUs filled a row in the court, several of them wearing “Black Lives Matter” T-shirts. “We wanted to show up for restorative justice,” said Jolanda Walter. “We wanted to advocate for a reasonable bond for all four. We don’t want these young men thrown away.” Walter and others said the victims’ families were consulted before they attended the hearing. Despite the UUs’ presence, prosecutors sought a high bail; the “main attacker,” Dejuan Paul, is being held on a total bail of $255,000. (New Orleans Advocate, 6.30.17)
Dismantling white supremacy
UUA Interim Co-President Sofía Betancourt was interviewed about the Association’s efforts to dismantle white supremacy and related GA discussions. “It’s not about whether an individual person considers themselves a white supremacist. It’s about how we’re all influenced by the everyday messages we receive in our culture, by decisions that we make without even really thinking about it,” Betancourt explained. (NPR, 6.24.17)
Vizguerra leaves sanctuary
Jeanette Vizguerra, the undocumented mother of four who took sanctuary in First Unitarian Society of Denver, Colorado, in February was granted a two-year stay of deportation. “It’s a special day for me because I will be able to celebrate Mother’s Day with my children and grandchildren,” she said in a press conference. (Time, 5.12.17)