Advertisement
Clergy and activists gathered over the weekend to leave large jugs of water on remote trails in the Arizona desert for migrants who continue to cross the desert seeking asylum in the United States. Unitarian Universalist Association President Susan Frederick-Gray,who was formerly minister of a UU congregation in Phoenix, joined the group in order to demonstrate solidarity with migrants and aid workers. "Providing humanitarian aid is not a crime," Frederick-Gray said. (New York Times - 8.3.18)
The Rev. Mary Katherine Morn, new president and CEO of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, joined Frederick-Gray and other interfaith groups and activists to support the work of humanitarian aid group No More Deaths by placing jugs of water out for migrants to find later. Morn noted the intense heat was difficult for all who participated, “I can't quite imagine the physical toll...in this vast desert and traveling without the capacity of carrying the amount of water and resources that (migrants) would need. It's just stunning." (Arizona Republic - 8.5.18)
More coverage:
“No More Deaths Aid Workers Accuse Feds Of Targeting Their Work On Border” (Fronteras - 8.3.18)
“Faith Leaders Say They’re Being Targeted For Leaving Water To Help Migrants” (Huffington Post - 8.9.18)
UUs participate in busy primary season
In Michigan, where there was recently a primary election for offices at nearly all levels of governance in the state, Randy Block of the Michigan Unitarian Universalist Justice Network affirmed the importance of voting this year, particularly in primary races. “Sometimes with gerrymandering in particular, it's really important to vote in the primaries, because often those are the votes that determine who will ultimately be the winner in the general election." (Public News Service - 8.7.18)