Showing Up for Justice

The Rev. Abbey Tennis (left), of First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia, and UUA President Susan Frederick-Gray march in a November 4 "Count Every Vote" rally in Philadelphia.

Showing up for justice isn’t just an animating principle of thought and action for Unitarian Universalists today. It has deep roots that anchor us historically and speak to an enduring agency and leadership, which hold our democracy accountable to its founding principles.

Image: © 2020 Caroline Gutman
Levi (14) looks to the viewer during climate protest.

The film explores the lives and legal case of a group suing the federal government over climate change.

Image: © 2019 Robin Loznak / Youth v Gov
An African American woman wearing glasses and smiling against a blue background.

Rev. Viola Abbitt's unconventional path from DA's office to the ministry is a story of UU faith and principle.

Image: © Tomo Hillbo.
An African American man smiling at a podium

UU the Vote was back in 2022 to help organize, educate, and empower voters across the country.

Image: © 2022 Christopher Northcross/UUA
A hand holds a cardboard protest sign with a flaming chalice drawn on it and the words: My UU faith demands permanent and immediate ceasefire.

A timeline of statements and other public declarations made by Unitarian Universalists from October 2023 to September 2024.

Image: © Martha Durkee-Neuman
page from Spring 2021: Moment of Reflection: Vigil. Image of a candle light vigil June 2012 in Phoenix AZ, Joe Arpaio's tent city jail.

Showing up for justice outside a notorious jail.

Image: Image © 2012 Nancy Pierce/UUA
Levi Draheim at the UU Ministry for Earth’s Procession of the Species at the 2019 UUA General Assembly

Unitarians and Universalists have a long history of advocating for justice. Here are just a few who left their mark on the world. Who would be on your short list?

Image: Photo copyright Nancy Pierce/UUA
UU ministers in Ohio (such as the Rev. Christine Jones-Leavy, below) joined other religious professionals to help assuage tensions at the polls during the election.

Unitarian Universalist congregations in the news.

Image: © Maddie McGarvey/New York Times/Redux
Civil rights attorney Sam Ames

Civil rights attorney Sam Ames says the 2020 election marks the beginning, not the end, of work to strengthen trans rights.

Image: © Han Koehle
photo illustration of naturalization ceremony materials with"Restricted access" stamp over.

Citizenship stripping exemplifies the bundle of contradictions that is the United States of America.

Image: Photo © JanaShea/iStock; stamp © VladSt/iStock