The Program Council selected Black Lives Matter/Racial Justice in America as the congregational focus for 2016. The Racial Justice committee scheduled 9 programs beginning in the spring to explore the issue, leading to a formal proposal and a February 21 Town Hall presentation. Members of the congregation voted to approve the display of a Black Lives Matter banner on April 24, 2016.
Since then, the work continues, including the 2020-21 USR Racial Justice Initiative on the “New Jersey Underground Railroad”, book discussions, webinars on the 8th Principle, and a postcard campaign to address voter suppression.
MOTION PASSED at the 4/24/16 Congregational Meeting:
Proposal for Unitarian Society of Ridgewood to Hang Black Lives Matter Banner
The Unitarian Society of Ridgewood (USR) is committed to study and actions that will help to undo and redress the systemic racism that exists in America – in our schools, in our justice system, in our culture.
This commitment is based on our Unitarian Universalist Principles, is in support of the BLM Action of Immediate Witness adopted by the 2015 General Assembly, is in concert with the anti-racism commitment of the Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of New Jersey, and advances the anti-racism commitment this congregation made in 2002.
The USR Interim Minister, the Board of Trustees (BOT), Social Responsibilities Council (SRC), Racial Justice Committee and over 65 members who have signed the BLM petition for a vote on the banner all endorse hanging a Black Lives Matter banner on the USR building.
We, therefore, resolve that as members of the Unitarian Society of Ridgewood and as a congregation we are called to formally bear witness and stand as allies with black Americans in their struggles for justice, equality and security, and in support we will hang a Black Lives Matter banner on our building.
April 24, 2016
For more information:
UU World | Five Ways Unitarian Universalists Can Support Black Lives Matter
