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Social Justice Updates

Thank You for Your Leadership

The Minnesota Department of Health produces data about child poverty in Minnesota. Statewide, the rate of children living in poverty is 11.8%. However, in some counties the rate has been as high as 40%. These numbers are unacceptable from a moral standpoint and threaten our state’s future prosperity. Thanks to action taken by the Walz administration and by the Minnesota… Read More »Thank You for Your Leadership

Protect LGBTQ People from Discrimination

Transgender people are increasingly being marginalized and subjected to many forms of discrimination. Far-right politicians are now attacking the freedom and dignity of trans people and their families, with one-third of the country having passed laws that criminalize and ban access to gender-affirming care. Banning gender-affirming care for transgender youth leads to increased rates of depression, self-harm, and suicide. Gender-affirming… Read More »Protect LGBTQ People from Discrimination

Oppose The EATS Act

A group of Congressional lawmakers are pushing to include the Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression Act as part of the 2023 Farm Bill. The legislation, known as The EATS Act, could have serious implications for animal welfare and cascading effects on farmer well-being, worker safety, the spread of zoonoses, and pollution. The EATS Act will nullify any state laws impacting agriculture… Read More »Oppose The EATS Act

Protect The Boundary Waters

The DNR is considering an exploratory drilling plan for Franconia to facilitate a polluting mine that would be built under Birch Lake, the most popular recreation lake in the Superior National Forest outside the Boundary Waters. The extensive scientific and economic studies underlying the Forest Service’s earlier decision to refuse to consent to mining lease renewals show beyond dispute that… Read More »Protect The Boundary Waters

The Farm Bill and Climate

Our farming practices must be part of the solution to climate change. The US agriculture sector contributes 11% of total US greenhouse gases. UUs are joining allies in the faith and farming communities to redirect 2023 Farm Bill funding to promote conservation and climate-smart regenerative farming practices that protect the health of our soil and food, redirect funds to small… Read More »The Farm Bill and Climate

Thank You President Biden

The Biden administration has created the American Climate Corps, a New-Deal-inspired service program that is said will employ 20,000 in conservation, clean energy, and climate resilience in the first year. The experience and skills members will gain by participating in the corp will be crucial in filling the fast-growing number of green jobs in the nation. It will provide a… Read More »Thank You President Biden

Community Newspapers Build Connections

Community newspapers have been disappearing as print ads and subscriptions collapse.  The U.S. has witnessed the demise of over 2,500 local papers since 2005, and that has resulted in “news deserts”. Research shows that without local newspapers, voter turnout in local elections and other forms of civic participation decline.  Without local journalist watchdogs, local governments’ corruption increases. Without a reliable source of local information, residents turn… Read More »Community Newspapers Build Connections

Learn the Truth about Indian Boarding Schools

Legislation creating the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies (SF1723) will be voted upon in the upcoming Senate session. From the late 1870s to the 1960s, the U.S. Government collaborated with Christian churches to remove native children from their homes in order “to civilize them” away from the influences of their families. Schools operated under the motto… Read More »Learn the Truth about Indian Boarding Schools

Save Our Water

The city of Elko New Market is rushing through plans for California-based Niagara Bottling to build a factory in Elko New Market, with the intent to sell 310 million gallons each year of groundwater from the Prairie du Chien Jordan aquifer, all in single use plastic bottles. Before an amendment to the Elko New Market water appropriation permit is granted,… Read More »Save Our Water

Thank You, Minnesota Lawmakers!

Message: THANK YOU for legislation to: improve education help the environment protect and expand human rights improve public safety Thank you for this and all of your work for the common good. Please contact: Minnesota State Representatives – DON’T KNOW YOUR REP? Look her/him/them up here: https://www.gis.leg.mn/iMaps/districts/ Minnesota State Senators – DON’T KNOW YOUR SENATOR? Look her/him/them up here: https://www.gis.leg.mn/iMaps/districts/ Minnesota Speaker… Read More »Thank You, Minnesota Lawmakers!