Events & Workshops
Stand in Solidarity on the Side of Love
Saturday, February 8, 10:15 AM Great Hall
First it was Wisconsin. Now it’s North Carolina that is redefining the term “battleground state.” On one side: a
right-wing government enacting laws that are changing the face of the state. On the other: citizen protesters who are
fighting back against what they fear is a radical takeover. This crucible of conflict reflects how the battle for control of
American politics is likely to be fought for the foreseeable future: not in Washington, DC, but state by state. (Bill
Moyers & Company)
The Forward Together/ Moral Mondays Movement, a multi-racial, multi-issue coalition of people, is
calling on all people of faith and conscience from Southern states and across the country, to join them
for a Mass Moral March on Raleigh, North Carolina on Saturday, February 8. Every Monday since the
end of April, 2013, people have been gathering at the Capitol in Raleigh, protesting the loss of democratic process and protections, sometimes conducting civil disobedience.
The state chapter of the NAACP, led by the Rev. William Barber, and Unitarian Universalist partners in
North Carolina, has asked UUs across the nation to join them. Congregations are organizing to have a
presence there; many UU clergy are committing to be there, representing our faith movement’s
longstanding commitment to civil rights.
However, we know that not all of us have the capacity to travel to Raleigh. So we are holding an event
of solidarity. Taking place at the same time as the “Mass Moral March on Raleigh” (known locally as
HKONJ), we will gather in the Great Hall on February 8 at 10:15 AM. We will watch the recent
(January 3) episode from Bill Moyers called “State of Conflict,” which will help us educate ourselves on
this topic. We’ll have a conversation, then watch a short message from the Rev. William Barber; next
we will gather together on the front lawn to hold a vigil of solidarity, standing on the side of love and
justice.
This event is sponsored by the Standing on the Side of Love effort, and co-sponsored by the American
Friends Service Committee of Western Massachusetts, the Living Wage Campaign, and the USNF Social Justice Committee.
Questions?
Please feel free to contact Karen G. Johnston at kar-
[email protected].
The Pioneer 13