UU Prison Ministry TeamUCE UCE2021-05-20T16:27:53+00:00
UU Prison Ministry Team
Mission and Goals
The UCE Prison Ministry Team works with the larger Unitarian Universalist Prison Ministry of Illinois (UUPMI) mission “to transform institutions and support people harmed by the prison industrial complex.” Our group focuses on working directly with those currently incarcerated and awaiting trial, those imprisoned, and those recently released. We also advocate for policy changes to reform the Illinois criminal justice system, such as the recently passed HB3653, making Illinois the first state to end cash bail starting in 2023. We strive to provide a nurturing space for our beloved UCE congregants who engage in these life-changing conversations to learn more about institutional racism, grow in cultural humility, and live our Principles.
We have a long-term goal to develop a culture of accountability without punishment for our faith community and beyond, bringing us closer to the abolition of prisons and policing, which impose physical, mental, and community harm.
Programs of the UU Prison Ministry Team
Resources
News & Updates UU Prison Ministry Team
Equity and Transformation Chicago Reparations for the War on Drugs
March 22 at 7 p.m. UCE Sanctuary & Livestream
Here is a great opportunity to get to know a dynamic people-of-color led organization and to learn how to support a campaign for racial justice. Alonzo Waheed from E.A.T. Chicago will talk about their initiative “The Big Payback” (not to be confused with the documentary). This campaign is rooted in the commitment to repair the War on Drugs’ decades-long devastation. The event is co-sponsored by the REAL Team, UCE Prison Ministry Team, and the UU Prison Ministry of Illinois. Unlike our usual meetings, we are asking people to register for the event, at this LINK.
Since Illinois legalized marijuana in 2019, the state broke its promise to ensure equity in the cannabis industry and to repair harms done by the War on Drugs. The Illinois Reparations Coalition is building a vision to address the human rights violations and destruction of Black families, using the UN Five Pillars of Reparations. Join us to learn concrete steps we can take in alignment with our 8th Principle.
Two important notes: 1. People who have been justice-involved, and their loved ones, may be triggered revisiting the impact of the criminal punishment system. 2. Parents, please note that we will have the Nest area available with toys for young children. If you bring your older children, you may want to discuss with them beforehand the implications of marijuana legalization, and remind them that substances like alcohol and marijuana are legal for adult consumption but pose serious risks for brain development in youth.
We hope that all of our UCE members and friends will take advantage of this opportunity to act in partnership for racial justice. Please register at this link to attend in person or to get an email with the Livestream link. See you on March 22!
Equity and Transformation Chicago Reparations for the War on Drugs
March 22 at 7 p.m.
UCE Sanctuary & Livestream
Alonzo Waheed, E.A.T. Chicago’s director of organizing, will lead a presentation on their initiative “The Big Payback”. Different from the film by the same name, this initiative is a campaign rooted in the commitment to make reparations to people harmed by the War on Drugs. This is a great opportunity to get to know a dynamic people-of-color led organization and to learn how to support this campaign. The event is co-sponsored by the REAL Team, UCE Prison Ministry Team, and the UU Prison Ministry of Illinois. Unlike the usual REAL Team meetings, we are asking people to register for the event, at this LINK.
Illinois became the 11th state to legalize marijuana in 2019. Promises of economic equity in the cannabis industry have been broken, and the state’s proposal to repair the harms of the War on Drugs has fallen far short. The Illinois Reparations Coalition is building a vision to address the Drug War’s human rights violations and destruction of Black families, using the UN Five Pillars of Reparations. Join us to learn concrete steps we can take, in alignment with our 8th Principle.
Two important notes: First, people who have been justice-involved, and their loved ones, may be affected by revisiting the impact of the criminal punishment system. Second, parents, please note that we will have the Nest area available with toys for young children. If you bring your older children, you may want to discuss with them beforehand the implications of marijuana legalization and remind them that substances like alcohol and marijuana are legal for adult consumption but pose serious risks for youth and emerging adults, whose brains are still developing.
We hope that all of our UCE members and friends will take advantage of this exciting partnership opportunity! Please register at this LINK to attend in person or to get an email with the Livestream link. See you on March 22!