UUFANJ is not just about legislative action. UUFANJ in keeping with its motto – “Educate, Advocate, Mobilize” – works in collaboration with its coalition members to present a varied program of events.
REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE
Last week Planned Parenthood held a showing of “Preconceived”, a film on Crisis Pregnancy Centers. These centers are fake health clinics backed by anti-abortion organizations to further their cause. The most frighting takeaways were the extensive records maintained on each client in the corporate designed database, the fact that the centers are not accountable to HIPAA , the rise of the Pro Life Movement among the younger generations. UUFANJ and the Interfaith Alliance NJ have joined a new national group, Faithful Majority for Reproductive Freedom. Find out more about CPCs: A bill (A861/S2522) addressing deceptive practices in advertising of pregnancy-related services was introduced on 1/9/2024. The bill passed out of committee in March and has not been acted on in the Senate.
Our Flow, Our Power: Reproductive Health Summit in person on September 13, 10AM-4PM at 99 Monticello Ave., Jersey City. For info and to register, click here Volunteers for Clinic Escorts needed. Contact [email protected]
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
- Bike For EJ 9/14/2025 9:30AM-11:00AM Newark-Elizabeth, NJ. Participants will wear portable air monitors. Post ride snacks, informative materials, conversations.
- Repair Café Garden State Have your broken items fixed. Two Cafes coming up. 9/27/2025 11AM-3PM at Christ Church in Summit. 10/11/2025 11AM-3PM at Grace Church in Madison. See above for more information.
- AI WEBINARS – Two webinars being offered . “Demystifying AI-Powered Militarization and its Social and Ecological Consequences” 9/11/2025 8PM virtual. AND “Artificial Intelligence: Implications for Energy and the Environment” 9/25/2025 3:30PM-4:30PM virtual.
IMMIGRATION JUSTICE
- Court Witnessing and Accompaniment Volunteer Training – September 9, 7PM-8:30PM Zoom. Learn to support people at their hearings and check-ins. Especially needed – bilingual individuals and faith leaders. Contact Jonathan for more info
- Donations to Pax Christi New Jersey – It was decided at the last Immigration Task Force Meeting that $500 worth of grocery gift cards would be donated to Pax Christi to be handed out to the loved ones of detainees at Delaney Hall.
- Efforts are still ongoing to get our legislature to pass the Immigrant Trust Act.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE
This Task Force has teamed up with the Anti-Racist Mental Health Alliance of NJ to address issues surrounding mobile crisis units, dispatcher training, police training and childcare. In 2024 A5326/S4250 the Seabrooks-Washington Community-led Crisis Response Act was signed into law. Besides setting up an Advisory Council and a pilot program, $12 million was appropriated to support grant recipients from 6 counties for pilot programs. The CJTS will be tracking this. ARRIVE Together and 9-8-8 are 2 programs expected to work in coordination with this ACT. Other topics of interest are the status of the juvenile justice system, solitary confinement, use of force, restorative justice, geriatric release programs, and the intersectional forces contributing to incarceration rates.
OTHER
LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS TRAINING WEBINARS:
- Sept. 9th, Intro to the Legislative Process 6-7pm
- Sept. 15th, Moving the Needle on Voter Participation. How Do We Reach More Voters? 6-7pm
FRIDAY ACTION HOURS – September 5 and 19 at Noon.
- KUDOS TO OUR HARD-WORKING TASK FORCES!! If you want to be part of the action contact:
- Criminal Justice Reform – Monday, Sept. 15, 7-8pm
Contact Chair Thomas Moran. - Environmental Justice – Wednesday, Sept. 17, 3:15-5pm
Zoom Meeting ID: 948 6367 7375, Passcode: 901953
Contact Rev. Charles Loflin - Immigration Justice – Thursday, Sept. 18, 8-9pm
Zoom Meeting ID: 972 4054 2415, Passcode: 682573
Contact Chair Marty Rothfelder - Reproductive Justice – Monday, Sept. 22, 7-8pm
Zoom Meeting ID: 852 5833 0749, Passcode: 177459
Contact Co-Chairs Carol A. Loscalzo and Jami Thall
