Editor's note: The following story appears in the July 1 Town of Paradise Valley Independent. Post comments by hitting reply in the upper right-hand corner. Comments will be posted in an upcoming issue of the Town of Paradise Valley Independent.
Congregation recognized for efforts to investigate Sheriff Joe
Social action committee denounces his polarizing anti-immigration reform
By Zach Colick
Independent Newspapers
The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Phoenix has been awarded the 2009 Bennett Award for Congregational Action on Human Justice and Social Action for its efforts to quiet Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio.
According to the Unitarian Universalist Association, the congregation’s social action committee partnered earlier this year with immigrant rights groups and joined a successful effort for a federal investigation of Sheriff Joe.
As a denomination that “stands on the side of love,” the group disagrees with the sheriff’s stance on immigration reform and would rather see his efforts spent on more prudent law enforcement activities.
The Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray and 50 social action committee members Feb. 28 joined thousands in a protest march in downtown Phoenix.
The march was not the group’s only effort as it regularly meets to discuss and advocate for immigration reform, support day laborers and take witness against human rights violations.
“In Phoenix in particular, crime associated with human and drug trafficking across the border is a reality. Gang activity, assault, murder, robbery and rape are all effects of illegal trafficking across the border, and they are serious problems,” she said.
“Unfortunately, Sheriff Arpaio’s raids neglect the far more difficult and dangerous work of addressing these criminal elements. Rather, his tactics target people whose only crime is being in this country without papers.”
Rev. Frederick-Gray spoke last week in Salt Lake City at a workshop at the denomination’s annual general assembly. Her talk, “Welcoming our Neighbors: The Path to Immigration Reform.” took place at the Salt Palace Conference Center, and explored what her congregation has done and how others can replicate such efforts.
The Bennett Award for Congregational Action on Human Justice and Social Action was instituted in 1999 by James Bennett to honor a Unitarian Universalist congregation that has done exemplary work in social justice, according to a news release.
The award is accompanied by a $500 cash award that is presented at the denomination’s annual general assembly.
Dr. Bennett is professor emeritus of the University of Arkansas and is the former director of the Gustavus Meyers Center of Human Rights in North America, which was founded in 1984. Dr. Bennett is a member of the UU Fellowship of Fayetteville, Ark.
The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Phoenix, 4027 E. Lincoln Drive, has provided Paradise Valley residents liberal religious opportunities since 1947 through worship services, children’s and adult religious education programs and community outreach.
For information, call 602-840-8400 or visit http://www.phoenixuu.org.
Last edited on Mon Jun 29th, 2009 09:04 pm by Zach Colick
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