11-06-2022
12:30 pm - 1:30 pm

Statement of Conscience and Call to Action

from the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley’s Black Lives Matter sign, securely mounted on the corner of Moeser Lane and Terrace Drive in El Cerrito, was cut down and defaced on Tuesday, September 22. Designated as a hate crime by the El Cerrito Police, this was actually the fourth BLM sign that has been taken down or damaged.

The hate crimes committed by the destruction of our Black Lives Matter signs are outrageous, hurtful and profanely violate Unitarian Universalist principles upholding the inherent worth and dignity of every person. While we are angry and sad, we are also even more dedicated to racial justice and dismantling white supremacy.

Our objective is to actively engage the church and wider community in opposing aggression against humanity. And to those who are bent on willful racist beliefs and actions: we invite you to engage with us to pursue a more compassionate, equitable and just future for us all.

Please join us in a dedication of our new Black Lives Matter sign, on Sunday Nov. 6, at 12:30 pm, at the corner of Moeser Lane and Terrace Drive. If you would like to support this effort financially, please go to uucb.org/about-us/give/ and indicate “Anti-racism” in the notes field. For additional information or questions, please email anti.racism@uucb.org. After the service, transportation will be available to anyone needing assistance to and from the dedication.

Rev. Dr. Michelle Collins, Interim Minister

Beth Pollard, Board President

On behalf the UUCB Board of Trustees

Helen Tinsley-Jones

On behalf of the UUCB People of Color Caucus and the Honoring Indigenous Peoples Group

Julia Rogers and Julie Winkelstein

On behalf of Working to Overcome White Supremacy

Carol Carlisle

On behalf of the UUCB Social Justice Council