Declarations of Democracy: Solidarity Resources from September Gathering

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Written By Side With Love

We are so grateful for the many ways that Unitarian Universalists and friends are practicing solidarity these days, and especially grateful for conversation at this month’s Gathering with Aisha Hauser, Rev. Kellie Kelly, and Rev. Jason Lydon, and the music and prayers offered by Rev. Sara Green.

If you missed us live, you can watch the recording and view the presentation slides. 

Here are a few snippets from our conversation: 

“As a  Unitarian Universalist, I lean into the affirmation that everyone deserves to thrive, not just survive. And the way to get there is to be in solidarity with those who are targeted by systems of oppression. We are not going to negotiate anybody's rights away. We are not going to negotiate that trans children and youth not be held with love and affirmed, because we want to get some centrist, elected. To me, there's no such thing as centrism. You have chosen the side of the oppressor if you think you're centrist.” — Aisha Hauser


“I had to get to a place where I could open myself up to realize that there isn't scarcity in our liberation. People started to care about the places in my life that were unfair. And that gave me the space to learn about how sometimes I'm part of the problem; that I can actually learn and act. That's what I keep on trying to do with my congregation. You don't have to feel bad that you're not at the protest.  This isn't confessional, but what could you do? Because I was one of those people, and I think we all can be moved.  I hope and pray that we all can be moved.” — Rev. Kellie Kelly

“When I think about the meaning of solidarity, I can't help but think of Che Guevara's saying that solidarity means running the same risks.  And while I think it is next to impossible to actually run the same risks as many folks, especially for myself and the privileged position that I find myself in in many ways, I love the idea that solidarity means trying  to run the same risks, and being willing to put ourselves at risk. I think of folks like the members of AIDS Action who broke into a media center, disrupted the newscast, and during the war in Iraq with the first Bush administration and dropped banners that said, “Fight AIDS, Not Arabs.” Solidarity is drawing the connection and understanding that what is happening to you affects me.” — Rev. Jason Lydon 

Take Action: 

Rev. Kellie shared about organizing in solidarity with Haitians in Springfield, OH amidst the anti-Black, anti-immigrant ICE violence there.  She offered 3 ways to take action:

  •  Unshackle Springfield invites us to take action in our towns and cities this Saturday, Sept 19

  • Consider joining their October Pilgrimage (the UU Solidarity Initiative will share details as they become available) 

  • Wherever you are, call your senators to support S.4814, the bill to extend Haitian TPS for three years 

Engage with Side with Love:

We have many events coming up to support your organizing and opportunities to take action. Join us! 

Resources to share: 

I invite you to let us know which of these actions (or others!) you are taking this month, and be sure to read our Action Center Weekly Update for specific actions you can take this week. We publish the update every Tuesday on our Action Center. (After watching, Will you take 2 minutes to share your feedback?)

Rev. Jason reminded us that our Unitarian theology names an “unfractured divine, the ways in which we are all so deeply interconnected as part of this infinite universe that we are, which is exactly the same as what the workers' movement would say, that an injury to one is an injury to all.”

May we live this in our actions, or more simply put in Aisha’s words, may we “humanize each other uncompromisingly”.

Rev. Cathy & Side with Love Staff Team

PS: Don’t miss our October 12th Gathering: Honoring 10 years of the Standing Rock Movement

Side With Love
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Essentials of Climate Action: Justice