Unitarian Universalists from around the state joined UU Mass Action and Unitarian Universalist President Rev. Peter Morales in fighting against the unjust and unreasonable three strikes bill now in a conference committee at the Statehouse. At the Wednesday February 6th, 2012 press conference (covered by the Boston Globe) Rev. Morales spoke about the need to stand in love and not vengeance.

Rev. Morales and UU Mass Action Executive Director Jesse Jaeger were joined by Rev. Catherine Senghas, Senior Minister of the Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry, Rev. John Gibbons, Minister of First Parish in Bedford (read full statement here), Rev. John Buehrens, Minister of First Parish in Needham, Ben Thompson, Executive Director of the Criminal Justice Policy Coalition and Rev. Eugene Rivers, Pastor of the Azusa Christian Community in speaking out agains the bill at the press conference.

“As a people of faith, we are called today to stand on the side of love, not vengeance. Not fear. Not political maneuvering. As a matter of compassion and justice, the Conference Committee should be dissolved, and this damaging legislation killed.”  - Rev. Peter Morales (read full statement here)

After the press conference organized by UU Mass Action, Rev. Morales joined Rev. Eugene Rivers, Pastor of the Azusa Christian Community (a prominent African American leader in Boston) in hand-delivering our letter in opposition to the three strikes bill to Gov. Patrick, Speaker DeLeo, Senate President Murray and the conference committee. A letter will be delivered to every other member of the legislature as well.

That letter was signed by Mr. Jaeger, Rev. Morales, Rev. Catherine Senghas of the Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry and Rev. William Schulz of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee along with over 200 Unitarian Universalists from across the state.

Now it is time for you to join the fight. You can do so by asking members of your congregation to sign the letter (Letter opposing 3 Strikes Bill & Signers to letter) and then delivering it to your local state senator and representative.

Together we can show that people across the state care about this issue and stop it before it gets passed into law. As Rev. Morales says, it is time to “stand on the side of love, not vengeance.”

Video of Rev. Morales’ Statement

Call your Legistlator Today to Stop 3 Strikes Bill!

Sample phone script – call / email both your State Rep and State Senator:

“Hello, my name is [________].  I live in [Rep / Senator _______'s] District.  I’m calling today ask [Rep / Senator _______] to help Stop the 3-Strikes Bill and pass Smart Sentencing Reform.

I am against 3-strikes sentencing and mandatory parole, but I do support  shrinking the school zones and ending mandatory minimums for non-violent offenses.

The bills they are discussing would overcrowd our costly system.  While private prison contractors get rich, those funds should be used for jobs and programs that could make our communities safer.  Thank you.”

State House Operator (get any official): 617 722-2000

Find out who your Senate and Rep in General Court is: www.wheredoivotema.com

Find their phone # and email: www.malegislature.gov/people/findmylegislator

Please have your friends, family, allies, staff and members make phone calls to their state officials this week! You can also call Governor Patrick’s public comment line and leave a message (617) 725 4005.

Fact Sheets and Other Resources

• FINAL House and Senate 3 strikes Fact Sheet 9 Dec 2011
• FINAL Analysis Cost of S.2080 and H.3818 (9 Dec 2011) Updated 1 Feb 2012
• FINAL 12.9.11 Formatted Final Analysis of S. 2080 and H. 3818 short version
• Crimes to Remove (1 Feb 2012) Updated 2 Feb 2012
• Costs Table S.2080 (17 Jan 2012) Updated 18 Jan 2012