You’re invited (folks of all racial identities) to a virtual viewing and discussion of the video, “Defund Police: What comes after?” by Reclaim the Block and Black Visions Collective this Sunday, July 19, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., facilitated by First Universalist members, Bianca Zick and Denise Konen, white, anti-racist, facilitators and activists. 

Join here between 11:15 and 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, July 19.

(Please come early if you want help with Zoom technology so we can make sure everything works. We will be online 15 minutes before the meeting to be ready at 11:30 a.m. Facilitator phone numbers are below.) 

One of the ways our Unitarian Universalist faith asks us to build the beloved community is to listen deeply to the people most impacted by systemic racism and then pay attention to what Parker Palmer describes as “the still, small voice within” that draws on our inner wisdom to give us direction on where love is calling us next.  

Together, with open hearts and minds, we will listen to leaders from Reclaim the Block and Black Visions Collective (some who came out of the original, Minneapolis based, Black Lives Matter group that church member, Lena K. Gardner, helped establish). 

Let’s grow together in our understanding of what “defunding the police,” means as we center the voices of leaders who represent those most harmed by the system of policing we have today. Following is a key value expressed by Black Visions Collective and Reclaim the Block.  “There’s a difference between police reform and police abolition. We’re not here to recreate the police by another name or agency. We’re here to build the systems that will make sure our communities, especially Black communities, feel safe and affirmed.” 

We will also be offering a four-week circle this summer to examine where our ideas about policing come from and discuss how we can support the movement to build systems for community-based safety and belonging.  Look for next week’s Liberal for more information on dates and times! Hope to see you on Sunday at 11:30 a.m.!   

Questions? 
Denise Konen,  denise@netgains.net  952-836-4917
Bianca Zick,  bianca.zick@gmail.com    612-578-3356