Thank You for Human-Right-to-Water Action

We celebrate the passage into law of four bills in the California human-right-to-water bill package. After months of hard work, the following four bills have become law:

• A.B. 983, which will help communities access funds for drinking-water systems
• A.B. 1221, which will allow communities to be eligible for already allocated clean-up funds
• A.B. 938, which will make sure people know what is in their water
• S.B. 244, which will require cities to develop plans for providing service to small communities

This is a tremendous victory. With leadership from the Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of California (UULMCA) and UULMCA Executive Director Rev. Lindi Ramsden, and from our partners Environmental Water Justice Coalition, Community Water Center, and Food and Water Watch, Unitarian Universalists in California have helped their state take an enormous step forward in ensuring safe, sufficient, and affordable water for all.

Over 550 UUSC members and supporters from 37 states sent letters to UULMCA thanking them for their strong witness for the human right to water (see selections below). 

At UUSC we extend our deepest gratitude for those who have worked tirelessly over the last few years to support the human right to water in California. We celebrate this victory today and stand in solidarity with all those promoting the human right to water — in our own communities; in California as they continue the work to pass A.B. 685, the human-right-to-water bill, in this next legislative year; and for all those who lack access to drinking water and sanitation throughout the world.

Moving messages of gratitude from UUSC members and supporters

At such a cynical and crucial time, your work in saving lives is inspirational. —Alabama

Here in Alaska, where we seem to have plenty of fresh water, the glaciers that provide most of our water are melting.  In the near future, we may find ourselves in a quite different situation. —Alaska

I enthusiastically support your human justice work. —Arizona.

As a California resident, every day I witness the need for water rights to be extended to everyone. —California

You are an inspiration to those of us who are early in our investigation into the issues surrounding water in our communities. Thank you. —Colorado

As we expand our values into the new challenges facing us as humans on earth, your work with water rights leads us into important new understanding and advocacy. I am personally very grateful for your example. —Connecticut

Thank you for your vigilance and courage in this struggle for a more just and compassionate world. —Washington, D.C.

You can be proud of how you are putting our Unitarian Universalist values to action. You are truly living our great tradition — an inspiration to all UUs and hopefully to all people of faith. —Florida

Right on to my sisters and brothers in spirit and social justice! —Georgia

Along with Unitarian Universalists across the country, I am grateful for how hard you have worked to advance the human right to water in California and around the world. —Illinois

Please continue your hard work to ensure that all Californians have safe and affordable drinking water! As a UU in Indiana, I am 100 percent in support of your efforts and wish you the best! —Indiana

Access to water is a basic human need and right that most of us in the United States take for granted. —Louisiana

Your service is an answer to our prayers. —Maine

Your model for your work will aid other such efforts. —Maryland

We will cheer you on, follow your inspiration, and in concert with fellow supporters, pursue achieving this essential right for all people. We will be following your efforts and joining forces wherever possible. Thanks for your courage and perseverance. —Massachusetts

Thanks and ever thanks again for your inspiring, informed, compassionate activism. —Michigan

Your action makes me proud to be a UU. —Minnesota

Water is essential to life. What a remarkable difference you have made in so many lives. I applaud you. —Missouri

Here in Nebraska, we are also protecting our water supply by blocking the Keystone XL pipeline. Thank you for your important work. —Nebraska

I think we should also demand clean, safe water for everyone. —Nevada

The world is a better place for us all because you have stood and worked for that which is right, honorable, life-giving, and necessary. A huge accomplishment in a world where "NO" is spoken with a shrillness that deafens those with values and concern. Thank you and may blessings abound. —New Hampshire

I join Unitarian Universalists across the country to thank you for all of your hard work. —New Jersey

I would like to share that my heart is with you as you work on this project. My spirit soars anytime I hear of others working on such important work. Thank you, thank you, thank you. —New Mexico

Accessibility to clean water is such a basic, yet elusive, right in many parts of the world. Thank you for your efforts. —New York

The right to water is one of our most pressing social issues and one that is often overlooked. Thank you for being at the vanguard of the movement to preserve this human right. I very much appreciate all the work you have done and are doing to bring safe and affordable water to all Californians. —North Carolina

Those of us who never have to think about access to water, and safe water at that, cannot fully appreciate the difficulty of life without this precious resource. But, we can try to understand and fight for the rights of those who maybe do not have a voice. —Ohio

Thank you, thank you, thank you! —Oklahoma

Thank you for your inspired and inspiring efforts. —Oregon

California has long been recognized as a leader in promoting and implementing many social and environmental causes and this is another example. The passing of these bills should be a springboard for other states, at the federal level and the entire world community. Thanks for living your principles as UUs. —Pennsylvania

I hope this is just the start of many other efforts elsewhere. Water is a basic need!Thank you.—Rhode Island

Everyone needs the right to safe and clean water. —South Carolina

Keep up the good work. It makes me proud to be UU. —Texas

All of us working together, UUs as well as non-UUs, for the good of all, with full hearts, ARE making a difference that is not noted in mass media, but is being felt in the core of humanity. —Vermont

It has been said, "Water is life," and I truly believe this is so. It should be the birthright of all people, and all living things. —Virginia

I'm proud of us all — your congregations, our congregation, and UUSC. —Washington

Human rights are precious and a victory anywhere is a victory for all of us. —Wisconsin

Clean water is critical to most of the regions of the world. Please set an example that can be replicated globally. —Paris, France