Summer of Justice-Making 

July 24, 2025

The justice movement doesn’t take a vacation. While rest is an essential part of liberation, there’s no off season in the fight to advance human rights. From advocating in Washington, D.C. to issuing Community Protection grants across the globe, UUSC has been busy. Check out some highlights from our summer of justice-making:  

Hill Day  

In June, UUSC joined UUs for Social Justice (UUSJ) and UU Ministry for Earth (UUMFE) to lead Unitarian Universalists in legislative advocacy. We convened on Capitol Hill to meet with law makers, promote environmental and migration justice initiatives, and distribute educational materials.  

“Elected officials need to hear and meet their constituents, [they need to] hear personal stories,” said Natalie Pien of the UU Church of Loudon County, a participant in this year’s Hill Day. “Sometimes legislation can become so complex and intellectual…you don’t think about the impact it has. Seeing people in the flesh can help bridge that gap.”  

General Assembly 

Following Hill Day, members of UUSC headed to the UU General Assembly. President Rev. Mary Katherine Morn spoke to attendees about our organization’s response to mounting humanitarian crises. She connected the work of today to the resistance of Rev. Waitstill and Martha Sharpe who helped refugees escape Nazi Germany. “Their acts of resistance are the founding story and inspiration for UUSC,” Rev. Morn said. “Today, once again, our call is clear.” 

“The call of our association and the work of UUSC live on in global partnerships for human rights and networks of resistance, which grow stronger every day,” she said. “Intergenerational resistance makes us stronger. Global resistance makes us stronger. Together, we can use that strength to co-create a more just world.” 

Community Protection Grants 

Throughout the late spring and summer, our Partner Support and Grantmaking team has worked diligently to review and approve nearly 40 additional Community Protection grants. UUSC’s board allocated $1.75 million to the Community Protection initiative which addresses rapidly evolving needs in climate justice, crisis response, U.S. policy impacts, attacks on civil liberties, and criminalization of identities. When the full allocation is distributed, UUSC will have more than doubled its normal yearly funding for grassroots organizations. The team has approved the distribution of $801,000 so far. 

These grants will support frontline groups’ digital security, help house LGBTQIA+ asylum seekers, provide emergency legal defense to people in migration, and much more. They’ll be distributed domestically and around the world, impacting justice work in Haiti, El Salvador, Guatemala, the United States, and beyond.  

These intertwined initiatives exemplify UUSC’s commitment to interdependence. The advancement of justice anywhere is the advancement of justice everywhere. Whether it’s advocacy in D.C., grassroots work around the world, or education and awareness building in our communities, all justice initiatives build upon and connect to one another.  

Your commitment this summer and throughout the year makes our collaborative advocacy successful and grantmaking possible. Make a contribution today to support the ongoing effort to advance human rights and defend against fascism.