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We are closely following the Louisville Metro Council actions relating to a resolution supporting national legislation calling for federal reparations for slavery.  That legislation, HB40 has been introduced yearly since it was introduced in 1989 by Rep. John Conyers. It would create a Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African-Americans Act, to examine the merits of introducing reparations to African-Americans for US slavery.

The Louisville Metro Council resolution was sponsored by Councilman Jacorey Arthur and Councilwoman, Paula McCraney.  It has the support of Empower West which includes a number of local clergy.  The Committee on Equity and Inclusion will vote on the resolution on Thursday, September 2 at 4:00.  These meetings are streamed on the Metro Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/LouisvilleMetroCouncil

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Festival of Faith this year is focusing on race….  LSURJ Faith is in contact with organizers to invite participation as presenters, tabling, and participation.  If you want to help with our collaboration possibilities, contact David  dhorvath@fastmail.fm

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This is a recording of Resmaa Menakem talking at a bookstore about his book, My Grandmother’s Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies.

https://youtu.be/eA-xmgAMQHg

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Community Safety for All: Resources from 2020

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Community Safety for All: Resources from 2020

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Curated list and links to videos (conversations with local BIPOC leaders; faith reflections; a powerful 8'46" silent meditation), articles and ideas for action.

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Faith Community Toolkit SURJ (SURJ-Faith National)

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Faith Community Toolkit SURJ (SURJ-Faith National)

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Click below to access toolkit.

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Invitation to Prophetic Imagination:
Community Safety for All: congregational action toolkit
A project of SURJ-Faith

Imagine a world where
no one's safety depends on increased violence or harm for others

We are living in times that call for prophetic imagination and a courageous willingness to "practice the world we wish to see," as adrienne maree brown says in Emergent Strategy . These times also call for honest reflection on the ways we as white people participate in the perpetuation of racism and a willingness to repent, to turn, to transform, and to go a different way.

In that spirit, SURJ-Faith has created this toolkit for white faith/spiritual leaders and communities/congregations to examine our relationship to policing and police violence, and to #DefundPolice within our own congregational contexts. This project is an act of accountability to people of color who are asking white people to join them in imagining and taking action toward a world without policing. This project is also an act of love for all of us, because we know that policing does not work to keep any of us safe.

, we are asking questions like:
In order to stop relying on police as faith/spiritual communities

How do faith/spiritual communities legitimize and reinforce the "need" for policing?
How are faith/spiritual institutions tied to institutions of policing?
How can faith communities act to disrupt the prison and ICE pipelines?
What might alternatives to policing look like?
What might community safety look like without relying on policing, and
how might faith/spiritual communities participate in that work?

Ultimately, how can we invest in each other, believe in each other,
trust each other and the rhythms and cycles around/within us,
and overall relate to each other differently as human beings?
Who do we want to be?

This toolkit is designed for faith/spiritual communities and institutions ready to take action to stop relying on police and build alternatives. The toolkit includes a 4-movement model we've developed to support your congregation in moving to action, including assessment tools, political education suggestions, action ideas, and support options from SURJ-Faith. The Community Safety for All
#DefundPolice Congregational Action Toolkit
To Stop Relying on Police

Sign up here to access the toolkit!

​From the toolkit: " G-d Is an Abolitionist: A Theological Vision Imagining a World Without Police"
By SURJ-Faith Coordinator Rev. Anne Dunlap, Dove Kent, and Rev. Jen Bailey

Campaign Goals

Deepen our understanding of the history of policing and its connection to the enforcement of white supremacy; consider whether policing works for white people or not.

Reflect honestly as white people on the role faith/spiritual communities play in upholding the system of policing.

Imagine, explore, and engage in alternatives to policing, both internal and community-based, that center accountability to communities of color, collective liberation, and harm reduction strategies.

Publicly extricate our faith/spiritual communities from unjust systems of policing.

Toolkit Launch Webinar: Hear from SURJ-Faith and key faith leaders about the imperative for white congregations to stop relying on police and build alternatives instead, an introduction to the toolkit's Four Movement model, and answers to practical questions.

From the toolkit: "G-d Is an Abolitionist: A Theological Vision Imagining a World Without Police"
By SURJ-Faith Coordinator Rev. Anne Dunlap, Dove Kent, and Rev. Jen Bailey

Political Education Resource: We continue to update this extensive resource list that includes articles, videos, books, and other pieces regarding the history and impact of policing as well as alternative practices communities are trying out.

Read materials from the 1st Phase of our campaign in 2018, focused on the Christian commemoration of Holy Week.

"13th" Faith Discussion Guide: This guide for the documentary "13th" about the 13th amendment and mass incarceration of people of color offers reflections and action suggestions in response to the film.

The UCC's "Podcast For a Just World" interviewed SURJ-Faith Coordinator Rev. Anne Dunlap and other Christian SURJ-Faith leaders about this campaign and its connections to Advent themes.

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Imagine a world where no one's safety depends on increased violence or harm for others We are living in times that call for prophetic imagination and a courageous willingness to "practice the world we wish to see," as adrienne maree brown says in Emergent Strategy .

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LSURJ Monthly Meeting         Tuesday, April 13            7:30 - 8:30 pm  - To register, click at bottom of this post.                         

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LSURJ Monthly Meeting         Tuesday, April 13            7:30 - 8:30 pm  - To register, click at bottom of this post.                         

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All are welcome to learn more and to get involved. (Note: A newcomer's welcome begins at 7:00 pm)

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Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: LSURJ Monthly Base-Building. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.

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7:00-7:30 | Welcome for new folks--join us before the meeting if you want to learn more about LSURJ. 7:30-8:30 | Meeting, all are welcome! Let's end white silence and continue the work for racial justice. Feel free to join at either 7:00 or 7:30. ASL interpretation is available; please email louisvillesurj@gmail.com to request it.

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Want to receive LSURJ emails including LSURJ Faith? 

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Want to receive LSURJ emails including LSURJ Faith? 

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Click below to sign up

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How to get involved with LSURJ

Thanks for telling us how you want to plug into our work! The more information you can give us, the better we can organize! Select the areas you might want to plug into LSURJ work with your interest or as a volunteer. We'll be in touch! Contact us with questions, louisvillesurj@gmail.com

If you aren't already on our mailing list, we'll add you. You will also receive an occasional email from the National SURJ office.

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Thanks for telling us how you want to plug into our work! The more information you can give us, the better we can organize! Select the areas you might want to plug into LSURJ work with your interest or as a volunteer. We'll be in touch!

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Watch video: Race, Power and the Theology of Christian Nationalism 

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Watch video: Race, Power and the Theology of Christian Nationalism 

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Click graphic below to see complete recording of this March 6 event organized by the Sowers of Justice Network, and co-sponsored by LSURJ Faith, Louisville Fellowship of Reconciliation and Empower West.

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Race, Power and the Theology of Christian Nationalism

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Building on the theological heresy of Christian nationalism, white evangelicalism continues its long history of white supremacy, exclusion, and intolerance. Local institutions and politicians with national reach still committed to this theological and political worldview are poisoning our democracy and skewing the values of faith. Join us as panelists Rev. Aletha Fields, Rev. Jason Crosby, Rev. Derek Penwell, Rev. Maurice Blanchard and others look at this movement’s theology and offer a way forward in light of this dangerous melding of political power and faith.
Co-sponsors for Nonviolence & Anti-racism Sowers Forums and Workshops include The Kentucky Alliance Against Racist and Political Oppression, ASALH Louisville Branch, EmpowerWest, Heart Communication, Fellowship of Reconciliation Louisville Chapter, Interfaith Paths to Peace and others.

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We can provide conversations, consultation and connections to resources. Contact us at <icijlouisville@gmail.com>.

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If you live in Kentucky, click the link below and put in a few details about where you live. Then, click “start writing” to be taken to our pre-loaded email. You can edit our draft email or send as is...it will be sent to every member of the Judiciary Committee!

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Support HB 21 - Breonna's Law for Kentucky

The Kentucky General Assembly has now gaveled in for this year's legislative session (#kyga21). You're going to see updates from us in the coming days about some happenings in Frankfort and we're going to ask you to stand with us as we push for change and ask our leaders to support Breonna's Law for Kentucky

A key part of strengthening democracy is empowering broad coalitions of citizen lobbyists. Hood to the Holler will be helping you do that on policies like Breonna's Law.

Please send an email to the members of the judiciary committee to let them know you support Rep. Scott's bill, HB 21 - Breonna's Law for Kentucky - and want them to bring it up in committee to be heard.

Use this tool and you can email all member with just 2 clicks.

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What is Breonna's Law for Kentucky? Breonna's Law would expand Louisville's recent ban on no-knock search warrants statewide and make sure judges determine whether violent entry to serve a warrant is necessary. Breonna's law would require all law enforcement to wear - and activate - body cameras when carrying out search warrants, and it would impose severe penalties if officers don't comply. It would also require officers to undergo alcohol and drug testing following any shooting or otherwise deadly incident while on duty.
Link to Bill: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/21rs/hb21.html

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Support HB 21 - Breonna's Law for Kentucky

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The Kentucky General Assembly has now gaveled in for this year's legislative session (#kyga21). You're going to see updates from us in the coming days about some happenings in Frankfort and we're going to ask you to stand with us as we push for change and ask our leaders to support Breonna's Law for Kentucky A key part of strengthening democracy is empowering broad coalitions of citizen lobbyists.

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Breonna's Law would expand Louisville's recent ban on no-knock search warrants statewide and make sure judges determine whether violent entry to serve a warrant is necessary.

Breonna's law would require all law enforcement to wear - and activate - body cameras when carrying out search warrants, and it would impose severe penalties if officers don't comply. It would also require officers to undergo alcohol and drug testing following any shooting or otherwise deadly incident while on duty.

Link to Bill:

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Last Action

01/05/21: to Committee on Committees (H)

Title

AN ACT relating to public protection.

Fiscal Impact Statement

Local Mandate

Summary of Original Version

Create new sections of KRS Chapter 455 to require peace officers to give notice before entering premises to execute a search warrant; require officers to activate body-worn cameras when serving a warrant; create processes for enforcement; allow disciplinary actions for non complaince; create a new section of KRS Chapter 15 to require officers to activate body-worn cameras when engaged in law enforcement activity; establish rebuttable presumptions in investigative or legal proceedings regarding unrecorded coduct of statements; amend KRS 61.168 to provide for release of recordings in specific circumstances and allow waiver of privacy concerns; amend KRS 344.450 to expand scope of permissible suits against state and local governments and limit defenses; amend KRS 15.420 to define "deadly incident"; amend KRS 154.440 to require law enforcement agencies to create policies requiring mandatory drug and alcohol testing for officers involved in a deadly incident; amend various sections to conform; provide that Sections 1 to 8 shall be known as "Breonna's Law".

Index Headings of Original Version

Courts - Search warrants, execution of, notice required before entering premises
Criminal Procedure - Search warrants, execution of, notice required before entering premises
Peace Officers and Law Enforcement - Body-worn cameras, enforcement, requirements, use when serving warrants
Peace Officers and Law Enforcement - Drug testing of law enforcement officers, deadly incident, requirement
Peace Officers and Law Enforcement - Search warrants, execution of, notice required before entering premises
Police, City and County - Search warrants, execution of, notice required before entering premises
Police, State - Search warrants, execution of, notice required before entering premises
Sheriffs - Search warrants, execution of, notice required before entering premises
Civil Procedure - Suits for violation of constitutional rights, allowing
Civil Rights - Suits for violation of constitutional rights, allowing
Short Titles and Popular Names - Breonna's Law
Local Mandate - Search warrants, exectuion of, notice required before entering premises

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Last Action 01/05/21: to Committee on Committees (H) Title AN ACT relating to public protection.