Open Letter of Support for the Occupy Movement

In partnership with the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, the Board of Directors for UUPLAN proudly endorses the following statement.

We stand with people around the country and the world who are calling for economic justice.

Our values affirm that each person has inherent worth and dignity; that justice, equity, and compassion should be the guiding principles for human relationships; and that all people deserve access to the democratic process.

Our recognition of the inherent worth of every person compels us to speak out against policies that privilege the demands of corporations over the human rights of people. We support the Occupy movement in its affirmation that protecting workers’ rights and ensuring that basic human needs are met must take precedence. All people have a fundamental right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of themselves and their families.

We also join the Occupy movement in decrying the wealth disparity that leaves millions struggling for economic security. Policies and legislation that promote economic marginalization are morally unacceptable. Everyone is entitled to a government that recognizes and promotes basic economic rights. Justice, equity, and compassion should be foremost in our government’s decision making.

Economic oppression is not only a violation of fundamental human rights, it is also a blow to democracy. When economic power is concentrated in the hands of a few and when corporations are awarded the same status as actual human beings, the democratic process is fundamentally compromised. Basic fairness requires that all people have equal opportunity to participate in political debate and to be represented in government.

We envision a powerful and radically inclusive movement for economic justice. We recognize economic justice as a right that is due to all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, language, religion, political or other opinion, immigration status, national or social origin, property, birth, or other status or distinction.

We sign this letter as an expression of gratitude to all who are working for economic justice in the United States and around the world, as an affirmation of our hope for fair and compassionate economic reforms, and as a renewal of our commitment to help make it so.