Our Racial Justice Task Force works to confront racial bias and injustice in our community, in our institutions, and in ourselves. If you’re interested in joining us, please contact Nancy Edmundson at nancyedmundson@cox.net.

Our Immigration and Refugee Response Team raises funds for local institutions and networks that provide support for immigrants and refugees. For more information, please contact Bjorn Birnir at birnirb@gmail.com.

Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara adopts statement of conscience supporting Black Lives Matter

Santa Barbara California – June 7, 2020

At the 2020 annual meeting, the members of the Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara voted overwhelmingly to adopt the following statement of conscience:

“USSB supports the five demands of Black Lives Matter SB. We urge the Santa Barbara City Council and the County Board of Supervisors to condemn police brutality and declare racism a public health emergency. USSB further supports and affirms Black Lives Matter and will renew and strengthen our commitment to anti-racism work and to dismantling all systems of white supremacy.”

The vote was brought to the annual meeting as a piece of new business in response to continued violence against black people and in support of racial justice worldwide.

The Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara is one of the oldest continuously operating Unitarian Universalist congregations on the west coast. Established in 1875, the Unitarian Society or USSB as it is commonly referred to has been a beacon of liberal religious faith and tolerance in Santa Barbara county. From calling out the John Birch society in the 60’s to Immigration Justice in the 2010’s, the congregation has led from the front with compassion, love and justice.