ICEJ Unitarian Society of Hartford

The Interfaith Coalition for Equity and Justice (ICEJ)

is a faith based community organization committed to addressing systemic

issues of racial and economic disparities throughout the Greater Hartford region.

Current membership includes 44 faith communities representing eight municipalities in the greater Hartford area. The Unitarian Society of Hartford is a dues paying member of ICEJ.

Mission Statement:

The role of the Unitarian Society of Hartford in ICEJ is to support the common goals and objectives of building a more fair and just society. USH affirms to annually pay its dues, develop leaders within USH to represent our congregation’s shared vision and commitment to a more just society, and work to actively educate and involve our members in the issues to which ICEJ is committed.

For the current year, ICEJ has adopted four core issues to advance the cause of equity and justice. They are:

1. CIVIL RIGHTS OF IMMIGRANTS: Thousands of immigrants, particularly in the wake of 9/11, have been denied their basic rights and opportunities. ICEJ is calling for comprehensive immigration reform that will create an earned path for legalization; family re-unification; worker’s rights and creating an equitable process for future flow of immigrants.

2 .TAX EQUITY: Towns and cities throughout Connecticut are looking to the State for property tax relief. Many Connecticut communities rely very heavily on local taxes to fund basic services. Because of this, towns and cities have been forced to cut certain services in order to keep the property taxes down. ICEJ is calling for true property tax reform and an increase in state funding for public education from 40% to 50%. THE INTENT OF THIS INITIATIVE IS TO HELP REDUCE LOCAL PROPERTY TAXES.

3. EXPANSION OF EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES: ICEJ will continue to push for additional school readiness funds and continue to urge the State Department of Education to follow through on their pre-K expansion commitments. 45% of Hartford children are still without access to quality preschool programs. ICEJ will also be demanding full compliance from the State of Connecticut in the Sheff v. O’Neill case regarding magnet school funding and support.

4. HEALTH CARE: ICEJ will continue to work very aggressively on this issue in 2005. A first of its kind health care summit will be held in January of 2005 to analyze and propose systemic change to our failing health care system. Out of this summit, legislative action will be proposed.

Let us know of any comments, errors and corrections - thanks (revised 2/21/05)