(415) 776-4580
HUMAN RIGHTS WORKING GROUP
Co-chairs: Jeff Pekrul, Dolores Perez Heilbron, and Melvin Starks
Email: humanrights@uusf.org
THE UUSF HRWG COMMITTEE
Purpose statement
“To identify and address current human rights violations locally, nationally and internationally in accordance with our Unitarian Universalist Principles and Values;
To provide opportunities to engage in discussion to develop practical strategies to ameliorate unjust abuses and policies through education, advocacy and actions to protect the rights of all peoples; and
To unite and collaborate with other organizations in support of these aims.”
Focus 2025
We remain committed to seeking a just resolution to the Israel/Palestine conflict, which has resulted in significant civilian casualties and humanitarian crises over the past 18 months. The United Nations has identified the ongoing violence, including targeted killings and destruction of essential infrastructure in Gaza, as war crimes. With over 50,000 Palestinian deaths reported, we emphasize the urgent need for a ceasefire, peace negotiations, and humanitarian aid to support the affected populations in Gaza and the West Bank.
The Human Rights Working Group (HRWG) and the FORUM are actively educating the public on the Israel/Palestine issue through various programs featuring academic speakers, documentaries, and peace workers from both sides. We have organized fundraisers to support medical providers and families in need, collaborating closely with national organizations advocating for justice in the Middle East.
In response to recent government actions that threaten free speech regarding U.S. military support for Israel, the UUA General Assembly voted in June 2024 to express solidarity with Palestinians. The HRWG successfully proposed a resolution (click here) for our congregation to join the Apartheid-Free Communities, which was overwhelmingly approved in February 2025, reflecting our commitment to justice for Palestinians.
Additionally, we are addressing the climate crisis by advocating for strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote eco-friendly energy sources. We recognize that ongoing military conflicts exacerbate environmental destruction and are collaborating with local and national organizations to influence U.S. environmental policies.
We are also focusing on immigrant rights, working with congregations and legal groups to combat unjust federal regulations affecting immigrants.
We Will Not Look Away—We Will Not Be Silent!
On Sunday morning, August 17, 2025, members and friends of UUSF met on the steps of the church for a vigil to condemn the genocide in Gaza, to name those responsible, and to call for an immediate end to the policy of forced starvation of the Palestinian people! Many communities have joined a call by Rabbi Lynn Gottlieb, Ashira Darwish, Rae Abileah, Shahd Abusalama, Omid Safi, and Reverend Michael Yoshi named WE WILL NOT LOOK AWAY. The event was held simultaneously with vigils at 11 am in Washington, DC, and New York.
https://scienceandnonduality.com/event/we-will-not-look-away/
Despite the early Sunday hour, around 30 people gathered and listened to speakers report from international humanitarian agencies, academic researchers, and media sources in the region, providing evidence of war crimes committed by Israel and the United States reaching epic proportions. Despite the effort to quell the truth about this historical reality, there is a rising tide of resistance to the war, especially, and importantly, inside Israel itself. In fact, as the vigils were going on, hundreds of thousands of Israelis and Palestinians in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and other cities were marching in the largest outpouring of anti-war action since October 7, 2023. (click here)
Andrea Chan of Standing Together spoke passionately to this opposition in Israel/Palestine. Speakers provided irrefutable statistical evidence and stories as to the towering crimes being committed in Gaza: Dolores Perez Heilbron described the systematic targeting of journalists in Gaza by the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces); Robin Larsen spoke to the unbelievably high death rates of women and children; Jeff Pekrul explained the unprecedented use of powerful bombs supplied by the United States against the Gazan people in an enclave smaller than San Jose. Bruce Neuburger spoke to the mounting opposition to the war and genocide from Jewish groups here and around the world. Meg Whitaker-Greene and Jackie Barshak also spoke about efforts to end this historical shame. Kathryn Anderson from St. Mark’s gave very moving closing comments on why the world needs to persist in protest and resistance and what is at stake for humanity.
Sunday’s moral and ethical message was to continue our demand that our elected leaders stop supporting this genocide. In addition, it is now urgent that the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHS), established and run by Israel and the United States, be shut down. The purpose of GHS is to demoralize, weaken, and destroy the population of Gaza under the guise of relief. UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency) must be returned to its rightful position of operating the hundreds of distribution points in Gaza. The GHF operates just four—four distribution centers for more than 2 million people! Often only two of these centers are open on any given day and for as little as 15 minutes a day! The centers are "protected" by U.S. mercenaries and IDF soldiers who have been documented frequently shooting Palestinians, even children, who approach to try to obtain food or water. The aid is distributed in such a way as to purposely cause fear and chaos and to promote fighting among the desperate seeking food. Like the Nazis in the German and Polish concentration camps, starvation is a conscious policy meant to demean and demoralize the imprisoned and captive population. It is cynical, criminal, and just plainly a detestable policy.
Please contact the UUSF Human Rights Working Group if you would like more information about this story. humanrights@uusf.org
Love Demands Permanent Ceasefire now!
Local Students Take a Stand: Advocating for Pro-Palestinian Causes
Our Human Rights Working Group members include students from encampments at the University of San Francisco—Ivan Villegas, UC Berkeley—Larissa Cursaro, and one of the attorneys working on their behalf, Jeff Wozniak. This event was a fundraiser on behalf of the students and included the film Where Olive Trees Weep. They articulately and knowledgeably explained their reasons for standing for Palestinian justice, and the audience embraced them. Watch the Video.
GLOBAL CONVERSATIONS AT UUSF
UUSF Human Rights Working Group announces a new interactive discussion series!
The purpose of this new program series is to discuss cultural, economic, political, historical, and scientific issues that affect the whole international community. Attendees will participate with questions and their own ideas. UUSF members and the general public are encouraged to participate and a facilitator will guide the process.
The programs beginning this September will take place after the UUSF Sunday Worship Service, and will offer a light lunch. A brief background statement on each topic will be circulated in advance of the topics to be discussed. Each session will begin with a speaker explaining and enlarging on the topic, followed by a general discussion and possible follow-up actions.
We are pleased to announce that long-time UUSF member Horst Bansner will chair this new series, and HRWG members will assist in this endeavor. We expect that topics will dwell on humanity’s continuing quest for greater knowledge and insights that would benefit our increasingly complex and fragile global existence.
Collaborative & Innovative
At First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco, our top priority is to achieve results, and we know that our success depends on the quality of our campaigns and partnerships. Our approach is to build strategic networks and promote programs that will help advance our work. Learn more about the causes we’re passionate about and get in touch with us to see how you can get involved.
HRWG Statement to the Board and Congregation – Nov 5,2023
We, the members of the UUSF Human Rights Working Group, in accordance with our committee’s Purpose, wish to verify to the UUSF Board of Trustees, and to our entire Congregation, that we, along with the world at large, grieve in sorrow and anguish as we witness the catastrophic ongoing war in Israel and Palestine, which cannot be ignored.
We believe it is urgent now to call upon our Society’s congregational members, to act in accordance with what we as UUs have proclaimed as our values for many years in our Principles especially the 1st and 6th: The inherent worth and dignity of every person; and The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all.
Our UUSF HRWG Committee Purpose statement is:
“To identify and address current human rights violations locally, nationally and internationally in accordance with our Unitarian Universalist Principles and Values; To provide opportunities to engage in discussion to develop practical strategies to ameliorate unjust abuses and policies through education, advocacy and actions to protect the rights of all peoples; and To unite and collaborate with other organizations in support of these aims.”
UUSF HRWG agrees with and adopts the UU Justice in the Middle East statement of 10/19/2023 (attached). We also agree with its outline of actions to stop the escalation of further violence in this region. We will present educational events on the history of this region with perspectives to better understand the roots of this conflict. And, as is stated in the UUJME statement, we “believe it is not antisemitic to criticize the oppressive acts of the Israeli government, military, and settlers. We oppose definitions of antisemitism used to stifle activism for Palestinian rights. We amplify calls to oppose antisemitism and Islamophobia.”
Thus, as time is of the essence, we hope that you will join us to truly live our values with a commitment to work for justice for all inhabitants of the Israeli and Palestinian lands. We endorse the following requests to our government representatives and parties in conflict to:
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Demand an immediate ceasefire!
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Ensure humanitarian aid and assistance be made available immediately to Gaza.
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Abide by the United Nations Geneva Conventions.
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Stop the ongoing ethnic cleansing in Gaza and the West Bank.
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Respectfully yours,
Signed: HRWG co-chairs and UU members
s/ Jeff Pekrul s/ Robin Larsen
s/ Rev. Millie Phillips s/ John Meliska
s/ Dolores Perez Heilbron s/ Veronica Masterson
s/ Melvin Starks s/ Larry Danos
s/ Bruce Neuburger s/ Rev. Meg Whitaker-Greene
s/ David Heilbron s/ Dennis Adams
BELOVED STORIES (2019)
The video produced in 2019 features members of our HRWG. Special thanks to Shulee Ong and Lori Lai for their contributions in the production of this special project.
Watch Beloved Stories (click here)
Mary Jane Mikuriya - interviewed by Anna Mikuriya Jungherr (click here)
Dolores Perez Heilbron - interviewed by David Heilbron (click here)
HRWG IN ACTION!
