Criminal Justice and Education were the top problems identified on Nov. 4 during the Covenant Assembly in Downtown Pensacola. 35 delegates from UUCP joined with more than 400 people from 18 congregations to decide the two issues that will be the focus of action this year for the JUST Pensacola coalition.

Myriad issues associated with these problems were cited. Among them were the criminal system treating people differently based on factors such as income and race and the school system closing public schools and diverting of resources from schools and communities that need it most.

The two problems were narrowed down from five major problems facing the community. The five problems arose during a listening process that involved congregations holding house meetings to share concerns about justice issues in the community. The five identified problems were: criminal justice and law enforcement, income inequality, healthcare, housing, and education. All are important and may be addressed in future years.

The next step is to engage in a research process to find workable solutions to these problems. Solutions may include successful programs and efforts that have shown positive results in other communities. Then the group will gather to call on public officials and leaders to implement the chosen solutions to exact justice.

JUST Pensacola is an interfaith justice organization comprised of local congregations united to bring change in Pensacola and Escambia County. JUST in the name stands for Justice United Seeking Transformation. UUCP is a member congregation of this group, which includes congregations of Catholics, Protestants, Muslims, and Jews.

For more information about JUST Pensacola and the DART network of which it is a part, visit:
http://thedartcenter.org/about/location/florida/pensacola-area-interfaith-justice-ministry/