Accompaniment is a fancy word for something we all do for our friends and loved ones: we have their backs when they need us. As Unitarian Universalists, we believe that we are all interconnected. In a time when people are being criminalized just for being who they are, it is more important than ever that we have each other's backs. Love Resists is expanding the idea of sanctuary to include Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and court accompaniment programs as a way to reduce harm and center people's dignity and choices in a system that takes away dignity and choices.

Watch our recent webinar to learn more about the spiritual roots of accompaniment and how you can get involved in an accompaniment program in your community.

Resources referenced in the webinar:

• Freedom for Immigrants
  • ​Visitation Network

  • Guide to Starting and Coordinating Visitation Programs

  • Working with Transgender Individuals 101: A Training Video for Visitor Volunteers

  • Guide to Visiting People in Immigration Detention

• Queer Detainee Empowerment Project
• Guide for a Deeper Resistance: Criminalization & Community Protection
• Love Resists Teambuilding Guide
• Love Resists Accompaniment Resources

We are grateful for all of the speakers who joined the webinar to share their stories and wisdom:

• Laura Wagner, executive director, UU Mass Action
• Rev. Tiffany Curtis, co-founder and organizer of Faith Network for Immigrant Justice and minister of First Christian Church of Santa Fe
• Jessica S., community member, Boston Immigration Justice Accompaniment
• Helen Boxwill, member of Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Huntington, NY, Huntington Rapid Response Network, court accompaniment through Long Island Jobs with Justice

The webinar is hosted by Rev. Elizabeth Nguyen, senior strategist at Side with Love with spiritual centering from Janice Marie Johnson, multicultural ministries and leadership director at the UUA.