I would encourage you to add a clear call that solidarity always be grounded in active nonviolence. Robert Reich's post today emphasizes the practical side of this, that if our protests include any violence (as the LA protests did), that opens the way for the regime to justify a police state. (See https://open.substack.com/pub/robertreich/p/a-time-for-non-violent-civil-disobedience?r=1cyort&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email ). And for our work as followers of Jesus, principled active nonviolent resistance is our call.
Thank you for this brief, wise analysis of this spiritual battle. I attended my first protest, Hands Off, April 5th. It is not something I would have ever expected to do at age 60, and I was a little embarrassed at first, but the moment I raised my 'Hands Off Immigrants!' sign, I felt like I was in unity with all the saints who came before me, including the suffragettes without whom I'd have no representation. I will attend my local No Kings protest June 14th, and in answer to your question, I am going to let my pastor know about it this time. I want him to start hearing from me and others in his congregation who oppose this evil government.
A very stark dichotomy between the Kingdom of Life and the kingdom of lies. May we seek the Lord to fortify us with His Holy Spirit on this Pentecost Sunday so that we may love our neighbors truly and purely.
Speaking as clergy and as someone who has volunteered in jail ministries - I have questions I haven't been able to find answers to yet. Specifically: when people are arrested, how can we find out where they've been taken? Are they permitted visitors/clergy? And are there two different sets of answers to these questions - one for protesters/citizens and another for immigrants/refugees/targets of ICE? If anyone has info please share.
Someone arrested at a protest is going to be taken to your city or maybe county jail facility. ICE might use a local jail temporarily, I don't know, but they are federal. So those folks would end up in a federal holding facility. I don't know the answer about clergy visits. I would imagine there may be a way to contact the protester folks. It seems like the folks taken by ICE aren't allowed due process or anything, so you probably wouldn't be able to find them to contact them.
What I hope for our local churches and what I can reasonably expect are radically different. It is highly improbable that churches who identify as orthodox or conservative will risk alienating Republicans because they not only are in power nationally but also in our state and county. And they often are the major contributors to the churches.However, some church members and clergy might discretely help their own members, friends or employees.
😔 That is why I am not aligned with a local church now. People I used to admire and trust admonish me to trust the administration. They don’t understand that I really believe that doing so would be equivalent for me denying the Triune God.
Thank you for the encouragement in the face of so much evil and meanness. And refocusing on Jesus when his Jame and essence is being misused so horribly. JUNE 14th No Kings protest. No Violence.
I hope the Church — capital C — will speak out and denounce what is happening. Silence is compliance! My gut tells me that some in the Church support what’s happening based on the silence. The Church has been outspoken on abortion and many other issues so I know the Church has a voice. What’s happening in LA demands righteous outrage from the Church — now and at the midterm ballot box.
I know some local churches(albeit, a few,) have declared publicly peaceful opposition to current efforts to deny justice and mercy. I’m waiting for a church statement from churches, as a whole, like the ELCA,Presbyterian USA, Council of Catholic Bishops, the World Council of Churches, …
Jesus must be saddened and disappointed by this lack of solidarity.
And let’s be clear church: the violence begins with the ICE agents. Was in the protests after George Floyd was murdered and the police wore complete military gear with A15’s across their chests.
We need the church to become prophetic again! Speak up, even when we are afraid! Jesus is throwing the money changers out of the temple!
As Martin Luther King, Jr., our great prophet of nonviolence, said: "In the final analysis, a riot is the language of the unheard. And what is it that America has failed to hear?”
Thank you, Dr. Tisby, for speaking up & out! I pray the church shows up with courage on behalf of immigrants in all kinds of creative ways of heart, hands, voices, votes, contacting Congresspeople, protesting, and standing with/for vulnerable people as Jesus of Nazareth repeatedly emphasized.
I would encourage you to add a clear call that solidarity always be grounded in active nonviolence. Robert Reich's post today emphasizes the practical side of this, that if our protests include any violence (as the LA protests did), that opens the way for the regime to justify a police state. (See https://open.substack.com/pub/robertreich/p/a-time-for-non-violent-civil-disobedience?r=1cyort&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email ). And for our work as followers of Jesus, principled active nonviolent resistance is our call.
Thank you for this brief, wise analysis of this spiritual battle. I attended my first protest, Hands Off, April 5th. It is not something I would have ever expected to do at age 60, and I was a little embarrassed at first, but the moment I raised my 'Hands Off Immigrants!' sign, I felt like I was in unity with all the saints who came before me, including the suffragettes without whom I'd have no representation. I will attend my local No Kings protest June 14th, and in answer to your question, I am going to let my pastor know about it this time. I want him to start hearing from me and others in his congregation who oppose this evil government.
Thank you Dr. J.,
A very stark dichotomy between the Kingdom of Life and the kingdom of lies. May we seek the Lord to fortify us with His Holy Spirit on this Pentecost Sunday so that we may love our neighbors truly and purely.
I share a training by ACLU on 6/10 in advance of the protests on 6/14 Flag day for no kings/autocracy: https://act.aclu.org/a/2025-kyr-training-2?%2futm_source=email&source=nokingsattendees_0605&emci=66086782-2c42-f011-a5f1-6045bda9d96b&emdi=9623a65a-4a42-f011-a5f1-6045bda9d96b&ceid=2731151
Speaking as clergy and as someone who has volunteered in jail ministries - I have questions I haven't been able to find answers to yet. Specifically: when people are arrested, how can we find out where they've been taken? Are they permitted visitors/clergy? And are there two different sets of answers to these questions - one for protesters/citizens and another for immigrants/refugees/targets of ICE? If anyone has info please share.
Someone arrested at a protest is going to be taken to your city or maybe county jail facility. ICE might use a local jail temporarily, I don't know, but they are federal. So those folks would end up in a federal holding facility. I don't know the answer about clergy visits. I would imagine there may be a way to contact the protester folks. It seems like the folks taken by ICE aren't allowed due process or anything, so you probably wouldn't be able to find them to contact them.
Great questions! Does the ACLU have info esp for the current times in 2025? I see the https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/protesters-rights & guide for protesting in DC, which may be helpful for generalities: https://www.acludc.org/sites/default/files/demonstrations_in_d.c._guide_2025.pdf
What I hope for our local churches and what I can reasonably expect are radically different. It is highly improbable that churches who identify as orthodox or conservative will risk alienating Republicans because they not only are in power nationally but also in our state and county. And they often are the major contributors to the churches.However, some church members and clergy might discretely help their own members, friends or employees.
This is not a moment for "discretion." Followers of Jesus are called to boldness.
😔 That is why I am not aligned with a local church now. People I used to admire and trust admonish me to trust the administration. They don’t understand that I really believe that doing so would be equivalent for me denying the Triune God.
Prophet, Educator, Eloquent Spokesperson….Thank you!
Thank you for the encouragement in the face of so much evil and meanness. And refocusing on Jesus when his Jame and essence is being misused so horribly. JUNE 14th No Kings protest. No Violence.
I hope the Church — capital C — will speak out and denounce what is happening. Silence is compliance! My gut tells me that some in the Church support what’s happening based on the silence. The Church has been outspoken on abortion and many other issues so I know the Church has a voice. What’s happening in LA demands righteous outrage from the Church — now and at the midterm ballot box.
Beautiful message and much needed. Thank you.
Thank you
Thank you, Jemar
I know some local churches(albeit, a few,) have declared publicly peaceful opposition to current efforts to deny justice and mercy. I’m waiting for a church statement from churches, as a whole, like the ELCA,Presbyterian USA, Council of Catholic Bishops, the World Council of Churches, …
Jesus must be saddened and disappointed by this lack of solidarity.
And let’s be clear church: the violence begins with the ICE agents. Was in the protests after George Floyd was murdered and the police wore complete military gear with A15’s across their chests.
We need the church to become prophetic again! Speak up, even when we are afraid! Jesus is throwing the money changers out of the temple!
Our great prophet and teacher:
As Martin Luther King, Jr., our great prophet of nonviolence, said: "In the final analysis, a riot is the language of the unheard. And what is it that America has failed to hear?”
Thank you, Dr. Tisby, for speaking up & out! I pray the church shows up with courage on behalf of immigrants in all kinds of creative ways of heart, hands, voices, votes, contacting Congresspeople, protesting, and standing with/for vulnerable people as Jesus of Nazareth repeatedly emphasized.
I pray the church learns from various scholars who study the rhymes of history & autocrats/autocracies: https://open.substack.com/pub/lucid/p/what-trump-and-hegseth-really-fear?r=518mt6&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false