Despite the trauma from the deployment of ICE agents to Minneapolis, the response of the people there, and supporters globally, has given us a template for effective, nonviolent systemic non-cooperation to state violence. Something that will likely be needed to withdraw our consent from further occasions of state violence, perhaps in our own communities.
Category: imperialism
Minneapolis Active Objection and Renewal
The powerful and peaceful witness shown by the people of Minneapolis is a template for other communities that will likely be confronted with similar tactics by ICE.
Quakers Silent Witness for Peace
Quaker public witness has stood in opposition to cruel and authoritarian actions in our country before. It is time for us to show this love in action again. American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)
National Quaker Conference on the Draft 1968
As Friends we have for many years been granted privileged status within the draft system. This has often blinded us to the evil of the draft itself, and the treatment of those not so privileged. We are grateful for all those who by resolutely resisting the draft have quickened our conscience. We are called into the community of all who suffer for their refusal to perform unconscionable acts.
Actively Object, Don’t Resist
What a witness provides is testimony. This is true both in biblical teaching and in contemporary legal practice. People being trained as observers in relation to ICE gather the testimony, not just of their own eyes and ears, but of the videos they take on their cell phones. And the testimony must be unbiased. Marshall Massey
Paradox of Indigenous Detentions
The detention of Indigenous people is an incredible proof that ICE agents have absolutely no knowledge of immigration law and citizenship. Which proves the point, that detentions are not about immigration, doesn't it?
It is time
Many among us — people of good will and faithful conscience — are wondering: is now the time? Are we at the time when our most fundamental rights as human beings and as citizens are being existentially threatened? No one will announce that it is that time. There will be no proclamation. We must listen to our conscience and, with our brothers and sisters, decide to suspend the normal order of things and step into the breach to declare the truth we see with our eyes, hear from our neighbors and know in our hearts.
NewCO Response to Fascism
The White House release of the new National Security Strategy is a chance to better explain the concept of the NewCO (new conscientious objector).
We have met the enemy and he is us
I need to confront the concept of ‘Whiteness” from the beginning of this journey. From the time white settlers first arrived in this land, they brought with them their culture of supremacy and dominance over the original people. Supported by the Doctrine of Discovery, in which the Church blessed the theft of Indigenous lands. Colonialism is embedded in White society in this country. White people, including myself, must start our decolonial journey here. You cannot work for decolonization until you deal with your Whiteness.
Decolonial Path for Quakers 10 – Sensemaking
Some Friends have come to the conclusion that we must "conscientiously object to and resist capitalism and white supremacy" just as we have historically conscientiously objected to military service. To live faithfully requires us to seek and build alternatives that are rooted in our spiritual principles. The antidote is LANDBACK, Mutual Aid, and Abolition.