Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Violet Johnicker

ACLU @aclu.org · 10h

BREAKING: A federal judge has temporarily blocked President Trump from deploying federalized National Guard troops into Chicago.

This ruling reinforces what we already knew: It is illegal for the president to use manufactured emergencies to send soldiers into our cities.

26 340 1.4K

Violet Johnicker @violetjohnicker.bsky.social · 11h

So proud of the moral courage of many people of faith, especially my United Methodist clergy colleagues quoted here!

Sojourners @sojo.net · 11h

A particularly powerful chant, which stood out to Aronson, directed at ICE agents, goes, “Love your neighbor, love your God, save your soul, and quit your job.”
sojo.net/articles/new...

Chicago Faith Communities Say ‘Joy’ Is Key to Resisting the Feds

“Ultimately, this administration can’t take away our joy,” Joanna Arellano-Gonzalez said. “The more that we can deepen in joyful, nonviolent resistance, the more clarity it offers for us to keep…

sojo.net

6 17

Reposted by Violet Johnicker

Prisonculture @prisonculture.bsky.social · 21h

I love people's creativity and the various ways they have found to support each other. I've seen several examples of people doing this in Chicago. If you know a local vendor, can you do the same for them? Sell their goods so they won't be vulnerable to ICE?

A Facebook post by Jaime Andrade promotes a tamales and champurrado sale for Ms. Maria on Thursday, October 9th, at Kedzie & Byron to support her family. The flyer features tamales, a mug, and contact/payment info.

7 150 420

Violet Johnicker @violetjohnicker.bsky.social · 1d

Feeling hopeful and inspired after getting to see @johnfugelsang.bsky.social in Chicago tonight! A sold out crowd with a sold out book - this guy is on to something...

3 40 220

Violet Johnicker @violetjohnicker.bsky.social · 1d

Waukegan, IL has a weekly pro-democracy protest and today my parents and I got to join. Thank you to everyone out there fighting for justice in whatever ways you can.

1 1 5

Violet Johnicker @violetjohnicker.bsky.social · 6d

1

Violet Johnicker @violetjohnicker.bsky.social · 7d

Thank you

Reposted by Violet Johnicker

Prisonculture @prisonculture.bsky.social · 7d

Pick one or two lanes and keep at it. You are one person and cannot do everything or take 10 actions a day.

9 300 1.2K

Reposted by Violet Johnicker

Dan Schwerin @danschwerin.bsky.social · 7d

In Ps. 26:11 today: 'Save me! Have mercy on me!' In South Shore Chicago last night armed agents knocked down doors & disappeared men, women, & children, in box trucks, not even with time to dress. Zip-tying children in the US. Have mercy, Lord. Have mercy those who love God. Mercy is my work today.

1 2 5

Violet Johnicker @violetjohnicker.bsky.social · 8d

A powerful witness:

“The Epistle of James says that we should care for the widows and orphans,” Butler told The Washington Post. “I wanted to make sure that we were taking care of them, and thousands of people, it turns out, agree with me.”

Mormons raise $200,000 for family of gunman who attacked their church

In the days after a shooting at the LDS Church in Michigan, members of the church raised money for the families of the victims — and the family of the shooter.

www.washingtonpost.com

3

Violet Johnicker @violetjohnicker.bsky.social · 13d

Just about every expert says our attention span is 30 seconds or less, but I believe in a radically countercultural Jesus... so here's 30 minutes of conversation between me and my pastor, Bishop @danschwerin.bsky.social I think it'll give you some encouragement.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDP8...

Bishop Schwerin and Pastor Violet on United Methodist theology for 2025

YouTube video by Violet Johnicker

www.youtube.com

1 1 3

Reposted by Violet Johnicker

Dan Schwerin @danschwerin.bsky.social · 18d

In Ps.37:6: 'He will make your vindication shine like the light.' The conceits of Christian Nationalism will not stand. Truth will come to the light. Racism is incompatible with Christian teaching. God will use a remnant to teach love of neighbor. Shine is my work today.

1 2

Reposted by Violet Johnicker

Dan Schwerin @danschwerin.bsky.social · 21d

In Ps.40:2 today: 'He lifted me out of the pit of death, out of the mud and filth..' In the psalms, the pit is a metaphor for distress, danger, despair, and death. We are in a pit of eroding freedoms, but we have an Exodus God. Out is the direction of love. Out is my work today.

2 3

Violet Johnicker @violetjohnicker.bsky.social · Sep 7

Love your neighbor.
And here's the longer version - my sermon from this morning: bit.ly/3V7mXmZ

1

Reposted by Violet Johnicker

The TRiiBE @thetriibe.com · Aug 11

The president brought up no cash bail and Chicago today.

Here’s a reminder: Data emerging from the Circuit Court of Cook County shows that the law is working

thetriibe.com/2024/07/essa...

ESSAY: Ending cash bail shows that we shouldn’t lead with fear • The TRiiBE

The Pretrial Fairness Act has shown us possibilities; we can have safety without incarceration.

thetriibe.com

1 71 170

Reposted by Violet Johnicker

Dan Schwerin @danschwerin.bsky.social · Aug 7

In Ps.82:3 today: 'Give justice to the lowly in the orphan.' True religion, for James 1:27, is care for the widow & orphan. Eckhart said God & justice are completely one. Cornell West says justice is what love looks like in public. Live ubuntu. Justice is my work today.

2 4

Violet Johnicker @violetjohnicker.bsky.social · Jul 3

On Sunday, July 6th at 10am I'll be preaching at The Unitarian Universalist Church, Rockford, IL on the topic, "The Faithfulness of Protest and Prophetic Truth-Telling" and sharing the book, "Speak Up!" I'd love to see you there!

2 1 5

Violet Johnicker @violetjohnicker.bsky.social · Jun 11

What's a phrase you repeat to yourself when you're trying not to engage with trolls / bullies / counter-protesters? Something like, "I know we're on the side of justice" or "Not gonna give them the satisfaction of the photo op with me" or "Ain't worth my time"

2 1

Violet Johnicker @violetjohnicker.bsky.social · Jun 7

God loves LGBTQ+ people and so does this pastor! 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ Happy Pride!

1

Violet Johnicker @violetjohnicker.bsky.social · Apr 5

"Courage, history shows us, is contagious."
- Colleen Connell, Executive Director of @aclu.org of IL

4

Violet Johnicker @violetjohnicker.bsky.social · Apr 1

I voted!

5

Reposted by Violet Johnicker

Eden Theological Seminary @edenseminary.bsky.social · Mar 6

March 31 is Transgender Day of Visibility but we’re celebrating all month long!

Eden Bookstore is proud to offer books celebrating and supporting transgender and non-binary gendered persons.
edenbookstore.shop/collections/...
#EdenReadin #EdenBookstore #lgbtqia2splus #RaciallyInclusive

1 3 4

Violet Johnicker @violetjohnicker.bsky.social · Mar 3

A good way to start Women's History Month!

2 7 71

Reposted by Violet Johnicker

Governor JB Pritzker @govpritzker.illinois.gov · Feb 20

Tyranny requires your fear, your silence, and your compliance.

Democracy requires your courage.

2.4K 21K 78K

Violet Johnicker @violetjohnicker.bsky.social · Feb 20

And the essay version! drive.google.com/file/d/17DAo...

Jesus & Alinsky.pdf

drive.google.com

1