Even those of us who don’t pray might be willing to pray now. Because we need all the help we can get to remember we aren’t alone and are more powerful than we know.
I prayed this week for Renee Nicole Good — partner, poet, mother of three — who was murdered for being a witness to state violence in Minneapolis. I prayed for the parent kidnapped by ICE in front of their children’s school just before Renee was shot. I prayed for the witnesses assaulted with chemical agents and called “rioters” for refusing to look away, branded “terrorists” for blowing whistles and yelling “shame.” I prayed for the doctor who tried to help Renee as she lay dying on the snowy street, only to be ordered back by a masked man with a gun.
These are not isolated incidents. They are symptoms of a profound moral crisis — one that calls us beyond thoughts and prayers into courageous action.
We live in a time when state-sanctioned violence is normalized, when witnessing injustice itself becomes criminalized, when families live in terror of being torn apart in this so-called land of the free. We watch as people are violently dehumanized, not just on that day in Minneapolis, but on so many days, in so many places, in so many ways.
The question before us is not whether these things are happening. They are. The question is: Will we look away?
Looking away is a choice. Staying quiet and small is a choice. Accepting the false promise of safety born from the lies of separation and supremacy — that too is a choice. And right now, at this critical moment in history, those choices amount to sacrificing our souls.
Our faith traditions — all of them — call us to something greater. They call us to see every person as beloved. To stand with the vulnerable. To speak truth to power. To refuse complicity with systems that dehumanize and destroy.
This is not about politics. This is about our humanity. This is about whether we will live by the values we profess or merely speak them on Sundays and Sabbaths while the world burns.
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I pray for those whose hearts have turned to stone — and I pray for ourselves. May we resist the urge to look away. May we resist the temptation to let fear silence us. May we remember that silence in the face of injustice is itself a form of violence.
We are called beyond principles and platitudes to action. We are called by our consciences and the best of our heritages to rise together, to embody our values, to manifest that courageous, liberating power of love and compassion that lies at the heart of our traditions.
What does this look like? It looks like showing up. It looks like using our bodies to protect the vulnerable. It looks like documenting abuses. It looks like opening our sanctuaries as safe spaces. It looks like organizing, advocating and refusing to be moved by intimidation or violence.
It looks like being willing to be called rioters and terrorists for the act of witnessing. For crying “shame!” For refusing to pretend that what is happening is acceptable or normal or anything other than a desecration of human dignity.
Renee Nicole Good died bearing witness. The least we can do is continue that witness. The least we can do is refuse to let her death — and the deaths of over 30 others who have died in ICE custody over the past year — and the suffering of countless others, disappear into silence.
We are more powerful than we know. But only if we act. Only if we stand together. Only if we refuse to sacrifice our souls for a narrow and short-sighted sense of comfort and security.
The time for looking away is over. The time for action is now.
The Rev. Dr. Tovis Page is a Unitarian Universalist minister and program director of the Peninsula Solidarity Cohort, a network of leaders from diverse religious and spiritual traditions working for compassion and justice in San Mateo County.
Folks, when people show us who they are, believe them. Thanks, Ms. Page for repeating debunked Democrat talking points while also attempting to take a moral high ground you’ve created but which I’d say almost everyone else doesn’t recognize. Why? Well, after reading your guest perspective, I wonder who you are praying to because it is not to the one true God. God has given us free will and the capacity to choose between good and evil. Your 600+ words forget to include words related to law and order and non-violence. Are you attempting to take advantage of weak souls in exhorting them to potential violence to themselves and others? Don't these poor souls deserve a message of law and order and non-violent protests? Why promote a message of division instead of unity? Why a message of the opposite of good?
But don’t worry, Ms. Page, many of us are not looking away and we are taking action to support ICE and law enforcement in doing our part to Make America Great Again, Again. By taking high resolution video and pictures of those who would do harm to ICE and law enforcement and non-violent citizens. By reporting folks (say those writing guest perspectives) who exhort potential violence against those doing their job. Perhaps it is time to help end the harm done to American citizens. Will you do your part and use your free will to do good? Thank you for your attention to this matter. BTW, if you’re working for compassion and justice in San Mateo County or anywhere else, shouldn’t you be for providing justice to American citizens victimized by criminals and terrorists crossing the border illegally?
No, Renee Good was not "murdered for being a witness to state violence". "Murder" is a legal term that requires several elements to be met. No one has been charged with murder in this case, let alone convicted. While I realize this is an opinion piece, DJ should be careful when publishing this kind of untrue and incendiary language. It is clear from many videos that Ms. Good hit the officer with her car while being egged on by her partner. Her intent doesn't matter in a self defense claim- was the officer reasonably afraid for his life or the lives of others is the question.
And the author calls for more such actions- calling for more people to "(use their) bodies to protect the vulnerable". Apparently she wants more Renee Goods.
I'm not telling you anything, I have no idea what you saw. How did the videos show Ms. Good's intent? Regardless, you must have missed the video from the officer's phone where he was indeed hit by the car. It's all irrelevant to the claim of "murder" though, which has not been adjudicated. The relevant point is weather the officer had a reasonable fear for his life or the lives of others.
It is highly likely, Ms. Baird, you are seeing only what you want to see. And/or what others want you to see. And/or perhaps opting to not see what you don’t want to see. Regardless, using a car as a deadly weapon against law enforcement is not advised. We can only hope Ms. Good’s tendency to be easily manipulated isn’t passed on to her kids. Meanwhile, I hear more agents are being surged to Minneapolis. Well wishes to ICE in continuing to do the job we voted for. The bigger question is whether rioting will harm innocent businesses and people in the state due to inaction from their radical mayor and governor. On another note, how about the Triumphal Arch, reportedly breaking ground soon in DC?
Dear Reverend - selective crocodile tears. There are murders weekly in that city and you have yet to mourn those victims. Again, you are just playing for your base, ignorant group thinkers. Look at the big picture, the protests are organized by TDS types and are bused in from elsewhere. It is a failed attempt to divert the attention from the massive fraud investigation now underway. You are just riling up the masses without using your position to ask for piping down and awaiting the results of the investigation. It is truly sad that this woman became a victim of her own making. I understand that being mature and responsible does not help the membership and collections in your church. Your sermon is the 21st Century equivalent of 'fire and brimstone.' Shame!
Nancy - the situation is only dire for those who came here illegally, committed crimes in the process, and for those who are sheltering illegals. For the rest of us, if you leave ICE alone, nothing will happen to you. Don't obstruct federal officers, as that misguided woman did, or suffer the consequences.
Yes, nancynagel, the situation is dire and we need to act. We need to act against paid agitators such as those working for Indivisible, among others who would promote the welfare of criminals and terrorists over the American people. I’d recommend that should any type of protest occur in your neighborhood or public street, to film them in high resolution, if possible. Park on streets facing their march and turn on the dashcam. If you live or work in a two-story or higher building, film them to capture as many details as possible.
We need everyone, especially citizen journalists, to see something, say something. Note that you can submit photos and videos to ICE through their online tip portal. BTW, I wonder how many No Kings loitering participants realize that those who are organizing, or agitating, are being paid. Don’t these participants think their free labor is better used elsewhere? Like learning about the new MAHA dietary guidelines and making meals to make themselves and their loved ones healthy again? Wait. Are Democrats now against MAHA and health?
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(9) comments
Folks, when people show us who they are, believe them. Thanks, Ms. Page for repeating debunked Democrat talking points while also attempting to take a moral high ground you’ve created but which I’d say almost everyone else doesn’t recognize. Why? Well, after reading your guest perspective, I wonder who you are praying to because it is not to the one true God. God has given us free will and the capacity to choose between good and evil. Your 600+ words forget to include words related to law and order and non-violence. Are you attempting to take advantage of weak souls in exhorting them to potential violence to themselves and others? Don't these poor souls deserve a message of law and order and non-violent protests? Why promote a message of division instead of unity? Why a message of the opposite of good?
But don’t worry, Ms. Page, many of us are not looking away and we are taking action to support ICE and law enforcement in doing our part to Make America Great Again, Again. By taking high resolution video and pictures of those who would do harm to ICE and law enforcement and non-violent citizens. By reporting folks (say those writing guest perspectives) who exhort potential violence against those doing their job. Perhaps it is time to help end the harm done to American citizens. Will you do your part and use your free will to do good? Thank you for your attention to this matter. BTW, if you’re working for compassion and justice in San Mateo County or anywhere else, shouldn’t you be for providing justice to American citizens victimized by criminals and terrorists crossing the border illegally?
No, Renee Good was not "murdered for being a witness to state violence". "Murder" is a legal term that requires several elements to be met. No one has been charged with murder in this case, let alone convicted. While I realize this is an opinion piece, DJ should be careful when publishing this kind of untrue and incendiary language. It is clear from many videos that Ms. Good hit the officer with her car while being egged on by her partner. Her intent doesn't matter in a self defense claim- was the officer reasonably afraid for his life or the lives of others is the question.
And the author calls for more such actions- calling for more people to "(use their) bodies to protect the vulnerable". Apparently she wants more Renee Goods.
I also saw the videos. She did NOT hit the man and in fact was trying to leave the area. Do not tell me that I didn’t see what I saw.
I'm not telling you anything, I have no idea what you saw. How did the videos show Ms. Good's intent? Regardless, you must have missed the video from the officer's phone where he was indeed hit by the car. It's all irrelevant to the claim of "murder" though, which has not been adjudicated. The relevant point is weather the officer had a reasonable fear for his life or the lives of others.
It is highly likely, Ms. Baird, you are seeing only what you want to see. And/or what others want you to see. And/or perhaps opting to not see what you don’t want to see. Regardless, using a car as a deadly weapon against law enforcement is not advised. We can only hope Ms. Good’s tendency to be easily manipulated isn’t passed on to her kids. Meanwhile, I hear more agents are being surged to Minneapolis. Well wishes to ICE in continuing to do the job we voted for. The bigger question is whether rioting will harm innocent businesses and people in the state due to inaction from their radical mayor and governor. On another note, how about the Triumphal Arch, reportedly breaking ground soon in DC?
Dear Reverend - selective crocodile tears. There are murders weekly in that city and you have yet to mourn those victims. Again, you are just playing for your base, ignorant group thinkers. Look at the big picture, the protests are organized by TDS types and are bused in from elsewhere. It is a failed attempt to divert the attention from the massive fraud investigation now underway. You are just riling up the masses without using your position to ask for piping down and awaiting the results of the investigation. It is truly sad that this woman became a victim of her own making. I understand that being mature and responsible does not help the membership and collections in your church. Your sermon is the 21st Century equivalent of 'fire and brimstone.' Shame!
Thank you so much, Rev. Page, for laying out our choices so clearly, and for urging us forward. The situation is dire, and we all need to act.
Nancy - the situation is only dire for those who came here illegally, committed crimes in the process, and for those who are sheltering illegals. For the rest of us, if you leave ICE alone, nothing will happen to you. Don't obstruct federal officers, as that misguided woman did, or suffer the consequences.
Yes, nancynagel, the situation is dire and we need to act. We need to act against paid agitators such as those working for Indivisible, among others who would promote the welfare of criminals and terrorists over the American people. I’d recommend that should any type of protest occur in your neighborhood or public street, to film them in high resolution, if possible. Park on streets facing their march and turn on the dashcam. If you live or work in a two-story or higher building, film them to capture as many details as possible.
We need everyone, especially citizen journalists, to see something, say something. Note that you can submit photos and videos to ICE through their online tip portal. BTW, I wonder how many No Kings loitering participants realize that those who are organizing, or agitating, are being paid. Don’t these participants think their free labor is better used elsewhere? Like learning about the new MAHA dietary guidelines and making meals to make themselves and their loved ones healthy again? Wait. Are Democrats now against MAHA and health?
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