“Jesus is Being Tear Gassed at Broadview”: An Open Letter

“Can I use my pastoral expense account to buy a gas mask?” It’s a question dozens of Chicago pastors asked our church boards this month. Few of us expected to be met with this degree of hostility and cruelty at the Broadview detention center, as we remain committed to nonviolent action and the peaceful exercise of our First Amendment rights. Our group comprises dozens of pastors and is still only a fraction of the clergy who are showing up and standing in support.

Unfortunately, peaceful actions—such as prayer and communion—have meant little to ICE agents. They lob tear gas, use pepper spray and bully sticks, body slam and drag protestors. One of our colleagues was hit in the face multiple times with pepper balls and rubber bullets. This is the brutality we are now accustomed to. We come offering bread and prayer, hope for justice and healing—we leave washing pepper spray out of each other’s eyes.

We willingly submit to these risks. What Kristi Noem and her ICE agents are doing is immoral. They aren’t arresting criminals; they are arresting our neighbors. They are tearing families apart. They wait at bus stops to detain children and use them as bait to lure parents from their homes. People of all ages are in hiding, businesses shuttered, and our friends and congregants—the people we have been ordained to serve—are being taken to Broadview in unmarked vans.

Despite these facts, pastors are asked by well-meaning people—those both inside and outside the church—why we put our bodies on the line. Aren’t the ICE agents simply doing their job and following the law? Why do we oppose their actions? And what does any of this have to do with the teachings of Jesus?

It isn’t lost on us that the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. encountered the same questions. After Bull Connor aimed his hoses at protestors and King was arrested, he penned his famous “Letter from the Birmingham Jail.” In it, he says that there are just and unjust laws, and one has not only the option but the moral obligation to refuse unjust laws. We oppose the laws and orders that allow for the hunting and terrorizing of immigrant communities.

But it’s not only the words of the King that inspire our actions. It’s the teachings of Jesus. Specifically, The Sermon on the Mount is an instruction manual for nonviolent action on behalf of the persecuted. Here Jesus blesses the poor, the meek, the hungry, the peacemakers and the persecuted, and promises them the kingdom of heaven.

We accept that following Christ’s example may mean we are mocked and assaulted, opposed and even arrested. Jesus has guidance for this as well, saying, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you.” If he were living today, we believe he might add “pepper spray, body slam and arrest you” to his beatitude.

Jesus further stipulates how we must treat strangers. He famously told his disciples, “I was a stranger and you invited me in.” When asked what he meant by this, he said, “Whatever you did to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did unto me.”

In other words, when our friends and congregants are kidnapped, forced into hiding, torn away from their families—those things are happening to Jesus in real time. As Christians, we cannot look away. We must act to stop this evil and witness to the goodness and dignity of all God’s children. For us, the stakes couldn’t be higher. As Matt 25:46 clarifies, those who refuse hospitality to the stranger, refuse to see Jesus in the faces of the persecuted, stand condemned.

The good news, of course, is that anyone at any time can change their heart. It applies to all of us. Those who have been sitting on the sidelines can get involved. They can join us at Broadview but there are many other ways to help. They can write to theiriship officials, go to protests in their communities, support families with food and necessities and reach out to those who are fearful.

The Trump administration and the ICE agents, too, can have a change of heart. They can set aside their indifference and cruelty. They can put away their assault rifles and bully sticks. They can give up their pepper spray and rubber bullets. They can choose not to do this, cross to the other side of the fence and join us for communion.

It’s not too late to repent.

In faith,

The Rev. Quincy Worthington, Highland Park Presbyterian Church
Dr. Elias Ortega, President, Meadville Lombard Theological School
The Rev. Dr. Lucas Hergert, North Shore Unitarian Church
Rev. Dennis R. Edwards, PhD, Seminary Dean, North Park Theological Seminary
The Rev. Abby Holcombe, River Forest United Methodist Church / Urban Village Church
Fr. Brendan Curran, OP, The Resurrection Project
Fr. Bryan Cones, Trinity Episcopal Church
The Rev. Erin Marth, Christ Church of Chicago
The Rev. Kristina Sinks
10. Fr. Larry Dowling, Priests for Justice for Immigrants
The Rev. Jason W. Coulter, First Congregational Church
The Rev. Emily Heitzman, Presbyterian Church USA
The Rev. Allison Farnum, UU Prison Ministry of Illinois
The Rev. Tim Kim, Root & Branch Church
The Rev. Eileen Wiviott, Unitarian Church of Evanston
The Rev. Ann-Louise Haak, Wellington UCC
The Rev. Shawna Bowman, Friendship Presbyterian Church
The Rev. Emily Gage, Unity Temple
The Rev. Matthew Eyerman, Blessed Maria Gabriella Church
20. The Rev. Bret Lortie, Rockford
The Rev. Karen Mooney, Countryside Church
The Rev. Pamela Rumancik, Countryside Church
The Rev. Dr. Beth Johnson, Unitarian Church of Hinsdale
Dr. Emma Farrell, Unitarian Church in Evanston
The Rev. Susan Francis, Unitarian Church Evanston
Piers Fetters, Dr. of General and Outreach Ministries, FUMC
The Rev. Joseph L. Morrow, minister member, Chicago Presbytery
rev. dr. abby mohaupt, minister member, Chicago Presbytery
Pastor Nick Joyner, Olivet UMC
30. The Rev. Leandro Fossa, C.S., Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Pastor Isaac Huffman, New Life Community Church
The Rev. Marilyn Pagan-Banks, Exec. Dir., A Just Harvest
The Rev. Hannah Kardon, United Church of Rogers Park
The Rev. Dr. Beth Brown, Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church
The Rev. Ashley McFaul-Erwin, Lake View Presbyterian
The Rev. Ed Shea, OFM
The Rev. Charles W. Dahm, Dir., Domestic Violence Outreach
The Rev. Ronald G. McGowin, Christ Our Advocate – Wheaton
The Rev. Aaron Harrison, Christ Our Advocate – Wheaton
40. The Rev. Dr. Emily Hunter McGowin, Christ Our Advocate – Wheaton
Fr. Don Nevins, Catholic Priest, Chicago
The Rev. Scott Aaseng, Unitarian Universalist Advocacy Network Illinois
The Rev. Clayton Edwards, Kingswood United Methodist Church
Pastor J. Scott Howington, Pleasant Hill Community Church
Rev. George D. Smith, Rector, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Glen Ellyn
Amy Peeler, Associate Priest, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Geneva, IL
Rev. Wendy J. Boden, Southminster Presbyterian Church, Glen Ellyn, IL
Rev. Kevin Caruso, Trinity Episocpal Church, Wheaton, IL
Rev. Seth Ethan Carey, Senior Minister, First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn
50. Fr. Jonathan French, Rector at St Mark’s Episcopal Church, Geneva IL
Rev. M. Grayson Van Camp
Rev. Kyle Roggenbuck, Ass. Pastor, First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn
Rev. Erin Wyma, St. Matthew UCC Church of Wheaton
Rev. Carol Hill, Park Ridge Community Church, Park Ridge, IL
Rev. Josh Erickson, Park Ridge Presbyterian Church, Park Ridge, IL
Rev. Beth Monhollen, Unitarian Universalist Church of Urbana-Champaign
Rev. Rebecca Anderson, Bethany UCC
Rev. Jennifer Nordstrom, Senior Minister, First Unitarian Society of Milwaukee
Rev. Kelly Asprooth-Jackson, Co-Senior Minister, First Unitarian Society of Madison, WI
60. Rev. Vince Amlin, Bethany United Church of Christ, Chicago
The Rev. Lori Hlaban, retired parish minister, Unitarian Universalist
Dr. Emily Mace
Rev. Brian Sauder, Faith in Place
The Rev. Kimberlee Tomczak Carlson​​, First Unitarian Society Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Rev. Alan C. Taylor, the Unitarian Universalist Society of Geneva
Pastor Cy Fields, New Landmark MB Church, Chicago, Illinois
Rev. Dr. Marlene Walker, Unitarian Universalist Minister
Rev. Roger Bertschausen, Unity Temple, Oak Park
Rev. Dr. Clare Butterfield, Butterfield Advisors LLC
70. rev. mandi huizenga, Minister, DuPage Unitarian Universalist Church
Rev. Sabrina Trupia, First Unitarian Church of St. Louis
Rev. David Messner, Ph.D., First Unitarian Church of Chicago
Rev. Lynn Strauss, retired minister, Third Unitarian Church, Chicago
Rev. Mollie Foster, Park Ridge Community Church
Rev. Dr. Matthew Johnson, Rockford
Fr. Enzo Del Brocco, C.P., President, Catholic Theological Union
Rev. Randall K. Blakey, LaSalle Street Church
The Rev. Megan Tobola, First United Methodist Church of Oak Park, IL, and Woodside UMC of Riverside, IL
Rev. Alexa Dava, LaSalle Street Church
80. Rev. Michael Eaddy, People’s Church of God in Christ, Chicago, IL
stephen thurston new covenant baptist church chicago
Rev. Allison Farnum, Unitarian Universalist Prison Ministry of Illinois
Rev. Alexander Dungan, Wesley United Methodist Church of Naperville
The Rev. Dr. Virginia J. White, University of Chicago Divinity School
Rev. Dr. William E. Crowder, Jr. Regional Minister and President Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan
Rev. Britt Cox First United Methodist Church of Evanston
Rev. Jonathan Grace, Urban Village Church
Rev. Chris Griffin, Soul City Church
Rev. Alexis Vaughan
90. Pastor Paco Amador – Nueva Vida en La Villita
Rev. James Fu, First United Methodist and Christ United Methodist Churches of Elmhurst
Rev. Dr. Pamela R. Lightsey, Urban Village Church Hyde Park Woodlawn
Rev. Larissa Forsythe, Epiphany UCC, Chicago
Pastor JD Anderson Centennial MBC Chicago
Rev. David Swanson, New Community Covenant Church, Chicago, IL
Rev. Michael Pfleger Faith Community of St Sabina
Rev. Michelle L Sevig, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Chicago
Rev. Allie Lundblad, Christian Church of Arlington Heights
The Rev. Dr. Vickie D. Johnson, St. Thomas Lutheran Church, 8000 South Jeffery Blvd
100. Pastor Monte Johnson, Immanuel Lutheran, ELCA
Rev. Craig Mueller, Holy Trinity Lutheran, Chicago
Rev Liala Beukema LakeView Lutheran Chicago IL
The Rev. Dr. Erin Bouman, Irving Park Lutheran Church
Kathryn Banakis, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Evanston
Rev. Jason S. Glombicki; Wicker Park Lutheran Church, Chicago, IL
The Rev. Amity Carrubba, Grace Episcopal Church, Chicago
Rev. Lynn M. Bird, Zion Lutheran Church, Tinley Park, IL
Rev. Sharai Jacob, Holy Trinity Lutheran, Chicago
Rev. Dr. Anne McCall, First Immanuel Lutheran Church
110. The Rev. Kathy Wellman, Northern Illinois Conference of The United Methodist Church
Rev. Dr. Gail L. Rice, Freedom Church Hillside
The Rev. Dr. Kelly Faulstich, Resurrection Lutheran Chicago
Rev. Tom Gehring, ELCA
Christian Scharen, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
The Rev. Dr. David Lyle, Grace Lutheran Church, River Forest
Rev. Lindsay Mack, Luther Memorial Church of Chicago
Rev. Aneel Trivedi, Messiah Lutheran Church, Park Ridge
Dr. Mike Hogue, Professor of Theology, Meadville Lombard Theological School
Deacon Sarah L. Swagler, Luther Memorial Church Chicago
120. Rev. Nathan Houstin, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Chicago
Rev. Nanette Sawyer, Fourth Presbyterian Church
Rev. Julie Grafe, St. Luke’s Lutheran Church-Park Ridge, IL
The Rev. Adam Dowd, Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Darien
The Rev. Elle Dowd, Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Darien
The Rev. William Bouvel, Church of the Holy Comforter, Kenilworth, IL
Rev. Benjamin Lynch, Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church
Rev. Hailey Braden, Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church
Pastor Tyrone McGowan Progressive Community Church, Chicago, IL
The Rev. Dr. Robert Goldstein, Lutheran, Ret.
130. Rev. Erik Christensen, Trinity Lutheran Church, Evanston
Rev. Erin Coleman Branchaud, St. Luke’s Lutheran Church of Logan Square
The Rev. Heidi L. Torgerson, Grace Lutheran Church of LaGrange
The Rev. Lukas Harris-Ferree, Grace Lutheran Church, Evanston
Rev. Amy Pagliarella, Fourth Presbyterian Church, Chicago
The Rev Kelsey L Johnson, Redeemer Lutheran Church of Hinsdale
The Rev. Kathy Nolte, Associate to the Bishop, Metropolitan Chicago Synod ELCA
Rev. Laura Wilson Underwood, United Methodist elder, Glenview IL
Rev. Kristin Hutson, Edgewater Presbyterian Church, Chicago, IL
Deacon Julie B Sevig, Metropolitan Chicago Synod-ELCA
140. Tom Terrell – Christ Lutheran Church, Chicago
Rev. Troy K. Venning, MDiv, MBA | Quinn Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Chicago
Rev. Marland J. Brazier, Canaan AME Church – Maywood, IL
Rev. Dr. Christopher Pierson, Northern Illinois Conference, The United Methodist Church
Rev. Stef Coleman, Mayfair Presbyterian Church, Chicago IL
Dr. Andrew DeCort, Community Mennonite Church, Markham, IL
Rev. Akil Dickens, Arnett Chapel AME Church
Rev. Dwayne A. Gary, Woodlawn AME Church
The Rev. Fr. Primo C. Racimo, St. Margaret of Scotland Episcopal Church, Chicago, IL and Iglesia Filipina Independiente St. Augustin of Hippo, Chicago, IL
Rev. Dr. Kim Gaitor, Miller Chapel Christ Centered Ministries, University Park, IL
150. Canon Alonzo Pruitt, St Christopher’s Church, Oak Park
The Rev. Daryce Hoff Nolan, Episcopal Diocese of Chicago
The Rev. Paul Willey, Shepherd’s Heart Ministry, ELCA
Rev. Katie Hines-Shah – Redeemer Lutheran Church Hinsdale, IL
The Rev. Julie Boleyn
Rev. Jeanine Reardon United in Faith, Chicago, IL
Rev. Miguel Briones St. Mark’s Episcopal, Glen Ellyn
The Rev. Colin Knapp, Pilgrim Congregational Church, Oak Park, IL
Rev Joy Douglas Strome, retired from Lake View Presbyterian Church, Chicago
The Rev. Stacy Alan, Brent House
160. J. Daniel Yoon, Hyde Park University Bible Fellowship
Rev. Anne Smith, Annunciation of Our Lady Episcopal Church, Gurnee IL
Rev. Lindsey Joyce, Grace Church of Logan Square
Rev. Charlotte Johnson, Episcopal Church of Our Saviour, Chicago
Rev. Bethany Ulrich, Blue Island, IL
Rev Dr. Regina Davis-Bridges UMC Homewood, IL
The Rev. Dr. Anthony Vaccaro, Chicago, IL
Rev. Brenda Barnes Jamieson, United Church of Christ
Rev Avani Christian, New Hope UMC West Chicago/ Hope UMC Naperville
Rev. Kori Robbins, Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church
170. Rev. Fran Leeman, LifeSpring Church, Plainfield, Illinois
Hon. Andrea C. Hawkins-Kamper, M.Div, Staff Minister, All Souls UU, Miami (FL)
Rev. Scott Oberle First Congregational UCC, Downers Grove
Rev. Magdalena I. Garcia, Ravenswood PC, Chicago
Rev Susan Meier, Friendship Presbyterian Church
The Rev. Sara Hayden, 1001 New Worshipping Communities
Rev. Carolyn Bavaro, St. Martin’s Chicago
Pastor Brent Bailey, LaSalle Street Church, Chicago, IL
Rev. Megan Dalby-Jones, Epiphany UCC of Chicago
Rev Jenny Hulen, St Simon’s Episcopal Church, Arlington Heights
180. The Rev. Kyle Severson, St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Park Ridge
Rev. Dr. Llewellyn Dixon
Rev. Matt Wilcox, First Presbyterian Church of Normal, Normal, IL
Fr. Philip Maikkula, St. Makarios the Great Orthodox Mission, Hyde Park Chicago
The Rev. Chana Tetzlaff, Associate, St Chrysostom’s, Chicago
Anonymous minister member (retired), Chicago Presbytery
The Rev. Dr. Sallie Watson, Presbyterian Church (USA)
The Reverend Dr. Joanne Lindstrom, The First Baptist Church of Chicago
Rev. Michael D. Kirby, Northminster Presbyterian Church, Evanston
Rev. Katie Voigt, United Methodist Church of Antioch
190. Jenni Liem, Annunciation Gurnee
Krista Paradiso, Northbrook United Methodist Church
David Gibbons+, St James, Dundee
The Rev. Sara Snowden, PC(USA) Pastor, Carol Stream, IL
Rev. Nancy Dolan, Presbyterian Church USA
Rev. Eli Rolón Jeong, Associate Regional Minister, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in IL, MI, WI
Rev. Kenji Kuramitsu, St. Paul and the Redeemer Episcopal Church, Chicago
Rev Dr Daniel F Diss, Asbury United Methodist Church Kankakee, IL
The Rev. Amanda Holm Rosengren, Church of the Redeemer, Highwood
Rev. Beth Guzman, Morton Grove Community Church
200. Rev. Elizabeth Harding, AM., M.Div., LCSW, Unitarian Church of Evanston, Skokie, IL
Rev. Linda Slabon, Minister Emerita, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of DeKalb
The Rev. Shireen Baker, Church of Our Saviour, Elmhurst
Rev. Victoria Curtiss, Presbytery of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Bishop Valentin Lorejo, The Good Shepherd Congregation, Philippine Independent Church, Lincolnwood
Rev. Tyler Orem, First Presbyterian Church of Highland, IN
Rev. Bradley Lindsay, Church of the Savior, Wheaton, IL
Rev. La Tonja Ellis, Grant AME Church Chicago
Rev. Adrienne Stricker, First United Methodist Church Elmhurst
Sherrilynn Bevel, PhD – Addie Wyatt Center for Nonviolence, member – Hartzell UMC, Chicago
210. Rabbi Brant Rosen, Tzedek Chicago
The Rev. Dr. Kim Beckmann, ELCA Pastor retired, Chicago
Rev. Heather Godsey, Community Christian Church, Lincolnshire, IL
Fr. David A Jones St. Benedict the African Chicago
Dawn Stary+ St. Ignatius of Antioch in Antioch, IL
The Rt. Rev. Paula E. Clark, Episcopal Diocese Of Chicago
Rev. Dr. David Breeden, Rt.
Rev. Nathan Perrin, Lombard, IL, Lombard Mennonite Church
Rev. Richard Gehring, Lombard Mennonite Church
The Rev. Charles Everson, Episcopal Church of the Atonement, Chicago
220. Rev. Dr Gene L Green, professor emeritus of New Testament, Wheaton College
Rev. Mary Stephens South Side Church of God South Bend, IN
Matthew Tinken, First Free, Chicago
The Rev. David Walters, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Wheaton, IL
The Rev. M.E. Eccles, St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, Des Plaines
Deaconess Catherine Inserra, First UMC Park Ridge
Rev. Hope Chernich, First United Methodist Church, Des Plaines
Juan Pablo Herrera – Urban Village Church, Chicago
Rev. Kim Chapman, Faith United Methodist Church, Genoa, IL
The Rev. Courtney Reid, All Saints Episcopal, Chicago
230. Rev Betty Jo Birkhahn-Rommelfanger, Northern Il United Methodist Retired, Chicago,IL
The Rev’d E. Suzanne Wille, All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Chicago
Rose Marie Berger, Sojourners
Pastor Rand Tucker, Hyde Park Vineyard Church, Chicago
Rev. Barbara Krehbiel Gehring, Lombard Mennonite Church
Rev. Matthew Krings, Renewed Hope United Methodist Church, Chicago
Pastor Melissa Pillman, Missio Dei Wrigleyville
The Rev. Canon Steven M. Balke, Jr., St. James Cathedral, Chicago
Rev. Linda Thurston, Trinity Lutheran Church, Des Plaines
Rev. Rachel Birkhahn-Rommelfanger; United Methodist Chicago and Chair Northern Illinois Conference Committee on Church and Society
240. Rev. Kathryn Ray, North Shore Baptist Church
Javier Viera, President, Garrett Seminary
Rev. Zachary D. Wagner, St. Paul Lutheran Church (Villa Park)
Vicar Lyndsay Monsen, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Villa Park, IL
Rev. George Arceneaux IV, St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church in Oak Park
Fr. Patrick Gilger, S.J., Assistant Professor, Loyola University Chicago
Rev. Dr. Jennifer Harvey, Garrett Seminary, Evanston, IL
Donovan Michel, First Free, Chicago
The Rev. Jane Eesley, First UMC at the Chicago Temple
Rev. Martin E. Woulfe, Abraham Lincoln UU Cong., Springfield, IL
250. The Rev. Dr. Rafael Malpica Padilla, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
Pastor Aimee Tucker, Hyde Park Vineyard Church, Chicago, IL
Jimmy Clifton, Missio Dei Uptown
Pastor Brandon Blessman of Missio Dei Albany Park
Bishop Dan Schwerin, Northern Illinois-Wisconsin Area United Methodist Church
Pastor Joe Snedden, Sauganash Community Church

In Solidarity:

Rev. Karen Armina, James Reeb Unitarian/Universalist Congregation, Madison, WI
Dr. Steven Tuell, St. Paul’s UMC, Allison Park, PA
Pastor Janis Montgomery Christ United Church, Olmsted Falls, OH
Rev. Karen Mann, Sojourners UCC, Charlottesville, VA

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