Friends, your hearts aren’t lying to you.
Your eyes aren’t lying to you.
Your friends aren’t lying to you.
Your faith leaders aren’t lying to you.
Brent Newberry
Your teachers and professors aren’t lying to you.
Your government is.
Federal agents executed an American in an American city, who was protesting the earlier extra-judicial killing of another American, who was protesting the brutality of federal agents.
This could be a scene from Iran last week. But it’s not. It’s right here.
Don’t listen to your usual influencers and podcasters and news pundits.
Not this time.
Listen to your heart. Your literal heartbeat.
If you can still hear it, then you’re still here, which means it isn’t too late.
Watch the videos. Bear witness.
Grieve. Confess. Change your minds.
It isn’t too late. Use your voice.
“Those who inflict violence and evil on others will find their rightful place in the ash heap of history.”
Because no federal agency, department, branch of government or law enforcement should be allowed to brutalize, terrorize, disappear or execute people. They shouldn’t be allowed to use children as bait for civil offenses or for anything at all. They shouldn’t be allowed to deport people to violent prisons in countries where they’ve never lived and have no connection. And when they do these things, every last one of them should be held accountable for every single violation of people’s rights (citizen and non). All the way up.
ICE agents are using literal dumpster fires now to help seal off streets from protesters. It appears irony has unmasked what they couldn’t themselves: Those who inflict violence and evil on others will find their rightful place in the ash heap of history.
And because I’m feeling especially patriotic, here’s a little reminder of your Bill of Rights:
- Free speech, faith, press, protest
- Right to bear arms
- Your home is private
- No unreasonable searches
- Due process and legal protections
- Fair and speedy trials
- Jury trials in civil cases
- No cruel or excessive punishment
- Rights extend beyond this list
- Power ultimately belongs to the people.
Brent Newberry serves as senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Worcester, Mass.