Resistance, Renewal and Restoration: How To Defend Democracy as a Quaker

Last night I had the pleasure of being on a panel with Tom Hoopes at Southern California Quarterly Meeting at Temescal Canyon. The theme of this year's Quarterly, under the able clerkship of Lawrence Alderson, was "Resistance, Renewal and Restoration." My fellow panelist is a remarkable Friend with a very moving story, according to Lawrence: 

Tom's son, Jacob, is currently serving a nearly 2 ½ year sentence in a federal penitentiary for throwing a rock that struck an ICE officer during a protest in Portland earlier this year that turned violent. Tom will share his story of relinquishing his distinguished career as a Quaker educator and leader and moving to Portland so that he and his wife could better support Jacob during his incarceration.

I was sorry not to be able to hear Tom's presentation since I am part of MHCH's annual celebration today, but he told me his story as we had pizza together last night. I was deeply impressed by his commitment to his son--he and his wife have moved to Oregon so they can visit him in prison as often as possible. They are also encouraging people to take action for social justice and let him know while he is imprisoned. What they are doing is what makes Quakerism distinctive and real. To learn more, click here. 

A gifted educator, Tom did a great job of facilitating last night's discussion while I shared some of my insights and experiences as a Quaker activist and how to resist authoritarianism as a Friend.  Here are some of the points I made:

·       Prayer, both individual and collective, can be a powerful form of resistance. Prayer vigils can be especially empowering. Leadings to take action to resist authoritarianism sometimes arise during meeting for worship or during a daily time set aside for prayer and/or meditation. (This can include walking or gardening, which can be forms of meditation.) Listening to and following the divine stirring in one’s heart can be a form of resistance to external pressure to give in to an autocratic takeover of our nation.

·       Join a group that shares your concern and offers hope. E.g. FCNL’s Advocacy Team, Indivisible, Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace, etc. The longer your commitment to a group focused on justice and peace, the more effective you will be. Be part of what Dr. King calls the long and bitter but beautiful struggle for justice.

·       Envision what a truly democratic future for the USA would be like, and how to make it happen. The MAGA movement had a plan, Project 2025. We need a plan for a progressive democratic future. See https://www.laprogressive.com/author/anthony-manousos

·       Seek a clearness committee if you feel led to special or risky action, such as getting arrested or going to Iran on peace delegation.

I also shared some of my recent personal experiences in Pasadena, in hopes that I could inspire and challenge Friends to become more engaged in the struggle for democracy.

I’m thrilled, as no doubt many of you are, by what happened this week. It feels as if a spiritual as well a political sea change has occurred in our nation. It seemed miraculous that a dynamic young Democrat with a progressive Christian faith would overcome a trillionaire Goliath, win a Senate seat in Texas and preach about the “politics of love.” It was amazing to see so many women, so many people of color, and so many people of compassionate faith win elections in deeply conservative places. This is certainly a time to celebrate but it’s also a time to be humble. We must remember to thank God and all those who made sacrifices to bring about this renewal and restoration of our nation’s democratic values. We also need to ensure that everyone feels included in this powerful new movement that is seeking to unite our nation around values such as decency, equity, diversity and truth.

Over the past two years we have seen how nonviolent resistance has made a difference and prevented an authoritarian regime from completely taking over our nation. Many have spoken out, resisted and faced serious consequences. It is worth remembering that this resistance movement started with a barefoot rabbi named Jesus who confronted the unjust imperial powers of his day with truth, love, and courageous witness. Friends have long understood that Jesus rejected the domination system and were inspired by his example and teachings. When Roman occupation, corrupt complicit religious leaders, and political violence oppressed those living in Palestine, Jesus responded not with weapons but with what Quakers call the power of the Spirit. He taught, “Love your enemies,” healed those whom society cast aside, and entered Jerusalem knowing that faithfulness might cost him his life. His crucifixion revealed the cruelty of empire; his resurrection proclaimed that God's love is stronger than fear and death.

That same spirit of nonviolent resistance appeared in Pasadena, California, where many people of faith drew upon those traditions as they responded to the war in Gaza after October 7^th, 2023. Christians, Muslims, Jews, Quakers, and others gathered in prayer vigils, rallies, and public meetings in front of the office of Rep. Judy Chu, calling for a ceasefire. Faith leaders spoke at these vigils, proclaiming that silence in the face of mass suffering would be a betrayal of their deepest convictions.

We also attended Pasadena City Council meetings calling for a ceasefire resolution. Our efforts culminated in a special meeting of the Council on March 18, 2024, held at the Pasadena Convention Center because public interest exceeded the capacity of City Hall. Over 500 residents attended, several hundred spoke out passionately, and the meeting lasted until 11 pm. Muslims spoke of family members living under bombardment, Christian clergy invoked the teachings of Jesus and the prophets, and some Jewish residents invoked Jewish values to call for a ceasefire, humanitarian aid, and a peaceful resolution of this conflict.

 The council considered whether Pasadena should make a public statement regarding the conflict in Gaza. After months of organizing and testimony from community members, the council unanimously adopted a declaration calling for the release of hostages, a bilateral ceasefire, increased humanitarian aid for Gaza, and continued pursuit of peace.

For many faith activists, the moment was significant not because a municipal declaration could end a war, but because it represented a public moral witness.

This declaration also had an influence on Rep. Judy Chu. A month after the City Council declaration, on April 20, 2024, she voted against the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act (H.R. 8034). She voted "Nay" when the House considered a stand-alone bill providing approximately $17 billion in additional military assistance to Israel.

The same faith-rooted resistance to violence emerged again the following year. On June 18, 2025, masked ICE thugs detained six workers near Orange Grove Boulevard and Los Robles Avenue in Pasadena. The operation occurred near a bus stop where workers had gathered who were working to help with the Eaton Canyon wildfire recovery. It was near my home and only a hundred yards from the Orange Grove Quaker Meeting.  A couple of hours after the abduction, some “rapid responders” assembled at the site when a masked ICE thug returned. When someone tried to photograph his car, he jumped out of his car and pointed his gun at bystanders. This sparked community outrage.

NDLON, the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, quickly organized an emergency vigil and demonstration at the site. Thousands gathered by evening and protested against the raids, with demonstrators demanding respect for immigrant workers, many of whom were involved in wildfire recovery and rebuilding efforts.  Religious leaders joined immigrant-rights advocates in condemning the detentions and calling for solidarity with immigrant families. NDLON also brought their mobile cumbia band Jornaleros del Norte, and we all danced in the street. Pablo Alvarado, a leader of NDLON, calls this “joyful resistance.”

I hope we can take to heart these examples of nonviolent resistance as we seek to realize our Quaker vision for society free from war and injustice, where everyone’s potential can be fulfilled, and where our earth is restored. As Doroles Huerta famously said, “Si, se puede!”