Screen shot from video of January 23, 2026 “ICE OUT” March in Minneapolis. I am in a black hat, holding an MLK sign, and wearing a yellow stole (to the right).
I responded to a “clergy call” to go to Minneapolis, MN on January 22 and 23 to be part of the faith witness against horrific ICE activity there. A story appeared locally in the Lowell Sun and the Sentinel and Enterprise that you can read here: article on clergy call.
I reported back on my experience in an online-only service on January 25. You can watch that service with the link below. My reflection begins at minute 26:53.
We all need to take a shift to fight back against these evils.
No, I didn’t invent this concept that “ICE is the new Gestapo”, but it sure rings true.
One of the more outrageous local ICE arrests/abductions/kidnappings was of Marcelo Gomes da Silva, a high school honor student, athlete, and band member who was arrested/abducted/kidnapped by ICE on his way to volleyball this past Saturday. ICE abducted him and detained him from Saturday through this week. Marcelo committed no crimes and has never been in any trouble with the police, either. He was what they call “collateral damage” as they were actually targeting someone else. Marcelo was born in Brazil but has been growing up in Milford, MA, since he was 7.
Local activists organized a rally outside the Chelmsford Immigration Court today. Even though it was thrown together in just a couple of days, and even though it was 90 degrees, there was an excellent turnout. After we’d been there for about half an hour, we got the excellent news that Marcelo was released on bond!
The story was covered by various news outlets. Below is the coverage by local Boston NBC (channel 10 news). It’s worth watching mainly to hear Marcelo’s own words. To my surprise, I flashed in the footage a couple of times. Must be the collar.
Here are a couple of screen shots of me in the crowd:
Rev. Lara Hoke in the crowd at the rally to FREE MARCELO!
I’m so glad that Marcelo is free, and hope and pray that it stays that way. I can’t imagine going through something like that when you’re just a kid. This country needs to do better and live into our promise. When did we forget that this is a nation of immigrants? Immigrants make America great. I believe it with all my heart.
I’ve been thinking about these changes for a long time… I’ve been wanting to get my hair cut short. I’ve had it short a few times in my life, but it’s been a while. And I’ve wanted to wear contact lenses again. Finally, I just did it. Here’s “the new me”.
The “new” Rev. Lara Hoke
But more importantly, I’ve been getting more involved in ways to stop some of the evil of this Administration, particularly the arresting (kidnapping!) of immigrants without due process. I’ve been going to all the rallies I can. More importantly, I’m getting training from LUCE so I can really be more helpful and engaged. There are so many good people doing good things. The evil of this Administration cannot stand.
It’s not that I wasn’t doing anything before, mind you. But I’m upping my game. New me, new USA.
Good morning and greetings from the post inaugural dystopian hellscape! How are you resisting today? I’m going to learn more about rights in dealing with ICE today. We have to stand up for our immigrant and refugee siblings. Here’s one useful link, if you’d like to resist ICE: How US Citizens Can Protect The Immigrant Community from the Deportation Force. What are you up to today?
And now for something completely different…
The Beatles from the White Album photos.
In an effort to stay sane, I’m going to try to post “fun stuff” along with the resistance, because joy is indeed an act of resistance (thank you, Audre Lorde).
I’m a huge Beatles fan. I love all The Beatles albums, and everything including and after Rubber Soul is indeed a masterpiece. I have always been a bit thrown, though, by the so-called “White Album”. It’s the only double album by The Beatles, and it’s very uneven. I’ve always thought that if they’d used their usual discretion as to what was “worthy” and made it a single album, it would be among their very best.
I took the liberty of creating my own version of “The White Album” as a single album, and created a “Beatles Novelties” with the leftovers. Here is what those two albums look like:
(Lara’s cut) “White Album”
Side A:
Back in the USSR
Dear Prudence
Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da
While My Guitar Gently Weeps
Happiness Is a Warm Gun
I’m So Tired
Savoy Truffle
Blackbird
Side B:
Revolution 1
Why Don’t We Do It in the Road
I Will
Birthday
Mother Nature’s Son
Sexy Sadie
Helter Skelter
Julia
Tell me that’s not an amazing album!?!? If you have Amazon/Prime Music, you can listen to this version here.
This is what the other album would look like:
(Lara’s cut) Beatles White Album Novelties
Side A:
The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill
Wild Honey Pie
Honey Pie
Glass Onion
Piggies
Yer Blues
Martha My Dear
Side B:
Rocky Raccoon
Don’t Pass Me By
Everybody’s Got Something to Hide
Long Long Long
Cry Baby Cry
(Bonus) You Know My Name (Look Up My Number)
Good Night
Revolution 9
If you have Amazon/Prime Music, you can listen to this version here. What would your version of these two albums look like?
Fool of Spirit 