All creation groans for another – a better – way. A reality other than one in which our neighbors can be murdered by federal agents. By now, you’ve likely heard of the cruel and public assassination of 25 year-old Johan Sebastián Guerrero by ICE agents, who have been dispatched by a regime of terror and empowered by a bottomless budget.
There is no spiritual bypassing or silver lining that can alter the loss of his life or the unspeakable trauma that Johan’s 3 year-old daughter and wife are now experiencing. And, you and your beloveds may be experiencing deep grief and anxiety, yourselves. Before we say anything more, here are some local organizations that may hold this acute pain with you and where you can direct your support:
- Official GoFundMe for Johan’s family“
“This fundraiser has been organized by members of Johan’s family and their advocates. All funds raised through this fundraiser will be entrusted to Johan’s sister (DDG), who is serving as the primary point of support and coordination for their family. She will oversee the distribution of funds to help cover the family’s immediate and ongoing needs.”
- Center for Grieving Children
(207) 775-5216
Find group bereavement support, connect with intercultural healing communities, or get information to help those experiencing grief. - Maine Immigrant Rights Coalition
Immigrant Defense Hotline: (207) 544-9989
Office: (207) 956-7030MIRC improves legal, social, and economic conditions for immigrants in the state of Maine. Visit their resource hub here. - Project Relief MEProject Relief Maine is a Black immigrant-led mutual aid collective. They nimbly provide emergency financial assistance, legal defense, housing support, and food distribution to marginalized communities and families targeted by ICE.
To those who say that ICE agents targeted the wrong individual: there is no “right individual” who should’ve been the victim of this assassination. To those who say that Johan and his family should’ve entered the U.S. “legally”: fleeing your homeland for a chance at a peaceful life is not a crime punishable with a death sentence. All life has the yearning to move when home becomes unsustainable or unsafe.
With you who weep, we weep. For you offering spiritual care and friendship, or parenting amid heartbreaking questions: we pray for steadfastness and softness. For you on the threshold, speaking truth to evil, looking back into the face of those who deny your sacredness: we pray you would know how un-alone you are, and that that may make you strong.
We are watched-over in our grief by orange skies, the dirge of forests to our west. Our tears join with yours, all fed by and feeding this watershed.
In a climate-changed world, we have likely shared community already with those displaced by loss. We may be the ones to open our doors. We may also someday be the ones who knock. As spiritual people, our lot is to participate in the conspiracy of life and love, no matter our side of the door.
With grief and resolve,
Rev. Nicole Diroff
Acting Executive Director
The BTS Center
Rev. Dr. Andi Lloyd
Chair of the Board of Directors
The BTS Center