An interfaith coalition of 27 faith communities commenced Holy Week celebrations on the steps of the Lincoln-Lancaster County Hall of Justice Monday morning, once again calling for County Attorney Pat Condon to expanded diversion programs.
Rev. Kirstie Engel, lead pastor at First United Methodist Church. (Chase Porter, KLIN News)
The event began with an invocation delivered by Rev. Kirstie Engel, lead pastor at First United Methodist Church, recounting the synoptic gospel story of Jesus expelling the merchants and the money changers from the Temple in Jerusalem — and the eponymous chant of the group ‘Justice In Action!’
“…and so we too show up today compelled by that same spirit. We shut down complacency. We turn over the tables of indifference. We confront the systems that deny second chances, that lock away hope, and that treat restoration as optional,” said Engel. “Now is the time to expand diversion programs in our county. Programs that offer real alternatives to incarceration and reduce recidivism, especially for those too often left behind by our justice system… let this be a moment of a turning point for us.”
After three years of directing this call to Attorney Condon — who’s office sets the criteria for admission to diversion programming — and a resounding “no” in 2024, indeed 2025 appears to be that turning point.
Rev. Tobi White, lead pastor at Our Saviour’s Lutheran and co-president of Justice in Action, revealed Attorney Condon agreed to join them on May 1st for the group’s Nehemiah Action Assembly.
At the assembly, coalition leaders will provide testimonies and a summary of the research which supports their proposals. Justice in Action will then make specific requests of public officials and decision makers who they believe can help implement those solutions.
Rev. Tobi White, lead pastor at Our Saviour’s Lutheran and co-president of Justice in Action. (Chase Porter, KLIN News)
“We’re here to overturn tables and break the chains of injustice,” said White. “We’re here to call upon County Attorney’s Office to make a change, to be more transparent, to allow more people access to the process of diversion, to serve the people, all the people, with grace and compassion.
“Divert, don’t detain! Divert, don’t detain!” chanted about 100 attendees as cars zipped down 10th Street and foot traffic flowed into the building.
Drums and cymbals guided attendees through a chorus of “The Tide Is Rising,” a climate anthem written by Rabbi Shoshana Meira Friedman & Yotam Schachter. While the mix of parishioners sang, they unfurled a colorful paper chain bearing the names of supporters calling for action from public officials.
The event closed with a a prayer from Judy Hart, Secretary of Justice in Action from the Unitarian Church, calling for “The power of love to prevail over the horrors of hate.”
“We pray for those living with mental illness, especially those who suffer in silence without support or understanding. We pray for those in our jails and prisons who long for healing, dignity, and a second chance. May compassion guide our systems and may justice be shaped by mercy,” Hart read. “For this we pray. Amen.”
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- Supporters extend a paper chain across 10th Street. (Chase Porter, KLIN News)
Panoramic view of ‘Justice In Action’ extending a paper chain bearing their names. (Chase Porter, KLIN News)