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On Sunday, November 16, Unitarian Universalists across Illinois joined a multifaith, multiracial coalition to declare a clear moral boundary: No profits from our pain!
Amidst an ongoing siege on immigrant families and democratic norms, over 1,000 Illinoisans—half of them UUs—gathered at eighteen AT&T sites across the state to demand that the telecommunications giant end its contracts with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). More than 500 UUs representing seventeen congregations hosted twelve of the eighteen protests outside of AT&T storefronts, demonstrating the power and commitment faith communities can have in advancing our shared values.
The action uplifted a national pledge calling on the public to not buy new phones or renew contracts with AT&T this holiday season until AT&T cancels its contract.
The People’s Lobby press release noted, “AT&T has had multimillion-dollar contracts with the Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Patrol, and [ICE]. These agencies have not only been terrorizing immigrants; they have also targeted Black communities with violence and violations of their constitutional and civil rights. Even as the corporation profits from contracts with these agencies, it also benefits from the tax cuts in Trump’s Big Ugly Bill and publicly supported it despite the deep cuts to funding for health, housing, and nutrition programs.” Although the public actions took place in Illinois, this is a national movement that all are encouraged to join by signing the pledge.
Over the past months, Chicago has witnessed a groundswell of organizing that is building the “bigger we.” A broad, cross-sector coalition has emerged—uniting organizers across issues, identities, and political homes to mobilize in solidarity and strengthen a growing pro-democracy movement. Side With Love and the Unitarian Universalist Advocacy Network of Illinois (UUANI) are proud to stand alongside this expanding network, which includes partners such as People’s Action, the Chicago Teachers Union, Indivisible, ARISE Chicago, Gamaliel, Grassroots Collaborative, the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs, Midwest Academy, Sunrise Chicago, and many more.
Rev. Jason Lydon, Senior Minister of Second Unitarian Church of Chicago, (bottom row, second from right) with community members protesting at an AT&T location in Lakeview.
Members of Second Unitarian Church of Chicago anchored the Lakeview demonstration, proving that years of powerful ministry and skill building are producing historic organizing capacity in Unitarian Universalism. Rev. Jason Lydon, Senior Minister at Second Unitarian Church of Chicago said, “Thanks to incredible lay and ordained leadership in Illinois, we are building a grassroots congregation rooted movement to resist the racist, anti-immigrant attacks from the federal government. Our faith’s lineage calls us to mobilize not just as individuals, but as a collective of Unitarian Universalists engaged in liberation efforts. As the popular protest song grounded in the anti-apartheid movement from South Africa declares, “Courage my friend, you do not walk alone. We will walk with you and sing your spirit home.”
This was just one of the twelve actions UUs anchored—a testimony to the investment and support in UU organizing by UUANI.
“This didn’t happen overnight,” said UUANI Executive Co-Director Scott Aaseng. “We’ve been building relationships for years, strengthening our capacity to show up in solidarity with communities impacted by injustice. Rather than asking activist UUs to do more, we’ve been asking whole congregations, ‘How do you want to move together as communities committed to our values, in service to the larger movement for justice?’”
Lessons in Collective Power
This coalition builds on the long lineage of Civil Rights, Human Rights, and anti-authoritarian strategies that have transformed moments of crisis into movement inflection points. Many organizations have adopted the “build and block” framework to describe the twofold work of blocking anti-democratic policies and practice, while building the systems and structures necessary for a thriving democracy rooted in care and community. For people of faith, this dual calling is one powerful spiritual act: a turning away from mass abductions, greed, and fear—and a turning toward safety, interdependence, and love for our neighbors. The work to build a democracy that chooses people over billionaires is continuing with a national holiday action on November 20 at 8 p.m. EST. Side With Love has signed on as a partner to the “We Ain’t Buying It” campaign with May Day Strong to invite UUs across the country to put their money where their values are. Join us here: bit.ly/holidayactions.
Faith on the Frontlines
As thousands continue to amplify the call to end the AT&T and DHS contract, Unitarian Universalists are also continuing a steady presence at the Broadview ICE facility, where faith leaders regularly gather in prayer and protest. On November 14, 2025, more than two dozen clergy and faith activists were arrested during a demonstration outside Broadview. During that protest federal and state officers used pepper-balls fired at heads, pepper-spray in the eyes, tackles and forceful ground arrests of clergy in collars.
These two fronts—digital infrastructure and detention infrastructure—are deeply connected. AT&T provides the surveillance and communications technology that enables ICE’s operations; Broadview represents the human cost of those systems. Together, they reveal how corporate profit and government power intertwine to sustain an authoritarian apparatus.
During a Eucharist service, demonstrators saying “oremos” or “we pray” along with the presiders outside of the Broadview detention facility in Chicago, Illinois.
A Faith That Shows Up
Unitarian Universalists have long had a reputation for showing up, at marches, lobby days, vigils, and the ballot box. But as organizers note, this moment calls for more than presence; it calls for power.
Today, the task is not only to “show up,” but to get organized, to build movements capable of holding people in community and helping them encounter their own power. As authoritarian threats expand, UUs are being called to deepen their practice through courageous and strategic risk-taking.
We are building our moral courage and leadership in a critical moment in our history. Together, UUs are drawing a red line—one marked by love, accountability, and the refusal to cooperate with cruelty.
To learn more about Side With Love and how you can show up for your values, join us at our monthly community meeting, The Gathering second Mondays at 5 p.m. PT / 6 p.m. MT / 7 p.m. CT / 8 p.m. ET at sidewithlove.org/the-gathering.