AfterChat Summary Day 1162 Friday January 30, 2026
This summary is generated by AI and is not reviewed by a human; errors may exist.
Quick recap
The meeting began with introductions and administrative details for Humanity Rising, including registration instructions and gratitude for the hosts' efforts. The group discussed current events in San Antonio regarding immigration detention and protests, emphasizing the importance of nonviolent resistance and creative expression in social movements. The session concluded with a meditation, poetry sharing, and planning for future meetings, while participants expressed commitment to addressing global challenges and creating spaces of safety and love.
Next steps
- Hyacinth: Register at HumanityRising.solutions to receive daily Zoom invitations and links
- Katherine: Post link to "Star Children: a story of peace, unity, and conflict resolution" in the chat
- Jiyun: Contact Chuck Peters (Jude Caravan's board member) after the Zoom call
- Shannon/Amy/Stan: Add Scott Lowry's poem "Authoritarianism" to othernetworks.org after confirming with the author how he wants to publish/promote it
- All interested participants: Join Saturday meetings at noon Pacific/3pm Eastern to discuss how to spread the work as widely as possible
- Charles: Follow up and contact Minneapolis reporters about the tragedy
- Stan/Shannon: Post the recording links for today's session on othernetworks.org
- All interested participants: Attend AfterChat planning tomorrow at 3pm Eastern Time
Summary
Humanity Rising Meeting Introduction
Shannon welcomed participants to the AfterChat and introduced Stan Pokras, who created the meeting room for Humanity Rising. She instructed Hyacinth to register at humanityrizing.solutions to receive Zoom links for future meetings. Amy expressed gratitude for Shannon and Stan's hosting and discussed the importance of their rhizomatic web of connections. The group briefly touched on the concept of shared thoughts and the power of collective action. Shannon encouraged participation and invited Don and Karen to share updates from their respective areas, though neither responded.
San Antonio Immigration Protests
The group discussed a situation in San Antonio, Texas, where a 5-year-old boy and his father were taken from Minneapolis to an immigration detention facility. Karen shared updates about protests both inside and outside the facility, as well as a recent interview with Maria Stefan on the Stephen Colbert Show. The conversation highlighted the importance of nonviolent resistance training in response to state violence, with Shannon and Amy discussing the use of whistles as a call for solidarity and safety. The discussion concluded with Margot expressing her shock at learning about these events and her commitment to learning more about how to help, including through boycotts.
ICE Protests: Creative Solidarity
The group discussed recent protests and demonstrations against ICE activities, with participants sharing experiences of peaceful gatherings and acts of solidarity. Amy and Shannon emphasized the importance of creative expression in the movement, including music, art, and dance, while Victoria highlighted the spiritual and collective aspects of the protests. The conversation also touched on historical connections to Fort Snelling and the need for sustained effort in the face of systemic challenges.
Star Children: Healing Through Unity
Katherine shared her experience of creating a book titled "Star Children: A Story of Peace, Unity, and Conflict Resolution," which is now published and available on Amazon. Shannon and Jiyun discussed the importance of the book's message and its potential impact on children. Jiyun invited everyone to practice a breathing exercise for healing and coherence, emphasizing the power of collective energy to address global issues. The group expressed gratitude for Katherine's work and the opportunity to contribute to healing and transformation.
Reflecting on Justice and Unity
The meeting featured a powerful meditation led by Jiyun, which inspired deep reflection and discussion about history, justice, and the interconnectedness of all beings. A participant named Abs shared a poem reflecting on personal experiences as a person of color and a widower, highlighting the importance of love, justice, and creating safe spaces for marginalized communities. The group discussed the need to address global issues such as climate change and the importance of using this time to rise above divisions and work towards a more inclusive and compassionate world.
Creating Safe and Inspiring Spaces
The group discussed creating spaces of safety and love, with Shannon and Stan envisioning a future where people can come together in meaningful ways. Amy and Mike were thanked for their contributions to Humanity Rising, with Shannon noting that their actions inspire others. The group discussed a poem by Scott Lowry titled "Authoritarianism," which was read by Amy. They also talked about the importance of non-violent resistance and the need for community involvement in times of crisis. The conversation ended with plans to share the poem with the group and to continue working on making the chat and links available for future generations.
Support and Awareness Sharing Session
The meeting focused on sharing support and experiences, with Shannon encouraging participants to spread awareness and share network links. Stanley announced an "AfterChat planning" session for the following day at 3 PM Eastern Time, and participants expressed gratitude for the opportunity to connect during a difficult time. The conversation ended with Stanley and Tricia discussing technical issues and providing the link for future meetings.
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