Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Mel Lee-Smith | Writer

@melleesmith.com

1.1K followers 260 following 780 posts

(she/her) 🇺🇸 in 🇮🇪 Co-founder @recordresistance.com Co-founder / jr web dev @gazasupporthub.com Creative writing @melliferamuses.com Founder @joyfulcreatorsclub.com

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

Mel Lee-Smith | Writer @melleesmith.com · 5d

🧵 I'm seeing news of a ceasefire. I don't understand what that means yet. I remember what happened last time. I'm wary. I'm cautious. But also hopeful.

My Pals are still tired, injured, hungry. Aid trucks are so close, yet so far.

Please keep supporting. @belal2011.bsky.social

gofund.me/c3f34ceb8

Donate to Help Belal and family get treatment outside Gaza, organized by Sheika Mushundusi

Update – 25 May 2025 My name is Bilal Ashraf. I’m a 14-year-o… Sheika Mushundusi needs your support for Help Belal and family get treatment outside Gaza

gofund.me

1 4 3

Reposted by Mel Lee-Smith | Writer

Aaliyah 🇮🇪🇵🇸 ‼️SAVE GAZA‼️ @aaliyahxx.bsky.social · 1h

BREAKING: A Palestinian was killed and another injured in an Israeli drone strike in Al-Fukhari, east of Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, QNN correspondent reports.

9 11

Reposted by Mel Lee-Smith | Writer

Aaliyah 🇮🇪🇵🇸 ‼️SAVE GAZA‼️ @aaliyahxx.bsky.social · 1h

BREAKING: Several displaced Palestinians were injured in Jabalia Al-Balad, northern Gaza Strip, after being fired upon from a crane deployed by Israeli forces east of the city.

9 5

Mel Lee-Smith | Writer @melleesmith.com · 2h

Oh look the getting things wrong machine is getting things wrong again

Mel Lee-Smith | Writer @melleesmith.com · 13h

Appreciate the Irish context here! As an American living here, lots of knowledge gaps I’m still working on in this area. I know the situation here is not ideal for asylum / refugee status. Any leads on European orgs? No worries if not! Just asking around trusted sources 🙏

Mel Lee-Smith | Writer @melleesmith.com · 16h

@divyampersaud.com @lexialex.bsky.social — would either of you know anything about / be connected with orgs / folks who are helping families evacuate? A family I'm connected with is looking to leave once the crossings open. Feel free to DM, or email hello@ [my bsky handle]

Reposted by Mel Lee-Smith | Writer

الكسندرا ميراي @lexialex.bsky.social · 22h

They did this to my father in 1970.
He wasn't even allowed to say goodbye to his mother. 55 years later, same abuse and injustice.

Massimo @massimovl.bsky.social · 22h

aje.io/o3rs1l

‘Inhumane’: 154 freed Palestinian prisoners forced into exile by Israel

Palestinian families awaiting return of imprisoned relatives are shocked to learn they will be deported.

aje.io

6 150 260

Mel Lee-Smith | Writer @melleesmith.com · 1d

As much as I admire what No Kings and 50501 are doing, they should NOT be running sign-up forms and other kinds of "rosters" collecting names & emails.

That's Protesting 101.

Join a No Kings protest if you want, but just show up — *without* signing up. And follow Mama Sheryl's advice! 👇

Sheryl Weikal and the colorful Parrotlegals @leftistlawyer.com · 7d

Also, for the same reason:

NEVER sign up for or RSVP to a protest. I don't care who is running it. Don't do it.

NEVER bring your phone to a protest or action and if you absolutely must, disable all location services and biometrics.

Sheryl Weikal and the colorful Parrotlegals @leftistlawyer.com · 7d

Reminder that everything you post can be seen by law enforcement.

Be smart, especially now, and don't snitch on yourself. Posting specifics about actions or promoting violence on social media is just a bad idea. There's a reason organizers and activists use Signal. You can't resist from a cage.

1 2

Mel Lee-Smith | Writer @melleesmith.com · 2d

If you'd like to get crafty at some point this weekend to rest and care for yourself, check out our prompts at @joyfulcreatorsclub.com 🌈

I work super hard on every part of these. From planning to writing to designing to coding to marketing — Joyful's prompts are a labor of love! ❤️

Joyful Creators Club 🌈 @joyfulcreatorsclub.com · 2d

🧵 ICYMI: This week's latest batch of creativity prompts is now live on our website! Sneaky peek below 👇

Feeling stuck or bored with your art? Want to do something whimsical?

Hop over to joyfulcreatorsclub.com/prompts for fresh, playful ideas from new makers and old faves. ❤️

#Art #SupportArtists

Screenshot of the creativity prompts from the Joyful Creators Club website for the week of October 5 to 11, 2025. The line at the top reads, "Fresh, playful creativity prompts to get your artistic gears turning." Following this text is a grid of cards laid out in 4 columns and 2 rows. Each card links to the creativity prompt for that day and shows a thumbnail of the featured image. Each featured image includes a large rounded rectangle with solid color accents in a rainbow theme, as well as a preview of the prompt image. Alt text for each card image available on the Joyful Creators Club website.

Mel Lee-Smith | Writer @melleesmith.com · 3d

I'm actually so freakin' proud of this page. Proud of myself for divesting from the Israeli page builder I was (unknowingly) using on WordPress. Proud of myself for learning to code this year. And divesting my sites from Google and Meta.

It might seem like 1 page, but the effort was gargantuan.

Mel Lee-Smith | Writer @melleesmith.com · 3d

This setup also gives me all live URLs in advance, which I've set up temporary redirects for.

If someone clicks the link, they'll get redirected to /prompts/the-future, which I've had so much fun designing! 🌈

Can't wait for @joyfulcreatorsclub.com's newsletter to go live later today!

Screenshot of the "Creativity Prompt from the Future" page on the Joyful Creators Club website. It shows a cartoon icon of a goddess wearing a toga and headpiece, holding a heart-shaped wand. Also shows clickable, colorful tiles for each prompt theme.

Mel Lee-Smith | Writer @melleesmith.com · 3d

@joyouscoding.com, I feel like you'll appreciate this 😎

Mel Lee-Smith | Writer @melleesmith.com · 3d

I'm not confident with my PHP / client-side skills yet, so I've set up @joyfulcreatorsclub.com's content calendar in Notion to automatically generate code for all creativity prompts.

I fill out 5 fields, copy the code, pop it into a new site file, and boom — published.

It's not stupid if it works!

Notion table of article titles next to a formula that automatically generates HTML code for that article.

Mel Lee-Smith | Writer @melleesmith.com · 3d

🥰 love you bunches sweet lady!

Eng Hana allulu @ilaymedia.com · 3d

Your kind words make me so strong, thank you so much Mel, I love you and send you love, kisses and a big hug 🫂😘😘😘🙏❤️

1 1

Mel Lee-Smith | Writer @melleesmith.com · 3d

First thing I did after I saw Obama’s statement was send it to my friend who studies literacy. They confirmed that, yep, it’s pretty blatant dehumanization language from an academic standpoint.

Always a good day to remember Obama is a war criminal.

الكسندرا ميراي @lexialex.bsky.social · 3d

Ms Rachel is a real one

msrachelforlittles o
.. •
Dear President Obama,
I saw in your statement you said "Israeli families" & "the people of Gaza."
Palestinians have families, too.
This kind of language contributes to dehumanization. Dehumanization is part of what caused so many to stay silent as 20,000 children were killed in this genocide.
I've sat with wonderful Palestinian families from Gaza. They look at their children just like we look at ours - with all the love & hope in the world.
Love,
Ms Rachel

Mel Lee-Smith | Writer @melleesmith.com · 3d

Cool thing I'm building today: Code generators for all @joyfulcreatorsclub.com daily creativity prompts.

I've got months of prompts planned, drafted, and ready to publish. The code generator will (retroactively!) give me copy-ready code, including:

- Meta tags
- Alt text
- Card entries
- Page copy

Mel Lee-Smith | Writer @melleesmith.com · 4d

100% — existing laundry list of war crimes aside, the fact that Israel has *not once* ceased fire during both of the recent ceasefires should be enough for his arrest and conviction.

Fiona Wallace @fiionawallace.bsky.social · 4d

BREAKING

Prime Minister of South Africa:

“If international law means anything, Netanyahu must be arrested. Otherwise, the ICC is a Western puppet.”

#ICC #Netanyahu #NetanyahuWarCriminal #Justice

4 5

Reposted by Mel Lee-Smith | Writer

Jules 🍉💔🖤🤍💚🇮🇪 @katsikajules.bsky.social · 4d

Israel dropped around 200,000 tons of explosives on Gaza since Oct 7th, equivalent to nearly 13 Hiroshima bombs.

Evil.

68 87

Mel Lee-Smith | Writer @melleesmith.com · 4d

🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨

Its ruaa @itsmeio.bsky.social · 4d

53 PALESTINIANS HAVE BEEN MURDERED SINCE THE CEASEFIRE.
WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK.

Mel Lee-Smith | Writer @melleesmith.com · 4d

🥹 such a beautiful, powerful photo that radiates joy and pride

Eng Alaa @mamatwins.bsky.social · 15d

My family,my children have always been my top priority in life. They are the most precious part of me. I dedicated all my time and energy to them, until I nearly forgot myself forgot that I am an engineer who studied and worked hard for more than ten years.
🔗 chuffed.org/project/your...

2 4

Mel Lee-Smith | Writer @melleesmith.com · 4d

Wow, this is embarrassing.

Oisín McGann @oisinmcgann.bsky.social · 4d

“I don’t think we can mitigate for climate change,” he said.

The fact that we are stuck with politically beige leaders like this is so demoralising.

WE ARE FACING A CRISIS THAT COULD DESTROY OUR COUNTRY. STEP UP, YOU FUCKERS. SHOW SOME FUCKING LEADERSHIP.

www.independent.ie/business/tec...

Taoiseach says some climate projects will not be fulfilled because they risk polarising society

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has rowed back on climate change commitments, saying Ireland may not be able fulfil all current initiatives due to the polarising effect it could have on society.

www.independent.ie

Mel Lee-Smith | Writer @melleesmith.com · 5d

Just heard back from Ahmed ❤️ This is the message he wants to share:

"I hope they don't forget [me] in the present, because my life is non-existent, my friend, and we are about to enter winter."

Please support if you can:

Text message between Ahmad in Palestine and Mel in Ireland. Mel's first text reads, "I am here for you today and praying for the ceasefire to take effect as soon as possible 🙏". Ahmed's reply reads, "God willing, my friend. Thank you for everything you have done for us in the past. I wish you success and prosperity always, my friend, and I hope that we will meet one day." Ahmed's next text reads, "I hope they don't forget him in the present, because my life is non-existent, my friend, and we are about to enter winter."

Mel Lee-Smith | Writer @melleesmith.com · 5d

While @monahijazi.bsky.social and I aren't directly connected, I've been following her story for many months.

Same with @mamatwins.bsky.social ❤️

Please follow and support them both if you can, they're both mothers with young children who need us!

1 2

Mel Lee-Smith | Writer @melleesmith.com · 5d

Our friend Ahmed, who's lost all his Bsky accounts, doesn't have good internet. I asked if he would like to share a message here, but my text hasn't delivered.

Please support him, as he has even less access to aid than some of our Pals.

www.gofundme.com/f/help-ahmed...

Donate to Help Ahmed's Family Rebuild Hope, organized by A Solis

Hello everyone, I am Ahmed, 22 years old, from the northern Gaza Strip, trying to hel… A Solis needs your support for Help Ahmed's Family Rebuild Hope

www.gofundme.com

Mel Lee-Smith | Writer @melleesmith.com · 5d

My friend from another platform, Abdullah, messages me frequently, and I always forget to include him since he's not on Bsky.

Please support his family. His mother is severely wounded and needs treatment.

gofund.me/1e53b565

Help Abdullah’s Family Rebuild Their Life Amid War, organized by Franziska Markus

"Hope is strongest when shared." My name is Abdullah Omar… Franziska Markus braucht deine Unterstützung für Help Abdullah’s Family Rebuild Their Life Amid War

gofund.me

Mel Lee-Smith | Writer @melleesmith.com · 5d

Hana's (@ilaymedia.com) family has special dietary needs and require daily sustenance.

Ilay Media is Hana's graphic design agency. She's a talented artist, and her work will bring light to your life. Please support her.

www.gofundme.com/f/Help-Hanaa...

Donate to Help Hanaa and her family to evacuate from Gaza, organized by Aimee M

Hello ❤️ My name is Aimee, I live in Berlin. Given its geographical locatio… Aimee M needs your support for Help Hanaa and her family to evacuate from Gaza

www.gofundme.com

2 1 1