Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf
@revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social
Pastor, Activist, Theologian. The Gospel is anti-fascist, and so am I. Building a new world through the sanctuary movement, combating Islamophobia, and reparations.. https://www.michaelcaseywwoolf.com/
Reposted by Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf
Oof @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social I’m sorry and also thank you for standing up… also I drew you in my news journal
November 15, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Oof @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social I’m sorry and also thank you for standing up… also I drew you in my news journal
While I've got your attention, people seem to want to hear me talk about my arrest, and interviews are cool, but you can feel free to come to @lakestreetchurch.bsky.social at 10:30AM Central to hear a HOPE-FILLED sermon about yesterday's events. Livestreamed here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1Qi...
Worship Service November 16, 2025, Lake Street Church
YouTube video by Lake Street Church of Evanston
www.youtube.com
November 15, 2025 at 9:24 PM
While I've got your attention, people seem to want to hear me talk about my arrest, and interviews are cool, but you can feel free to come to @lakestreetchurch.bsky.social at 10:30AM Central to hear a HOPE-FILLED sermon about yesterday's events. Livestreamed here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1Qi...
If you ever wondered what you would do in 1930s Germany, you have your answer. This is a spiritual emergency and we have to summon all our courage. We know what happens inside #Broadview is torture. For me it’s simple - I wouldn’t stay silent if they locked Jesus up there, and I won’t be silent now
NEW: In his first interview since his arrest for protesting outside the Chicago-area ICE facility, @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social tells me he has "bruises all over my body."
Even so, he said, “the cruelty that goes on that facility … must be 100 times worse." religionnews.com/2025/11/15/a...
Even so, he said, “the cruelty that goes on that facility … must be 100 times worse." religionnews.com/2025/11/15/a...
November 15, 2025 at 8:01 PM
If you ever wondered what you would do in 1930s Germany, you have your answer. This is a spiritual emergency and we have to summon all our courage. We know what happens inside #Broadview is torture. For me it’s simple - I wouldn’t stay silent if they locked Jesus up there, and I won’t be silent now
Reposted by Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf
NEW: In his first interview since his arrest for protesting outside the Chicago-area ICE facility, @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social tells me he has "bruises all over my body."
Even so, he said, “the cruelty that goes on that facility … must be 100 times worse." religionnews.com/2025/11/15/a...
Even so, he said, “the cruelty that goes on that facility … must be 100 times worse." religionnews.com/2025/11/15/a...
November 15, 2025 at 7:52 PM
NEW: In his first interview since his arrest for protesting outside the Chicago-area ICE facility, @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social tells me he has "bruises all over my body."
Even so, he said, “the cruelty that goes on that facility … must be 100 times worse." religionnews.com/2025/11/15/a...
Even so, he said, “the cruelty that goes on that facility … must be 100 times worse." religionnews.com/2025/11/15/a...
@govpritzker.illinois.gov I want you to watch this video of me slammed to the ground- why are you allowing this to happen to people you know are on the right side of history. They tied my hands behind my back and when I asked them to be loosened because I was going numb they said, “STFU.”
at one point, i watched a cook county sheriff’s officer (who appears to be in charge) point out a priest in the crowd.
he and a couple officers then went into the crowd , dragged him into the street, and arrested him.
situation is still tense as crowd jostles with police to get into the street.
he and a couple officers then went into the crowd , dragged him into the street, and arrested him.
situation is still tense as crowd jostles with police to get into the street.
November 15, 2025 at 5:34 PM
@govpritzker.illinois.gov I want you to watch this video of me slammed to the ground- why are you allowing this to happen to people you know are on the right side of history. They tied my hands behind my back and when I asked them to be loosened because I was going numb they said, “STFU.”
Reposted by Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf
Note: The pastor being thrown to the ground and arrested here while protesting outside an ICE facility here — who police single out — appears to be Rev. Michael Woolf, a Baptist pastor (he’s ordained by both American Baptist Churches USA and Alliance of Baptists).
at one point, i watched a cook county sheriff’s officer (who appears to be in charge) point out a priest in the crowd.
he and a couple officers then went into the crowd , dragged him into the street, and arrested him.
situation is still tense as crowd jostles with police to get into the street.
he and a couple officers then went into the crowd , dragged him into the street, and arrested him.
situation is still tense as crowd jostles with police to get into the street.
November 14, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Note: The pastor being thrown to the ground and arrested here while protesting outside an ICE facility here — who police single out — appears to be Rev. Michael Woolf, a Baptist pastor (he’s ordained by both American Baptist Churches USA and Alliance of Baptists).
Reposted by Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf
@govpritzker.illinois.gov continues to lie and say that Illinois State police are there to protect protesters. Clearly they are not.
Governor, we will not forget. You have the power to call them off.
Governor, we will not forget. You have the power to call them off.
I wanted to share probably the most important sermon I’ve given and it’s while I’m being arrested. It’s torture pure and simple what happens at #Broadview. I’m ok, though I was thrown to the ground and choked with my pectoral cross. A review of the video shows I was peaceful - did I deserve this?
November 15, 2025 at 5:09 PM
@govpritzker.illinois.gov continues to lie and say that Illinois State police are there to protect protesters. Clearly they are not.
Governor, we will not forget. You have the power to call them off.
Governor, we will not forget. You have the power to call them off.
Reposted by Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf
America
I wanted to share probably the most important sermon I’ve given and it’s while I’m being arrested. It’s torture pure and simple what happens at #Broadview. I’m ok, though I was thrown to the ground and choked with my pectoral cross. A review of the video shows I was peaceful - did I deserve this?
November 15, 2025 at 3:38 PM
America
Reposted by Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf
Michael Woolf at Broadview.
@revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social
@revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social
at one point, i watched a cook county sheriff’s officer (who appears to be in charge) point out a priest in the crowd.
he and a couple officers then went into the crowd , dragged him into the street, and arrested him.
situation is still tense as crowd jostles with police to get into the street.
he and a couple officers then went into the crowd , dragged him into the street, and arrested him.
situation is still tense as crowd jostles with police to get into the street.
November 15, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Michael Woolf at Broadview.
@revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social
@revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social
Reposted by Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf
Rev Dr. Michael Woolf
@revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social
@revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social
November 15, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Rev Dr. Michael Woolf
@revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social
@revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social
I wanted to share probably the most important sermon I’ve given and it’s while I’m being arrested. It’s torture pure and simple what happens at #Broadview. I’m ok, though I was thrown to the ground and choked with my pectoral cross. A review of the video shows I was peaceful - did I deserve this?
November 15, 2025 at 5:57 AM
I wanted to share probably the most important sermon I’ve given and it’s while I’m being arrested. It’s torture pure and simple what happens at #Broadview. I’m ok, though I was thrown to the ground and choked with my pectoral cross. A review of the video shows I was peaceful - did I deserve this?
Reposted by Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf
Officers caught on camera slamming to the ground @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social (American Baptist/Alliance of Baptists pastor) during vigil outside ICE facility. I reported last week about Michael & how Illinois State Police shot him with a pepper ball: publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/baptist-pa...
at one point, i watched a cook county sheriff’s officer (who appears to be in charge) point out a priest in the crowd.
he and a couple officers then went into the crowd , dragged him into the street, and arrested him.
situation is still tense as crowd jostles with police to get into the street.
he and a couple officers then went into the crowd , dragged him into the street, and arrested him.
situation is still tense as crowd jostles with police to get into the street.
November 14, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Officers caught on camera slamming to the ground @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social (American Baptist/Alliance of Baptists pastor) during vigil outside ICE facility. I reported last week about Michael & how Illinois State Police shot him with a pepper ball: publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/baptist-pa...
Reposted by Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf
"For people wanting to experience God, we are more likely to meet the Divine trying to shut down the Broadview facility than we ever were in church. I say that as someone who leads a church for a living." -Rev. Michael Woolf
@revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social
@revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social
Oh wow @reuters.com got the photo here:
November 15, 2025 at 12:33 AM
"For people wanting to experience God, we are more likely to meet the Divine trying to shut down the Broadview facility than we ever were in church. I say that as someone who leads a church for a living." -Rev. Michael Woolf
@revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social
@revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social
Reposted by Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf
Highly symbolic that a Northern Baptist minister is being arrested by his own State Police as deeply Southern Baptist Texas sends their troops into Chicago
Oh wow @reuters.com got the photo here:
November 14, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Highly symbolic that a Northern Baptist minister is being arrested by his own State Police as deeply Southern Baptist Texas sends their troops into Chicago
Reposted by Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf
"If you think they treat me badly when the whole world is watching, it pales in comparison to what happens inside that facility...It’s why I refuse to be silent, & I will continue showing up to the Broadview facility til it's closed." @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social
religionnews.com/2025/11/13/w...
religionnews.com/2025/11/13/w...
Why clergy should risk assault to protest ICE
(RNS) — For people wanting to experience God, we are more likely to meet the Divine trying to shut down the Broadview, Illinois, ICE facility than we ever were in church.
religionnews.com
November 14, 2025 at 5:36 PM
"If you think they treat me badly when the whole world is watching, it pales in comparison to what happens inside that facility...It’s why I refuse to be silent, & I will continue showing up to the Broadview facility til it's closed." @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social
religionnews.com/2025/11/13/w...
religionnews.com/2025/11/13/w...
Reposted by Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf
Incredible shot of an incredible Baptist pastor, @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social. I reported last week about him getting shot with pepper ball by Illinois State Police outside ICE facility: publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/baptist-pa...
Today they violently arrested him during vigil. What a photo.
Today they violently arrested him during vigil. What a photo.
November 14, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Incredible shot of an incredible Baptist pastor, @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social. I reported last week about him getting shot with pepper ball by Illinois State Police outside ICE facility: publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/baptist-pa...
Today they violently arrested him during vigil. What a photo.
Today they violently arrested him during vigil. What a photo.
Reposted by Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf
I stand with @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social
An example of someone living his values. And getting assaulted for standing up for what’s right.
@govpritzker.illinois.gov what is going on in the city of my birth?
An example of someone living his values. And getting assaulted for standing up for what’s right.
@govpritzker.illinois.gov what is going on in the city of my birth?
Incredible shot of an incredible Baptist pastor, @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social. I reported last week about him getting shot with pepper ball by Illinois State Police outside ICE facility: publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/baptist-pa...
Today they violently arrested him during vigil. What a photo.
Today they violently arrested him during vigil. What a photo.
November 14, 2025 at 10:09 PM
I stand with @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social
An example of someone living his values. And getting assaulted for standing up for what’s right.
@govpritzker.illinois.gov what is going on in the city of my birth?
An example of someone living his values. And getting assaulted for standing up for what’s right.
@govpritzker.illinois.gov what is going on in the city of my birth?
Reposted by Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf
Here we have Trump’s Brownshirts brutalising @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social
Despicable! 💀 @williamcrawley.bsky.social
Despicable! 💀 @williamcrawley.bsky.social
at one point, i watched a cook county sheriff’s officer (who appears to be in charge) point out a priest in the crowd.
he and a couple officers then went into the crowd , dragged him into the street, and arrested him.
situation is still tense as crowd jostles with police to get into the street.
he and a couple officers then went into the crowd , dragged him into the street, and arrested him.
situation is still tense as crowd jostles with police to get into the street.
November 14, 2025 at 10:49 PM
Here we have Trump’s Brownshirts brutalising @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social
Despicable! 💀 @williamcrawley.bsky.social
Despicable! 💀 @williamcrawley.bsky.social
Reposted by Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf
Our latest Voices piece comes from Mother Agapia — sister of journalist George Stephanopoulos — who urges American Christians to face the truth about how Israel treats Palestinian Christians.
US Christians Should Look Past the Wall of Distortion to See the Truth About Palestinians in the Holy Land - Word&Way
A Russian Orthodox nun who has lived in the West Bank presents a powerful argument that the fragile ceasefire in Gaza is not an end, but rather the beginning of a new chapter of peace and justice.
wordandway.org
November 13, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Our latest Voices piece comes from Mother Agapia — sister of journalist George Stephanopoulos — who urges American Christians to face the truth about how Israel treats Palestinian Christians.
Reposted by Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf
NEW: So, the courtroom at the "Broadview 6" arraignment in Chicago yesterday featured lotsa Methodist pastors.
Why? They were supporters of defendant/fellow Methodist Brian Straw.
"If you come for one United Methodist, you have come for all of us,” one pastor said. religionnews.com/2025/11/13/m...
Why? They were supporters of defendant/fellow Methodist Brian Straw.
"If you come for one United Methodist, you have come for all of us,” one pastor said. religionnews.com/2025/11/13/m...
Methodist pastors march into courtroom with 'boring suburban dad' indicted for protesting
CHICAGO (RNS) — ‘If you come for one United Methodist, you have come for all of us,’ said a Chicago area UMC pastor.
religionnews.com
November 13, 2025 at 8:14 PM
NEW: So, the courtroom at the "Broadview 6" arraignment in Chicago yesterday featured lotsa Methodist pastors.
Why? They were supporters of defendant/fellow Methodist Brian Straw.
"If you come for one United Methodist, you have come for all of us,” one pastor said. religionnews.com/2025/11/13/m...
Why? They were supporters of defendant/fellow Methodist Brian Straw.
"If you come for one United Methodist, you have come for all of us,” one pastor said. religionnews.com/2025/11/13/m...
My latest opinion piece for @rns.org is here. It’s so important for clergy to show up now - if we wait to fight fascism it will be too late.
OPINION: Despite the Trump administration’s mischaracterizations, the protests I have attended have felt much more like church than a violent insurrection.
religionnews.com/2025/11/13/w...
religionnews.com/2025/11/13/w...
Why clergy should risk assault to protest ICE
(RNS) — For people wanting to experience God, we are more likely to meet the Divine trying to shut down the Broadview, Illinois, ICE facility than we ever were in church.
religionnews.com
November 13, 2025 at 7:47 PM
My latest opinion piece for @rns.org is here. It’s so important for clergy to show up now - if we wait to fight fascism it will be too late.
Reposted by Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf
This is inexcusable. Allegations of abuse inside ICE Broadview facility but ICE destroyed the video evidence. Time to let everyone go -- and then lock up those who destroyed the evidence.
An interesting tidbit in the joint status report filed in the Broadview ICE facility case today:
ICE says video from inside the facility "between October 19, 2025, and October 31, 2025, has been irretrievably destroyed" and can't be produced in discovery.
www.courtlistener.com/docket/71832...
ICE says video from inside the facility "between October 19, 2025, and October 31, 2025, has been irretrievably destroyed" and can't be produced in discovery.
www.courtlistener.com/docket/71832...
November 13, 2025 at 7:36 PM
This is inexcusable. Allegations of abuse inside ICE Broadview facility but ICE destroyed the video evidence. Time to let everyone go -- and then lock up those who destroyed the evidence.
Reposted by Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf
Removing a monument honoring Black US soldiers has nothing to do with DEI. It’s erasure of history and it’s straight-up racism.
November 13, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Removing a monument honoring Black US soldiers has nothing to do with DEI. It’s erasure of history and it’s straight-up racism.
Reposted by Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf
Good @rns.org column by @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social on "Why clergy should risk assault to protest ICE" religionnews.com/2025/11/13/w...
As I reported last week, he practices what he preaches:
publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/baptist-pa...
As I reported last week, he practices what he preaches:
publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/baptist-pa...
Why clergy should risk assault to protest ICE
(RNS) — For people wanting to experience God, we are more likely to meet the Divine trying to shut down the Broadview, Illinois, ICE facility than we ever were in church.
religionnews.com
November 13, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Good @rns.org column by @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social on "Why clergy should risk assault to protest ICE" religionnews.com/2025/11/13/w...
As I reported last week, he practices what he preaches:
publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/baptist-pa...
As I reported last week, he practices what he preaches:
publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/baptist-pa...
Check out my interview with @marabim.bsky.social and @baptistnews.com about how @govpritzker.illinois.gov and the Illinois State Police are assaulting protestors including shooting me with a pepper ball at close range for protesting the torture conditions in Broadview’s ICE facility.
Thank you @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social for talking with me about what happened in Chicago on All Saint’s Day. Here’s an excerpt of our conversation for @baptistnews.com baptistnews.com/article/a-co...
A conversation with Michael Woolf about ICE and Chicago – Baptist News Global
He joins a long line of clergy who have, in recent weeks, been assaulted by militarized agents from ICE and state police.
baptistnews.com
November 13, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Check out my interview with @marabim.bsky.social and @baptistnews.com about how @govpritzker.illinois.gov and the Illinois State Police are assaulting protestors including shooting me with a pepper ball at close range for protesting the torture conditions in Broadview’s ICE facility.