Lisa Cumming
LightNews LightNews
banner
lisacumin.bsky.social
Lisa Cumming
@lisacumin.bsky.social
1.3K followers 1K following 570 posts
Works in & around conflict grappling. (Local peacebuilding • Nonviolence • Peace practice & thinking.)

Worries in the valley, dreams on the moors. Personal account.
Posts Replies Media Videos
Pinned
lisacumin.bsky.social
Lisa Cumming @lisacumin.bsky.social · Nov 18
I've kindly been added to some lists with much more interesting folk than me. So if trying to work out whether I'm worth a follow...my day job is accompanying (supporting) people working in local
peacebuilding/conflict work in Britain and...
Scrabble letters spelling "conflict" on a stone hearth.
Reposted by Lisa Cumming
caatuk.bsky.social
📢 CAAT is hiring a Supporter Development Manager!

We're looking for a skilled communicator & natural relationship builder to join our team. You'll be responsible for the recruitment, retention & engagement of supporters, as well as fundraising.

➡️ Apply now: caat.org.uk/about-caat/j...
December 23, 2025 at 11:14 AM
lisacumin.bsky.social
Reminder of what UN Human Rights Chief said...

"I urge the UK Government to rescind its decision to proscribe Palestine Action and to halt investigations and further proceedings against protesters who have been arrested on the basis of this proscription."

www.ohchr.org/en/press-rel...
December 23, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Reposted by Lisa Cumming
marisakabas.bsky.social
I highly recommend watching this segment, not just because the CBS News execs and the White House didn’t want you to, but because these men were tortured and they deserved to have their voices heard.
marisakabas.bsky.social Marisa Kabas @marisakabas.bsky.social · 3d
!! Here’s a link to full video of the 60 Minutes segment that Bari Weiss killed last minute, via @jasonparis.bsky.social:

is.gd/paU8Ko

(It was uploaded to the Global TV app in Canada, seemingly by accident, and has now been taken down)
December 22, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Reposted by Lisa Cumming
groomb.bsky.social
Emily Brontë died on this day 1848 at Haworth. Solitary and reclusive, the most mysterious of the Brontës.
December 19, 2025 at 8:40 AM
Reposted by Lisa Cumming
huwinslow.bsky.social
5 and 8 year old forced off the road again by angry drivers mad at kids walking and cycling home from school down tight residential streets with no useable pavement space. Car culture is toxic.
December 17, 2025 at 3:46 PM
lisacumin.bsky.social
Insightful research.

ukandeu.ac.uk/most-british...
Most British young men reject the far right - UK in a changing Europe
Emilia Belknap and Stuart Turnbull-Dugarte explain their analysis on the demographics of Reform UK voters in the UK. They argue that while the dominant narrative is that young men are the most likely ...
ukandeu.ac.uk
December 17, 2025 at 10:27 AM
lisacumin.bsky.social
Mince pies cooling. Mulled cider on the stove. Student son just got back to Yorkshire from Brighton. And the inherited wealth hung on the tree.
Old fashioned painted glass baubles on a twinkly Christmas tree.
December 16, 2025 at 5:43 PM
lisacumin.bsky.social
"The revolving door no longer spins between government and industry—it locks them together into a new architecture of power."

Important & terrifying read.
edwardluce.bsky.social Edward Luce @edwardluce.bsky.social · 16d
Anyone interested in the rise of techno-authoritarianism/broligarchs and why they're targeting Europe, I've stumbled on this great resource. Use it. authoritarian-stack.info cc @francescabria.bsky.social
The Authoritarian Stack
How Tech Billionaires Are Building a Post-Democratic America — And Why Europe Is Next
authoritarian-stack.info
December 16, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Reposted by Lisa Cumming
elivalley.bsky.social
The people Elon Musk and JD Vance insist must rule Germany:
December 15, 2025 at 10:25 PM
lisacumin.bsky.social
'“Every single time I see something this far beyond the pale, my first thought is ‘yes he’s terrible but that can’t possibly be real.’ And every time I’m wrong. Every. Damn. Time.”'

www.nj.com/politics/202...
Trump makes shocking comments — even for him — after tragic death of Rob Reiner, wife
In a scathing Truth Social post, the president baselessly claimed that Rob Reiner died “due to the anger he caused” as a result of “Trump Derangement Syndrome.”
www.nj.com
December 15, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Reposted by Lisa Cumming
sundersays.bsky.social
There were 2 Labour Cabinet Ministers last week on TalkTV Harry Cole slot which plans to invite back an overt racist who'd ban the Home Secretary, Lord Chancellor, Leader of the Opposition & Deputy Speaker from parliament & all blacks, Asians, Jews, Hindus, Muslims & Sikhs from the civil service!
December 14, 2025 at 11:41 PM
lisacumin.bsky.social
This Is Spinal Tap, Stand By Me, and The Princess Bride. Three of Rob Reiner's films that mattered so much growing up. Deeply grateful for the laughter and tears over the years.
December 15, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Reposted by Lisa Cumming
bjornih.bsky.social
12 killed, one offender killed and one in custody according to the NSW premier at ongoing press conference. Thoughts are with Australia’s jewish community as they celebrate Hanukkah. The investigation is just beginning - there are things we don’t have answers to.
bjornih.bsky.social Bjørn Ihler @bjornih.bsky.social · 12d
Just got to the airport and checking news after a few hours offline to see the tragic news of the attack at the Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach. Our thoughts are with the community in Australia and the victims and survivors of this attack. www.smh.com.au/national/nsw...
Bondi Beach shooting live updates: 10 people confirmed dead, two people in custody after dozens of shots fired at Chanukah by the Sea celebration
People have been reporting hearing up to 50 gunshots in the vicinity of Campbell Parade as police advised people to avoid the area.
www.smh.com.au
December 14, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Reposted by Lisa Cumming
naamoduk.bsky.social
We mourn the victims of the mass shooting on Bondi Beach at a celebration on the first night of Chanukah, bringing darkness into a festival of lights. Our hearts go out to those attacked and their families and friends, as well as the entire Australian Jewish community.
December 14, 2025 at 11:50 AM
lisacumin.bsky.social
One of the citizens who confronted the Bondi Beach gunmen has been named by Australian news agencies as Ahmed al Ahmed, a Sydney local.

www.news.com.au/national/nsw...
www.news.com.au
December 14, 2025 at 1:35 PM
lisacumin.bsky.social
'“For every inch yielded, there’s going to be another inch demanded,” he said. “Where does it stop?'

www.theguardian.com/law/2025/dec...
Starmer and hardline governments risk creating ‘hierarchy of people’ by constraining human rights
Human rights official says politicians are playing into the hands of the populist right as they seek to tackle migration
www.theguardian.com
December 14, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Reposted by Lisa Cumming
robinince.bsky.social
Very sad that I felt I had no choice but to resign from The Infinite Monkey Cage - a victory for the transphobes and other bigots - I did it because so much of the media has chosen to believe the kind and empathetic people are a fiction - they are real and so often unrepresented.
This is the saddest day of my professional life. Today is not only the final recording of the latest series of The Infinite Monkey Cage, it is my last ever Monkey Cage. I never thought that I would have to leave the show. I always imagined going on until | dropped dead under the studio lights due to a brain aneurysm caused by my final attempt to understand notions of quantum gravity or the shock of being told about fly maggot infestations in the sacks of macaque monkeys. I resigned in September, after sixteen years of dedication to the show, A show that I named and helped develop over all those years. Unfortunately, my opinions outside the BBC have been considered problematic for sometime, whether it has been voicing support for the trans community, criticism of Donald Trump, numerous other outlandish opinions, including once gently criticising Stephen Fry. These things were considered to conflict with being a freelance BBC science presenter In a recent meeting where BBC Studio executives again voiced problems with me, I realised my choices. Obedience and being quieter to remain making Monkey Cage, or 'Resign and have the freedom to speak out against what I believe are injustices'. • I chose the latter. It broke my heart. I love this show and I love the audience, and it is because of the audience in particular, that this decision was so difficult to make. I kept thinking about all the extremist voices promoting hate and division. They are being given so many platforms, while voices that represent kindness, open mindedness, empathy seem to be scarcer and scarcer. I felt I couldn't pamper myself with the luxury of silence. One of my many privileges is that I am able to resign and I can speak out even if it is to the detriment of my career. I have thought a lot about my heroes, Sinead O Connor, James Baldwin, Audre Lorde, and so many more. I think of Sinead's words, "the job of an artist is to be themselves at any cost". James Baldwin said prejudice was really just a word for cowardice. Audre Lorde, viewing her life, wrote that her only regrets were her silences. I think of my father as I resign, he brought me up to believe in fairness , justice and kindness. Though my heart is broken, it is also full of fire. I apologise to our incredible listeners for my departure, your love of the show means a great deal. I am so sorry to let you down. I hope that you can understand my reasoning. I have to accept that I am not what the current BBC expects of their freelance presenters. Despite this I should add that I have always worked far more than my contracted hours to try and ensure the show was always the best it could be, as well as making myself accessible and responsive to the audience wherever and whenever I met them. Every night, we have recorded, I have been filled with determination to make the best show possible. This was not "just a job" I hope that with my departure I can be a better ally to the LGBTQ community, to the neurodivergent community, to activists fighting against those who aim to brutalise society, to those currently in prison on hunger strike, and to all those who fight for a more inclusive world. From many conversations, I know there are many Monkey Cage listeners who support these communities and activists too. The strawberry is dead. Long live the strawberry. B
December 13, 2025 at 12:02 AM
Reposted by Lisa Cumming
greenpartymolly.bsky.social
Masterful questioning
atrupar.com Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 15d
GLASHEEN: Antifa is our primary concern right now. That's the most immediate violent threat we're facing

BENNIE THOMPSON: Where is antifa headquartered?

GLASHEEN: ... ... ... we are building out the infrastructure right now

THOMPSON: What does that mean?
December 12, 2025 at 9:07 AM
lisacumin.bsky.social
“I write about the politics of the heart and the soul more than I talk about the politics of politics,” he said. “But I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t write these observational songs.”

blockclubchicago.org/2025/12/09/h...
How Chicago Protest Music Is Meeting The Political Moment
"Antifascist movements attract artists," one expert said. And Chicago has a long list of musicians who fit the bill, with a protest music history that goes back decades.
blockclubchicago.org
December 11, 2025 at 10:52 PM
Reposted by Lisa Cumming
csohate.bsky.social
📣 CSOH is Hiring!

We’re expanding our global research team and hiring three researchers across Europe/North America, Southeast Asia and South Asia to support our work on digital harms, extremism, and influence operations.

Applications are now open.

More details: www.csohate.org/work-with-us/
December 9, 2025 at 3:05 AM
lisacumin.bsky.social
This is so wonderful. Recommend reading the nearly 4000 year old customer complaint out loud to yourself or whoever is sat nearest you.
December 11, 2025 at 6:19 PM
lisacumin.bsky.social
Right to bear arms not attitudes.

'...the US president called for restrictions to ensure visitors to the US “do not bear hostile attitudes toward its citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles”.'

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Tourists to US would have to reveal five years of social media activity under new Trump plan
Plan would apply to countries not currently required to get visas to the US, including Britain and France
www.theguardian.com
December 11, 2025 at 6:05 PM
lisacumin.bsky.social
"We are concerned that, should this situation be allowed to continue without resolution, there is the real and increasingly likely potential that young British citizens will die in prison, having never even been convicted of an offence."

www.bbc.com/news/article...
Palestine Action hunger strikers call for urgent meeting with ministers
Lawyers for eight remand prisoners waiting to go on trial say they could die in prison as part of their protest.
www.bbc.com
December 10, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Reposted by Lisa Cumming
durotrigesdig.bsky.social
Beneath the #Wiltshire Medieval hilltop town of Malmesbury lies a 9ha Iron Age hillfort

Here looking east:

Now (© Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard) and then (© Athelstan Museum)

A wee thread for #HillfortsWednesday 🧵👇
Aerial photograph of Malmesbury town today looking west showing houses surrounded by rivers and green fields Reconstruction painting of a hillfort from the air looking west with interior roundhouses surrounded by rivers and fields
December 10, 2025 at 6:49 AM
lisacumin.bsky.social
9000 children.

www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
More than 9,000 children in Gaza hospitalised for acute malnutrition in October, UN says
Aid agencies say Israel is still restricting their aid shipments despite ceasefire announced two months ago
www.theguardian.com
December 9, 2025 at 10:56 PM