Lisa Cumming
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lisacumin.bsky.social
Lisa Cumming
@lisacumin.bsky.social
1.3K followers 1K following 500 posts
Works in & around conflict grappling. (Local peacebuilding • Nonviolence • Peace practice & thinking.)

Worries in the valley, dreams on the moors. Personal account.
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lisacumin.bsky.social
'What do you do for a living?” asked the sky to the sunflower. “I pour hope into the fainting hearts,” whispered the sunflower.'

Bhuwan Thapaliya

#Bloomscrolling
Single sunflower in a field beneath blue skies and blue sea in the distance.
October 18, 2025 at 7:56 AM
lisacumin.bsky.social
Had the absolute pleasure of facilitating a panel sharing thoughts on "Quakers and Anabaptists: Peacebuilding Today" for @woodbrooke.bsky.social
Stone heart with peace etched on it lying on moss by a drystone wall.
October 15, 2025 at 7:29 AM
lisacumin.bsky.social
The Battle of Cable Street, on this day in 1936. Stories and images of people standing shoulder to shoulder with one another from Jewish Museum London.

jewishmuseum.org.uk/2016/10/05/t...
"It showed that if people are united that you can stop the fascists, you can stop the racists…it was amazing because we saw Jews, Orthodox Jews with long silk coats and soft felt hats and the sidepieces standing shoulder to shoulder with Irish Catholics, dockers and Somali seamen…they all felt a there was a need to be out there to stand on that particular day.” Charlie Goodman
October 4, 2025 at 11:16 AM
lisacumin.bsky.social
If anyone is in need of a galumphing seal pup. (Pup was basking in last week's sunshine near Brighton as mother was out fishing.)
October 4, 2025 at 10:44 AM
lisacumin.bsky.social
"The Syrian community stands alongside the Jewish community in rejecting violence, and we recommit ourselves to building a society where every community can live in dignity, security, and mutual trust."

Statement from the Syrian Community in the UK.
The Syrian community in the United Kingdom extends its deepest condolences to the Jewish community in Manchester and across the UK following today’s tragic stabbing at a synagogue in Crumpsall. We are horrified by this attack, and we stand in full solidarity with our Jewish neighbours as they grieve. That such violence was carried out in a sacred place of worship, and on Yom Kippur—the holiest day of the Jewish year—makes this tragedy all the more painful. We stress unequivocally that houses of worship must remain places of peace, safety, and sanctity, never targets of hate or violence. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and the Jewish community during this most difficult time. As Syrians, we know this pain all too well. For over 15 years, Syrians of all faiths have endured devastating attacks on mosques, churches, and sacred spaces. We have buried loved ones, mourned in silence, and lived with the scars. Violence against innocent people—especially in places of worship—is something we stand firmly against, wherever it happens. At this stage, no one within our Syrian community networks—neither within nor beyond Manchester—has been able to identify the individual involved in this attack or confirm knowing him personally. We appeal to our wider society not to allow this tragedy to give rise to racist incidents directed at Syrians, Muslims, or migrants. Violence must not be met with further division or hatred. At the same time, we hope this incident will not be misused to impose restrictions on freedom of expression—particularly the right to peacefully protest and speak out against the ongoing genocide in Gaza. The Syrian community stands alongside the Jewish community in rejecting violence, and we recommit ourselves to building a society where every community can live in dignity, security, and mutual trust. Syrian British Consortium Rethink Rebuild Society Syria Solidarity Campaign
October 3, 2025 at 10:35 AM
lisacumin.bsky.social
Thinking about last weekend. The clacking of clogs on cobbles, the jangle of morris dancers in a curry house car park. Expressions of tradition in a spirit of community togetherness.
Morris dancers wearing clogs & waving ropes on sticks. Older man with a big drum wearing morris dancing clothes, young punks stood behind. Rushbearing cart. Green painted morris dancers with bird feathers in hats clashing wooden sticks, watched by person with a turquoise, punky mullet.
September 14, 2025 at 9:54 AM
lisacumin.bsky.social
For anyone in need of a quick glance at some canalside anemones.
Bright pink flowers beside a canal.
September 13, 2025 at 9:51 AM
lisacumin.bsky.social
Today's Bluesky feed.
Screenshot of two posts next to each other on Bluesky feed. Post #1 as follows. Photo of St George cross flag with a swastika drawn on the cross. In top quarter the words, "Stop the Muzlim Paki Boats." On the bottom left quarter the words, "Get out of our country. Oi Oi." Posted with the following text, "Tonight, my 77-year-old mother ripped this flag off a dual carriageway bridge near Birmingham. Note the swastika. My dad's dad died fighting the Nazis." Post #2 as follows. Text says, "Our educational newsletter has just been sent to our contacts! Catch up now to find out more about our educational offering this term including bespoke workshops, archive tours, and our vast array of digital resources drawing on our unrivalled archive of materials from the Nazi era." Posted by @wienerlibrary.bsky.social Posted by @davidrvetter.bsky.social
September 6, 2025 at 10:49 AM
lisacumin.bsky.social
Totally agree! I know buses might need a bit more thought but I think the pedestrian & cycle areas are fab. Had an outside meeting there the other day & it was so nice.
Bradford City Hall & planted areas. People and outdoor seating at a bar (outside Bradford Wool Exchange). Benches with raised beds and trees and a few people sat around in the sun (in what was the old Interchange car park).
August 19, 2025 at 6:30 PM
lisacumin.bsky.social
"On his way home, Iida, the survivor and guide, stopped by a monument dedicated to the children killed. Millions of colorful paper cranes, known as the symbol of peace, hung nearby, sent from around the world."

apnews.com/article/japa...

#Hiroshima
Pink peace crane hanging against the bark of a tree.
August 6, 2025 at 7:23 AM
lisacumin.bsky.social
"A false impression is given that this is Israel’s war, but in reality, it is a joint US-Israeli war supported by allies such as the UK..."

Paul Rogers

www.opendemocracy.net/en/israel-ga...
"Yet Western arms and equipment continue to flow to Tel Aviv, as does intelligence support. A false impression is given that this is Israel’s war, but in reality, it is a joint US-Israeli war supported by allies such as the UK, whose RAF Akroti military base in Cyprus is used for Israeli intelligence-gathering."
July 25, 2025 at 4:31 PM
lisacumin.bsky.social
Very strong call from UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk to the UK Government.

www.ohchr.org/en/press-rel...
“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. I also call on the UK Government to review and revise its counter-terrorism legislation, including its definition of terrorist acts, to bring it fully in line with international human rights norms and standards,” the High Commissioner said."
July 25, 2025 at 3:00 PM
lisacumin.bsky.social
"As we allow ourselves to feel our pain for the world, we find our connection with each other."

Joanna Macy (2 May, 1929 - 19 July, 2025)
Image from cover of a book by Mara Loft showing a red circle of intertwined humans, animals, & plants.
July 20, 2025 at 10:40 AM
lisacumin.bsky.social
A quiet moment on Saltdean beach (near Brighton) in May just before meeting an Italian Greyhound called George Michael.
A row of colourful sit-on-kayaks lined up on a beach.
July 12, 2025 at 9:42 AM
lisacumin.bsky.social
Lack the words to describe how utterly amazing #BCUC (Bantu Continua Uhuru Consciousness) were tonight in Manchester.
Members of BCUC band on stage with drums and colourful lights at Band on the Wall.
July 6, 2025 at 10:13 PM
lisacumin.bsky.social
"They can see it's not true."

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
"Those people have been told that Gaza protests are hate marches; they can see it’s not true. They have been told that US campus protesters are largely motivated by antisemitism; they can see it’s not true. They have been told that Palestine Action is a terrorist organisation because it spray painted military aircraft; they can see it’s not true. They have been repeatedly told, by Benjamin Netanyahu, that opposition to Israel’s war is antisemitic; they can see it’s not true. They have been told that the British government finds Israel’s actions “intolerable”; they can see it’s not true."
July 5, 2025 at 12:52 PM
lisacumin.bsky.social
Brussels lamp-post on the way back from a Quaker conference on peace & justice in troubling times.

#Quakers
Sticker on a lamp-post that reads, "For whom? For what? Stop war!" Text is in green, red, and black ink.
June 23, 2025 at 4:14 PM
lisacumin.bsky.social
Open letter from Nobel laureates, scientists, writers and artists on the resurgence of fascism.

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
"As in 1925, we scientists, philosophers, writers, artists and citizens of the world have a responsibility to denounce and resist the resurgence of fascism in all its forms. We call on all those who value democracy to act: Defend democratic, cultural and educational institutions. Call out abuses of democratic principles and human rights. Refuse pre-emptive compliance. Join collective actions, locally and internationally. Boycott and strike when possible. Make resistance impossible to ignore and costly to repress. Uphold facts and evidence. Foster critical thinking and engage with your communities on these grounds."
June 17, 2025 at 7:36 AM
lisacumin.bsky.social
Remembering Grenfell eight years on. The 72+ lives lost, the survivors, the bereaved, the community trauma & wider impacts. Thoughts with all those still seeking justice.

#Grenfell 💚
Large green heart amidst a silent walk, being carried on a stick with the word "love" through the middle.
June 14, 2025 at 9:51 AM
lisacumin.bsky.social
Deep breaths. And maybe birdsong, the scent of a rose, a cup of tea, loud punk, whatever helps.
Single pink rose.
June 13, 2025 at 7:05 AM
lisacumin.bsky.social
As I head to Yearly Meeting (annual event of Quakers in Britain) as a staff member, a recent peacebuilding residential at Corrymeela means the following words are in my mind.

"It is in the shelter of each other that the people live."

#BYM2025 #Quakers #Peace #Corrymeela
Circular stone building surrounded by trees, blue sky above.
May 24, 2025 at 7:49 AM
lisacumin.bsky.social
"We refuse to be a cog in the machine that fuels bloodshed..."

www.ppu.org.uk/news/russian...

#ICOD #ConscientiousObjectors
In Israel, a group of high school students have recently pledged to refuse conscription, backing the growing movement of COs against the war in Gaza: "There is no military solution – there never will be. We refuse to take part in the front lines, in the medical corps, in intelligence and also in the office. We refuse to be a cog in the machine that fuels bloodshed, and instead, we will create a reality of justice, freedom and equality, which we know is possible."
May 15, 2025 at 12:14 PM
lisacumin.bsky.social
"...people are living the consequences of this rhetoric and policies right now."

theconversation.com/keir-starmer...
Research by Aurelien Mondon, senior lecturer in politics at the University of Bath, illustrates how people’s personal and national priorities differ dramatically. When people in the UK were asked to name the two most important issues facing them personally, immigration didn’t even make it into the top ten. However, when asked the same question about the issues facing their country, immigration topped the list. How can something that doesn’t affect you in your day-to-day life suddenly become a top priority for your country? We need to challenge the narrative that the government is simply acting on people’s wishes and acknowledge its own capacity to set the agenda.
May 14, 2025 at 8:31 AM
lisacumin.bsky.social
Outliers.

www.britishfuture.org/reform-voter...
The new research finds that, across a range of tracker questions, Reform voters are outliers – with starkly different views to the average voter and to supporters of other parties. They are the only group to oppose resettlement schemes like Homes for Ukraine and the prospect of using them again in response to future crises; the only group where a majority feel immigration is not talked about enough and should be the number one priority for the government; and the only group where a majority feel no sympathy at all for people crossing the Channel.
April 20, 2025 at 8:33 AM
lisacumin.bsky.social
Hope there's moments for birdsong amidst it all or whatever helps.
Street art of a giant & brightly painted blue tit on a red brick building in Manchester.
March 31, 2025 at 7:44 PM