White House protest leads campaign for a cease-fire before Israeli ground invasion

As Israel readies a massive military response to Hamas’ attack from the Gaza Strip, Jewish, Muslim and Christian religious leaders and faith-based activist groups are mounting a campaign calling for a cease-fire, with some planning a large demonstration for Wednesday (Oct. 18) in the nation’s capital to ask the Biden administration to help end the bloodshed.

Wednesday’s event will be a continuation of a protest Monday outside the White House, where participants holding “Ceasefire” signs recited the kaddish (the Jewish mourner’s prayer), sang songs in English and Hebrew and sometimes grappled with police. Organizers said afterward that around 50 people were arrested during that demonstration. The U.S. Secret Service said Tuesday that it arrested 33 individuals on charges of unlawful entry and 16 on charges of incommoding, which generally refers to hindering passage or obstructing traffic.

The protests were primarily organized by the Jewish activist groups If Not Now and Jewish Voice for Peace.

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And finally, Psychedelic ministry sells magic mushrooms from historic Detroit church

Since opening for business in Detroit on Labor Day weekend, Soul Tribes International has never been shy about being a purveyor of psilocybin, also known as magic mushrooms.

“Psychedelic mushrooms for sale,” its Instagram feed proclaimed on Sept. 12. “Join the Tribe.”

But Soul Tribes also portrayed itself as more than a place to score mushrooms. Based in the former Bushnell Congregational Church, a 60,000-square-foot red brick, white columned building built in 1939 in Detroit’s northwest side, Soul Tribes markets itself as a “spiritual organization” that utilizes “plant medicine, sound therapy, breath work, and ceremonial work.”

Psychedelics, the organization claims, are its sacrament, and those sacraments are for sale.

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