Recent posts by Brooklyn Community Builders on Bluesky

Terrible news from Minnesota.

This is what fascists do when their lies stop working.

This is an insightful and important thread, and connects things we've seen as DC residents over the decades.

I am aware even with everything going on the U.S. is still currently more free than so many other nations but I don’t personally begrudge certain people, citizen or otherwise, who say to themselves: if these freedoms are being stripped in broad daylight like this, I don’t mind exploring living in…

The Minnesota assassinations, the attempted arson at Governor Shapiro's home, and the violent arrest of Senator Padilla are all straight out of the Jim Crow terrorism playbook. Same goes with cops aiming for journalists covering the ICE protests. None of these are new tactics, just a new iteration.

Melissa Hortman, who was assassinated last night, was the Speaker of the Minnesota House in the 2023-2024 session, when Democrats ran the state government. That means she had a leading role in shepherding the many landmark reforms that Dems adopted in that period—an important legacy. Brief 🧵.

Earlier this year, Republicans in the Minnesota Senate introduced a bill to define "Trump Derangement Syndrome" as a mental illness, adding it to "the detailed in a diagnostic codes list published by the commissioner" of the Minnesota Department of Health. www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/ne...

There's a cottage industry churning out articles about left-leaning "bubbles" and "echo chambers" but very little written about how numerous members of Congress live in a bubble of nonsense peddled by lobbyists and consultants. I have no doubt he was told this by a 20-something crypto lobbyist.

FBI has tweeted on the Minnesota killings, just FYI.

Is this one of those weeks when decades happen?

Horrified by assassination of MN Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, and the grave injury of MN Sen. John Hoffman and his wife. Public service and political differences should never lead to violence, and all lawmakers should condemn this unconscionable act of targeted political violence.

Can report a strong turnout at our local No Kings rally. Lots of American flag waving and supportive horn honking. Many homemade signs, some indignant, some witty. One that seemed particularly McLean appropriate: “If only Kamala had won, we’d all be at brunch.”

It's an excellent day to post pictures of your anti-fascist pets.

In the last week, Marines were deployed in an American city, the president has called for a governor to be arrested & the speaker of the House has called for that gov to be tarred & feathered, a senator has been pinned and handcuffed, and two state legislators have been shot in their homes.

Strib coverage is in front of their paywall. Please follow their coverage and resist the urge to speculate about *anything* about the attack itself. www.startribune.com/brooklyn-par...

The assassinations are supposed to scare you but there is safety in numbers. If it's in your capacity, please attend a protest near you: A neighborhood one, a suburban one. Go and leave if you need to. Do it in shifts. Honk if you drive by. It's important than ever.

To those who still somehow say you’re overreacting to say we are far past the point of historic crisis, go back to summer 2024 and say that in less than a year the president of the United States would be deploying the literal Marines on American soil to deal with and intimidate his political enemies

www.rollingstone.com/politics/pol...

As we go out to exercise our First Amendment rights today, this is something worth reading first from @deepakbhargava.bsky.social. Then share with everyone you meet today on how we go forward from here for our democracy and a better future. #NoKings www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

The “No Kings” protest in northeast Minneapolis has been cancelled following the shootings of state Rep. Melissa Hortman and Sen. John Hoffman.

A person pretending to be a police officer assassinated a Democratic state legislator in Minnesota and killed the lawmaker’s husband in “an act of targeted political violence,” Gov. Tim Walz said. www.nytimes.com/live/2025/06...

I cannot tell you how grateful I am that our wedding was when it was, we just baaaarely missed it falling on the anniversary of the launch of Trump’s 2016 campaign, his birthday, and now his stupid fucking fascist tank procession

Horrified by assassination of MN Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, and the grave injury of MN Sen. Mark Hoffman and his wife. Public service and political differences should never lead to violence, and all lawmakers should condemn this unconscionable act of targeted political violence.

This is horrifying. I cannot even put words to this.

A lot of people seem to know a whole helluva lot about this gunman and his precise motives and whether he's a cop or not.

ICYMI: Middle Tennessee family torn apart after ICE-Highway Patrol checkpoint 'looking for color of skin,' wife says (GoFundMe link in story below.) vimeo.com/1093345200?s...

How easy is it to obtain a police vehicle with working emergency lights?

The gunman had a cruiser and full uniform including badge and taser and was not hesitant about opening fire when confronted by cops.

Dear God. Political violence has been so normalized in recent years that it’s hard to be surprised. But we should all be horrified.

See, the confusion here is that you believe "cities" refers to particular places and the people in them. Ha ha, silly you. "Cities" of course refers solely to federal agents shipped in from elsewhere to generate violence.

Walz confirms Melissa Hortman and spouse died in attack Minnesota lawmaker, her spouse shot and killed in their home www.live5news.com/2025/06/14/2...

If you want to instead read sharp, smart reporting on what ranked choice has meant to some voters, check out this piece: boltsmag.org/alaska-measu...

Eleanor Holes Norton was a towering figure in civil rights and DC city politics. But as she turns 88, the oldest member of the House has experienced a notable decline that has left her struggling to fulfill her duties. @anniekarni.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/2025/06/11/u...

Hortman was the Democratic leader in the Minnesota state House and previously served as speaker.

Trump tells us protestors are the violent ones

A Minnesota state Senator and a state representative, former Speaker Melissa Hortman and state Senator John Hoffman, both Democrats, were shot in their homes this morning in what’s being called “targeted shootings.” www.startribune.com/brooklyn-par...

Update: Gov. Walz confirms that Minnesota Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband were killed. Officials are “cautiously optimistic” that state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife will survive their injuries.

"The combination of Iran’s weakness and the catastrophic consequences of an Iranian bomb mean that Israel’s strikes are both more justifiable — and more likely to succeed — than at any time in the recent past." www.nytimes.com/2025/06/14/o...

A state Senator and a state representative, both Democrats, were shot at their homes this morning in what appear to be “targeted shootings.” www.startribune.com/brooklyn-par...

This is what Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said just 24 hours ago:

More: “Two Minnesota lawmakers were targeted in overnight shootings in the Minneapolis suburbs of Champlin and Brooklyn Park and the situation is currently under investigation by state and local enforcement agencies…”

Today seems the perfect day to remind people that Americans have been rejecting kings since 1776. open.substack.com/pub/charlies...

“Shoot, if you must, this old gray head, But spare your country’s flag,” she said.

Trump has found an enemy. And it is us. Today will be a remarkable image of what that means. Saturday newsletter: Tanks, Rallies, And A Nation On Edge open.substack.com/pub/charlies...

The only reason he's a "former" Cuomo advisor is because he stepped down after the Times called. This isn't great. And I'll note it's the second time this has (allegedly) happened under Cuomo. www.nytimes.com/2025/06/13/n...

NYT Editorial Board on antisemitism in the U.S.: “The response from much of the rest of American society has been insufficient. The upswing in antisemitism deserves outright condemnation.” www.nytimes.com/2025/06/14/o...

There but for the grace of a curmudgeonly, linguistically paranoid copy editor who hasn’t been replaced by AI go us all.

“It feels absolutely impossible that he has drowned, it doesn’t enter your mind as a reality.” Read the story of Lazar Ðukić, one of the fittest men on earth who drowned during a CrossFit race. www.rollingstone.com/culture/cult...

Pictures from Tampa Bay Area #nokings rally. Looked like 1,000 people at 10 am local time.🚫👑

Coming up: Gov. Tim Walz and state officials are scheduled to hold a press conference to provide updates on the shootings of two Democratic lawmakers in Minnesota. Watch live at 9:30 CT/10:30 ET: www.youtube.com/live/VHtHNAb...

NO KINGS NO SLAVES NO NAZIS Happy 250th Birthday U.S. Army!

Breaking - “Minnesota lawmakers targeted in overnight shootings outside Minneapolis, officials say” www.cnn.com/2025/06/14/u...

Exceedingly poor headline in Washington Post appears to accuse Democrats of treason:  https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/06/14/democrats-protests-immigration-trump/

Happy Lèse-majesté Day to all who celebrate

Looking for a job in journalism? The next 19 subscribers to our free newsletter will get a month comp to go behind the paywall and read interviews with more than 400 journalists from around the country. yourfirstbyline.substack.com

The Declaration of Independence specifies 27 grievances with King George III and Britain. Donald Trump has committed at least 16 of those same offenses. #NoKings

with @mjsdc.bsky.social

Murkowski compares now to flying with her kids: “Oh, you know how when we go down the road & it’s just really bumpy and we hit that one pothole? It’s just like that. We’re just going through this bumpy, bumpy air. It’s fine. And inside I’m screaming, “We’re gonna go down!” t.co/WFvhyoFKgM

Two Democratic (DFL) Minnesota lawmakers and spouses shot by man impersonating police officer. www.fox9.com/news/melissa...

Showing up really matters—in life overall, and in civic life. Find a way to show up today. www.nokings.org (Just back in DC, see this is the one place they're recommending people *not* show up for Tiananmen-on-the-Mall main gathering but go someplace else www.nokings.org/district )

If you're in Berlin on 20 June, come to a public event from 12-2 at Humboldt Law School, where Andrew Weissmann and I will discuss executive power in the United States -- from Robert Jackson's vision in Youngstown to the unitary executive theory under Trump. www.rewi.hu-berlin.de/de/lf/oe/lsi...

NEW: Trump administration's effort to use criminal charges to enforce a long-dormant and little-known registration requirement for foreigners in the US has stumbled in court. It also presents undocumented immigrants with a dilemma. Via @hassankanu www.politico.com/news/2025/06...

Trump throwing a military parade for himself despite never serving in the military is a metaphor for his entire existence.

ICYMI: Middle Tennessee family torn apart after ICE-Highway Patrol checkpoint 'looking for color of skin,' wife says (GoFundMe link in story below.) vimeo.com/manage/video...

I cannot stress enough that this is a bad standard, there have been numerous times when it seemed like the motive was obvious or political for a murder or mass shooting that made the news, and then it turned out not to be the case at all.

Drop your rally photos here! #NoKings

He also promised 90 trade deals in 90 days and has nothing. Other than destroying things important to the country and our future, almost nothing Trump is doing is working as promised and planned.

Ready to go!

Horrible. We don’t even know the motive yet so be careful what you post is what I’d advise www.fox9.com/news/melissa...

A 51-star flag and husband's Army uniform, in perfect condition over 50 years later, in observance of Flag Day, Army 250th birthday, representation-for-DC Day, and #NoKings Day. (We observe those last two everyday.)

a) that leaves on the table the vast majority of places they’re hunting these people , b) believe it when it happens and is sustained and c) it is fun that they’re telling their armed personnel to hold off on conducting the president’s own policy

"Two recent international polls...show that many people in Western democracies understand what’s happening here, even if some Americans are slow to see it. Perhaps more instructive are the views of people in nations that have watched their own democracies erode, such as Hungary, Poland and Turkey."

When a female Republican politician asks you “what is a woman,” one objectively correct and factual reply to that is well not you, you’re just a gigantic asshole

THIS. IS. NOT. NORMAL! Grateful to @lizagoitein.bsky.social for joining me on #JusticeByDesign to break down the law, politics and history of strongman military displays and domestic deployment. A crucially important conversation at this moment.

Live Updates: Israel and Iran Defy Calls for De-Escalation With 2nd Day of Attacks “It’s the most intense fighting in decades between the two countries, fueling fears of a wider conflict that could draw in the United States and other major powers.” www.nytimes.com/live/2025/06...

Fox 9 Minneapolis reports that two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses were shot by someone impersonating a police officer. Their conditions are not known. www.fox9.com/news/melissa...

Horrifying news out of Minnesota: two state legislators were shot at their homes last night by a gunman impersonating law enforcement. kstp.com/kstp-news/to...

Two Democratic state legislators in Minnesota “were reportedly shot in their homes by a gunman impersonating a police officer.”

Trump’s parade in D.C. will feature more than 5 million pounds of the government’s machinery. The No Kings gatherings across America will feature more than 5 million of the country’s people.

Wordle 1,456 5/6 ⬜⬜⬜⬜🟨 🟨🟨⬜⬜⬜ ⬜⬜🟨🟨⬜ ⬜⬜🟩🟩🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

🇺🇸 Good morning. Happy Flag Day! #NoKings

Two phrases that need to be retired: “We are better than this.” (We’re not.) The U.S. president is “the leader of the free world.” (He’s not.)

we should start telling facebook that antifa is dressing up in military cosplay and telling people they're ICE. don't trust people who won't show badge with their name! don't cooperate unless there's a warrant signed by a judge! the more you know 🌠 attached is some AI slop to help move it along

Trump paused immigration raids on restaurants, hotels, and agricultural workers. It couldn't be for this reason since I'll bet ICE was told to avoid raids on Trump properties www.forbes.com/sites/zachev...

I hate this wording: “L.A. Ignited a New War Over Immigration” and “Los Angeles struck the match that led thousands of Americans to take to the street.” LA was going about its business until Trump sent in ICE and the military to terrorize people. Trump struck the match.

“Trump has now admitted his mass deportations are sweeping up countless people who make essential contributions to economies and communities, to the detriment of our country. Yet after that, we saw only a handful of perfunctory statements from Democrats about it.” newrepublic.com/article/1968...

Obvious point: Most of the undocumented immigrants who are being rounded up are better Americans, in the ways that matter, than Donald J. Trump.

Der Spiegel writes about the US as a no-go zone for German tourists.

A contradictory commander in chief: Trump seems more willing at the moment to use the military against Americans than against Iranians. He celebrates a show of force on U.S. soil even as he denounces “endless wars” outside its borders. www.nytimes.com/2025/06/14/u...

We're going to see quite a split screen today: Millions protesting peacefully in defense of democracy, and a would-be dictator ordering tanks to tear up DC streets to make him feel powerful. It's obvious what the right side is. Be on it.

Please send me pics from your peaceful protests today. 🚫👑

Pay up. Trump fails to overturn $5m damages award to E Jean Carroll for defamation www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

Happy No Kings Day to all of us who celebrate.

bluesky is bad? really?? worse than war????

The most broken thing the #BrokenTimes doesn't do today: It doesn't cover the NoKings protests on its home page (can you find it?). There is a link to a 6/11 story about other protests. There is plenty of coverage of Trump's fascist parade. The rest of us? No.

The #BrokenTimes has no idea what to do. It is lost. "Perhaps the fact that the nation has endured difficult times before should offer a note of comfort. But perhaps not." In an Anxious Moment for the Nation, Historians Say This One Is Different www.nytimes.com/2025/06/13/u...

“When President Trump first sought to stage a military parade in Washington, a four-star general argued against it, telling him that “it’s what dictators do.” Mr. Trump was unbothered by the comparison…” @peterbakernyt.bsky.social @nytimes.com Gift Article www.nytimes.com/2025/06/14/u...

No big, says the #BrokenTimes. Marines, in a Rare Move, Briefly Detain Man in Los Angeles www.nytimes.com/2025/06/13/u...

The cynic in me--never a time when cynicism is more warranted--thinks the "administration" wants detainees to riot and escape and even commit crimes to give cover to its crimes. Inside the Tumult That Led 4 Men to Escape from a Migrant Facility www.nytimes.com/2025/06/14/n...