Alex Wakeman Rouse
@awakerouse.bsky.social
From Seattle, for Seattle. 🌲🏔️🏙️ Policy wonk and civil servant. || Advocate for public schools 🍎, dense cities, safe streets, racial and social equity, and supporting our most vulnerable. || Opinions are my own.
From the mouths of babes, at a south Seattle public school full of Black and Brown kids, many immigrants or children of them. #southseattle
January 26, 2026 at 4:55 PM
From the mouths of babes, at a south Seattle public school full of Black and Brown kids, many immigrants or children of them. #southseattle
“Imagine if all that money had gone into teachers instead.” Smaller class sizes, teachers paid a living wage — these are a couple of the things that work to help kids thrive in education. Gamified EdTech is NOT helping my kids, and I doubt they’re helping yours.
imagine if all that money had gone to teachers instead
January 25, 2026 at 4:50 PM
“Imagine if all that money had gone into teachers instead.” Smaller class sizes, teachers paid a living wage — these are a couple of the things that work to help kids thrive in education. Gamified EdTech is NOT helping my kids, and I doubt they’re helping yours.
Reposted by Alex Wakeman Rouse
Kare 11 local news just read, in full, this statement from Michael and Susan Pretti, the parents of Alex Pretti.
"Please get the truth out about our son."
"Please get the truth out about our son."
January 25, 2026 at 12:43 AM
Kare 11 local news just read, in full, this statement from Michael and Susan Pretti, the parents of Alex Pretti.
"Please get the truth out about our son."
"Please get the truth out about our son."
Reposted by Alex Wakeman Rouse
The gun was removed by agents from his waistband - he was never pointing it at them. He was already disarmed when they fired "defensive shots," killing him. They then fired several shots at his lifeless body.
January 24, 2026 at 7:34 PM
The gun was removed by agents from his waistband - he was never pointing it at them. He was already disarmed when they fired "defensive shots," killing him. They then fired several shots at his lifeless body.
Reposted by Alex Wakeman Rouse
People can say they didn’t vote for this but people are liars
January 22, 2026 at 2:10 AM
People can say they didn’t vote for this but people are liars
Reposted by Alex Wakeman Rouse
Another good resource from WAISN - "Rumor control: Spread power, not panic" - a quick list of questions to ask yourself in order to verify info so as to not create unnecessary panic, especially online waisn.org/resource/rum...
January 20, 2026 at 10:32 PM
Another good resource from WAISN - "Rumor control: Spread power, not panic" - a quick list of questions to ask yourself in order to verify info so as to not create unnecessary panic, especially online waisn.org/resource/rum...
Reposted by Alex Wakeman Rouse
i don't understand why so many people are so adamant that what ICE is doing is not the same as law enforcement. i disagree and i think a lot of the arguments ring very hollow, but more to the point: what's behind the desperate need to protect police legitimacy right now?
January 21, 2026 at 1:28 PM
i don't understand why so many people are so adamant that what ICE is doing is not the same as law enforcement. i disagree and i think a lot of the arguments ring very hollow, but more to the point: what's behind the desperate need to protect police legitimacy right now?
I tried not to use too many all caps when I found my street and yelled into the wind that SDOT needs to BUILD THOSE SPEED BUMPS ON MY ARTERIAL!!!
Psst: cool new project to dream, plan, and organize for better street experiences in Seattle.
Give Avery's site a click and drop pins with your thoughts
calmmystreet.com
Give Avery's site a click and drop pins with your thoughts
calmmystreet.com
Calm My Street
Our streets are for us. Report unsafe streets on our map to create calmer streets throughout the City of Seattle.
calmmystreet.com
January 21, 2026 at 3:30 AM
I tried not to use too many all caps when I found my street and yelled into the wind that SDOT needs to BUILD THOSE SPEED BUMPS ON MY ARTERIAL!!!
Reposted by Alex Wakeman Rouse
This is the statement from his family..
January 20, 2026 at 12:39 AM
This is the statement from his family..
Reposted by Alex Wakeman Rouse
New — I wrote about ChongLy Scott Thao, the elderly Hmong American wrongly arrested and forced out of his home by ICE in his underwear during the punishing Minnesota winter, what witnesses saw, and DHS's racist claim that he fit the description of another Asian man they were looking for.
My story:
My story:
Behind the disturbing image of ICE snatching a half-naked, elderly Hmong American from his home
DHS has claimed without evidence that they were looking for someone else when they took ChongLy Scott Thao.
www.thehandbasket.co
January 20, 2026 at 12:29 AM
New — I wrote about ChongLy Scott Thao, the elderly Hmong American wrongly arrested and forced out of his home by ICE in his underwear during the punishing Minnesota winter, what witnesses saw, and DHS's racist claim that he fit the description of another Asian man they were looking for.
My story:
My story:
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” - MLK Jr. Attending this march is a small thing our family does, but we hope it helps our white sons build empathy, learn about anti-racism and collective action, and reflect on their privilege (with our guidance, of course!). #AbolishICE
January 19, 2026 at 11:36 PM
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” - MLK Jr. Attending this march is a small thing our family does, but we hope it helps our white sons build empathy, learn about anti-racism and collective action, and reflect on their privilege (with our guidance, of course!). #AbolishICE
Reposted by Alex Wakeman Rouse
it is -10 here today. I was supposed to go do a volunteer shift standing outside loading groceries into people’s cars to deliver to families stuck at home. just got a call not to come in because they have too many volunteers already. if you were wondering if the cold would stop us.
January 19, 2026 at 5:09 PM
it is -10 here today. I was supposed to go do a volunteer shift standing outside loading groceries into people’s cars to deliver to families stuck at home. just got a call not to come in because they have too many volunteers already. if you were wondering if the cold would stop us.
Reposted by Alex Wakeman Rouse
This is an Underground Railroad style operation. This is what I mean that we should study UR history, tactics, and strategy.
They have quite an operation going.
www.mprnews.org/episode/2026...
www.mprnews.org/episode/2026...
Minneapolis church has delivered more than 12,000 boxes of groceries to families in hiding
DHH church has hundreds of volunteers packing and delivering groceries to families who have been too scared to leave their homes during the immigration operation.
www.mprnews.org
January 16, 2026 at 2:02 PM
This is an Underground Railroad style operation. This is what I mean that we should study UR history, tactics, and strategy.
Protect trans youth, and let the kids play sports! 🏳️⚧️ “Trans athlete bans not only reduce opportunities for young trans persons to pursue their interests but also open all other young female athletes to invasive challenges to their identity.“
The Supreme Court’s Decision Will Affect More Than Trans High School Athletes www.forbes.com/sites/peterg...
The Supreme Court’s Decision Will Affect More Than Trans High School Athletes
If the Supreme Court upholds West Virginia’s law, all young female athletes will continue to bear the brunt of these laws.
www.forbes.com
January 14, 2026 at 2:58 PM
Protect trans youth, and let the kids play sports! 🏳️⚧️ “Trans athlete bans not only reduce opportunities for young trans persons to pursue their interests but also open all other young female athletes to invasive challenges to their identity.“
Pass this bill #waleg! “If a judge determines someone has been rehabilitated in prison and is no longer a threat to their community, ‘leaving them in prison for decades, maybe even life, for the purpose of pure punishment—it’s not giving people hope or an incentive to engage in rehabilitation.’”
Legislation Would Give Prisoners Serving Long Sentences a Path to Release
The proposal, from Washington's first formerly incarcerated legislator, would make it possible for people incarcerated long-term to make the case that they're no longer a threat.
publicola.com/2026/01/13/l...
The proposal, from Washington's first formerly incarcerated legislator, would make it possible for people incarcerated long-term to make the case that they're no longer a threat.
publicola.com/2026/01/13/l...
Legislation Would Give Prisoners Serving Long Sentences a Path to Release - PubliCola
By Erica C. Barnett State Rep. Tarra Simmons (D-23, Bremerton) is trying, for the third year in a row, to…
publicola.com
January 14, 2026 at 3:03 AM
Pass this bill #waleg! “If a judge determines someone has been rehabilitated in prison and is no longer a threat to their community, ‘leaving them in prison for decades, maybe even life, for the purpose of pure punishment—it’s not giving people hope or an incentive to engage in rehabilitation.’”
Reposted by Alex Wakeman Rouse
semi-regular reminder that ICE was only created in 2003
when you are asked to imagine a world without ICE, you're basically being asked to remember where you were when Lilo & Stitch came out
when you are asked to imagine a world without ICE, you're basically being asked to remember where you were when Lilo & Stitch came out
January 12, 2026 at 8:04 PM
semi-regular reminder that ICE was only created in 2003
when you are asked to imagine a world without ICE, you're basically being asked to remember where you were when Lilo & Stitch came out
when you are asked to imagine a world without ICE, you're basically being asked to remember where you were when Lilo & Stitch came out
This anti-Semitic arson is a big deal and should be getting more press. This is the only synagogue in Mississippi’s *biggest* city, Jackson. Jackson is also one of the top ten metropolitans in the Deep South.
Mississippi’s largest synagogue was set on fire before dawn Saturday. Fire department ruled it arson, and a suspect has been arrested.
It is the same synagogue that the Ku Klux Klan bombed in 1967 because the rabbi supported civil rights. mississippitoday.org/2026/01/10/f...
It is the same synagogue that the Ku Klux Klan bombed in 1967 because the rabbi supported civil rights. mississippitoday.org/2026/01/10/f...
Predawn fire reduces parts of Mississippi's largest synagogue to charred ruins - Mississippi Today
A fire heavily damaged Jackson’s only synagogue before dawn Saturday – the same house of worship that was firebombed by the Ku Klux Klan in 1967 because the rabbi had been an advocate for civil rights...
mississippitoday.org
January 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM
This anti-Semitic arson is a big deal and should be getting more press. This is the only synagogue in Mississippi’s *biggest* city, Jackson. Jackson is also one of the top ten metropolitans in the Deep South.
Reposted by Alex Wakeman Rouse
This is a cartoon about housing.
January 11, 2026 at 12:51 PM
This is a cartoon about housing.
Reposted by Alex Wakeman Rouse
I got some crap after posting this, but this has worked out the only way it was ever going to work out: police arresting protesters while ICE kidnaps and executes people.
January 10, 2026 at 10:23 PM
I got some crap after posting this, but this has worked out the only way it was ever going to work out: police arresting protesters while ICE kidnaps and executes people.
Reposted by Alex Wakeman Rouse
Prison guards are flocking to ICE jobs and frankly this makes sense. Those of us who have been anti-prison organizers for decades have been saying that fascism already existed within prisons/jails. Our best teachers for how to survive fascism are incarcerated people.
January 10, 2026 at 2:33 AM
Prison guards are flocking to ICE jobs and frankly this makes sense. Those of us who have been anti-prison organizers for decades have been saying that fascism already existed within prisons/jails. Our best teachers for how to survive fascism are incarcerated people.
Reposted by Alex Wakeman Rouse
What ICE is doing to immigrants and now white Americans in Minneapolis is what US law enforcement has always done to Black Americans, indigenous people, and poor white folks in rural areas.
Your outrage is justified and welcome but this fight didn't start this week.
Your outrage is justified and welcome but this fight didn't start this week.
Police killed at least 1,292 people in the United States in 2025. There were only six days with zero police killings last year. Source: mappingpoliceviolence.org.
January 9, 2026 at 2:56 AM
What ICE is doing to immigrants and now white Americans in Minneapolis is what US law enforcement has always done to Black Americans, indigenous people, and poor white folks in rural areas.
Your outrage is justified and welcome but this fight didn't start this week.
Your outrage is justified and welcome but this fight didn't start this week.
Reposted by Alex Wakeman Rouse
Yesterday’s killing of Minneapolis mother Renee Nicole Good proves the dangers of Trump’s campaign of terror via ICE across our country.
ICE officers appear to not only be acting with impunity, but the explicit approval and support of the president and his administration.
ICE officers appear to not only be acting with impunity, but the explicit approval and support of the president and his administration.
January 9, 2026 at 2:38 AM
Yesterday’s killing of Minneapolis mother Renee Nicole Good proves the dangers of Trump’s campaign of terror via ICE across our country.
ICE officers appear to not only be acting with impunity, but the explicit approval and support of the president and his administration.
ICE officers appear to not only be acting with impunity, but the explicit approval and support of the president and his administration.
Reposted by Alex Wakeman Rouse
So lets be clear: Rn, IRL, as a practical matter, cops are "allowed" to kill ppl if they don't do what they say. George Floyd's death wasn't enough to change that. Perhaps this white mom's death will spur change. But whenever we finally say cops are "not allowed" to do this, it will be a new thing.
January 8, 2026 at 2:05 PM
So lets be clear: Rn, IRL, as a practical matter, cops are "allowed" to kill ppl if they don't do what they say. George Floyd's death wasn't enough to change that. Perhaps this white mom's death will spur change. But whenever we finally say cops are "not allowed" to do this, it will be a new thing.
Reposted by Alex Wakeman Rouse
One thing I didn't fully appreciate until I sat on a jury and reviewed body cam footage for myself, is how cops yell contradictory instructions at people like "Don't move" "Put your hands up" "Get the fuck out of here" "Keep your hands where I can see them" etc. all screamed at your face with guns
January 7, 2026 at 10:57 PM
One thing I didn't fully appreciate until I sat on a jury and reviewed body cam footage for myself, is how cops yell contradictory instructions at people like "Don't move" "Put your hands up" "Get the fuck out of here" "Keep your hands where I can see them" etc. all screamed at your face with guns
READ ⬇️ “They want us to scatter in fear, to give up hope, and to give up on each other. But we will hold more tightly to one another, plan more strategically, and care even more deeply. We will resist the normalization of their violence, the immobilization of fear, and the sense of inevitability.”
Tonight, I was one of more than 200 people who gathered on Chicago’s North Side to mourn Renee Nicole Good. Several people asked me to publish my remarks from the vigil, so I’m sharing them here.
The Cost of Staying Human
Remarks from a vigil for Renee Nicole Good
organizingmythoughts.org
January 8, 2026 at 3:33 AM
READ ⬇️ “They want us to scatter in fear, to give up hope, and to give up on each other. But we will hold more tightly to one another, plan more strategically, and care even more deeply. We will resist the normalization of their violence, the immobilization of fear, and the sense of inevitability.”