B. D. Hoben
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bdhoben.bsky.social
B. D. Hoben
@bdhoben.bsky.social
580 followers 410 following 62 posts
Attorney (creative rights advocate, negotiator, litigator), Parent (2 kids, 4 dogs), Nonprofit founder, former school board trustee, permanent music enthusiast. Presently residing in the lower Hudson Valley.
hobenlaw.com // tooyoungtowed.org
Posts Replies Media Videos
Reposted by B. D. Hoben
reichlinmelnick.bsky.social
You have to read this. Firsthand affidavit from one of the women who was there and recording the video. She talks about how Alex Pretti was directing traffic when she arrived. She watched him be killed in front of her. She's afraid to go home, worried she'll be arrested.
1. I am a resident of the Whittier neighborhood of Minneapolis, Minnesota. I am over 18 years of age. I am a children's entertainer who specializes in face painting. 2. On Saturday, January 24, 2026, at about 8:50 am, I was getting ready to go to work when I heard whistles outside. I knew the whistles meant that ICE agents were in the area, so I decided to check it out on my way to work. I've been involved in observing in my community because it is so important to document what ICE is doing to my neighbors. Connecting to your local community and knowing who your neighbors are is something I profoundly value. 3. I drove to Nicollet Ave. and 26th where I could hear the whistles coming from. I turned south onto Nicollet. There were already several ICE agents there and they'd set up a sort of vehicle convoy on Nicollet and 28th. There were also about 15 observers there, recording and observing ICE. 4. I saw ICE agents surrounding cars and punching car windows. I also saw them stopping vehicles further down Nicollet, so I backed up because I didn't feel safe continuing on. 5. I noticed a man sort of acting to help traffic move more smoothly. He helped me find a place to park. I got out with my whistle and my camera. I went over to him and said something like, "I'm going to film and use my whistle." 6. It seemed like most ICE activity was happening a little farther down the street from us, near 27th. Someone was being thrown to the ground. 7. I started recording. There was an agent by a car across the street. Two observers were a few feet away from the agent, blowing their whistles. One was wearing a backpack. 8. I and the man who was observing and helping direct traffic were standing in the street. There was a phone in the man's hand recording a video. 9. An agent approached and asked us to back up, so I moved slowly back onto the sidewalk. 10. The man stayed in the street, filming as the other observers I mentioned earlier were being forced backward by another ICE agent threatening them with pepper spray. The man went closer to support them as they got threatened, just with his camera out. I didn't see him reach for or hold a gun. 11. Then the ICE agent shoved one of the other observers to the ground. Then he started pepper spraying all three of them directly in the face and all over. The man with the phone put his hands above his head and the agent sprayed him again and pushed him. 12. Then the man tried to help up the woman the ICE agent had shoved to the ground. The ICE agents just kept spraying. More agents came over and grabbed the man who was still trying to help the woman get up. All three of the observers looked to have been badly affected by the pepper spray. I could feel the pepper spray in my eyes. 13. The agents pulled the man on the ground. I didn't see him touch any of them-he wasn't even turned toward them. It didn't look like he was trying to resist, just trying to help the woman up. I didn't see him with a gun. They threw him to the ground. Four or five agents had him on the ground and they just started shooting him. They shot him so many times. 14.1 don't know why they shot him. He was only helping. I was five feet from him and they just shot him. 15. The video I recorded of what happened accurately depicts the events leading up to the agents shooting him and several minutes afterwards. The video is attached as Exhibit 1. 16. I have read the statement from DHS about what happened and it is wrong. The man did not approach the agents with a gun. He approached them with a camera. He was just trying to help a woman get up and they took him to the ground. 17. I feel afraid. Only hours have passed since they shot a man right in front me and I don't feel like I can go home because I heard agents were looking for me. I don't know what the agents will do when they find me. I do know that they're not telling the truth about what happened. I've heard that other witnesses might have been arrested and taken to the Whipple Building. 18. I am disgusted and gutted at how they are treating my neighbors and my state. I keep alternating between crying and feeling determined it is important to remember the value of documenting injustice. We show up for the people who need us to bear witness, because it can't just be one group of people bearing the brunt of their tyranny. This is a struggle to protect our freedom and democracy, those things are on the line. He lost his life for those values. I declare under penalty of perjury that everything I have stated in this document is true and correct. Dated and signed on Jan 24, 2026 in Hennepin County, State of Minnesota.
January 25, 2026 at 1:15 AM
Reposted by B. D. Hoben
dimitridrekonja.bsky.social
Alex Pretti was a colleague at the VA. We hired him to recruit for our trial. He became an ICU nurse- I lover working with him. He was a good kind person who lived to help and these fuckers executed him.

White. Hot. Rage.
January 24, 2026 at 7:31 PM
bdhoben.bsky.social
Curiously, the new Tik Tok entity that took over today does not appear to have registered a DMCA Designated Agent with the USCO. No listing in the Agent Directory and none referenced in the new terms.
a group of people are sitting in a waiting room with a ta logo on the wall
ALT: a group of people are sitting in a waiting room with a ta logo on the wall
media.tenor.com
January 23, 2026 at 10:22 PM
Reposted by B. D. Hoben
adamrose.bsky.social
DHS filed an answer today in the lawsuit Los Angeles Press Club filed against them for violently assaulting journalists, legal observers and protesters.

Basically two dozen pages that look like this.

Days I'm glad I'm not a lawyer ...
123. Defendants do not possess sufficient knowledge or information to form a belief as to the allegations in paragraph 123, and on that basis, deny them. 124. Defendants deny the allegation in paragraph 124, except to admit that a metal fence was erected to protect federal property. 125. Defendants deny the allegations in paragraph 125. 126. Defendants deny the allegations in paragraph 126. 127. Defendants deny the allegations in paragraph 127. 128. Defendants do not possess sufficient knowledge or information to form a belief as to the allegations in paragraph 128, and on that basis, deny them. 129. Defendants do not possess sufficient knowledge or information to form a belief as to the allegations in paragraph 129, and on that basis, deny them. 130. Defendants deny the allegations in paragraph 130. 131. Defendants deny the allegations in paragraph 131. 132. Defendants do not possess sufficient knowledge or information to form a belief as to the allegations in paragraph 132, and on that basis, deny them. 133. Defendants do not possess sufficient knowledge or information to form a belief as to the allegations in paragraph 133, and on that basis, deny them. 134. Defendants do not possess sufficient knowledge or information to form a belief as to the allegations in paragraph 134, and on that basis, deny them. 135. Defendants do not possess sufficient knowledge or information to form a belief as to the allegations in paragraph 135, and on that basis, deny them. 136. Defendants do not possess sufficient knowledge or information to form a belief as to the allegations in paragraph 136, and on that basis, deny them. 137. Defendants do not possess sufficient knowledge or information to form a belief as to the allegations in paragraph 137, and on that basis, deny them. 138. Defendants do not possess sufficient knowledge or information to form a belief as to the allegations in paragraph 138, and on that basis, deny them.
January 23, 2026 at 2:41 AM
Reposted by B. D. Hoben
adamgretz.bsky.social
Caleb Williams looks like ass on like 25-35 percent of his throws but he's a dude when the game's on the line. That matters. You can fix the other stuff. Some players are just a guy and some players are dudes. He's a dude.
January 11, 2026 at 4:26 AM
Reposted by B. D. Hoben
sfstandard.com
RIP to a San Francisco legend 🕊️ Founding member of the Grateful Dead and Dead & Company, Bob Weir, has died at the age of 78.

Dead & Co’s 3-day 60th anniversary celebration in Golden Gate Park were his final shows.
January 11, 2026 at 1:28 AM
Reposted by B. D. Hoben
theathletic.com
IT'S CHICAGO, YEAH 🗣️

The Bears erase an 18-point deficit to win their first playoff game since 2010.
January 11, 2026 at 4:35 AM
Reposted by B. D. Hoben
clancyny.bsky.social
@apnews.com:
Finnish Children Learn Media Literacy at 3 years old. It’s Protection Against Russian Propaganda
Finnish children learn media literacy at 3 years old. It's protection against Russian propaganda
Finland has been fighting fake news by teaching media literacy to children as young as 3. The Nordic nation includes this in its national curriculum to help citizens recognize disinformation, especial...
apnews.com
January 5, 2026 at 8:48 PM
Reposted by B. D. Hoben
marcelias.bsky.social
Big Law isn’t just sitting out the fight against DOJ lawsuits. They have virtually disappeared from the fight for voting rights and free and fair elections altogether. www.democracydocket.com/opinion/big-...
Big Law walks away from democracy
Read more here.
www.democracydocket.com
January 5, 2026 at 9:10 PM
Reposted by B. D. Hoben
angus.bsky.social
I was wondering what Mamdani's first executive order would be, and I'm not disappointed by this.

He has wiped off the books EVERY Eric Adams executive order issued on or after September 26, 2024, the day Adams was indicted on federal bribery charges.
Mamdani's Executive Order Number 1, as described in the post.
January 1, 2026 at 11:07 PM
Reposted by B. D. Hoben
annabower.bsky.social
Per NY Times’s Michael Grynbaum on X, this is Sharyn Alfonsi’s email to her “60 Minutes” colleagues in full:
News Team, Thank you for the notes and texts. I apologize for not reaching out earlier. I learned on Saturday that Bari Weiss spiked our story, INSIDE CECOT, which was supposed to air tonight. We (Ori and I) asked for a call to discuss her decision. She did not afford us that courtesy/opportunity. Our story was screened five times and cleared by both CBS attorneys and Standards and Practices. It is factually correct. In my view, pulling it now-after every rigorous internal check has been met is not an editorial decision, it is a political one. We requested responses to questions and/or interviews with DHS, the White House, and the State Department. Government silence is a statement, not a VETO. Their refusal to be interviewed is a tactical maneuver designed to kill the story. If the administration's refusal to participate becomes a valid reason to spike a story, we have effectively handed them a "kill switch" for any reporting they find inconvenient. If the standard for airing a story becomes "the government must agree to be interviewed," then the government effectively gains control over the 60 Minutes broadcast. We go from an investigative powerhouse to a stenographer for the state. These men risked their lives to speak with us. We have a moral and professional obligation to the sources who entrusted us with their stories. Abandoning them now is a betrayal of the most basic tenet of journalism: giving voice to the voiceless. CBS spiked the Jeffrey Wigand interview due to legal concerns, nearly destroying the credibility of this broadcast. It took years to recover from that "low point." By pulling this story to shield an administration, we are repeating that history, but for political optics rather than legal ones. We have been promoting this story on social media for days. Our viewers are expecting it. When it fails to air without a credible explanation, the public will correctly identify this as corporate censorship. We are trading 50 years of "Gold Standard" reputation for a single week of political quiet. I care too much about this broadcast to watch it be dismantled without a fight. Sharyn
December 22, 2025 at 3:37 AM
Reposted by B. D. Hoben
dieworkwear.bsky.social
Photographer Christopher Anderson on the Vanity Fair photoshoot
An excerpt from The Washington Post's interview with photographer Christopher Anderson: Question: "Were there moments that you missed? Anything that happened that’s on the cutting room floor?" Anderson: "I don’t think there’s anything I missed that I wish I’d gotten. I’ll give you a little anecdote: Stephen Miller was perhaps the most concerned about the portrait session. He asked me, 'Should I smile or not smile?' and I said, 'How would you want to be portrayed?' We agreed that we would do a bit of both. And then when we were finished, he comes up to me to shake my hand and say goodbye. And he says to me, 'You know, you have a lot of power in the discretion you use to be kind to people.' And I looked at him and I said, 'You know, you do, too.'"
December 18, 2025 at 12:31 AM
Reposted by B. D. Hoben
liznoise.bsky.social
Bailter Space was one of the two loudest shows I have ever attended in my life. Relentless pummeling. I sure wish that I got a chance to see the Gordons. #RIPBrentMcLachlan
ianhenderson.bsky.social Ian Henderson @ianhenderson.bsky.social · Dec 11
So incredibly sad to read this. My copies of Robot World and Vortura are deeply treasured, as is the cassette tape I have of "B.E.I.P". I don't believe there has ever been any other band like this one. #RIPBrentMcLachlan.
www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/3609...
'We will miss our brother' Kiwi band's tribute to drummer
Bailter Space has paid tribute to the former drummer behind their unique sound.
www.stuff.co.nz
December 12, 2025 at 2:31 AM
Reposted by B. D. Hoben
johnmoe.bsky.social
Regarding Reiner, I have known a lot of musicians and been in bands myself. I can’t overstate the importance of This Is Spinal Tap in adjusting the self-importance of musicians. Everyone knows the movie, everyone has identified Spinal Tap moments, everyone is humbler and funnier as a result.
December 16, 2025 at 1:14 AM
Reposted by B. D. Hoben
seanwrite.bsky.social
Four-Song Peel Session of Kiwi noise rock band Bailter Space from December 6, 1992. Length: 20:31. #RIPBrentMcLachlan m.youtube.com/watch?v=SiXL...
Bailter Space - Peel Session 1992
YouTube video by Vibracobra23
m.youtube.com
December 12, 2025 at 4:58 AM
Reposted by B. D. Hoben
kevinmkruse.bsky.social
If you see John Roberts in person, be sure to tell him he’s a worse Chief Justice than Roger Taney (pronounced “tawny”). That’s a nerd burn that will hit him where it counts.
December 5, 2025 at 12:23 AM
Reposted by B. D. Hoben
clauirizarry.bsky.social
A 6-year-old boy is missing after ICE arrested him and his dad in NYC last week and shipped them off to separate facilities. www.thecity.nyc/2025/12/02/i... @thecity.nyc @gwynnefitz.bsky.social
ICE Arrested and Separated Chinese Father From 6-Year-Old Son, Advocates Say
The father and son were detained at an ICE check-in on Nov. 26, advocates say. The son’s location is currently unknown, while the father is being held at an upstate ICE facility.
www.thecity.nyc
December 2, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Reposted by B. D. Hoben
zohrankmamdani.bsky.social
Last week, ICE arrested and separated a father and son after a routine check-in. Six-year-old Yuanxin had just enrolled in the first grade at an elementary school in Astoria. Now he's in custody, alone. ICE won't say where. This cruelty serves no one. It must end.
December 2, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Reposted by B. D. Hoben
harrywallop.co.uk
Great culture can save lives. Literally.

Amazing letter in today’s @thetimes.com about Tom Stoppard
December 2, 2025 at 8:48 AM
bdhoben.bsky.social
Chilly, rainy Sunday read: a sharp reflection on the legacy of the inimitable Fellers -- a wave like no other briefly crests before quickly breaking and rolling back.
November 30, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Reposted by B. D. Hoben
margyoh.bsky.social
Instead of hiring more immigration judges, the Department of Justice just posted an ad for "deportation judges." join.justice.gov
November 21, 2025 at 8:48 PM
bdhoben.bsky.social
A great surprise at the end of an encouraging week. Vol 1 was one of my favorite releases of 2023.
November 8, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Reposted by B. D. Hoben
perrybaconjr.bsky.social
Why the WashPost, WSJ, and NYT all hate Mamdani. Excellent piece from @hamiltonnolan.bsky.social. www.cjr.org/analysis/leg...
paragraph of why establishment news outlets don't like Mamdani.
November 4, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Reposted by B. D. Hoben
cacasey.bsky.social
this is objectively hilarious
November 5, 2025 at 2:05 AM
bdhoben.bsky.social
Far from the biggest news item today, but I just saw that the legendary Wong Kar Wai has a new 30-episode legacy TV series coming out. What a time to be alive.

youtu.be/k7veVMP6X6Q?...
Wong Kar Wai's BLOSSOMS SHANGHAI | Official Trailer
YouTube video by CRITERION
youtu.be
November 4, 2025 at 3:51 PM