Brian Straw
@brianstraw.bsky.social
Lawyer, dad, Oak Park Village Trustee.
Reposted by Brian Straw
Since the federal government announced charges against me and five others for protesting at Broadview, people have asked how they can help. Right now, I need support for my legal defense fund so I can fight these unjust charges—and for our collective First Amendment rights.
Brian Straw Legal Defense Fund
Together, we can show our neighbors, friends, and children that we have the courage to do what is right.
secure.actblue.com
November 6, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Since the federal government announced charges against me and five others for protesting at Broadview, people have asked how they can help. Right now, I need support for my legal defense fund so I can fight these unjust charges—and for our collective First Amendment rights.
Reposted by Brian Straw
Girl Scouts in a Chicago Suburb hosted a food drive. But the girls encountered masked U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents with weapons.
"ICE turned it into a scary and what felt like an unsafe environment for us to be out with these kids"
chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
"ICE turned it into a scary and what felt like an unsafe environment for us to be out with these kids"
chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
Masked ICE agents put damper on Oak Park Girl Scout food drive: ‘It’s heartbreaking as a mom’
Federal immigration agents were confronted in Oak Park on Saturday morning by residents blowing whistles as local Girl Scouts collect food for local pantries, rattling some girls and their parents.
chicago.suntimes.com
November 9, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Girl Scouts in a Chicago Suburb hosted a food drive. But the girls encountered masked U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents with weapons.
"ICE turned it into a scary and what felt like an unsafe environment for us to be out with these kids"
chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
"ICE turned it into a scary and what felt like an unsafe environment for us to be out with these kids"
chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
Reposted by Brian Straw
The Supreme Court granted the Trump administration’s emergency appeal to temporarily block a court order to fully fund SNAP food aid payments.
Supreme Court Issues Emergency Order To Block Full SNAP Food Aid Payments
The food program serves about 1 in 8 Americans, mostly with lower incomes.
www.huffpost.com
November 8, 2025 at 2:37 AM
The Supreme Court granted the Trump administration’s emergency appeal to temporarily block a court order to fully fund SNAP food aid payments.
Reposted by Brian Straw
(I mean... maybe not *as hell*)
(Help my friend Brian beat the man!)
(Help my friend Brian beat the man!)
A supporter today:
Brian is boring as hell.
He is not a firebrand. He is not a hothead. He's mostly just a dad, a husband and someone who thinks about other people in his community.
He's just a good guy with a real, old fashioned moral compass, trying to do the right thing for his neighbors.
Brian is boring as hell.
He is not a firebrand. He is not a hothead. He's mostly just a dad, a husband and someone who thinks about other people in his community.
He's just a good guy with a real, old fashioned moral compass, trying to do the right thing for his neighbors.
Brian Straw Legal Defense Fund
Together, we can show our neighbors, friends, and children that we have the courage to do what is right.
secure.actblue.com
November 7, 2025 at 3:19 PM
(I mean... maybe not *as hell*)
(Help my friend Brian beat the man!)
(Help my friend Brian beat the man!)
Reposted by Brian Straw
It's my birthday. Help me mark it by taking a moment to support my family
secure.actblue.com/donate/straw...
secure.actblue.com/donate/straw...
Brian Straw Legal Defense Fund
Together, we can show our neighbors, friends, and children that we have the courage to do what is right.
secure.actblue.com
November 7, 2025 at 6:24 PM
It's my birthday. Help me mark it by taking a moment to support my family
secure.actblue.com/donate/straw...
secure.actblue.com/donate/straw...
Reposted by Brian Straw
Don’t think ppl understand the terror the Feds are unleashing on the streets of LA right now. Roving patrols targeting vulnerable individuals. It’s horrible.
There’s no one coming to save us except ourselves.
There’s no one coming to save us except ourselves.
The past week+ has been really intense in Los Angeles. We need all of the help, support, & attention we can get. Feds are literally roving the streets snatch & grabbing vulnerable individuals. It's horrific. We need to do more.
Feds are once again ruthlessly targeting ktown & adjacent areas. This is getting really intense. We need to do more.
November 5, 2025 at 11:33 PM
Don’t think ppl understand the terror the Feds are unleashing on the streets of LA right now. Roving patrols targeting vulnerable individuals. It’s horrible.
There’s no one coming to save us except ourselves.
There’s no one coming to save us except ourselves.
Reposted by Brian Straw
Police arrested 14 women outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing center in Broadview Friday morning in the latest act of civil disobedience outside the west suburban facility that’s become a flash point of opposition to the Trump administration’s “Operation Midway Blitz.”
14 women arrested outside ICE processing center in Broadview amid protest featuring dinosaur and drums
It’s the latest act of civil disobedience outside the facility that’s become a major flash point of opposition to the Trump administration’s “Operation Midway Blitz.”
trib.al
November 7, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Police arrested 14 women outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing center in Broadview Friday morning in the latest act of civil disobedience outside the west suburban facility that’s become a flash point of opposition to the Trump administration’s “Operation Midway Blitz.”
Reposted by Brian Straw
My friend @brianstraw.bsky.social is facing federal charges alongside @katmabu.bsky.social and others for protesting outside this facility. Please consider supporting Brian's legal defense fund here: secure.actblue.com/donate/straw...
November 7, 2025 at 3:04 PM
My friend @brianstraw.bsky.social is facing federal charges alongside @katmabu.bsky.social and others for protesting outside this facility. Please consider supporting Brian's legal defense fund here: secure.actblue.com/donate/straw...
Reposted by Brian Straw
A supporter today:
Brian is boring as hell.
He is not a firebrand. He is not a hothead. He's mostly just a dad, a husband and someone who thinks about other people in his community.
He's just a good guy with a real, old fashioned moral compass, trying to do the right thing for his neighbors.
Brian is boring as hell.
He is not a firebrand. He is not a hothead. He's mostly just a dad, a husband and someone who thinks about other people in his community.
He's just a good guy with a real, old fashioned moral compass, trying to do the right thing for his neighbors.
Brian Straw Legal Defense Fund
Together, we can show our neighbors, friends, and children that we have the courage to do what is right.
secure.actblue.com
November 6, 2025 at 10:37 PM
A supporter today:
Brian is boring as hell.
He is not a firebrand. He is not a hothead. He's mostly just a dad, a husband and someone who thinks about other people in his community.
He's just a good guy with a real, old fashioned moral compass, trying to do the right thing for his neighbors.
Brian is boring as hell.
He is not a firebrand. He is not a hothead. He's mostly just a dad, a husband and someone who thinks about other people in his community.
He's just a good guy with a real, old fashioned moral compass, trying to do the right thing for his neighbors.
Reposted by Brian Straw
“Speaking in English, and reaching a US audience directly, the pope reiterated the Catholic belief that every Christian will ultimately be judged on how they welcomed "the foreigner". (Luke 10:25-37)
Pope Leo offers his strongest criticism of Trump yet
The Pope, who is American, called for "deep reflection" on how migrants are treated, and spoke against US bombing of Venezuelan vessels.
www.bbc.com
November 7, 2025 at 4:59 AM
“Speaking in English, and reaching a US audience directly, the pope reiterated the Catholic belief that every Christian will ultimately be judged on how they welcomed "the foreigner". (Luke 10:25-37)
Reposted by Brian Straw
The elimination of USAID was an unforgivable moral atrocity that should haunt Trump, Elon Musk and Marco Rubio for the rest of their days and beyond
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
newyorkermag.visitlink.me
November 7, 2025 at 2:36 AM
The elimination of USAID was an unforgivable moral atrocity that should haunt Trump, Elon Musk and Marco Rubio for the rest of their days and beyond
Reposted by Brian Straw
To my trans and nonbinary friends, I am so sorry that you have to deal with this hate. And I hope to see us reach the other side of it soon. And, we will reach the other side. This is horrifying, but it is ultimately the latest iteration of a time-worn tale. And their time always comes to an end.
November 7, 2025 at 1:15 AM
To my trans and nonbinary friends, I am so sorry that you have to deal with this hate. And I hope to see us reach the other side of it soon. And, we will reach the other side. This is horrifying, but it is ultimately the latest iteration of a time-worn tale. And their time always comes to an end.
Reposted by Brian Straw
"Beyond being the 24th consecutive grant of emergency relief to the Trump administration, the cryptic ruling in Orr is a reminder of just how bankrupt the Court’s proffered justifications are in these cases—both legally and in other ways, too."
Me on today's ugly #SCOTUS ruling in Trump v. Orr:
Me on today's ugly #SCOTUS ruling in Trump v. Orr:
189. The Breezy Inequity of Trump v. Orr
The Supreme Court's latest grant of emergency relief to the Trump administration illustrates in technicolor the direct (and ugly) consequences of the two different ways it keeps messing up "equity."
www.stevevladeck.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:28 AM
"Beyond being the 24th consecutive grant of emergency relief to the Trump administration, the cryptic ruling in Orr is a reminder of just how bankrupt the Court’s proffered justifications are in these cases—both legally and in other ways, too."
Me on today's ugly #SCOTUS ruling in Trump v. Orr:
Me on today's ugly #SCOTUS ruling in Trump v. Orr:
A supporter today:
Brian is boring as hell.
He is not a firebrand. He is not a hothead. He's mostly just a dad, a husband and someone who thinks about other people in his community.
He's just a good guy with a real, old fashioned moral compass, trying to do the right thing for his neighbors.
Brian is boring as hell.
He is not a firebrand. He is not a hothead. He's mostly just a dad, a husband and someone who thinks about other people in his community.
He's just a good guy with a real, old fashioned moral compass, trying to do the right thing for his neighbors.
Brian Straw Legal Defense Fund
Together, we can show our neighbors, friends, and children that we have the courage to do what is right.
secure.actblue.com
November 6, 2025 at 10:37 PM
A supporter today:
Brian is boring as hell.
He is not a firebrand. He is not a hothead. He's mostly just a dad, a husband and someone who thinks about other people in his community.
He's just a good guy with a real, old fashioned moral compass, trying to do the right thing for his neighbors.
Brian is boring as hell.
He is not a firebrand. He is not a hothead. He's mostly just a dad, a husband and someone who thinks about other people in his community.
He's just a good guy with a real, old fashioned moral compass, trying to do the right thing for his neighbors.
Reposted by Brian Straw
Rev. Abby Holcombe of the River Forest Methodist Church, another plaintiff shot with pepper balls: "I have one more message for Greg Bovino, Kristi Noem, the ICE agents who shot at me and all other ICE agents and president Trump: God is always on the side of the oppressed. So which side are you on?"
November 6, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Rev. Abby Holcombe of the River Forest Methodist Church, another plaintiff shot with pepper balls: "I have one more message for Greg Bovino, Kristi Noem, the ICE agents who shot at me and all other ICE agents and president Trump: God is always on the side of the oppressed. So which side are you on?"
Reposted by Brian Straw
Rep. Yassamin Ansari has set up a table and this sign outside Speaker Johnson’s office.
November 6, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Rep. Yassamin Ansari has set up a table and this sign outside Speaker Johnson’s office.
Reposted by Brian Straw
Ellis is reading the terms into the record. It seems to track her temporary restraining order, barring various uses of force "unless such force is objectively necessary to stop an immediate threat."
November 6, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Ellis is reading the terms into the record. It seems to track her temporary restraining order, barring various uses of force "unless such force is objectively necessary to stop an immediate threat."
Reposted by Brian Straw
Ellis: "I am going to grant the plaintiffs' motion for class certification."
November 6, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Ellis: "I am going to grant the plaintiffs' motion for class certification."
Reposted by Brian Straw
Ellis rules that the Trump administration impermissibly prevented the free exercise of religion, in violation of the First Amendment.
Those engaged in prayer have been shot, without warning, with pepper balls and tear gas, Ellis says.
Those engaged in prayer have been shot, without warning, with pepper balls and tear gas, Ellis says.
November 6, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Ellis rules that the Trump administration impermissibly prevented the free exercise of religion, in violation of the First Amendment.
Those engaged in prayer have been shot, without warning, with pepper balls and tear gas, Ellis says.
Those engaged in prayer have been shot, without warning, with pepper balls and tear gas, Ellis says.
Reposted by Brian Straw
Ellis rejects the DOJ's argument that plaintiffs are not protected by the First Amendment because they've "intermingled themselves with rioters."
"The unlawful activity by a few protesters does not transform a peaceful assembly into an unlawful assembly," Ellis says
"The unlawful activity by a few protesters does not transform a peaceful assembly into an unlawful assembly," Ellis says
November 6, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Ellis rejects the DOJ's argument that plaintiffs are not protected by the First Amendment because they've "intermingled themselves with rioters."
"The unlawful activity by a few protesters does not transform a peaceful assembly into an unlawful assembly," Ellis says
"The unlawful activity by a few protesters does not transform a peaceful assembly into an unlawful assembly," Ellis says
Reposted by Brian Straw
Ellis says the First Amendment right to speech and assembly are the "most perishable."
November 6, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Ellis says the First Amendment right to speech and assembly are the "most perishable."
At the Oak Park Village Board meeting on Tuesday, I handed out whistle packs that a group assembled at the Oak Park Public Library last Saturday. The whistles were 3D printed by community members.
Just everyday people trying to keep their neighbors safe.
Just everyday people trying to keep their neighbors safe.
Ellis: Federal agents described a number of protestors as "professional agitators" based on their use of whistles, in part.
"Describing neighborhood moms and rapid response groups as professional agitators shows just how out of touch these agents are and how incredible their statements are."
"Describing neighborhood moms and rapid response groups as professional agitators shows just how out of touch these agents are and how incredible their statements are."
November 6, 2025 at 4:47 PM
At the Oak Park Village Board meeting on Tuesday, I handed out whistle packs that a group assembled at the Oak Park Public Library last Saturday. The whistles were 3D printed by community members.
Just everyday people trying to keep their neighbors safe.
Just everyday people trying to keep their neighbors safe.
Reposted by Brian Straw
Ellis on the Oct. 24 incident in Lake View: "When an agent deployed gas, he stated, 'Have fun.' And then, two additional tear gas canisters were deployed."
November 6, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Ellis on the Oct. 24 incident in Lake View: "When an agent deployed gas, he stated, 'Have fun.' And then, two additional tear gas canisters were deployed."
Reposted by Brian Straw
Ellis: Federal agents described a number of protestors as "professional agitators" based on their use of whistles, in part.
"Describing neighborhood moms and rapid response groups as professional agitators shows just how out of touch these agents are and how incredible their statements are."
"Describing neighborhood moms and rapid response groups as professional agitators shows just how out of touch these agents are and how incredible their statements are."
November 6, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Ellis: Federal agents described a number of protestors as "professional agitators" based on their use of whistles, in part.
"Describing neighborhood moms and rapid response groups as professional agitators shows just how out of touch these agents are and how incredible their statements are."
"Describing neighborhood moms and rapid response groups as professional agitators shows just how out of touch these agents are and how incredible their statements are."