brian nam-sonenstein
@bson.bsky.social
senior editor & researcher @prisonpolicy.org; 1/2 of @beyondprisons.bsky.social; fmr editor and founder shadowproof.com
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
A lawsuit alleges that New York is keeping children in solitary confinement cells without toilets for days or weeks at a time, New York Focus reports.
New York Keeps Children in Solitary Without Toilets, Suit Alleges
Office of Children and Family Services facilities are violating state regulations governing the treatment of children in their care, the lawsuit claims.
nysfocus.com
January 16, 2026 at 5:00 PM
A lawsuit alleges that New York is keeping children in solitary confinement cells without toilets for days or weeks at a time, New York Focus reports.
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
DAY 6 of the NYT fellating themselves over doing a MARATHON INTERVIEW with Trump that was—say it with me—OVER TWO HOURS LONG.
I'm sure tomorrow will bring a feature story that's just the reporters interviewing each other about this incredible feat of journalism. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/11/u...
I'm sure tomorrow will bring a feature story that's just the reporters interviewing each other about this incredible feat of journalism. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/11/u...
January 12, 2026 at 2:16 AM
DAY 6 of the NYT fellating themselves over doing a MARATHON INTERVIEW with Trump that was—say it with me—OVER TWO HOURS LONG.
I'm sure tomorrow will bring a feature story that's just the reporters interviewing each other about this incredible feat of journalism. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/11/u...
I'm sure tomorrow will bring a feature story that's just the reporters interviewing each other about this incredible feat of journalism. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/11/u...
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
Last week I asked BOP officials if they had sent tactical teams to Minneapolis. They denied it (left).
Multiple agency sources told me otherwise, and photos from
reporters on the ground soon confirmed BOP folks were there.
Now BOP is finally admitting it (right):
Multiple agency sources told me otherwise, and photos from
reporters on the ground soon confirmed BOP folks were there.
Now BOP is finally admitting it (right):
January 16, 2026 at 9:00 PM
Last week I asked BOP officials if they had sent tactical teams to Minneapolis. They denied it (left).
Multiple agency sources told me otherwise, and photos from
reporters on the ground soon confirmed BOP folks were there.
Now BOP is finally admitting it (right):
Multiple agency sources told me otherwise, and photos from
reporters on the ground soon confirmed BOP folks were there.
Now BOP is finally admitting it (right):
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
This is particularly noteworthy right now, as the agency is already quite understaffed and losing people to ICE.
By the end of last year, the agency lost a net of more than 1700 employees, wiping out all of their hiring gains from the year before:
www.propublica.org/article/ice-...
By the end of last year, the agency lost a net of more than 1700 employees, wiping out all of their hiring gains from the year before:
www.propublica.org/article/ice-...
As Federal Prisons Run Low on Food and Toilet Paper, Corrections Officers Leave in Droves for ICE
Many of the problems the agency is facing now are not new, but staff and prisoners fear an exodus of officers could make life behind bars even worse.
www.propublica.org
January 16, 2026 at 9:02 PM
This is particularly noteworthy right now, as the agency is already quite understaffed and losing people to ICE.
By the end of last year, the agency lost a net of more than 1700 employees, wiping out all of their hiring gains from the year before:
www.propublica.org/article/ice-...
By the end of last year, the agency lost a net of more than 1700 employees, wiping out all of their hiring gains from the year before:
www.propublica.org/article/ice-...
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
Contributed a couple of my favorites to this top 10 list of protest music albums in 2025 shoutsmusic.blog/our-10-favou...
Follow @shoutingmusic.bsky.social for more righteous protest music
Follow @shoutingmusic.bsky.social for more righteous protest music
Our 10 favourite protest music albums of 2025
A reflection on global injustice, resistance, and the role of protest music in 2025. From Gaza and Sudan to youth-led movements worldwide, this article highlights solidarity, activism, and revolutiona...
shoutsmusic.blog
January 16, 2026 at 9:34 PM
Contributed a couple of my favorites to this top 10 list of protest music albums in 2025 shoutsmusic.blog/our-10-favou...
Follow @shoutingmusic.bsky.social for more righteous protest music
Follow @shoutingmusic.bsky.social for more righteous protest music
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
There’s no way ICE was unaware of Saxon’s violence. Victim had broken bones that required surgery… Police came to his home 23 times... had a DUI. A boss called police for welfare check + they found him holding a knife. Supervisor admitted he's a ‘loose cannon.’ ohiocapitaljournal.com/2026/01/12/i...
In wake of Minnesota shooting, questions persist about violent ICE agents in Ohio • Ohio Capital Journal
Thousands are protesting the ICE shooting in Minneapolis. Allegations of violence by ICE officers in Ohio persist as well.
ohiocapitaljournal.com
January 12, 2026 at 5:07 PM
There’s no way ICE was unaware of Saxon’s violence. Victim had broken bones that required surgery… Police came to his home 23 times... had a DUI. A boss called police for welfare check + they found him holding a knife. Supervisor admitted he's a ‘loose cannon.’ ohiocapitaljournal.com/2026/01/12/i...
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
I can't stress how much of a fuck you this would be to the majority of their voters. Of course the blue no matter who people won't care but others will.
January 16, 2026 at 7:57 PM
I can't stress how much of a fuck you this would be to the majority of their voters. Of course the blue no matter who people won't care but others will.
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
As ICE operations begin in Maine, local organizers are raising money for rapid response via the Solidarity Fund. Donations urgently needed, starting to hear of arrests as of last night www.mainesolidarity.org
Maine Solidarity Fund
www.mainesolidarity.org
January 16, 2026 at 11:26 AM
As ICE operations begin in Maine, local organizers are raising money for rapid response via the Solidarity Fund. Donations urgently needed, starting to hear of arrests as of last night www.mainesolidarity.org
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
Hey, New York. This is bad. If you're in Pat Ryan's district, click through for a link to the petition he's pushing to oppose this.
www.thecity.nyc/2026/01/14/c...
www.thecity.nyc/2026/01/14/c...
ICE Opening Huge Lockup 50 Miles North of New York City
The coming “processing facility” is already triggering protests upstate.
www.thecity.nyc
January 15, 2026 at 6:41 PM
Hey, New York. This is bad. If you're in Pat Ryan's district, click through for a link to the petition he's pushing to oppose this.
www.thecity.nyc/2026/01/14/c...
www.thecity.nyc/2026/01/14/c...
As ICE operations begin in Maine, local organizers are raising money for rapid response via the Solidarity Fund. Donations urgently needed, starting to hear of arrests as of last night www.mainesolidarity.org
Maine Solidarity Fund
www.mainesolidarity.org
January 16, 2026 at 11:26 AM
As ICE operations begin in Maine, local organizers are raising money for rapid response via the Solidarity Fund. Donations urgently needed, starting to hear of arrests as of last night www.mainesolidarity.org
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
🚨WHOA. The El Paso Medical Examiner says it will rule the death of a 55-year-old Cuban man at ICE's "Camp East Montana" tent camp as a homicide.
He was allegedly choked to death by a guard during a "struggle" after he refused to enter a housing unit without his medications.
He was allegedly choked to death by a guard during a "struggle" after he refused to enter a housing unit without his medications.
January 15, 2026 at 11:03 PM
🚨WHOA. The El Paso Medical Examiner says it will rule the death of a 55-year-old Cuban man at ICE's "Camp East Montana" tent camp as a homicide.
He was allegedly choked to death by a guard during a "struggle" after he refused to enter a housing unit without his medications.
He was allegedly choked to death by a guard during a "struggle" after he refused to enter a housing unit without his medications.
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
the sort of liminal space american politics exists in rn — a fed govt that *wants to be* fascist and *is* doing a ton of violence/damage but is also very clearly outnumbered and losing battles left and right in elections, courts, the streets — is i think hard for a lot of us to get our heads around
ICE can't even deal with irate middle-aged midwesterners. how does he occupy hundreds, if not thousands, of polling cites and precincts? trump v. illinois clarified that he has no legal authority to unilaterally commandeer national guards, how does he move forward from there?
January 15, 2026 at 6:07 PM
the sort of liminal space american politics exists in rn — a fed govt that *wants to be* fascist and *is* doing a ton of violence/damage but is also very clearly outnumbered and losing battles left and right in elections, courts, the streets — is i think hard for a lot of us to get our heads around
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
I think that people don’t comprehend that the state has been unapologetically beating young people’s asses basically nonstop & charging us with massive crimes for protesting since at least Occupy Wall Street & growing up like that has a chilling effect on the way people engage with democracy
January 15, 2026 at 3:45 AM
I think that people don’t comprehend that the state has been unapologetically beating young people’s asses basically nonstop & charging us with massive crimes for protesting since at least Occupy Wall Street & growing up like that has a chilling effect on the way people engage with democracy
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
Abolish dumbass consultants
SCOOP: A new memo circulating on Capitol Hill urges Democratic lawmakers to instead embrace reforming the agency. New from @lauren-egan.bsky.social: lnk.thebulwark.com/4bzT7kh
Dems Are Begging Their Own to Drop ‘Abolish ICE’
A new memo circulating on Capitol Hill urges Democratic lawmakers to instead embrace reforming the agency.
lnk.thebulwark.com
January 15, 2026 at 4:19 PM
Abolish dumbass consultants
How to End Family Policing Pop-Up Reading Group
January 25 - March 1, 2026 | Sundays 4:30-6pm EST
www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-end...
January 25 - March 1, 2026 | Sundays 4:30-6pm EST
www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-end...
How to End Family Policing Pop-Up Reading Group
Learn why the child-welfare system harms the very families it claims to protect—and discover practical, abolitionist pathways to real safety
www.eventbrite.com
January 15, 2026 at 4:00 PM
How to End Family Policing Pop-Up Reading Group
January 25 - March 1, 2026 | Sundays 4:30-6pm EST
www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-end...
January 25 - March 1, 2026 | Sundays 4:30-6pm EST
www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-end...
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
This Post-ABC poll result from March 2016, explaining what factors made people more likely to back Trump in the GOP primary that year, was always underappreciated.
January 15, 2026 at 1:15 PM
This Post-ABC poll result from March 2016, explaining what factors made people more likely to back Trump in the GOP primary that year, was always underappreciated.
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
The Democratic Party is not only not opposition they are in fact a core pillar of MAGAs legitimacy, perhaps the most consistent force (outside of the literally billionaire-purchased media) in normalizing Trumps regime. Schumer and Jeffries aren't "inept", they're collaborators, our Vichy
January 15, 2026 at 12:51 PM
The Democratic Party is not only not opposition they are in fact a core pillar of MAGAs legitimacy, perhaps the most consistent force (outside of the literally billionaire-purchased media) in normalizing Trumps regime. Schumer and Jeffries aren't "inept", they're collaborators, our Vichy
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
We don't exist in the same reality in this country. Never really have. Here's something I wrote in 2013 about what police in Chicago do to young Black and Brown people REGULARLY: www.usprisonculture.com/2013/02/19/o...
January 14, 2026 at 8:53 PM
We don't exist in the same reality in this country. Never really have. Here's something I wrote in 2013 about what police in Chicago do to young Black and Brown people REGULARLY: www.usprisonculture.com/2013/02/19/o...
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
A source says local police were requested to “protect” ICE agents during raids, which will involve over 200 federal agents. Currently, the source says, there are 50 ICE agents in place. Anyone arrested will likely be processed at the ICE facility in Scarborough.
open.substack.com/pub/andyobri...
open.substack.com/pub/andyobri...
ICE to Carry Out Large Scale Operations in Maine
Today, the mayors of Portland and Lewiston confirmed rumors that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents will likely step up operations in Maine in the coming days.
open.substack.com
January 15, 2026 at 2:12 AM
A source says local police were requested to “protect” ICE agents during raids, which will involve over 200 federal agents. Currently, the source says, there are 50 ICE agents in place. Anyone arrested will likely be processed at the ICE facility in Scarborough.
open.substack.com/pub/andyobri...
open.substack.com/pub/andyobri...
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
White supremacy explains many apparent contradictions.
Conservative calls for free speech were always about freedom to use slurs without sanction.
Calls for small government were always about denying Black folks rights and state protections.
This is conservatives achieving their goals.
Conservative calls for free speech were always about freedom to use slurs without sanction.
Calls for small government were always about denying Black folks rights and state protections.
This is conservatives achieving their goals.
The so-called party of free speech and small government is happily supporting armed, masked government agents conducting “show me your papers” stops and brutalizing U.S. citizens.
Their real “party values” are terrorizing communities of color and anyone else who speaks out.
Remember this.
Their real “party values” are terrorizing communities of color and anyone else who speaks out.
Remember this.
January 15, 2026 at 12:38 AM
White supremacy explains many apparent contradictions.
Conservative calls for free speech were always about freedom to use slurs without sanction.
Calls for small government were always about denying Black folks rights and state protections.
This is conservatives achieving their goals.
Conservative calls for free speech were always about freedom to use slurs without sanction.
Calls for small government were always about denying Black folks rights and state protections.
This is conservatives achieving their goals.
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
Lewiston, ME is also an interesting choice because this is where Blood Tribe leader Chris Pohlhaus and members of other neo-Nazi groups went to harass brown and Black people they assumed were migrants. Now essentially, DHS agents are going to do the same thing but with state power.
January 14, 2026 at 10:02 PM
Lewiston, ME is also an interesting choice because this is where Blood Tribe leader Chris Pohlhaus and members of other neo-Nazi groups went to harass brown and Black people they assumed were migrants. Now essentially, DHS agents are going to do the same thing but with state power.
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
BREAKING — Mark Dion, Mayor of Portland, Maine just released this media statement re: ICE coming to the Portland and Lewiston. He says "While we respect the law, we challenge the need for a paramilitary approach to the enforcement of federal statutes."
Full statement shared with me:
Full statement shared with me:
January 14, 2026 at 9:27 PM
BREAKING — Mark Dion, Mayor of Portland, Maine just released this media statement re: ICE coming to the Portland and Lewiston. He says "While we respect the law, we challenge the need for a paramilitary approach to the enforcement of federal statutes."
Full statement shared with me:
Full statement shared with me:
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
BREAKING — Mayor of Lewiston, Maine posts on FB that ICE is coming to the city imminently. This confirms my reporting the agency is planning a surge in the city and state generally.
Lewiston is home to a large Somali-American population, which made up 4.6% of the population as of the 2020 census.
Lewiston is home to a large Somali-American population, which made up 4.6% of the population as of the 2020 census.
January 14, 2026 at 9:17 PM
BREAKING — Mayor of Lewiston, Maine posts on FB that ICE is coming to the city imminently. This confirms my reporting the agency is planning a surge in the city and state generally.
Lewiston is home to a large Somali-American population, which made up 4.6% of the population as of the 2020 census.
Lewiston is home to a large Somali-American population, which made up 4.6% of the population as of the 2020 census.
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
people think that americans don't fight facism because they are just as racist and misogynistic and homophobic and ableist
aka; anyone who is not cis white straight dudes protesting rarely counts as anyone protesting
they literally do not see or recognize it when others are doing the work
aka; anyone who is not cis white straight dudes protesting rarely counts as anyone protesting
they literally do not see or recognize it when others are doing the work
January 14, 2026 at 6:50 PM
people think that americans don't fight facism because they are just as racist and misogynistic and homophobic and ableist
aka; anyone who is not cis white straight dudes protesting rarely counts as anyone protesting
they literally do not see or recognize it when others are doing the work
aka; anyone who is not cis white straight dudes protesting rarely counts as anyone protesting
they literally do not see or recognize it when others are doing the work