Matt Chorpenning, MSW
@chorpenning.bsky.social
he/him. social work professor specializing in skilled complaining and applied anger. guitar player. abolitionist. Posts don't represent my employer's views even if they probably should.
Reposted by Matt Chorpenning, MSW
That also goes for our District Attorney Nathan Vasquez who ran on crushing protestors to appease business interests.
Those politics fed into this moment, and now the moment demands a massive pivot or they will go down in history as obstructionists to stopping fascism.
Those politics fed into this moment, and now the moment demands a massive pivot or they will go down in history as obstructionists to stopping fascism.
February 1, 2026 at 7:22 PM
That also goes for our District Attorney Nathan Vasquez who ran on crushing protestors to appease business interests.
Those politics fed into this moment, and now the moment demands a massive pivot or they will go down in history as obstructionists to stopping fascism.
Those politics fed into this moment, and now the moment demands a massive pivot or they will go down in history as obstructionists to stopping fascism.
Reposted by Matt Chorpenning, MSW
We are at a crossroads. The Police Union can choose to stand with Portlanders, to stand against fascism, or they can continue to obstruct policies that would reign the feds in because they see a kinship with corrupt law enforcement and not with the good people of our city.
There is a choice here.
There is a choice here.
The current Portland City Councilors who are endorsed by the police union are:
Smith (D1), Ryan (D2), Novick (D3), Zimmerman (D4), Clark (D4)
Listing them because the Portland Police Association is making it a fight to have a masking ban (for law enforcement) and a tear gas ban.
Smith (D1), Ryan (D2), Novick (D3), Zimmerman (D4), Clark (D4)
Listing them because the Portland Police Association is making it a fight to have a masking ban (for law enforcement) and a tear gas ban.
Please list the swing vote councillors specifically so people know who to contact. With everything going on in the country right now, it's hard to keep up with who is doing what, especially now that there are so many of you.
February 1, 2026 at 7:22 PM
We are at a crossroads. The Police Union can choose to stand with Portlanders, to stand against fascism, or they can continue to obstruct policies that would reign the feds in because they see a kinship with corrupt law enforcement and not with the good people of our city.
There is a choice here.
There is a choice here.
Reposted by Matt Chorpenning, MSW
Not a judgment and IDK how you overcome it but...it's striking that every time a fresh national news story drops about ICE in the Twin Cities (ProPublica today), a lot of people respond with "Wow, I didn't realize it was that bad" and everyone in MN goes "Yes and it's a hundred times worse"
February 1, 2026 at 5:37 PM
Not a judgment and IDK how you overcome it but...it's striking that every time a fresh national news story drops about ICE in the Twin Cities (ProPublica today), a lot of people respond with "Wow, I didn't realize it was that bad" and everyone in MN goes "Yes and it's a hundred times worse"
Reposted by Matt Chorpenning, MSW
This shit hits like a sledgehammer right now. It's not even remotely an exaggeration.
February 1, 2026 at 12:30 AM
This shit hits like a sledgehammer right now. It's not even remotely an exaggeration.
Reposted by Matt Chorpenning, MSW
You seriously couldn't dare to be this heavy handed in FICTION
JK Rowling's team invited Jeffery Epstein to the deathly hallows play and to a Harry potter dinner.
www.justice.gov/epstein/file...
www.justice.gov/epstein/file...
www.justice.gov/epstein/file...
www.justice.gov/epstein/file...
www.justice.gov
February 1, 2026 at 6:19 PM
You seriously couldn't dare to be this heavy handed in FICTION
Reposted by Matt Chorpenning, MSW
Our mayor straight up told the police they had to intervene on behalf of their citizens and they basically said “lol we won’t be doing that”. Police are not the good guys and telling people we can rely on them is going to get more people killed to be quite frank
Police departments in targeted deep-blue cities keep on saying they’ll try to stop ICE from breaking the law and then they do jack shit except occasionally arrest some protesters.
Its notable they’re even saying these things, but lets focus on what their actions have always and continue to tell us.
Its notable they’re even saying these things, but lets focus on what their actions have always and continue to tell us.
I’m *extremely concerned* about the way folks are reforming their image of the cops in light of everything that’s happening, even though we only have a handful examples of them disagreeing with ICE, while still being responsible themselves for the murders of Black and brown people across the country
February 1, 2026 at 6:21 PM
Our mayor straight up told the police they had to intervene on behalf of their citizens and they basically said “lol we won’t be doing that”. Police are not the good guys and telling people we can rely on them is going to get more people killed to be quite frank
Reposted by Matt Chorpenning, MSW
Portland elected leaders are responding quickly to the scenes out of the large and peaceful
protest last night that was indiscriminately gassed and attacked by federal officers.
Councilor Green seeks reports of gassed children. (1/x)
protest last night that was indiscriminately gassed and attacked by federal officers.
Councilor Green seeks reports of gassed children. (1/x)
If your children got tear gassed today I want to hear from you, even if you don’t live in my district. You can contact my office at councilor.green@portlandoregon.gov
February 1, 2026 at 5:58 PM
Portland elected leaders are responding quickly to the scenes out of the large and peaceful
protest last night that was indiscriminately gassed and attacked by federal officers.
Councilor Green seeks reports of gassed children. (1/x)
protest last night that was indiscriminately gassed and attacked by federal officers.
Councilor Green seeks reports of gassed children. (1/x)
Reposted by Matt Chorpenning, MSW
Mayor Wilson has now indicated he will expedite the rule making process for the Detention Facility Impact Fee. I am grateful for that.
We also need District Attorney Nathan Vasquez to outline how he plans to hold ICE agents accountable for the unlawful use of tear gas against a group of families.
We also need District Attorney Nathan Vasquez to outline how he plans to hold ICE agents accountable for the unlawful use of tear gas against a group of families.
I recorded this today, in Portland, Oregon, at a huge march to the ICE facility in SW. The crowd was full of cyclists who had ridden there in memory of Alex Pretti; members of several labor unions; and ordinary citizens of every age, including this little girl. So of course ICE deployed tear gas.
February 1, 2026 at 5:13 PM
Mayor Wilson has now indicated he will expedite the rule making process for the Detention Facility Impact Fee. I am grateful for that.
We also need District Attorney Nathan Vasquez to outline how he plans to hold ICE agents accountable for the unlawful use of tear gas against a group of families.
We also need District Attorney Nathan Vasquez to outline how he plans to hold ICE agents accountable for the unlawful use of tear gas against a group of families.
Reposted by Matt Chorpenning, MSW
Okay! This has already inspired a bunch of DMs, so I made a page on the website. If you have 50,000+ Skymiles and would be willing to book flights to get someone home, please fill this out.
Donate Your Skymiles — Stand With Minnesota
Donate your Delta Skymiles to get people home from Texas
www.standwithminnesota.com
February 1, 2026 at 6:22 PM
Okay! This has already inspired a bunch of DMs, so I made a page on the website. If you have 50,000+ Skymiles and would be willing to book flights to get someone home, please fill this out.
Reposted by Matt Chorpenning, MSW
we need to take a moment to celebrate when a good thing happens. it is fuel for the work.
feel the joy. take a big breath in. let yourself cry.
we will win because we've got us.
feel the joy. take a big breath in. let yourself cry.
we will win because we've got us.
February 1, 2026 at 5:27 PM
we need to take a moment to celebrate when a good thing happens. it is fuel for the work.
feel the joy. take a big breath in. let yourself cry.
we will win because we've got us.
feel the joy. take a big breath in. let yourself cry.
we will win because we've got us.
Reposted by Matt Chorpenning, MSW
It’s been 8 days and we still don’t know the names of the men who murdered Alex Pretti.
DHS must be abolished. No ICE. No palantir surveillance police state.
There’s no “fixing” a sociopathic agency designed to trample on our freedoms.
DHS must be abolished. No ICE. No palantir surveillance police state.
There’s no “fixing” a sociopathic agency designed to trample on our freedoms.
February 1, 2026 at 4:10 PM
It’s been 8 days and we still don’t know the names of the men who murdered Alex Pretti.
DHS must be abolished. No ICE. No palantir surveillance police state.
There’s no “fixing” a sociopathic agency designed to trample on our freedoms.
DHS must be abolished. No ICE. No palantir surveillance police state.
There’s no “fixing” a sociopathic agency designed to trample on our freedoms.
Reposted by Matt Chorpenning, MSW
DA Vasquez ran on a “tough on crime” platform.
So, let’s see it.
👀
So, let’s see it.
👀
Our DA is just hiding in the corner trying to avoid any responsibility for holding these ICE thugs accountable for breaking the law.
Our duly elected prosecutor is doing nothing to stop children from being abducted and tear gassed in the street.
Our duly elected prosecutor is doing nothing to stop children from being abducted and tear gassed in the street.
If you are pissed off at how the Feds tear gassed families - tell it to the DA - Nathan Vasquez. He has more options than city council. And get it on public legal record with the Attorney General @agdanrayfield.bsky.social
February 1, 2026 at 5:34 PM
DA Vasquez ran on a “tough on crime” platform.
So, let’s see it.
👀
So, let’s see it.
👀
Reposted by Matt Chorpenning, MSW
There is no place for tear gas (or any indiscriminate chemical weapons) in Portland.
I am working on legislation preventing its use, storage, or possession in City limits. This will be a multi-month process, but you can make it go faster by convincing swing-vote Councilors to support it.
1/4
I am working on legislation preventing its use, storage, or possession in City limits. This will be a multi-month process, but you can make it go faster by convincing swing-vote Councilors to support it.
1/4
Federal officers use crowd control munitions as demonstrators protest outside Portland ICE building
Thousands of protesters turned out for a mostly peaceful demonstration Saturday in Portland to speak out against increased immigration enforcement. By the end of the day, scores of nonviolent proteste...
www.opb.org
February 1, 2026 at 6:06 AM
There is no place for tear gas (or any indiscriminate chemical weapons) in Portland.
I am working on legislation preventing its use, storage, or possession in City limits. This will be a multi-month process, but you can make it go faster by convincing swing-vote Councilors to support it.
1/4
I am working on legislation preventing its use, storage, or possession in City limits. This will be a multi-month process, but you can make it go faster by convincing swing-vote Councilors to support it.
1/4
Reposted by Matt Chorpenning, MSW
If there had been a deadly crowd crush that would have been the responsibility of the feds and their tactics, and not the crowd. But it is still worth appreciating how some kind of group spirit combined with luck to keep the worst from happening yesterday.
February 1, 2026 at 4:55 PM
If there had been a deadly crowd crush that would have been the responsibility of the feds and their tactics, and not the crowd. But it is still worth appreciating how some kind of group spirit combined with luck to keep the worst from happening yesterday.
Reposted by Matt Chorpenning, MSW
I keep thinking about the difference between the feds who chaotically unloaded teargas on thousands of people after a few minutes of chanting vs. the crowd, which moved slowly and carefully even while people were choking & blind from gas. People looked out for each other & didn't panic. We will win.
February 1, 2026 at 4:50 PM
I keep thinking about the difference between the feds who chaotically unloaded teargas on thousands of people after a few minutes of chanting vs. the crowd, which moved slowly and carefully even while people were choking & blind from gas. People looked out for each other & didn't panic. We will win.
I woke up thinking about this too.
I keep thinking about the difference between the feds who chaotically unloaded teargas on thousands of people after a few minutes of chanting vs. the crowd, which moved slowly and carefully even while people were choking & blind from gas. People looked out for each other & didn't panic. We will win.
February 1, 2026 at 5:43 PM
I woke up thinking about this too.
Reposted by Matt Chorpenning, MSW
I think a lot about how ICE is a club of men who have no ability to self-regulate, no control or discipline over their own emotions or actions. just big rage babies
I keep thinking about the difference between the feds who chaotically unloaded teargas on thousands of people after a few minutes of chanting vs. the crowd, which moved slowly and carefully even while people were choking & blind from gas. People looked out for each other & didn't panic. We will win.
February 1, 2026 at 4:55 PM
I think a lot about how ICE is a club of men who have no ability to self-regulate, no control or discipline over their own emotions or actions. just big rage babies
Reposted by Matt Chorpenning, MSW
People who know me and have organized with me know that I am a "we must celebrate our wins no matter the size" kind of girl.
February 1, 2026 at 5:39 PM
People who know me and have organized with me know that I am a "we must celebrate our wins no matter the size" kind of girl.
Reposted by Matt Chorpenning, MSW
This is particularly true if you had a hand in helping to make that thing happen.
we need to take a moment to celebrate when a good thing happens. it is fuel for the work.
feel the joy. take a big breath in. let yourself cry.
we will win because we've got us.
feel the joy. take a big breath in. let yourself cry.
we will win because we've got us.
February 1, 2026 at 5:37 PM
This is particularly true if you had a hand in helping to make that thing happen.
Reposted by Matt Chorpenning, MSW
Mayor Wilson needs to expedite the rulemaking for our Detention Facility Fee.
February 1, 2026 at 3:13 AM
Mayor Wilson needs to expedite the rulemaking for our Detention Facility Fee.
Reposted by Matt Chorpenning, MSW
This is tear gassing protesters just for protesting. There is no threat, and the only danger presented is ICE behaving recklessly. There is no provocation; this is just straight up assault.
Just experienced the most intense tear gassing of my life by federal officers outside the ICE facility in Portland where marchers gathered. There was no fast exit as they indiscriminately threw loads of gas and flash bangs. Children were in the crowd screaming. @oregoncapitalchronicle.com
February 1, 2026 at 4:07 AM
This is tear gassing protesters just for protesting. There is no threat, and the only danger presented is ICE behaving recklessly. There is no provocation; this is just straight up assault.
Reposted by Matt Chorpenning, MSW
I witnessed ICE using tear gas on children.
They shattered a window of low-income housing where a disabled vet lives. He got gassed in his own home.
They shattered a window of low-income housing where a disabled vet lives. He got gassed in his own home.
This was the kind of treatment the union activists got today from Oregon’s largest unions alongside coalitions like @jwjpdx.bsky.social. They fired projectiles and injured many demonstrators and broke out neighbors windows. Gas for a half dozen miles in each direction. #iceout
February 1, 2026 at 3:26 AM
I witnessed ICE using tear gas on children.
They shattered a window of low-income housing where a disabled vet lives. He got gassed in his own home.
They shattered a window of low-income housing where a disabled vet lives. He got gassed in his own home.
Reposted by Matt Chorpenning, MSW
Everyone should familiarize themselves with the "less-lethal" weapons that the federal mercenaries use—both chemical weapons and impact munitions—and learn how to treat exposure.
They mean to brutalize everyone who doesn't support their tyranny.
Don't be intimidated. We can win. Keep fighting.
They mean to brutalize everyone who doesn't support their tyranny.
Don't be intimidated. We can win. Keep fighting.
A Demonstrator’s Guide to Understanding Riot Munitions
An extensive guide to less-lethal police weaponry—including chemical weapons and impact munitions—and how to defend against and treat their effects.
crimethinc.com
February 1, 2026 at 4:33 AM
Everyone should familiarize themselves with the "less-lethal" weapons that the federal mercenaries use—both chemical weapons and impact munitions—and learn how to treat exposure.
They mean to brutalize everyone who doesn't support their tyranny.
Don't be intimidated. We can win. Keep fighting.
They mean to brutalize everyone who doesn't support their tyranny.
Don't be intimidated. We can win. Keep fighting.
Reposted by Matt Chorpenning, MSW
@councilorzimmerman.bsky.social ? @councilorclark.bsky.social ? Where is your statement committing to ensuring the laws are enforced and protecting your constituents?
I've seen videos of the indiscriminate use of tear gas on a large crowd that was clearly peaceful and filled with Portlanders of all ages, and well off the macadam facility. We banned tear gas for a reason. I join Councilor Green in calling for enforcement of our laws.
I just got tear gassed along with thousands of union members, many of whom had their families with them. Federal agents at the ICE facility tear gassed children. We must abolish ICE, DHS, and we must have prosecutions. I expect to see enforcement of our city code prohibiting the use of tear gas.
February 1, 2026 at 4:25 AM
@councilorzimmerman.bsky.social ? @councilorclark.bsky.social ? Where is your statement committing to ensuring the laws are enforced and protecting your constituents?
Reposted by Matt Chorpenning, MSW
February 1, 2026 at 3:05 AM