Rachel Cohen
@cohen489.bsky.social
pragmatic optimist and well-known email author
views are mine alone
cohen489.substack.com
americandemands.com
BOOK RECS THAT PAY ME + LOCAL STORES: https://bookshop.org/shop/cohen489
views are mine alone
cohen489.substack.com
americandemands.com
BOOK RECS THAT PAY ME + LOCAL STORES: https://bookshop.org/shop/cohen489
Reposted by Rachel Cohen
I hope New Yorkers will challenge Mamdani about this. Too often, people feel they need to be absolutely for or against a politician — ignoring their missteps or throwing them out with the bathwater. You can like and/or believe in someone and still challenge them to deliver on their promises.
Mayor Mamdani Breaks His Promise to NYC Public Libraries
The Struggle Against Defunding Libraries Continues...
prisonculture.substack.com
February 18, 2026 at 3:20 PM
I hope New Yorkers will challenge Mamdani about this. Too often, people feel they need to be absolutely for or against a politician — ignoring their missteps or throwing them out with the bathwater. You can like and/or believe in someone and still challenge them to deliver on their promises.
Reposted by Rachel Cohen
There are already a handful of Council Members who are on record as supporting the 0.5% demand for public libraries. You can find them here: nycplan.org/scorecards/l...
Don't see your member on here? Then reach out to ask them to get on board.
Don't see your member on here? Then reach out to ask them to get on board.
Library Funding Stances by City Council Members
nycplan.org
February 18, 2026 at 3:36 PM
There are already a handful of Council Members who are on record as supporting the 0.5% demand for public libraries. You can find them here: nycplan.org/scorecards/l...
Don't see your member on here? Then reach out to ask them to get on board.
Don't see your member on here? Then reach out to ask them to get on board.
Reposted by Rachel Cohen
JUST IN: Federal prosecutors in Chicago move to dismiss another case tied to Operation Midway Blitz.
Assuming its’s granted, Jacqueline Guataquira would become the 17th of 32 known defendants cleared.
None of the 32 has been convicted.
Docket entry and original charging doc below:
Assuming its’s granted, Jacqueline Guataquira would become the 17th of 32 known defendants cleared.
None of the 32 has been convicted.
Docket entry and original charging doc below:
February 18, 2026 at 4:12 PM
JUST IN: Federal prosecutors in Chicago move to dismiss another case tied to Operation Midway Blitz.
Assuming its’s granted, Jacqueline Guataquira would become the 17th of 32 known defendants cleared.
None of the 32 has been convicted.
Docket entry and original charging doc below:
Assuming its’s granted, Jacqueline Guataquira would become the 17th of 32 known defendants cleared.
None of the 32 has been convicted.
Docket entry and original charging doc below:
has anyone checked in on Olivia Nuzzi
The US Department of Health and Human Services just released this video.
February 18, 2026 at 3:33 PM
has anyone checked in on Olivia Nuzzi
I was in Philly this week and sat down with Chris Rabb, grassroots candidate in PA-03 (and @americandemands.bsky.social candidate!), to introduce him to my audience, because I know yall will love him, too. chrisrabb.com, part 2 later!
February 18, 2026 at 3:08 PM
I was in Philly this week and sat down with Chris Rabb, grassroots candidate in PA-03 (and @americandemands.bsky.social candidate!), to introduce him to my audience, because I know yall will love him, too. chrisrabb.com, part 2 later!
Reposted by Rachel Cohen
OMG, @cohen489.bsky.social was on @majorityreport.bsky.social for the fun half. For once a fun half that's actually fun!
I'm fanboying.
www.youtube.com/live/seLpB7n...
I'm fanboying.
www.youtube.com/live/seLpB7n...
MR FUN | 2/16/26
YouTube video by The Majority Report w/ Sam Seder
www.youtube.com
February 16, 2026 at 8:45 PM
OMG, @cohen489.bsky.social was on @majorityreport.bsky.social for the fun half. For once a fun half that's actually fun!
I'm fanboying.
www.youtube.com/live/seLpB7n...
I'm fanboying.
www.youtube.com/live/seLpB7n...
a lot of ppl in the USA would’ve said this exact thing less than a decade ago, and a lot of ppl who live in countries with large far-right political movements rapidly gaining ground (often helped by the same tech billionaire players as here) seem too busy looking askance at the States to notice
It's great to live in a country (Canada, Japan, UK, France, Germany, Sweden, Italy, etc.) where citizens don't worry about if the next election will be canceled, if they will be allowed to register to vote, if they will have to stand in line for hours to vote, or if their vote will be counted.
February 15, 2026 at 11:11 PM
a lot of ppl in the USA would’ve said this exact thing less than a decade ago, and a lot of ppl who live in countries with large far-right political movements rapidly gaining ground (often helped by the same tech billionaire players as here) seem too busy looking askance at the States to notice
oh right the government that claims it’s remedying anti-Christian bias just having to be ordered by a judge to allow Christian prayer and sacraments, just normal stuff
February 13, 2026 at 4:36 PM
oh right the government that claims it’s remedying anti-Christian bias just having to be ordered by a judge to allow Christian prayer and sacraments, just normal stuff
I made this image (ft Brad Karp and Skadden managing partner Jeremy London) for a Substack I’ve been drafting this week… I think I’m going to abandon the draft because it’s not as strong as what I’d like to be publishing right now but I cannot abandon the below
February 11, 2026 at 11:32 PM
I made this image (ft Brad Karp and Skadden managing partner Jeremy London) for a Substack I’ve been drafting this week… I think I’m going to abandon the draft because it’s not as strong as what I’d like to be publishing right now but I cannot abandon the below
Reposted by Rachel Cohen
Chicago's U.S. attorney's office has released evidence from the case against Marimar Martinez, pre-empting her press conference later today.
It even released text messages it once claimed would "sully" a Border Patrol agents's rep.
From @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
It even released text messages it once claimed would "sully" a Border Patrol agents's rep.
From @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
Border Patrol agents say 'time to get aggressive' in footage that contradicts claims against Marimar Martinez
Martinez is expected to announce a new lawsuit stemming from her Oct. 4 shooting by a Border Patrol agent at a press conference Wednesday. Her attorneys say newly released evidence will show an agent ...
chicago.suntimes.com
February 11, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Chicago's U.S. attorney's office has released evidence from the case against Marimar Martinez, pre-empting her press conference later today.
It even released text messages it once claimed would "sully" a Border Patrol agents's rep.
From @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
It even released text messages it once claimed would "sully" a Border Patrol agents's rep.
From @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
Democrats committing to the “President Trump’s ICE” talking point when they look at funding to ICE under Democratic presidents and/or Kamala Harris’ 2024 campaign messaging
February 9, 2026 at 5:14 PM
Democrats committing to the “President Trump’s ICE” talking point when they look at funding to ICE under Democratic presidents and/or Kamala Harris’ 2024 campaign messaging
Reposted by Rachel Cohen
Appreciate that folks lift up the Panthers. Black groups pre-dating the Panthers were also doing community patrols. See one example here: nmaahc.si.edu/object/nmaah...
Joshua Clark Davis's Police Against the Movement offers some other examples too.
Joshua Clark Davis's Police Against the Movement offers some other examples too.
February 6, 2026 at 1:35 PM
Appreciate that folks lift up the Panthers. Black groups pre-dating the Panthers were also doing community patrols. See one example here: nmaahc.si.edu/object/nmaah...
Joshua Clark Davis's Police Against the Movement offers some other examples too.
Joshua Clark Davis's Police Against the Movement offers some other examples too.
I fear I must continue discussing Brad Karp and asking questions like “did the nonsensical decisions of major corporate law firms that directly undermined legal resistance to fascism in this country last year stem from the lemmings following a guy who knew he was in the Epstein files?”
February 6, 2026 at 2:43 PM
I fear I must continue discussing Brad Karp and asking questions like “did the nonsensical decisions of major corporate law firms that directly undermined legal resistance to fascism in this country last year stem from the lemmings following a guy who knew he was in the Epstein files?”
Reposted by Rachel Cohen
What a useful resource for organizing.
🚨 New: We built a visual tracker of the warehouses ICE is targeting across the US.
Working off an idea from @actualkatherine.bsky.social, we’ve mapped active searches, canceled deals, and linked state property records.
Explore the map here: tinyurl.com/ICEWarehouse...
Working off an idea from @actualkatherine.bsky.social, we’ve mapped active searches, canceled deals, and linked state property records.
Explore the map here: tinyurl.com/ICEWarehouse...
February 5, 2026 at 12:28 PM
What a useful resource for organizing.
Reposted by Rachel Cohen
NEW: since last year, a pair of "highly trained" feds have been involved in an array of incidents attacking crowds with chemical weapons.
We used public records and open source analysis to identify Edgar Vazquez and Michael Sveum, alongside some other members of their tactical team.
Read more:
We used public records and open source analysis to identify Edgar Vazquez and Michael Sveum, alongside some other members of their tactical team.
Read more:
Identified: the El Paso BORTAC crew rampaging through the Midwest
One violent duo in particular, U.S. Border Patrol agents Michael Sveum (EZ-2) and Edgar Vazquez (EZ-17), have been frequently seen alongside former commander-at-large Greg Bovino terrorizing crowds wi...
unraveledpress.com
February 4, 2026 at 9:24 PM
NEW: since last year, a pair of "highly trained" feds have been involved in an array of incidents attacking crowds with chemical weapons.
We used public records and open source analysis to identify Edgar Vazquez and Michael Sveum, alongside some other members of their tactical team.
Read more:
We used public records and open source analysis to identify Edgar Vazquez and Michael Sveum, alongside some other members of their tactical team.
Read more:
why are we pretending DJT isn’t testing the waters to run again instead of calling that shit out and organizing to prevent it liiiike
anyway that’s @americandemands.bsky.social we aren’t as active over here and were slow over the holidays but r back to it
anyway that’s @americandemands.bsky.social we aren’t as active over here and were slow over the holidays but r back to it
February 5, 2026 at 3:40 PM
why are we pretending DJT isn’t testing the waters to run again instead of calling that shit out and organizing to prevent it liiiike
anyway that’s @americandemands.bsky.social we aren’t as active over here and were slow over the holidays but r back to it
anyway that’s @americandemands.bsky.social we aren’t as active over here and were slow over the holidays but r back to it
sooo many political strategist types continue to act like it’s ridiculous (or counterproductive) to name that Trump obviously wants to subvert the 2028 election and stay in power. meanwhile, NYT is scratching its chin noting no one seems to be gearing up to enter a Republican primary
February 5, 2026 at 3:09 PM
sooo many political strategist types continue to act like it’s ridiculous (or counterproductive) to name that Trump obviously wants to subvert the 2028 election and stay in power. meanwhile, NYT is scratching its chin noting no one seems to be gearing up to enter a Republican primary
every other powerful man in the country when
February 5, 2026 at 2:32 AM
every other powerful man in the country when
Reposted by Rachel Cohen
NEW: The @chicago.suntimes.com and @wbez.org have published a 12-minute excerpt of our interview with Marimar Martinez, in which she describes being shot by Border Patrol in Chicago.
You can find it here: youtu.be/mCO4vI_KH1w?...
You can find it here: youtu.be/mCO4vI_KH1w?...
Marimar Martinez speaks with WBEZ and Chicago Sun-Times reporters about getting shot 5 times by ICE.
YouTube video by Chicago Sun-Times
youtu.be
February 4, 2026 at 10:22 PM
NEW: The @chicago.suntimes.com and @wbez.org have published a 12-minute excerpt of our interview with Marimar Martinez, in which she describes being shot by Border Patrol in Chicago.
You can find it here: youtu.be/mCO4vI_KH1w?...
You can find it here: youtu.be/mCO4vI_KH1w?...
I’m sure this is old news but today is the day that I personally learned Alan Dershowitz is on Substack
February 4, 2026 at 10:43 PM
I’m sure this is old news but today is the day that I personally learned Alan Dershowitz is on Substack
anyway! read my explainer on how to get involved in mutual aid/organizing from scratch or send it to a friend who needs it—concrete steps and book recs and some gentle but still tough love
open.substack.com/pub/cohen489...
open.substack.com/pub/cohen489...
February 4, 2026 at 9:34 PM
anyway! read my explainer on how to get involved in mutual aid/organizing from scratch or send it to a friend who needs it—concrete steps and book recs and some gentle but still tough love
open.substack.com/pub/cohen489...
open.substack.com/pub/cohen489...
me, millennial to the bone, resisting the urge to overshare pithy and cryptic observations about my personal life on social media because I am arguably a “public figure” and also “almost 32”
February 4, 2026 at 9:30 PM
me, millennial to the bone, resisting the urge to overshare pithy and cryptic observations about my personal life on social media because I am arguably a “public figure” and also “almost 32”
Reposted by Rachel Cohen
🔔 Immigration enforcement reporting can be dangerous.
Learn how lessons from one community can apply elsewhere with local journalists @eltragon.bsky.social, @franciagarciah.bsky.social, @nigrotime.bsky.social, and @kevinhfoster.bsky.social.
Feb. 5, 2 pm ET
RSVP: freedom.press/covering-immigration
Learn how lessons from one community can apply elsewhere with local journalists @eltragon.bsky.social, @franciagarciah.bsky.social, @nigrotime.bsky.social, and @kevinhfoster.bsky.social.
Feb. 5, 2 pm ET
RSVP: freedom.press/covering-immigration
January 29, 2026 at 10:39 PM
🔔 Immigration enforcement reporting can be dangerous.
Learn how lessons from one community can apply elsewhere with local journalists @eltragon.bsky.social, @franciagarciah.bsky.social, @nigrotime.bsky.social, and @kevinhfoster.bsky.social.
Feb. 5, 2 pm ET
RSVP: freedom.press/covering-immigration
Learn how lessons from one community can apply elsewhere with local journalists @eltragon.bsky.social, @franciagarciah.bsky.social, @nigrotime.bsky.social, and @kevinhfoster.bsky.social.
Feb. 5, 2 pm ET
RSVP: freedom.press/covering-immigration
Kim rocks
My time with The Washington Post is up. I was laid off with hundreds of folks I am so honored to call my colleagues.
I covered it all at The Post (really), so now I'm looking for my next adventure.
➡️ kbellware [at] gmail dot com
Website update coming soon
@postguild.bsky.social
forever
I covered it all at The Post (really), so now I'm looking for my next adventure.
➡️ kbellware [at] gmail dot com
Website update coming soon
@postguild.bsky.social
forever
February 4, 2026 at 4:25 PM
Kim rocks