heather
banner
heatherchen.bsky.social
heather
@heatherchen.bsky.social
allegedly the managing editor at the columbia daily spectator, formerly a defector intern
I attended the NYC “Make Billionaires Pay March” on Saturday. Here’s what it can tell us about where the climate movement is headed—away from fossil fuel divestment and toward broader resistance, with fewer young people.

For @thenation.com:
www.thenation.com/article/envi...
Where Did All the Youth Climate Activists Go?
The “Make Billionaires Pay” march might hint at where the climate movement is headed—away from fossil fuel divestment and toward broader resistance, with fewer young people.
www.thenation.com
September 24, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Mahmoud Khalil, who arrived at Newark airport today, spoke to press alongside his wife, newborn son, and AOC. “Israel is still waging full war against Palestinians across Palestine, the U.S. government is funding this genocide, and Columbia University is investing in this genocide,” Khalil said.
June 21, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Reposted by heather
Reposted by heather
A letter from the EIC & Managing Ed of Spec on last week's catastrophe. The irony of a Spec staffer being suspended merely b/c she was writing her First Amendment final essay in Butler Library & stayed to report on the police action should be lost on no one. www.columbiaspectator.com/opinion/2025...
Letter from the Editors: Columbia and Barnard are failing their student press
<i>Editor’s note: This article deals with topics of police brutality.</i>
www.columbiaspectator.com
May 14, 2025 at 2:27 AM
From the Columbia Spectator: Columbia is adjudicating disciplinary cases for students involved in the March Milstein sit-in without allowing legal representation or witnesses to be present at their hearings, according to documents & emails obtained by Spec.
www.columbiaspectator.com/news/2025/04...
Columbia to adjudicate Milstein sit-in cases without witnesses or legal representation for student hearings
<i>Updated April 8 at 10:27 a.m. </i>
www.columbiaspectator.com
April 8, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Have a tip for @ColumbiaSpec? Send an email to tips@columbiaspectator.com or email me a message on Signal at heather.21
April 7, 2025 at 1:24 AM
In his second public statement since he was arrested by ICE, Mahmoud Khalil, SIPA '24, dictated a letter to the Columbia community in an op-ed for @ColumbiaSpec.

Spectator verified the op-ed with his attorney. Khalil is currently detained in Louisiana.
www.columbiaspectator.com/opinion/2025...
A Letter to Columbia
<i>Editor's Note: This op-ed was dictated by Mahmoud Khalil, SIPA </i>’24<i>. Spectator verified this with his Attorney Amy Greer and conducted its regular editing process. Khalil is currently detaine...
www.columbiaspectator.com
April 5, 2025 at 5:11 AM
More news tonight: Amy Greer, lawyer for Mahmoud Khalil, SIPA ’24, released an update.

Greer wrote that Khalil is “healthy and his spirits are undaunted by his predicament.” Local attorneys will visit him Monday and Tuesday in Louisiana.
www.columbiaspectator.com/news/2025/03...
Mahmoud Khalil, SIPA ’24, is ‘healthy’ and ‘his spirits are undaunted,’ lawyer writes in update on immigration case
Amy Greer, lawyer for Mahmoud Khalil, SIPA ’24, released an update on his condition and the case in a Monday evening statement.
www.columbiaspectator.com
March 11, 2025 at 3:23 AM
Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, SIPA ’24, has been moved to a detention facility in Louisiana, according to the ICE database.
CPSC wrote in a Monday news release that Khalil’s “attorneys and family are currently no longer able to get in touch with him.”
www.columbiaspectator.com/news/2025/03...
Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, SIPA ’24, moved to detention facility in Louisiana, according to ICE database
Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, SIPA ’24, has been moved to a detention facility in Louisiana following his arrest by Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Sunday, according to the ICE database.
www.columbiaspectator.com
March 10, 2025 at 8:49 PM
From the Columbia Daily Spectator: NYPD arrested nine protesters at Barnard this afternoon after they were authorized to come on to campus following a report from the administration about a “bomb threat.” The protesters had participated in a sit-in.
www.columbiaspectator.com/news/2025/03...
NYPD arrests several protesters at Milstein sit-in
<i>Updated March 5 at 9:17 p.m.</i>
www.columbiaspectator.com
March 6, 2025 at 3:34 AM
I briefly felt sooooo powerful during the Super Bowl…
February 10, 2025 at 5:55 AM
On the Columbia Athletics website, the DEI page appears to have been renamed to “We Roar Together,” with all mentions of DEI removed. The transgender inclusion policy and a mission section which included statements like “We must be anti-racists” have also been removed from the page.
February 6, 2025 at 6:41 PM
Introducing the very wonderful, very talented 149th managing board of the Columbia Daily Spectator! Proud to be leading our journalism division this year.
www.columbiaspectator.com/spectrum/202...
Meet Spectator’s 149th Managing Board - Columbia Spectator
Spectator strives to positively impact the Columbia, Morningside Heights, and West Harlem communities, and we take seriously the responsibility to hold institutions of power accountable.
www.columbiaspectator.com
February 5, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Reposted by heather
I had a blast talking to Stéphanie Hill and Mara Bouchard, @mcgill.ca grads who will be playing for the Montreal Roses when the Northern Super League kicks off in April. They spoke about why they joined @rosesmtl.ca & what the @nsl.ca means for Canadian soccer #NSL #SLN defector.com/it-changes-e...
"It Changes Everything": What Canada’s New Women’s Soccer League Means To Two Of Its Players | Defector
Just over two years ago, Diana Matheson announced formal plans to create a professional women’s soccer league in Canada. Matheson, who racked up 206 caps for the Canadian national team in her career o...
defector.com
January 31, 2025 at 2:32 PM
i have heard allegations that i am “wearing the same sweater” in my defector profile picture and in the photo of me in an FSAE car recently published in my blog about the detroit auto show so i’m coming on here to announce that they are NOT the same sweater!
January 29, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Reposted by heather
It's not just automotive journalists who've noticed the vibe shift in big auto shows. This dispatch from Detroit by @heatherchen.bsky.social from the attendee side is excellent: defector.com/the-detroit-...
The Detroit Auto Show Used To Be The Future | Defector
DETROIT — There was a brief moment where I, as a child growing up in Michigan, thought heaven might look something like the North American International Auto Show. Inside a vast convention center hall...
defector.com
January 29, 2025 at 11:14 AM
New Owen blog! New Owen blog!
December 23, 2024 at 5:21 PM