Jill Piggott
@jillpiggott.bsky.social
Philosophy & lit professor, now disabled by migraine & ME/CFS. Cofounder, headsUPmigraine. Volunteer prison educator, Equal Justice Initiative. Progressive activist.
Half-time Mainer, half-time Canadian Maritimer
Half-time Mainer, half-time Canadian Maritimer
Alex Pretti was shot in the back while pinned to the ground, according to NYT video analysis. His last act was to help another protester who was also pepper sprayed, as agents approached and pulled him from behind.
gvwire.com/2026/01/24/v...
gvwire.com/2026/01/24/v...
Agents Killed a Man in Minneapolis: Video Evidence - GV Wire
Videos contradict claims by the Department of Homeland Security in the case of agents killing a man in Minneapolis.
gvwire.com
January 25, 2026 at 2:10 AM
Alex Pretti was shot in the back while pinned to the ground, according to NYT video analysis. His last act was to help another protester who was also pepper sprayed, as agents approached and pulled him from behind.
gvwire.com/2026/01/24/v...
gvwire.com/2026/01/24/v...
Reposted by Jill Piggott
Family of Alex Pretti, who was shot dead in Minneapolis today, releases statement:
"The sickening lies told about our son by the administration are reprehensible and disgusting. Alex is clearly not holding a gun when attacked by Trump's murdering and cowardly ICE thugs."
"The sickening lies told about our son by the administration are reprehensible and disgusting. Alex is clearly not holding a gun when attacked by Trump's murdering and cowardly ICE thugs."
January 25, 2026 at 1:13 AM
Family of Alex Pretti, who was shot dead in Minneapolis today, releases statement:
"The sickening lies told about our son by the administration are reprehensible and disgusting. Alex is clearly not holding a gun when attacked by Trump's murdering and cowardly ICE thugs."
"The sickening lies told about our son by the administration are reprehensible and disgusting. Alex is clearly not holding a gun when attacked by Trump's murdering and cowardly ICE thugs."
Reposted by Jill Piggott
Kristi Noem is lying when she claims ICE’s operation “Catch of the Day” is about illegal immigration. Maine is ranked 47 on the list of states by number of undocumented immigrants. Nearly dead last. #mepolitics
January 24, 2026 at 12:33 AM
Kristi Noem is lying when she claims ICE’s operation “Catch of the Day” is about illegal immigration. Maine is ranked 47 on the list of states by number of undocumented immigrants. Nearly dead last. #mepolitics
Reposted by Jill Piggott
Susan Collins loves to say she’s in one of the most powerful positions in the Senate until it’s time to use that power. She should be standing up to this administration, but she refuses.
January 24, 2026 at 2:23 PM
Susan Collins loves to say she’s in one of the most powerful positions in the Senate until it’s time to use that power. She should be standing up to this administration, but she refuses.
Maine resources for people detained by ICE & info for support & advocacy. Compiled by ME Sen. Rachel Talbot Ross of Portland. #mepolitics tinyurl.com/vrfns7zn
ICE RESOURCES
IF YOU KNOW SOMEONE THAT HAS BEEN DETAINED BY IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS: FILL OUT THIS FORM If you see ICE, call the ICE Hotline: (207) 544-9989. Save this number in your phone. * if you would like to a...
tinyurl.com
January 25, 2026 at 12:12 AM
Maine resources for people detained by ICE & info for support & advocacy. Compiled by ME Sen. Rachel Talbot Ross of Portland. #mepolitics tinyurl.com/vrfns7zn
Short interview with the brilliant Ali Smith, whose novel "Hotel World" is 1 of my all-time favorites. Here she praises, among other books, "Charlotte's Web" ("Terrific. Radiant. Humble.") #LitFic www.theguardian.com/books/2026/j...
Ali Smith: ‘Henry James had me running down the garden path shouting out loud’
The Scottish author on a masterclass from Toni Morrison, the brilliance of Simone de Beauvoir and the trim novel by Tove Jansson containing everything that really matters
www.theguardian.com
January 23, 2026 at 7:26 PM
Short interview with the brilliant Ali Smith, whose novel "Hotel World" is 1 of my all-time favorites. Here she praises, among other books, "Charlotte's Web" ("Terrific. Radiant. Humble.") #LitFic www.theguardian.com/books/2026/j...
Maine sheriff reports the detention of 1 of his recruits. The man has a federal work permit valid thru '29 & a "squeaky clean" record. ICE left the man's car running, windows down, on the side of the street. wgme.com/news/local/b...
'Bush-league policing': Cumberland County Sheriff bashes ICE after arrest of recruit
A Cumberland County correctional officer recruit was detained by ICE Wednesday night in Portland’s Bayside neighborhood.
wgme.com
January 23, 2026 at 7:05 PM
Maine sheriff reports the detention of 1 of his recruits. The man has a federal work permit valid thru '29 & a "squeaky clean" record. ICE left the man's car running, windows down, on the side of the street. wgme.com/news/local/b...
Reposted by Jill Piggott
In solidarity with today's ICE OUT OF MINNESOTA blackout, MinnMax is donating $1 to the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota for every share of this Bluesky post for the next hour.
January 23, 2026 at 4:01 PM
In solidarity with today's ICE OUT OF MINNESOTA blackout, MinnMax is donating $1 to the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota for every share of this Bluesky post for the next hour.
Maine college student detained by ICE, despite the fact that he & his family have a pending application for asylum from Gabon, work permits, & no criminal history. DHS treats black & brown immigrants doing everything right as "the worst of the worst." www.pressherald.com/2026/01/21/i...
ICE detains 18-year-old USM student in Westbrook
Sandrine Koumba said she doesn’t know why her son, who has no criminal record, was detained after a minor car crash Tuesday.
www.pressherald.com
January 22, 2026 at 6:16 PM
Maine college student detained by ICE, despite the fact that he & his family have a pending application for asylum from Gabon, work permits, & no criminal history. DHS treats black & brown immigrants doing everything right as "the worst of the worst." www.pressherald.com/2026/01/21/i...
Reposted by Jill Piggott
Here’s the report www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
DHS ICE memo 1-21-26
www.documentcloud.org
January 22, 2026 at 12:34 AM
Here’s the report www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
Maine mother of 4 with a pending asylum case was arrested in Portland this morning. She is not here illegally. She has no criminal convictions. She was arrested after dropping her child off at school. #MEpolitics themainemonitor.org/mother-of-4-...
Mother of 4 detained in Portland as ICE activity ramps up in Maine
Agents followed the woman home after she dropped off a child at school, a daughter said.
themainemonitor.org
January 21, 2026 at 6:41 PM
Maine mother of 4 with a pending asylum case was arrested in Portland this morning. She is not here illegally. She has no criminal convictions. She was arrested after dropping her child off at school. #MEpolitics themainemonitor.org/mother-of-4-...
Welcome to the New World Disorder: The Canadian military has prepared a response to a hypothetical U.S. military invasion for the first time in more than a century. www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/art...
Military models Canadian response to hypothetical American invasion
Armed Forces envision insurgency tactics like those used by Afghan mujahedeen, sources say. But officials and experts stress a U.S. operation is unlikely, and the scenarios are conceptual
www.theglobeandmail.com
January 21, 2026 at 1:51 PM
Welcome to the New World Disorder: The Canadian military has prepared a response to a hypothetical U.S. military invasion for the first time in more than a century. www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/art...
Reposted by Jill Piggott
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre confirmed he received this message from Trump:
![NEW: President Trump letter to Jonas Gahr Store links Nobel Prize to Greenland, reiterates threats, and is forwarded by the NSC staff to multiple European ambassadors in Washington. I obtained the text from multiple officials:
Dear Ambassador:
President Trump has asked that the following message, shared with Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, be forwarded to your [named head of government/state]
“Dear Jonas: Considering your Country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped 8 Wars PLUS, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace, although it will always be predominant, but can now think about what is good and proper for the United States of America. Denmark cannot protect that land from Russia or China, and why do they have a “right of ownership” anyway? There are no written documents, it’s only that a boat landed there hundreds of years ago, but we had boats landing there, also. I have done more for NATO than any other person since its founding, and now, NATO should do something for the United States. The World is not secure unless we have Complete and Total Control of Greenland. Thank you! President DJT”](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:jmte4w4x7ukciit6lci6ziau/bafkreihiddkacymmesu2re4n4nmlra6p5u5zepo3donk3p7zqs3l6xi654@jpeg)
January 19, 2026 at 12:41 PM
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre confirmed he received this message from Trump:
People get ready.
Incredible report on how patriotic Americans in Minneapolis are dealing with the invasion of Miller’s Gestapo.
What Trump and ICE Are Doing in Minneapolis Is Obvious. They Don’t Seem to Grasp What’s Happening Instead. — Slate
Trump had a playbook after Renee Good’s ICE shooting. I saw up close what’s happening instead.
apple.news
January 19, 2026 at 2:51 PM
People get ready.
Reposted by Jill Piggott
Denise Levertov, from Candles in Babylon (1982)
January 18, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Denise Levertov, from Candles in Babylon (1982)
Outrageous: Arkansas bans inmates from receiving any books or mags. Old policy allowed books/mags on case-by-case basis if sent directly from approved vendors.
I lead a study group with people sentenced to no parole as teens. Books mean the world to people in prison. thegrio.com/2026/01/16/a...
I lead a study group with people sentenced to no parole as teens. Books mean the world to people in prison. thegrio.com/2026/01/16/a...
Arkansas to set a first-of-its-kind ban on all outside books from prisons
Starting Feb. 1, the policy bans families, publishers, and faith groups from sending reading material to incarcerated people in Arkansas.
thegrio.com
January 17, 2026 at 1:19 PM
Outrageous: Arkansas bans inmates from receiving any books or mags. Old policy allowed books/mags on case-by-case basis if sent directly from approved vendors.
I lead a study group with people sentenced to no parole as teens. Books mean the world to people in prison. thegrio.com/2026/01/16/a...
I lead a study group with people sentenced to no parole as teens. Books mean the world to people in prison. thegrio.com/2026/01/16/a...
Migraine? If you or your child has 2-4 days of symptoms monthly, you should start preventive therapy to slow or stop disease progression, per the International Headache Society. Without effective prevention, migraine can become daily & disabling. www.medpagetoday.com/resource-cen...
The International Headache Society Calls for Early Preventive Therapy to Halt Progression to Chronic Migraine - Spotlight on Migraine
Early and effective preventive therapy for migraine headaches can enhance standards of care and improve quality of life for patients with migraines.
www.medpagetoday.com
January 16, 2026 at 5:24 PM
Migraine? If you or your child has 2-4 days of symptoms monthly, you should start preventive therapy to slow or stop disease progression, per the International Headache Society. Without effective prevention, migraine can become daily & disabling. www.medpagetoday.com/resource-cen...
Reposted by Jill Piggott
If anyone was still pretending this isn’t just about excluding trans kids from public life, the Trump administration just opened a Title IX investigation into a Maine school district because a trans student is on a *co-ed* cheerleading squad.
Newport co-ed cheerleading team is at center of Trump transgender athlete crackdownTrump admin focuses on swimming, cheerleading in Maine transgender athlete probes
The U.S. Department of Education announced a slew of Title IX-related investigations this week that include 2 school districts in Maine.
www.pressherald.com
January 16, 2026 at 1:09 AM
If anyone was still pretending this isn’t just about excluding trans kids from public life, the Trump administration just opened a Title IX investigation into a Maine school district because a trans student is on a *co-ed* cheerleading squad.
As the admin targets Maine, Project Relief Maine provides legal support, mutual aid, & community defense. #mepolitics projectreliefme.com
Home - Project Relief Maine
Project Relief Me Run by Immigrants. Fighting for Immigrants. We are a Black immigrant-led mutual aid and racial justice collective based in Maine, working
projectreliefme.com
January 16, 2026 at 1:21 AM
As the admin targets Maine, Project Relief Maine provides legal support, mutual aid, & community defense. #mepolitics projectreliefme.com
Reposted by Jill Piggott
This is surreal. 4 Oglala Lakota men kidnapped by ICE in Minneapolis have finally been located. One of them was released but the other 3 are being held at Fort Snelling, a former concentration camp used to imprison Native people incl. the Dakota 38 during Dakota Wars.
ictnews.org/news/north-c...
ictnews.org/news/north-c...
Four Oglala detainees located, three still in ICE custody - ICT
The four Lakota detainees were reportedly sent to a former concentration camp used during the Dakota Wars
ictnews.org
January 14, 2026 at 10:31 PM
This is surreal. 4 Oglala Lakota men kidnapped by ICE in Minneapolis have finally been located. One of them was released but the other 3 are being held at Fort Snelling, a former concentration camp used to imprison Native people incl. the Dakota 38 during Dakota Wars.
ictnews.org/news/north-c...
ictnews.org/news/north-c...
Leqaa Kordia is the only known student protester still detained by ICE for her peaceful actions to stop genocide in Gaza. A Palestinian & NJ resident, Leqaa was in the process of obtaining legal residency when arrested. Amnesty Int'l petition & more info: act.amnestyusa.org/page/180607/...
FREE LEQAA: DETAINED FOR SPEAKING OUT AGAINST GENOCIDE
Leqaa Kordia, a 32-year-old Palestinian woman, is the only known remaining student campus protester still detained by ICE for her peaceful activism to stop Israel’s genocide in Gaza, and we need your ...
act.amnestyusa.org
January 13, 2026 at 12:41 PM
Leqaa Kordia is the only known student protester still detained by ICE for her peaceful actions to stop genocide in Gaza. A Palestinian & NJ resident, Leqaa was in the process of obtaining legal residency when arrested. Amnesty Int'l petition & more info: act.amnestyusa.org/page/180607/...
EPA no longer protects the environment or public health: "EPA will stop considering lives saved when setting pollution limits and instead calculate only the cost to business" (NYT). No wonder "pollution" is 1 of 200 words the admin officially avoids in gov't docs (per NPR 12/11/25).
January 13, 2026 at 2:37 AM
EPA no longer protects the environment or public health: "EPA will stop considering lives saved when setting pollution limits and instead calculate only the cost to business" (NYT). No wonder "pollution" is 1 of 200 words the admin officially avoids in gov't docs (per NPR 12/11/25).
Good news: "Charlie Vaughn, an Arkansas man with a severe intellectual disability who spent 35 years in prison for a murder he did not commit, has finally been released from prison." arktimes.com/arkansas-blo...
Charlie Vaughn, who spent decades in prison for a murder he didn’t commit, has been released from prison - Arkansas Times
Vaughn was released from the Arkansas Department of Corrections on Friday, more than a decade after two other people wrongfully convicted with him were released.
arktimes.com
January 13, 2026 at 2:17 AM
Good news: "Charlie Vaughn, an Arkansas man with a severe intellectual disability who spent 35 years in prison for a murder he did not commit, has finally been released from prison." arktimes.com/arkansas-blo...