Em, midly
@lefttheprairie.bsky.social
Emily
Chicago, IL
she/her
emidly.08 on Signal
Chicago, IL
she/her
emidly.08 on Signal
Pinned
Em, midly
@lefttheprairie.bsky.social
· Nov 15
Looking for Chicagoans on Bluesky? Pin this list to your feeds to read posts from locals. Want to be added or see someone from #chicago missing? Tag me (or honestly just like this post) and I’ll get right on it. bsky.app/profile/did:...
Reposted by Em, midly
Oh, and by the way, the whistle story is a Verge Gift Link! You can read it for free — gift links are a recent feature we rolled out to subscribers. If you want to support more journalism like this, please consider becoming a subscriber too!
This whistle fights fascists
I print whistles now. You can too.
www.theverge.com
February 9, 2026 at 9:54 PM
Oh, and by the way, the whistle story is a Verge Gift Link! You can read it for free — gift links are a recent feature we rolled out to subscribers. If you want to support more journalism like this, please consider becoming a subscriber too!
So glad to have met @mostlybree.kitrocha.com and @seanhollister.bsky.social and so many other people who set aside their anxieties and ego and just jump in to help
I want to leave you with this, from @mostlybree.kitrocha.com:
February 10, 2026 at 2:13 AM
So glad to have met @mostlybree.kitrocha.com and @seanhollister.bsky.social and so many other people who set aside their anxieties and ego and just jump in to help
Reposted by Em, midly
This is it. This is what I'm talking about. This is everything. bsky.app/profile/sean...
I want to leave you with this, from @mostlybree.kitrocha.com:
February 10, 2026 at 2:10 AM
This is it. This is what I'm talking about. This is everything. bsky.app/profile/sean...
I had a frustrating day of leftist infighting and I can’t tell you how much my spirits were lifted when I saw Greg tagged me into this thread of ways people are helping
Some of my very favorite people on here. Looking for something to do? Something real and practical to help make things better? Might find some concrete ideas and inspiration here.
go.bsky.app/9H3C9Ty
go.bsky.app/9H3C9Ty
February 10, 2026 at 2:04 AM
I had a frustrating day of leftist infighting and I can’t tell you how much my spirits were lifted when I saw Greg tagged me into this thread of ways people are helping
This man is the sole caretaker for his two younger siblings after his dad was murdered, and they’ve detained him for months.
“During his arrest, immigration agents initially mistook Alcantar for a separate target but still detained and transported the 22-year-old to a facility in Missouri after properly identifying him, Greenslade said.”
He Moved His Orphaned Siblings To Chicago Area To Be Their Caretaker. Now, He's Stuck In ICE Detention
Federico Alexis Alcantar, 22, is currently being held in a Missouri ICE detention facility. He's been the sole caretaker for his two younger siblings after his father was murdered last year and his mo...
blockclubchicago.org
February 9, 2026 at 10:17 PM
This man is the sole caretaker for his two younger siblings after his dad was murdered, and they’ve detained him for months.
Okay I have now been blocked by the world’s self-styled foremost expert on tear gas
After yelling at me for a full hour uninvited, he admits wet wipes may help get the spicy oil off your non-eyeball skin and make you feel like you’re doing something when it’s too cold out for water to be practical. Also he assures that you will feel better with time no matter what you use!
February 9, 2026 at 10:01 PM
Okay I have now been blocked by the world’s self-styled foremost expert on tear gas
Reposted by Em, midly
Also, filament maker @protopasta.bsky.social will now let you ship rolls of their small-batch filament to us at prices competitive with Amazon! proto-pasta.com/products/the...
"We Keep Us Safe" by The Whistle Crew
The Protopasta Fil-anthropy Fund is proud to partner with the Whistle Crew, "a loose federation united by our love for 3D printing and community safety." Across the nation, our communities' lives are ...
proto-pasta.com
February 9, 2026 at 9:27 PM
Also, filament maker @protopasta.bsky.social will now let you ship rolls of their small-batch filament to us at prices competitive with Amazon! proto-pasta.com/products/the...
Reposted by Em, midly
"We might not be able to be on the front lines with people or putting our bodies out there, but it can save someone," Teresa Magaña told me about the whistle printing and distro efforts.
She's the one behind the Form A Crowd, Stay Loud zine that's inspired whistle groups in at least 25 states:
She's the one behind the Form A Crowd, Stay Loud zine that's inspired whistle groups in at least 25 states:
February 9, 2026 at 8:42 PM
"We might not be able to be on the front lines with people or putting our bodies out there, but it can save someone," Teresa Magaña told me about the whistle printing and distro efforts.
She's the one behind the Form A Crowd, Stay Loud zine that's inspired whistle groups in at least 25 states:
She's the one behind the Form A Crowd, Stay Loud zine that's inspired whistle groups in at least 25 states:
Reposted by Em, midly
"This is a country full of people who are pissed and who want to do the right thing, and seeing it in person it doesn't just give you hope, it gives you like almost a certainty that we will win this. It might be like passing a bad kidney stone, but we're gonna win this." 2/2
February 9, 2026 at 8:29 PM
"This is a country full of people who are pissed and who want to do the right thing, and seeing it in person it doesn't just give you hope, it gives you like almost a certainty that we will win this. It might be like passing a bad kidney stone, but we're gonna win this." 2/2
Reposted by Em, midly
That's exactly how Matt from MN feels about distributing whistles.
"When you're online it's doomspiraling, and a lot of these content creators even on the left want you to be scared [...] when you connect with other humans, you realize we're not in this alone. It's not just me opposing this." 1/2
"When you're online it's doomspiraling, and a lot of these content creators even on the left want you to be scared [...] when you connect with other humans, you realize we're not in this alone. It's not just me opposing this." 1/2
February 9, 2026 at 8:28 PM
That's exactly how Matt from MN feels about distributing whistles.
"When you're online it's doomspiraling, and a lot of these content creators even on the left want you to be scared [...] when you connect with other humans, you realize we're not in this alone. It's not just me opposing this." 1/2
"When you're online it's doomspiraling, and a lot of these content creators even on the left want you to be scared [...] when you connect with other humans, you realize we're not in this alone. It's not just me opposing this." 1/2
Reposted by Em, midly
"The brilliance of the people in Chicago and the people in Minneapolis: they run towards the whistles, which is a scary thing to do. After two people have been shot, they run towards them and they start recording, and they've made it impossible for the administration to lie about what's happening."
February 9, 2026 at 8:18 PM
"The brilliance of the people in Chicago and the people in Minneapolis: they run towards the whistles, which is a scary thing to do. After two people have been shot, they run towards them and they start recording, and they've made it impossible for the administration to lie about what's happening."
Reposted by Em, midly
Originally, I wasn't going to say a word. I never wrote about 3D-printing face shields during the pandemic. Didn't want to make that about me.
But I need you to know that this is easy. I'm not doing anything special. Robots print them in my sleep. You can do this too.
But I need you to know that this is easy. I'm not doing anything special. Robots print them in my sleep. You can do this too.
February 9, 2026 at 6:48 PM
Originally, I wasn't going to say a word. I never wrote about 3D-printing face shields during the pandemic. Didn't want to make that about me.
But I need you to know that this is easy. I'm not doing anything special. Robots print them in my sleep. You can do this too.
But I need you to know that this is easy. I'm not doing anything special. Robots print them in my sleep. You can do this too.
Reposted by Em, midly
BEYOND proud to know @dansinker.com @mostlybree.kitrocha.com @courtneymilan.com @lefttheprairie.bsky.social & all whistle goblins& esp a hero to me, a ‘90s zine kid, Teresa Magaña, creator of PACH zine 👊🏻
In the words of @olufemiotaiwo.bsky.social I do not regret to inform you we are going to win 💚
In the words of @olufemiotaiwo.bsky.social I do not regret to inform you we are going to win 💚
In 1943, musician Woody Guthrie placed a message on his guitar: "This machine kills fascists."
I am part of a group that's shipped half a million free 3D-printed whistles to defend against ICE — 200,000 of them in the first week of February alone.
This is the story of the "Whistle Crew."
I am part of a group that's shipped half a million free 3D-printed whistles to defend against ICE — 200,000 of them in the first week of February alone.
This is the story of the "Whistle Crew."
This whistle fights fascists
I print whistles now. You can too.
www.theverge.com
February 9, 2026 at 7:24 PM
BEYOND proud to know @dansinker.com @mostlybree.kitrocha.com @courtneymilan.com @lefttheprairie.bsky.social & all whistle goblins& esp a hero to me, a ‘90s zine kid, Teresa Magaña, creator of PACH zine 👊🏻
In the words of @olufemiotaiwo.bsky.social I do not regret to inform you we are going to win 💚
In the words of @olufemiotaiwo.bsky.social I do not regret to inform you we are going to win 💚
After yelling at me for a full hour uninvited, he admits wet wipes may help get the spicy oil off your non-eyeball skin and make you feel like you’re doing something when it’s too cold out for water to be practical. Also he assures that you will feel better with time no matter what you use!
February 9, 2026 at 7:23 PM
After yelling at me for a full hour uninvited, he admits wet wipes may help get the spicy oil off your non-eyeball skin and make you feel like you’re doing something when it’s too cold out for water to be practical. Also he assures that you will feel better with time no matter what you use!
I love it when men decide it’s better to be right than helpful or kind. Also I’m probably blocking a lot of very smart leftist academics today
February 9, 2026 at 6:39 PM
I love it when men decide it’s better to be right than helpful or kind. Also I’m probably blocking a lot of very smart leftist academics today
Reposted by Em, midly
Kids "learn that calling 911 is dangerous. They learn that police are not there to protect them. They learn that even citizenship does not guarantee safety when your family is undocumented. And they learn, most devastatingly, that they are disposable."
Last week: "A call for help triggered a chain of events that ended with the deportation of a mother and her U.S. citizen child. This is not public safety. This is a system that punishes families for seeking help."
When Local Police Collaborate with ICE, Children Pay the Price
I know exactly what message the recent deportation of an Austin mom and her 5-year-old sends to kids. They learn that calling 911 is dangerous.
www.texasobserver.org
February 9, 2026 at 4:55 PM
Kids "learn that calling 911 is dangerous. They learn that police are not there to protect them. They learn that even citizenship does not guarantee safety when your family is undocumented. And they learn, most devastatingly, that they are disposable."
Reposted by Em, midly
[previously in the NYT]
Hart: i've sold AI to to Brockway, Ogdenville and North Haverbrook and by gum it put them on the map
NYT: wow! sounds legit!
Hart: and look! i've got your nose!
NYT: OH MY GAWD
NYT: are you a wizard??
Hart: i've sold AI to to Brockway, Ogdenville and North Haverbrook and by gum it put them on the map
NYT: wow! sounds legit!
Hart: and look! i've got your nose!
NYT: OH MY GAWD
NYT: are you a wizard??
February 9, 2026 at 4:42 PM
[previously in the NYT]
Hart: i've sold AI to to Brockway, Ogdenville and North Haverbrook and by gum it put them on the map
NYT: wow! sounds legit!
Hart: and look! i've got your nose!
NYT: OH MY GAWD
NYT: are you a wizard??
Hart: i've sold AI to to Brockway, Ogdenville and North Haverbrook and by gum it put them on the map
NYT: wow! sounds legit!
Hart: and look! i've got your nose!
NYT: OH MY GAWD
NYT: are you a wizard??
Reposted by Em, midly
anyways I invite the NYT to ride on I-94 in Indiana (an entirely illegal weed state) and witness America in action via billboards: WEED FIREWORKS CIGARETTES ALCOHOL WEED PERSONAL INJURY FIRM WEED FIREWORKS FIREWORKS WEED MOTORCYCLE ATTORNEY CIGARETTES WEED FIREWORKS CABIN CONSTRUCTION WEED FIREWORKS
February 9, 2026 at 4:28 PM
anyways I invite the NYT to ride on I-94 in Indiana (an entirely illegal weed state) and witness America in action via billboards: WEED FIREWORKS CIGARETTES ALCOHOL WEED PERSONAL INJURY FIRM WEED FIREWORKS FIREWORKS WEED MOTORCYCLE ATTORNEY CIGARETTES WEED FIREWORKS CABIN CONSTRUCTION WEED FIREWORKS
Reposted by Em, midly
I’m not on the map but this was crazy
February 9, 2026 at 5:07 AM
I’m not on the map but this was crazy
Okay I’m watching some of it and I’m crying when he shouts out all the nations of the Americas and independence for PR too. It’s a glimpse of the world I want to fucking live in
Damn it sounds like I really missed something not watching the halftime show
February 9, 2026 at 3:55 PM
Okay I’m watching some of it and I’m crying when he shouts out all the nations of the Americas and independence for PR too. It’s a glimpse of the world I want to fucking live in
Here’s a gift link if you need it. Amazing reporting from Sean, who has embedded with our whistle crew not just for a story, but because it’s the right thing to do.
www.theverge.com/policy/87495...
www.theverge.com/policy/87495...
February 9, 2026 at 3:29 PM
Here’s a gift link if you need it. Amazing reporting from Sean, who has embedded with our whistle crew not just for a story, but because it’s the right thing to do.
www.theverge.com/policy/87495...
www.theverge.com/policy/87495...
Reposted by Em, midly
if you wanna cry go search up the videos of people from smaller latin american countries crying that they saw their flags on the super bowl, it’s so fucking awesome what he was able to do last night.
February 9, 2026 at 2:41 PM
if you wanna cry go search up the videos of people from smaller latin american countries crying that they saw their flags on the super bowl, it’s so fucking awesome what he was able to do last night.
Reposted by Em, midly
“On the day after the raid, half the students in Wilder, where more than 70 percent of the school population is Latino, skipped class.”
ICE sacked some tiny Idaho town and deported ~4 percent of the population at a stroke, it's liable to collapse the local economy www.nytimes.com/2026/02/09/u...
A Raid in a Small Town Brings Trump’s Deportations to Deep-Red Idaho
www.nytimes.com
February 9, 2026 at 3:04 PM
“On the day after the raid, half the students in Wilder, where more than 70 percent of the school population is Latino, skipped class.”
Reposted by Em, midly
Most political performances don't accomplish anything this concrete btw. I applaud the people who've pulled this off.
‘Rage knitting’ against the machine: the hobbyists putting anti-ICE messages into crafts
Makers take a stand through ‘Melt the ICE’ red knit caps and sparkly nails – all while raising funds for those affected by immigration raids
www.theguardian.com
February 9, 2026 at 3:06 PM
Most political performances don't accomplish anything this concrete btw. I applaud the people who've pulled this off.
Reposted by Em, midly
February 9, 2026 at 3:03 PM