Leslie Barnes
@leslieabarnes.bsky.social
💜 Pets / People / Politics / Painting / Podcasts / Let’s Connect
Reposted by Leslie Barnes
New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani released a campaign ad this week honoring transgender trailblazers in the city and vowing to make New York City a sanctuary for trans people.
Mamdani Vows to Make NYC a “Sanctuary City” for Trans People in New Campaign Ad
“New York will not sit idly by while trans people are attacked,” Mamdani said in his new campaign ad.
truthout.org
October 15, 2025 at 9:36 PM
New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani released a campaign ad this week honoring transgender trailblazers in the city and vowing to make New York City a sanctuary for trans people.
Reposted by Leslie Barnes
This entire argument by Louisiana and the conservatives questions are premised on an erasure of Congress’ enforcement power under the 14th & 15th Amendments.
Literally swinging for the fences to wipe out the premise for the legitimacy of Congress’ power to enact civil rights statutes.
Literally swinging for the fences to wipe out the premise for the legitimacy of Congress’ power to enact civil rights statutes.
October 15, 2025 at 3:43 PM
This entire argument by Louisiana and the conservatives questions are premised on an erasure of Congress’ enforcement power under the 14th & 15th Amendments.
Literally swinging for the fences to wipe out the premise for the legitimacy of Congress’ power to enact civil rights statutes.
Literally swinging for the fences to wipe out the premise for the legitimacy of Congress’ power to enact civil rights statutes.
Reposted by Leslie Barnes
The Supreme Court's Republican appointees sound ready to transform the 14th and 15th Amendments into a weapon against the very racial minorities they were meant to protect—handing Republicans 15-19 additional House seats in the process. A disaster for democracy.
slate.com/news-and-pol...
slate.com/news-and-pol...
October 15, 2025 at 7:40 PM
The Supreme Court's Republican appointees sound ready to transform the 14th and 15th Amendments into a weapon against the very racial minorities they were meant to protect—handing Republicans 15-19 additional House seats in the process. A disaster for democracy.
slate.com/news-and-pol...
slate.com/news-and-pol...
Reposted by Leslie Barnes
What could the Ds have done today in anticipation of Roberts Court positioning to gut Sec 2? Basics:
- coordinated press releases from Schumer, Durbin (SJC, Jeffries, Raskin (HJC)
- pr/email from DNC, DCCC chairs
- blasts from Dem Govs
- TV appearances
- Saturating social media to pressure scotus
- coordinated press releases from Schumer, Durbin (SJC, Jeffries, Raskin (HJC)
- pr/email from DNC, DCCC chairs
- blasts from Dem Govs
- TV appearances
- Saturating social media to pressure scotus
Exactly what can they do about it?
October 15, 2025 at 11:08 PM
What could the Ds have done today in anticipation of Roberts Court positioning to gut Sec 2? Basics:
- coordinated press releases from Schumer, Durbin (SJC, Jeffries, Raskin (HJC)
- pr/email from DNC, DCCC chairs
- blasts from Dem Govs
- TV appearances
- Saturating social media to pressure scotus
- coordinated press releases from Schumer, Durbin (SJC, Jeffries, Raskin (HJC)
- pr/email from DNC, DCCC chairs
- blasts from Dem Govs
- TV appearances
- Saturating social media to pressure scotus
Reposted by Leslie Barnes
If Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act falls, Democrats might need to win the national popular vote by 5 to 6 points to take control of the House, via Nate Cohn
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/u...
October 15, 2025 at 3:21 PM
If Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act falls, Democrats might need to win the national popular vote by 5 to 6 points to take control of the House, via Nate Cohn
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/u...
Reposted by Leslie Barnes
Dr. Jane Goodall filmed an interview with Netflix in March 2025 that she understood would only be released after her death.
October 5, 2025 at 9:08 AM
Dr. Jane Goodall filmed an interview with Netflix in March 2025 that she understood would only be released after her death.
Reposted by Leslie Barnes
GA is “punishing protest, criminalizing care, and silencing resistance.”
Many ways to support those facing years behind bars in #StopCopCity RICO cases ⬇️
Many ways to support those facing years behind bars in #StopCopCity RICO cases ⬇️
Hi, I’m Priscilla Grim. I’m a mother, artist, and longtime organizer. I’m also one of 61 people facing extreme RICO charges in Georgia for protesting Cop City.
It’s been 2 years. The state is still coming for me.
👉 supportpriscilla.org
#StopCopCity #HelloComrade
It’s been 2 years. The state is still coming for me.
👉 supportpriscilla.org
#StopCopCity #HelloComrade
Support Priscilla!
In the largest political RICO case in U.S. history, activist and artist Priscilla Grim faces baseless charges for opposing Cop City. Arrested during a peaceful protest, she now battles criminalization...
supportpriscilla.org
August 24, 2025 at 3:33 AM
GA is “punishing protest, criminalizing care, and silencing resistance.”
Many ways to support those facing years behind bars in #StopCopCity RICO cases ⬇️
Many ways to support those facing years behind bars in #StopCopCity RICO cases ⬇️
Reposted by Leslie Barnes
We cover HUGE grassroots victories in North Carolina, demonstrating how persistent community organizing can create meaningful change w/ @momsrising.org, @mamasconpoder.org. #MomSky
https://www.momsrising.org/bt14jul25/?source=bsky
https://www.momsrising.org/bt14jul25/?source=bsky
July 27, 2025 at 7:50 PM
We cover HUGE grassroots victories in North Carolina, demonstrating how persistent community organizing can create meaningful change w/ @momsrising.org, @mamasconpoder.org. #MomSky
https://www.momsrising.org/bt14jul25/?source=bsky
https://www.momsrising.org/bt14jul25/?source=bsky
Trump wont have to worry whether military generals will stop him this time, Congress handed him enough tax dollars to build THE world’s largest domestic surveillance and disappearing squad.
Staggering ICE budget foreshadows US future.
Staggering ICE budget foreshadows US future.
I don’t think anyone is prepared for what they just did w/ ICE.
This is not a simple budget increase. It is an explosion - making ICE bigger than the FBI, US Bureau of Prisons, DEA,& others combined.
It is setting up to make what’s happening now look like child’s play. And people are disappearing.
This is not a simple budget increase. It is an explosion - making ICE bigger than the FBI, US Bureau of Prisons, DEA,& others combined.
It is setting up to make what’s happening now look like child’s play. And people are disappearing.
July 4, 2025 at 2:10 AM
Trump wont have to worry whether military generals will stop him this time, Congress handed him enough tax dollars to build THE world’s largest domestic surveillance and disappearing squad.
Staggering ICE budget foreshadows US future.
Staggering ICE budget foreshadows US future.
Two tickets for award winning Broadway show Ain’t Too Proud - The Life and Time of the Temptations.
June 22nd, 2 pm ET
National Theater, DC
Third row from stage. $160 ea.
We’d hoped to take my mom and son, but they are not able to join us.
my.ticketmaster.com/ds/vQGAAFbwY...
June 22nd, 2 pm ET
National Theater, DC
Third row from stage. $160 ea.
We’d hoped to take my mom and son, but they are not able to join us.
my.ticketmaster.com/ds/vQGAAFbwY...
Ain't Too Proud - The Life and Times of The Temptations (Touring)
Sun Jun 22 2025, 2:00 PM The National Theatre, Washington, DC
my.ticketmaster.com
June 19, 2025 at 10:51 PM
Two tickets for award winning Broadway show Ain’t Too Proud - The Life and Time of the Temptations.
June 22nd, 2 pm ET
National Theater, DC
Third row from stage. $160 ea.
We’d hoped to take my mom and son, but they are not able to join us.
my.ticketmaster.com/ds/vQGAAFbwY...
June 22nd, 2 pm ET
National Theater, DC
Third row from stage. $160 ea.
We’d hoped to take my mom and son, but they are not able to join us.
my.ticketmaster.com/ds/vQGAAFbwY...
Reposted by Leslie Barnes
All this talk about the need for “civics.” But when Trump is walking around saying about going to war with Iran “I haven’t decided yet”; and “maybe I will; maybe I won’t”, how many media outlets are reminding Americans that Art. 1, Sec 8 grants the power to declare war to CONGRESS. Do your job.
June 19, 2025 at 2:26 AM
All this talk about the need for “civics.” But when Trump is walking around saying about going to war with Iran “I haven’t decided yet”; and “maybe I will; maybe I won’t”, how many media outlets are reminding Americans that Art. 1, Sec 8 grants the power to declare war to CONGRESS. Do your job.
Reposted by Leslie Barnes
Real scientists have lost faith in RFK.
The American people have lost faith in RFK.
I won't stop fighting until I see the headline that RFK has resigned. That's the greatest thing he could do on behalf of our nation's health.
The American people have lost faith in RFK.
I won't stop fighting until I see the headline that RFK has resigned. That's the greatest thing he could do on behalf of our nation's health.
NEW: ‘I no longer have confidence’: A senior physician and medical epidemiologist at @CDCgov who oversaw respiratory virus surveillance has resigned and raised concerns about the future of vaccine policy. My latest.
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
CDC virus expert resigns after RFK Jr.’s purge of vaccine advisers
Fiona Havers, who oversaw CDC respiratory virus data, told colleagues she no longer had confidence the data would be used objectively to set vaccine policy.
www.washingtonpost.com
June 16, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Real scientists have lost faith in RFK.
The American people have lost faith in RFK.
I won't stop fighting until I see the headline that RFK has resigned. That's the greatest thing he could do on behalf of our nation's health.
The American people have lost faith in RFK.
I won't stop fighting until I see the headline that RFK has resigned. That's the greatest thing he could do on behalf of our nation's health.
Reposted by Leslie Barnes
Virginia, polls are officially open!
We’ve got important elections up and down the ballot. Every precinct, every ballot, and every voter matters. Find your voting location at elections.virginia.gov
We’ve got important elections up and down the ballot. Every precinct, every ballot, and every voter matters. Find your voting location at elections.virginia.gov
June 17, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Virginia, polls are officially open!
We’ve got important elections up and down the ballot. Every precinct, every ballot, and every voter matters. Find your voting location at elections.virginia.gov
We’ve got important elections up and down the ballot. Every precinct, every ballot, and every voter matters. Find your voting location at elections.virginia.gov
Reposted by Leslie Barnes
‘I love America more than any other country in the world, and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her‘
— James Baldwin
— James Baldwin
June 14, 2025 at 2:02 PM
‘I love America more than any other country in the world, and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her‘
— James Baldwin
— James Baldwin
Reposted by Leslie Barnes
Wholeheartedly endorse this recommendation: @jmogul.bsky.social has been defending and suing on behalf of protesters for over 30 years in Chicago, NYC & beyond.
They are the first person I call about anything protest-related (or legal for that matter).
Read and follow their recs to stay safe(r)
They are the first person I call about anything protest-related (or legal for that matter).
Read and follow their recs to stay safe(r)
If you have a copy of Let This Radicalize You, pls note that there is an appendix in the back that talks about what to do if the police or any agent of the state shows up at your door. A trusted movement attorney wrote this section. Nothing will keep us 100% safe, but pls be aware of best practices.
June 14, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Wholeheartedly endorse this recommendation: @jmogul.bsky.social has been defending and suing on behalf of protesters for over 30 years in Chicago, NYC & beyond.
They are the first person I call about anything protest-related (or legal for that matter).
Read and follow their recs to stay safe(r)
They are the first person I call about anything protest-related (or legal for that matter).
Read and follow their recs to stay safe(r)
Reposted by Leslie Barnes
Know your rights before you hit the streets. Peaceful protest is protected — but only if you know how to protect yourself legally. Read, share, and stay safe.
June 14, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Know your rights before you hit the streets. Peaceful protest is protected — but only if you know how to protect yourself legally. Read, share, and stay safe.
Reposted by Leslie Barnes
The charges Abrego Garcia now faces stem from a traffic incident in 2022 in which he was driving a vehicle through Tennessee with a group of fellow construction workers — something he regularly did to ensure that he and his coworkers could make it from one job site to another across the country.
June 9, 2025 at 7:50 PM
The charges Abrego Garcia now faces stem from a traffic incident in 2022 in which he was driving a vehicle through Tennessee with a group of fellow construction workers — something he regularly did to ensure that he and his coworkers could make it from one job site to another across the country.
Slipped in the budget bill, a provision to muzzle courts and prevent them from holding officials in contempt if officials ignore or trample court orders.
Read for yourself this provision of the reconciliation bill, which is the current text just released by the House Rules Committee.
Then read: Dean Erwin Chemerinsky's essay this morning in @justsecurity.org.
Chemerinsky's essay is titled: "A Terrible Idea"
www.justsecurity.org/113529/terri...
Then read: Dean Erwin Chemerinsky's essay this morning in @justsecurity.org.
Chemerinsky's essay is titled: "A Terrible Idea"
www.justsecurity.org/113529/terri...
May 22, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Slipped in the budget bill, a provision to muzzle courts and prevent them from holding officials in contempt if officials ignore or trample court orders.
Reposted by Leslie Barnes
Read for yourself this provision of the reconciliation bill, which is the current text just released by the House Rules Committee.
Then read: Dean Erwin Chemerinsky's essay this morning in @justsecurity.org.
Chemerinsky's essay is titled: "A Terrible Idea"
www.justsecurity.org/113529/terri...
Then read: Dean Erwin Chemerinsky's essay this morning in @justsecurity.org.
Chemerinsky's essay is titled: "A Terrible Idea"
www.justsecurity.org/113529/terri...
May 19, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Read for yourself this provision of the reconciliation bill, which is the current text just released by the House Rules Committee.
Then read: Dean Erwin Chemerinsky's essay this morning in @justsecurity.org.
Chemerinsky's essay is titled: "A Terrible Idea"
www.justsecurity.org/113529/terri...
Then read: Dean Erwin Chemerinsky's essay this morning in @justsecurity.org.
Chemerinsky's essay is titled: "A Terrible Idea"
www.justsecurity.org/113529/terri...
Reposted by Leslie Barnes
It’s about to get more challenging.
So stop doomscrolling and start strategizing. There’s work that we must do to deal with the next 100 days. My thoughts.
open.substack.com/pub/sherrily...
So stop doomscrolling and start strategizing. There’s work that we must do to deal with the next 100 days. My thoughts.
open.substack.com/pub/sherrily...
Part 2 - How We Navigate the Next 100 Days
So what do we make of all of this?
open.substack.com
May 15, 2025 at 2:11 AM
It’s about to get more challenging.
So stop doomscrolling and start strategizing. There’s work that we must do to deal with the next 100 days. My thoughts.
open.substack.com/pub/sherrily...
So stop doomscrolling and start strategizing. There’s work that we must do to deal with the next 100 days. My thoughts.
open.substack.com/pub/sherrily...
Senate report explores the 65 safety and fraud charges against Elon Musk & co. exposing him to potentially $2.4 B in liability before he began advising cuts to agencies in charge of investigations. www.hsgac.senate.gov/wp-content/u...
www.hsgac.senate.gov
April 30, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Senate report explores the 65 safety and fraud charges against Elon Musk & co. exposing him to potentially $2.4 B in liability before he began advising cuts to agencies in charge of investigations. www.hsgac.senate.gov/wp-content/u...
🚨🚨 BREAKING: An NC three judge panel just affirmed the Governor’s longstanding power to make appointments to the State Board of Elections, declaring the legislature’s power grab unconstitutional.
April 24, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Curious about the history of the Alien Enemies Act’s, challenges to the law’s constitutionality, & alternatives that can safeguard our nation against sabotage during wartime? @brennancenter.bsky.social provides a detailed look at the AEA.
The Alien Enemies Act is one of the most notorious laws in American history and is a means to violate human rights and civil liberties. Learn more:
The Alien Enemies Act
A dangerous wartime authority is broad enough that it could be used for mass deportations in the absence of war.
www.brennancenter.org
April 17, 2025 at 1:45 AM
Curious about the history of the Alien Enemies Act’s, challenges to the law’s constitutionality, & alternatives that can safeguard our nation against sabotage during wartime? @brennancenter.bsky.social provides a detailed look at the AEA.
Reposted by Leslie Barnes
