Kristen Evans
@paperalphabet.bsky.social
Culture writer: buzzfeed, new republic, la times, boston globe, etc. | content strategist for hire | still writing that novel! | newsletter: https://interior-castles.ghost.io/ | hello@kristen-evans.com
Reposted by Kristen Evans
Glad that Will asked me to comment on concentration camp history and the current detention plans for a warehouse in Tremont, Pennsylvania.
The banality of evil is shocking. An ex-Big Lots warehouse for cheap consumer junk is bought by ICE to ship as many as 7,500 handcuffed human beings, as the Trump regime builds a U.S. gulag archipelago
The unthinkable comes to Pa. coal country. My special report www.inquirer.com/opinion/ice-...
The unthinkable comes to Pa. coal country. My special report www.inquirer.com/opinion/ice-...
From Big Lots to warehousing humans: ICE plan sparks fear in Schuylkill County | Will Bunch
A massive warehouse in Tremont. Pa. that once moved cheap goods will now detain migrants in an $119 million ICE deal.
www.inquirer.com
February 5, 2026 at 6:17 PM
Glad that Will asked me to comment on concentration camp history and the current detention plans for a warehouse in Tremont, Pennsylvania.
Reposted by Kristen Evans
After 20 years, I've been laid off at The Washington Post.
substack.com/home/post/p-...
substack.com/home/post/p-...
I’ve Been Laid Off. I’m Not Done.
After 20 years at The Washington Post, I’m suddenly on my own — and still writing about books.
substack.com
February 4, 2026 at 7:17 PM
After 20 years, I've been laid off at The Washington Post.
substack.com/home/post/p-...
substack.com/home/post/p-...
i am not in any way downplaying the seriousness of what happened today, but: i believe in the creativity of people who work in media & i believe new and interesting and hopefully more equitable publications and businesses will come out of this moment.
February 4, 2026 at 3:08 PM
i am not in any way downplaying the seriousness of what happened today, but: i believe in the creativity of people who work in media & i believe new and interesting and hopefully more equitable publications and businesses will come out of this moment.
we have such a massive elite impunity problem in this country
"rich dipshit owner doesn't understand the industry he's bought into and clumsily destroys what made it good" feels less like a narrative unique to the washington post and more like the music that's been playing in the background of all our lives for at least 40 years
February 4, 2026 at 3:01 PM
we have such a massive elite impunity problem in this country
i know that this is an unpopular take, but everyone starting their own newsletter as a revenue stream is not a sustainable model for writing and reporting or for people who love and want to pay for media.
A lot of people cannot just start a paid newsletter or become freelancers to sustain their careers. The sports, metro, and international desks did work that requires *team* resources, like legal checks, documents, access to archives, and long-term beat experience.
February 4, 2026 at 2:50 PM
i know that this is an unpopular take, but everyone starting their own newsletter as a revenue stream is not a sustainable model for writing and reporting or for people who love and want to pay for media.
well. we either need good rich people to step up and help the arts or somehow develop even more capacity to do it ourselves. i am tired.
February 4, 2026 at 2:16 PM
well. we either need good rich people to step up and help the arts or somehow develop even more capacity to do it ourselves. i am tired.
jesus christ
WaPo also closing Books section and downsizing International and Metro sections
February 4, 2026 at 2:14 PM
jesus christ
Reposted by Kristen Evans
The public library is an essential component of a 21st-century left political project as an example of both what is already available to us and what can be improved upon in the future. The library is a public good, and it is free as a public service.
I want more people to make the connections.
I want more people to make the connections.
January 31, 2026 at 10:58 PM
The public library is an essential component of a 21st-century left political project as an example of both what is already available to us and what can be improved upon in the future. The library is a public good, and it is free as a public service.
I want more people to make the connections.
I want more people to make the connections.
Reposted by Kristen Evans
👀 Every Senate Democrat + Collins and Murkowski just voted for the Bernie Sanders amendment to repeal the $75 billion in additional ICE funding under Trump’s “big beautiful bill.” The measure failed 49-51.
January 30, 2026 at 11:05 PM
👀 Every Senate Democrat + Collins and Murkowski just voted for the Bernie Sanders amendment to repeal the $75 billion in additional ICE funding under Trump’s “big beautiful bill.” The measure failed 49-51.
i haven’t been able to stop thinking about this since 2016 and earlier. about a decade of profit- and access-motivated business decisions from some of our most important outlets have led us to this moment.
If the journalism would've been done then... they wouldn't be arresting journalist NOW
January 30, 2026 at 5:23 PM
i haven’t been able to stop thinking about this since 2016 and earlier. about a decade of profit- and access-motivated business decisions from some of our most important outlets have led us to this moment.
Reposted by Kristen Evans
Please buy books that are coming out this year.
Doesn’t have to be mine. But there is a stellar release calendar this year especially of Black writers and it would be a shame if one of the fascist victories was people not buying those books (from the indies that are in the fight with us). #BookSky
Doesn’t have to be mine. But there is a stellar release calendar this year especially of Black writers and it would be a shame if one of the fascist victories was people not buying those books (from the indies that are in the fight with us). #BookSky
January 30, 2026 at 2:18 PM
Please buy books that are coming out this year.
Doesn’t have to be mine. But there is a stellar release calendar this year especially of Black writers and it would be a shame if one of the fascist victories was people not buying those books (from the indies that are in the fight with us). #BookSky
Doesn’t have to be mine. But there is a stellar release calendar this year especially of Black writers and it would be a shame if one of the fascist victories was people not buying those books (from the indies that are in the fight with us). #BookSky
Reposted by Kristen Evans
The billions to DHS have built the for-profit panopticon surveillance state they were unable to fully push through after 9/11 because people fought back.
It took 25 years but they have it now.
This cannot be reformed. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/t...
It took 25 years but they have it now.
This cannot be reformed. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/t...
How ICE Already Knows Who Minneapolis Protesters Are
www.nytimes.com
January 30, 2026 at 5:10 PM
The billions to DHS have built the for-profit panopticon surveillance state they were unable to fully push through after 9/11 because people fought back.
It took 25 years but they have it now.
This cannot be reformed. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/t...
It took 25 years but they have it now.
This cannot be reformed. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/t...
jesus
CNN is reporting that federal authorities may have been collecting information and "documenting details" about Alex Pretti before killing him on Saturday, and that officers tackled him a week earlier. www.cnn.com/2026/01/27/u...
Alex Pretti was in earlier confrontation with federal agents who tackled him, broke his rib, sources say | CNN
Federal immigration officials have been collecting information on protesters and agitators, sources told CNN.
www.cnn.com
January 27, 2026 at 10:58 PM
jesus
Reposted by Kristen Evans
While independent bookstores are giving out free whistles, hosting protest sign making events, and donating proceeds to mutual aid, Amazon is *checks notes* providing technology that assists ICE in their terrorizing of communities.
Independent bookstores deserve your support. Amazon does not.
Independent bookstores deserve your support. Amazon does not.
January 27, 2026 at 5:07 PM
While independent bookstores are giving out free whistles, hosting protest sign making events, and donating proceeds to mutual aid, Amazon is *checks notes* providing technology that assists ICE in their terrorizing of communities.
Independent bookstores deserve your support. Amazon does not.
Independent bookstores deserve your support. Amazon does not.
i wish it would stop snowing. looking forward to next week’s high temperature of ::checks notes:: 26 degrees lol
January 27, 2026 at 8:15 PM
i wish it would stop snowing. looking forward to next week’s high temperature of ::checks notes:: 26 degrees lol
Reposted by Kristen Evans
The biggest risk in this moment is something sociologists call “symbolic compliance.”
That’s when an institution that is violating civil rights gives the public just enough symbolic victories that accountability efforts lose steam before there has been any meaningful change.
That’s when an institution that is violating civil rights gives the public just enough symbolic victories that accountability efforts lose steam before there has been any meaningful change.
January 26, 2026 at 11:35 PM
The biggest risk in this moment is something sociologists call “symbolic compliance.”
That’s when an institution that is violating civil rights gives the public just enough symbolic victories that accountability efforts lose steam before there has been any meaningful change.
That’s when an institution that is violating civil rights gives the public just enough symbolic victories that accountability efforts lose steam before there has been any meaningful change.
Reposted by Kristen Evans
The terror that ICE and CBP have inflicted on the children of the Twin Cities is, by itself, a crime of scandalous proportions that will forever stain this country's moral fabric, and all those responsible should never know another day of peace. www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
January 26, 2026 at 9:43 PM
The terror that ICE and CBP have inflicted on the children of the Twin Cities is, by itself, a crime of scandalous proportions that will forever stain this country's moral fabric, and all those responsible should never know another day of peace. www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Kristen Evans
ICE is changing tactics in Maine: "Now, the volunteers in Maine say federal agents have started showing up at their homes and intimidating them or threatening arrest. Some of them, masked and wearing tactical gear, have issued stark warnings not to follow them." www.pressherald.com/2026/01/23/i...
ICE watchers in Maine say they were threatened by federal agents
Community members have been monitoring the activity of immigration agents in Greater Portland.
www.pressherald.com
January 26, 2026 at 11:06 PM
ICE is changing tactics in Maine: "Now, the volunteers in Maine say federal agents have started showing up at their homes and intimidating them or threatening arrest. Some of them, masked and wearing tactical gear, have issued stark warnings not to follow them." www.pressherald.com/2026/01/23/i...
Reposted by Kristen Evans
It’s always funny when palantir employees discover that they work at palantir
Palantir employees are pressing company leadership over its work for ICE in internal company Slacks obtained by @wired.com
"In my opinion ICE are the bad guys. I am not proud that the company I enjoy so much working for is part of this."
Scoop from @makenakelly.bsky.social
"In my opinion ICE are the bad guys. I am not proud that the company I enjoy so much working for is part of this."
Scoop from @makenakelly.bsky.social
Palantir Defends Work With ICE to Staff Following Killing of Alex Pretti
“In my opinion ICE are the bad guys. I am not proud that the company I enjoy so much working for is part of this,” one worker wrote on Slack.
www.wired.com
January 26, 2026 at 10:51 PM
It’s always funny when palantir employees discover that they work at palantir
Reposted by Kristen Evans
If you work for Palantir and have concerns about its role in US federal immigration enforcement, please reach out. You can remain anonymous.
Signal: makenakelly.32
Signal: makenakelly.32
SCOOP: Palantir Defends Work With ICE to Staff Following Killing of Alex Pretti
WIRED obtained Slack conversations + an updated internal Palantir wiki defending the company's work for ICE to outraged workers.
More here:
www.wired.com/story/palant...
WIRED obtained Slack conversations + an updated internal Palantir wiki defending the company's work for ICE to outraged workers.
More here:
www.wired.com/story/palant...
Palantir Defends Work With ICE to Staff Following Killing of Alex Pretti
“In my opinion ICE are the bad guys. I am not proud that the company I enjoy so much working for is part of this,” one worker wrote on Slack.
www.wired.com
January 26, 2026 at 10:29 PM
If you work for Palantir and have concerns about its role in US federal immigration enforcement, please reach out. You can remain anonymous.
Signal: makenakelly.32
Signal: makenakelly.32
the vehicle currently struggling most on my block belongs to triple A, which doesn’t bode well for anyone else lol
January 26, 2026 at 7:58 PM
the vehicle currently struggling most on my block belongs to triple A, which doesn’t bode well for anyone else lol
debating on the following linkedin post, what do you guys think?
“for people who claim to be horrified by what’s happening, a lot of you seem to be friends with palantir employees.”
“for people who claim to be horrified by what’s happening, a lot of you seem to be friends with palantir employees.”
January 26, 2026 at 4:39 PM
debating on the following linkedin post, what do you guys think?
“for people who claim to be horrified by what’s happening, a lot of you seem to be friends with palantir employees.”
“for people who claim to be horrified by what’s happening, a lot of you seem to be friends with palantir employees.”
Reposted by Kristen Evans
tomorrow, StandWithMinnesota.com will hit a million site visits and over 650,000 unique visitors.
i made it 10 days ago with $600 from you guys for hosting and cloudflare.
thank you. thank you.
i made it 10 days ago with $600 from you guys for hosting and cloudflare.
thank you. thank you.
Stand With Minnesota Donation Directory
Stand With Minnesota is a hub for supporting, learning, and taking action to support Minnesotans impacted by ICE and federal enforcement.
StandWithMinnesota.com
January 25, 2026 at 8:12 PM
tomorrow, StandWithMinnesota.com will hit a million site visits and over 650,000 unique visitors.
i made it 10 days ago with $600 from you guys for hosting and cloudflare.
thank you. thank you.
i made it 10 days ago with $600 from you guys for hosting and cloudflare.
thank you. thank you.
i’m really grateful to the people like this who are doing invaluable work with allies abroad
The idea that there are no protests in the US and no one is standing up to Trump is proving incredibly hard to kill over here in Germany. It’s become dogma, utterly detached from empirical reality.
I wonder if the people who keep talking like that understand they’re perpetuating regime propaganda.
I wonder if the people who keep talking like that understand they’re perpetuating regime propaganda.
January 21, 2026 at 5:42 PM
i’m really grateful to the people like this who are doing invaluable work with allies abroad
Reposted by Kristen Evans
“One notable MIT study found that 95 percent of companies that integrated AI saw zero meaningful growth in revenue. For coding tasks, one of AI’s most widely hyped applications, another study showed that programmers who used AI coding tools actually became slower at their jobs.”
AI Completely Failing to Boost Productivity, Says Top Analyst
AI may or may not excel at a lot of things, but from an economic standpoint, it's definitely not making us more productive.
futurism.com
January 20, 2026 at 12:52 AM
“One notable MIT study found that 95 percent of companies that integrated AI saw zero meaningful growth in revenue. For coding tasks, one of AI’s most widely hyped applications, another study showed that programmers who used AI coding tools actually became slower at their jobs.”