The People's Fabric
@peoplesfabric.com
Chicago. Investigative journalist. One half of @UnraveledPress.com. Got a tip? Signal is @tpf.99
Pinned
The People's Fabric
@peoplesfabric.com
· Aug 20
We focused on the rapid proliferation of license plate readers and adoption of real-time crime center systems, but police spent loads on other tech.
For instance, police in Oak Brook, Countryside, North Riverside, and Willowbrook bought handheld & vehicle-mounted StarChase GPS launchers.
For instance, police in Oak Brook, Countryside, North Riverside, and Willowbrook bought handheld & vehicle-mounted StarChase GPS launchers.
Reposted by The People's Fabric
Quick reminder that this is why free speech wasn't what they were talking about whenever they drummed up controversies over free speech.
UPDATE: TJ Sabula, the worker who shouted "pedophile protector" at Trump, has been suspended - WaPo
WATCH: Trump shows his middle finger and appears to say "fuck you" after Ford worker yells "pedophile protector" - TMZ
January 14, 2026 at 6:43 AM
Quick reminder that this is why free speech wasn't what they were talking about whenever they drummed up controversies over free speech.
Reposted by The People's Fabric
Neighbors standing guard over churches so that parents can have secret meetings about how to keep daycares safe. This is what's happening in the Twin Cities right now.
January 14, 2026 at 4:58 AM
Neighbors standing guard over churches so that parents can have secret meetings about how to keep daycares safe. This is what's happening in the Twin Cities right now.
Reposted by The People's Fabric
So, if I'm reading this right:
4 prosecutors at the Dept of Justice Civil Rights division quit because the Trump-appointed leadership won't investigate Good's killer,
and
6 from the Minnesota US Attorney's office quit when they were told instead to investigate her widow.
(HT @benjaminkabak.com)
4 prosecutors at the Dept of Justice Civil Rights division quit because the Trump-appointed leadership won't investigate Good's killer,
and
6 from the Minnesota US Attorney's office quit when they were told instead to investigate her widow.
(HT @benjaminkabak.com)
Federal prosecutors quit in protest over lack of investigation into ICE shooting
Six lawyers from US attorney’s office in Minnesota quit along with four leaders of DoJ’s civil rights division
www.theguardian.com
January 13, 2026 at 9:35 PM
So, if I'm reading this right:
4 prosecutors at the Dept of Justice Civil Rights division quit because the Trump-appointed leadership won't investigate Good's killer,
and
6 from the Minnesota US Attorney's office quit when they were told instead to investigate her widow.
(HT @benjaminkabak.com)
4 prosecutors at the Dept of Justice Civil Rights division quit because the Trump-appointed leadership won't investigate Good's killer,
and
6 from the Minnesota US Attorney's office quit when they were told instead to investigate her widow.
(HT @benjaminkabak.com)
It’s the year of our lord 2026 and you just see a name on a list you know nothing about and are off to the races? Come on.
January 14, 2026 at 5:59 AM
It’s the year of our lord 2026 and you just see a name on a list you know nothing about and are off to the races? Come on.
I don’t mean this as a criticism of OP, but this is how cops are at their most basic level. They operate here when their leaders encourage violent & corrupt behavior while promising no accountability. Russians, Americans, whatever, doesn’t matter.
They’re literally acting like fucking Russians
take a second to really wrap your head around this.
January 14, 2026 at 5:55 AM
I don’t mean this as a criticism of OP, but this is how cops are at their most basic level. They operate here when their leaders encourage violent & corrupt behavior while promising no accountability. Russians, Americans, whatever, doesn’t matter.
Reposted by The People's Fabric
🤣
Viewers are rejecting Tony Dokoupil's "CBS Evening News," with the show down 23% in viewers year over year.
"CBS isn’t losing the evening news race, they already lost it," one veteran TV exec told me. Another called the debut a "big whiff."
More in @status.news: www.status.news/p/tony-dokou...
"CBS isn’t losing the evening news race, they already lost it," one veteran TV exec told me. Another called the debut a "big whiff."
More in @status.news: www.status.news/p/tony-dokou...
The Dokoupil Dud
Despite wall-to-wall promotion, Tony Dokoupil’s "CBS Evening News" debut has delivered a ratings dud—and perhaps exposed the limits of Bari Weiss' MAGA-ification of the network.
www.status.news
January 14, 2026 at 4:32 AM
🤣
Reposted by The People's Fabric
The president said "Fuck you" to a citizen and only the citizen will face any consequences
UPDATE: TJ Sabula, the worker who shouted "pedophile protector" at Trump, has been suspended - WaPo
WATCH: Trump shows his middle finger and appears to say "fuck you" after Ford worker yells "pedophile protector" - TMZ
January 14, 2026 at 2:59 AM
The president said "Fuck you" to a citizen and only the citizen will face any consequences
Reposted by The People's Fabric
Now that 6 people resigned, that’s about 8.5% of that office, which has about 70 people
preview says 3, as of now the headline is updated to 6
January 13, 2026 at 6:33 PM
Now that 6 people resigned, that’s about 8.5% of that office, which has about 70 people
Reposted by The People's Fabric
howling at the fact that someone just took photos of this man's phone from behind him. he was talking shit with his phone font set to large and screen at max brightness
The Mercury has obtained a series of images of group messages that show racist, sexist, and homophobic tropes used by a local developer and other local conservative political activists during a council president election. Readers may find this content offensive.
"Racist, Dehumanizing": Chat Images Show Portland Power Players Disparaging Councilors of Color
Messages obtained by the Mercury contain a slew of offensive tropes sent during a council president election
www.portlandmercury.com
January 13, 2026 at 7:42 PM
howling at the fact that someone just took photos of this man's phone from behind him. he was talking shit with his phone font set to large and screen at max brightness
Reposted by The People's Fabric
Absolute lawlessness.
And basically no way to sue Fed agents for bad behavior like this, SCOTUS keeps narrowing it, and Gorsuch said the whole line of cases should be tossed. Which is appalling as well.
As is Congress’s decades-long failure to confront this (bc they can create the right to sue).
And basically no way to sue Fed agents for bad behavior like this, SCOTUS keeps narrowing it, and Gorsuch said the whole line of cases should be tossed. Which is appalling as well.
As is Congress’s decades-long failure to confront this (bc they can create the right to sue).
take a second to really wrap your head around this.
January 13, 2026 at 10:46 PM
Absolute lawlessness.
And basically no way to sue Fed agents for bad behavior like this, SCOTUS keeps narrowing it, and Gorsuch said the whole line of cases should be tossed. Which is appalling as well.
As is Congress’s decades-long failure to confront this (bc they can create the right to sue).
And basically no way to sue Fed agents for bad behavior like this, SCOTUS keeps narrowing it, and Gorsuch said the whole line of cases should be tossed. Which is appalling as well.
As is Congress’s decades-long failure to confront this (bc they can create the right to sue).
I think you should consider that his name is the only one “first name last name” while all the others are “last name, first name.” Could maybe be an important clue to what is true.
Proud Boys leader Tarrio found on the leaked list of ICE officers.
January 14, 2026 at 3:46 AM
I think you should consider that his name is the only one “first name last name” while all the others are “last name, first name.” Could maybe be an important clue to what is true.
Reposted by The People's Fabric
BREAKING: James Rodden, an ICE prosecutor who the Observer identified last year as the operator of an X account that posted “America is a White nation," “‘Migrants’ are all criminals,” and apparent praise of Adolf Hitler, appeared to be back at work Tuesday.
www.texasobserver.org/ice-prosecut...
www.texasobserver.org/ice-prosecut...
ICE Prosecutor Who Runs Racist X Account Returns to Dallas Immigration Court
James Rodden, who the Observer identified last year as the operator of the account that routinely posted hateful statements, appeared to be back at work Tuesday.
www.texasobserver.org
January 14, 2026 at 12:43 AM
BREAKING: James Rodden, an ICE prosecutor who the Observer identified last year as the operator of an X account that posted “America is a White nation," “‘Migrants’ are all criminals,” and apparent praise of Adolf Hitler, appeared to be back at work Tuesday.
www.texasobserver.org/ice-prosecut...
www.texasobserver.org/ice-prosecut...
Reposted by The People's Fabric
The latter part of this tweet has gone under the radar but it's an alarming escalation. The Trump admin has already detained dozens of people with full refugee status, seemingly those who had not yet adjusted to green cards, and is detaining them in Texas and seeking to strip them of their status.
Update: Since Jan 9, there have been 12 ICE Air flights out of Minneapolis, MN—a jump from the typical 3 flights/week to Minneapolis. This surge is taking place as people with valid refugee status are being taken from their homes in MN & transferred to detention centers in TX.
January 14, 2026 at 2:27 AM
The latter part of this tweet has gone under the radar but it's an alarming escalation. The Trump admin has already detained dozens of people with full refugee status, seemingly those who had not yet adjusted to green cards, and is detaining them in Texas and seeking to strip them of their status.
Reposted by The People's Fabric
Within seconds, they move forward. Launch some chemical munitions, shove people to the ground, pepper spray some in the face.
From what we can tell in the dark, mostly BOP (prison guards) out here right now.
From what we can tell in the dark, mostly BOP (prison guards) out here right now.
January 14, 2026 at 2:24 AM
Within seconds, they move forward. Launch some chemical munitions, shove people to the ground, pepper spray some in the face.
From what we can tell in the dark, mostly BOP (prison guards) out here right now.
From what we can tell in the dark, mostly BOP (prison guards) out here right now.
Reposted by The People's Fabric
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooof
DOKOUPIL: When I travel the country, they tell me they don't feel it because grocery prices are up--
TRUMP: They're going to now. I've only been here for 11 months. I inherited a mess. If she got in, you wouldn't have this job right now.
TRUMP: They're going to now. I've only been here for 11 months. I inherited a mess. If she got in, you wouldn't have this job right now.
January 13, 2026 at 11:45 PM
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooof
I’m happy some new stem cell technique has apparently started to mimic a structure approximating a spine in some folks but this is like saying “we just need to reform the Gestapo.” The entire mission is wrong. It is absolutely impossible to reform.
The Congressional Progressive Caucus, which has nearly 100 members, announced its members will oppose any new funding for immigration enforcement until "meaningful" reforms are put in place. www.huffpost.com/entry/doj-fe...
Progressive Caucus To Oppose Any New Funding For Immigration Enforcement
www.huffpost.com
January 13, 2026 at 11:42 PM
I’m happy some new stem cell technique has apparently started to mimic a structure approximating a spine in some folks but this is like saying “we just need to reform the Gestapo.” The entire mission is wrong. It is absolutely impossible to reform.
This is another thing making me lose my mind.
Not only was this guy a trainer, but so is the CBP agent who shot a woman 5 times in Chicago. These ARE THE TRAINERS. More time with them is not going to help.
Not only was this guy a trainer, but so is the CBP agent who shot a woman 5 times in Chicago. These ARE THE TRAINERS. More time with them is not going to help.
Ross was a FIREARMS TRAINER.
The shooter who is making them want to freeze funding is the one who does the training.
The shooter who is making them want to freeze funding is the one who does the training.
If the Dems vote to increase ICE funding for "better training" (overseen by whom? accountable to what?) I will never give a single Dem a single penny ever again
January 13, 2026 at 11:34 PM
This is another thing making me lose my mind.
Not only was this guy a trainer, but so is the CBP agent who shot a woman 5 times in Chicago. These ARE THE TRAINERS. More time with them is not going to help.
Not only was this guy a trainer, but so is the CBP agent who shot a woman 5 times in Chicago. These ARE THE TRAINERS. More time with them is not going to help.
Free Luigi
January 13, 2026 at 11:26 PM
Free Luigi
They are so entrenched in cop-speak they “removed this journalist from active duty.”
Update:
January 13, 2026 at 11:20 PM
They are so entrenched in cop-speak they “removed this journalist from active duty.”
Reposted by The People's Fabric
"“They specifically asked me if I knew where the Hmong families lived on my street & in the neighborhood.” Lugert-Thom responded, “I don’t know anything about that” & she said they then asked, “Well, what about the Asian families?”"
"“I was a bit shaken & a bit shocked of what I was asked to do.”"
"“I was a bit shaken & a bit shocked of what I was asked to do.”"
A St. Paul resident says federal officers knocked on her door and asked her to identify Hmong and Asian households in her North End neighborhood last week.
ICE in St. Paul: Man roughly detained at gas station, Border Patrol chief jeered in Midway Target
Videos and photos show a prevalence of federal agents in St. Paul recently.
trib.al
January 13, 2026 at 10:37 PM
"“They specifically asked me if I knew where the Hmong families lived on my street & in the neighborhood.” Lugert-Thom responded, “I don’t know anything about that” & she said they then asked, “Well, what about the Asian families?”"
"“I was a bit shaken & a bit shocked of what I was asked to do.”"
"“I was a bit shaken & a bit shocked of what I was asked to do.”"
“Rees said her nephew told her that the agents pressed his face against the pool of blood and did not immediately call paramedics.
“The other officers were mocking him, saying, ‘You’re going to lose your eye,’” she said, recalling what her nephew told her.”
“The other officers were mocking him, saying, ‘You’re going to lose your eye,’” she said, recalling what her nephew told her.”
January 13, 2026 at 11:00 PM
“Rees said her nephew told her that the agents pressed his face against the pool of blood and did not immediately call paramedics.
“The other officers were mocking him, saying, ‘You’re going to lose your eye,’” she said, recalling what her nephew told her.”
“The other officers were mocking him, saying, ‘You’re going to lose your eye,’” she said, recalling what her nephew told her.”
Reposted by The People's Fabric
Think you have to retire the phrase “immigration crackdown” when every major violent spectacle — at least those the news is choosing to highlight — involve US citizens screaming “Check my ID!”
As the Trump administration escalates its immigration crackdown in Minneapolis, arrests and aggressive tactics by ICE and the Border Patrol, many seen on viral videos, have intensified the frustration and fear among residents, business owners and immigrant workers. trib.al/zVm2mk5
January 13, 2026 at 10:45 PM
Think you have to retire the phrase “immigration crackdown” when every major violent spectacle — at least those the news is choosing to highlight — involve US citizens screaming “Check my ID!”
Reposted by The People's Fabric
This is 10th-grader Arnoldo Bazan.
A citizen.
Immigration agents grabbed him and put him in a chokehold.
"We're from the United States bro!' he screamed.
Agents took and sold his phone
And when he finally got home hours later, his shirt was ripped, he neck had angry, red welts, and he sobbed.
A citizen.
Immigration agents grabbed him and put him in a chokehold.
"We're from the United States bro!' he screamed.
Agents took and sold his phone
And when he finally got home hours later, his shirt was ripped, he neck had angry, red welts, and he sobbed.
January 13, 2026 at 10:20 PM
This is 10th-grader Arnoldo Bazan.
A citizen.
Immigration agents grabbed him and put him in a chokehold.
"We're from the United States bro!' he screamed.
Agents took and sold his phone
And when he finally got home hours later, his shirt was ripped, he neck had angry, red welts, and he sobbed.
A citizen.
Immigration agents grabbed him and put him in a chokehold.
"We're from the United States bro!' he screamed.
Agents took and sold his phone
And when he finally got home hours later, his shirt was ripped, he neck had angry, red welts, and he sobbed.
I’d like to know what groups these agents have “affinities” for…
Defense attorneys today challenging attempts by the feds to link their client to the Latin Kings through his "affinity" for the gang:
"Counsel has an 'affinity' for the Chicago Bears, lives in Chicago, and even wears Bears' colors, but alas, is not a member of the Chicago Bears."
"Counsel has an 'affinity' for the Chicago Bears, lives in Chicago, and even wears Bears' colors, but alas, is not a member of the Chicago Bears."
January 13, 2026 at 10:46 PM
I’d like to know what groups these agents have “affinities” for…
Reposted by The People's Fabric
Defense attorneys today challenging attempts by the feds to link their client to the Latin Kings through his "affinity" for the gang:
"Counsel has an 'affinity' for the Chicago Bears, lives in Chicago, and even wears Bears' colors, but alas, is not a member of the Chicago Bears."
"Counsel has an 'affinity' for the Chicago Bears, lives in Chicago, and even wears Bears' colors, but alas, is not a member of the Chicago Bears."
![First, an “affinity” for gang members is completely different from “gang membership.” An affinity for gang members can stem anywhere, including family relationships, professional experiences, community involvement, or even media exposure. See Fonoifua v. Robertson, No. 222CV4280PAKES, 2023 WL 4423603, at *28 (C.D. Cal. Apr. 25, 2023) (“Prospective Juror No. 2947 showed an affinity and sympathy to gang members based on the juror’s statements that gang members attending her school had acted as her ‘protectors’ and that she had taught famous gang members.”). Anyone can have an affinity for anything, including gang members or sports teams.2
The Seventh Circuit in Irvin explained “that common membership in any group, whether it be a gang or a church group, makes it more likely that two people are involved in a given activity together.” 87 F.3d at 864. However, it cannot be fairly said that Mr. Espinoza Martinez’s “affinity” alone makes it more likely that he was involved in any given activity with the Latin Kings. As the Eighth Circuit recognized in Street, the government can only introduce evidence of the defendant’s own gang membership. In this case [Mr. Espinoza Martinez] was not nor ever had been a gang member.” See Street, 548 F.3d at 632 (emphasis in original).
Footnote:
2 For example, the undersigned counsel has an “affinity” for the Chicago Bears, lives in Chicago, and even wears Bear’s colors, but alas, is not a member of the Chicago Bears.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:elipdmmf5istuvtyituspske/bafkreigp57ksr27tlpptcgxuekzdhk2ug2szpwv4thh2mlg7xbmmavqqay@jpeg)
January 13, 2026 at 10:26 PM
Defense attorneys today challenging attempts by the feds to link their client to the Latin Kings through his "affinity" for the gang:
"Counsel has an 'affinity' for the Chicago Bears, lives in Chicago, and even wears Bears' colors, but alas, is not a member of the Chicago Bears."
"Counsel has an 'affinity' for the Chicago Bears, lives in Chicago, and even wears Bears' colors, but alas, is not a member of the Chicago Bears."