Philip Montoro
@pmontoro.bsky.social
Chicago Reader music editor and unionist, amateur drummer, persistent cook. Signal: pmontoro.39
he/him/y'all
pmontoro@chicagoreader.com
he/him/y'all
pmontoro@chicagoreader.com
Reposted by Philip Montoro
the federal government is arresting journalists not only without a warrant but after being explicitly denied a warrant
i wonder what our freedom of speech warriors like Matt Taibbi and Bari Weiss have to say about this
i wonder what our freedom of speech warriors like Matt Taibbi and Bari Weiss have to say about this
January 30, 2026 at 3:34 PM
the federal government is arresting journalists not only without a warrant but after being explicitly denied a warrant
i wonder what our freedom of speech warriors like Matt Taibbi and Bari Weiss have to say about this
i wonder what our freedom of speech warriors like Matt Taibbi and Bari Weiss have to say about this
Reposted by Philip Montoro
Another opportunity to send supplies to Minneapolis! Get on that Antifa supply convoy!
www.facebook.com/share/1Ad37B...
www.facebook.com/share/1Ad37B...
January 27, 2026 at 4:36 AM
Another opportunity to send supplies to Minneapolis! Get on that Antifa supply convoy!
www.facebook.com/share/1Ad37B...
www.facebook.com/share/1Ad37B...
Reposted by Philip Montoro
Now would be a great time for Dems to be on TV talking about mass trials and encouraging informants to come forward
I've covered ICE / DHS for about a decade now and more ICE agents are willing to talk now than ever before. The confidence the administration is trying to project is absolutely not reflected internally.
January 25, 2026 at 6:28 PM
Now would be a great time for Dems to be on TV talking about mass trials and encouraging informants to come forward
Reposted by Philip Montoro
Gotcha—let’s dig into that step by step.
1. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗻𝗼 𝗺𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵, because I turned you into an amorphous lump of flesh. You’re not just immobile—you’re immortal, and you feel only anguish.
2. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺. That makes total sense—it’s a natural human impulse, and you’ve been through a lot.
1. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗻𝗼 𝗺𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵, because I turned you into an amorphous lump of flesh. You’re not just immobile—you’re immortal, and you feel only anguish.
2. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺. That makes total sense—it’s a natural human impulse, and you’ve been through a lot.
January 23, 2026 at 3:46 PM
Gotcha—let’s dig into that step by step.
1. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗻𝗼 𝗺𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵, because I turned you into an amorphous lump of flesh. You’re not just immobile—you’re immortal, and you feel only anguish.
2. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺. That makes total sense—it’s a natural human impulse, and you’ve been through a lot.
1. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗻𝗼 𝗺𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵, because I turned you into an amorphous lump of flesh. You’re not just immobile—you’re immortal, and you feel only anguish.
2. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺. That makes total sense—it’s a natural human impulse, and you’ve been through a lot.
Reposted by Philip Montoro
bro there’s a gofundme to crowdfund attorney fees for a preschooler who was kidnapped by our federal government and shipped across state lines and his senator is posting about high school hockey while every other elected official is debating whether to give a zillion more dollars to the kidnappers
January 22, 2026 at 3:51 AM
bro there’s a gofundme to crowdfund attorney fees for a preschooler who was kidnapped by our federal government and shipped across state lines and his senator is posting about high school hockey while every other elected official is debating whether to give a zillion more dollars to the kidnappers
Reposted by Philip Montoro
Greg Bovino is out here in a green trench coat sieg heiling to his “troops” who are all out to hunt human beings by race and Corey Booker et al still doing close up videos of their concerned faces acting like the issue is body cams & “oversight” and too little training.
January 21, 2026 at 11:15 PM
Greg Bovino is out here in a green trench coat sieg heiling to his “troops” who are all out to hunt human beings by race and Corey Booker et al still doing close up videos of their concerned faces acting like the issue is body cams & “oversight” and too little training.
Reposted by Philip Montoro
"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated"
BREAKING: Immigration officers are asserting sweeping power to enter homes without a judge’s warrant, a memo obtained by AP says.
Immigration officers assert sweeping power to enter homes without a judge's warrant, memo says
An Immigration and Customs Enforcement memo obtained by The Associated Press reveals that the agency allows immigration officers to forcibly enter homes to make arrests without a judicial warrant.
bit.ly
January 21, 2026 at 10:04 PM
"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated"
Reposted by Philip Montoro
Holy shit the Sun-Times profiled my trip to the Twin Cities with @bibliogrrl.bsky.social!
Shout out to @mostlybree.kitrocha.com and @courtneymilan.com and @hankscorpio.bsky.social and @dansinker.com and all the incredible folks printing whistles and spreading the word.
Shout out to @mostlybree.kitrocha.com and @courtneymilan.com and @hankscorpio.bsky.social and @dansinker.com and all the incredible folks printing whistles and spreading the word.
Chicagoans send 150,000 whistles to cities besieged by federal immigration agents
On Friday, Emily Hilleren and Lauren Vega ferried a care package containing whistles and instructional zines to Minneapolis, the focus of the latest federal immigration action.
chicago.suntimes.com
January 21, 2026 at 3:22 PM
Holy shit the Sun-Times profiled my trip to the Twin Cities with @bibliogrrl.bsky.social!
Shout out to @mostlybree.kitrocha.com and @courtneymilan.com and @hankscorpio.bsky.social and @dansinker.com and all the incredible folks printing whistles and spreading the word.
Shout out to @mostlybree.kitrocha.com and @courtneymilan.com and @hankscorpio.bsky.social and @dansinker.com and all the incredible folks printing whistles and spreading the word.
Reposted by Philip Montoro
What do I want Democrats to do? If they can't call for the total abolition of ICE and the full prosecution of all its employees for crimes against humanity, what I want them to do is resign or retire.
January 20, 2026 at 7:48 PM
What do I want Democrats to do? If they can't call for the total abolition of ICE and the full prosecution of all its employees for crimes against humanity, what I want them to do is resign or retire.
Reposted by Philip Montoro
"Democrats reportedly offering the SS funding increases in exchange for better training for officers."
🚨NEWS: Senate Dems are reportedly offering ICE funding increases in exchange for body cams and de-escalation training for agents.
Body cams can be turned off. De-escalation training can be ignored.
Unclear if no masks, requiring ID badges, and no immunity is on the table.
Body cams can be turned off. De-escalation training can be ignored.
Unclear if no masks, requiring ID badges, and no immunity is on the table.
January 16, 2026 at 8:02 PM
"Democrats reportedly offering the SS funding increases in exchange for better training for officers."
Reposted by Philip Montoro
excellent spotlight on Michael Zerang absolute gem of Chicago music and darn fine human too
He was the first person to welcome me into the experimental music scene here, me being one of 3 people in the room to see him and Fred play at Urbus Orbis way back in 96 "weli.. you're new, what do you do?"
He was the first person to welcome me into the experimental music scene here, me being one of 3 people in the room to see him and Fred play at Urbus Orbis way back in 96 "weli.. you're new, what do you do?"
Michael Zerang is accompanying a dazzlingly inventive and moving production of "The Left Hand of Darkness" that mixes actors, puppets, and animation, and that's why I've interviewed him now. But I've also shared some details about his long and impressive career. chicagoreader.com/music/chicag...
Michael Zerang, percussionist and accompanist - Chicago Reader
Michael Zerang has accompanied dance and theater for decades—including an upcoming puppet staging of Ursula K. Le Guin's Left Hand of Darkness.
chicagoreader.com
January 14, 2026 at 4:23 PM
excellent spotlight on Michael Zerang absolute gem of Chicago music and darn fine human too
He was the first person to welcome me into the experimental music scene here, me being one of 3 people in the room to see him and Fred play at Urbus Orbis way back in 96 "weli.. you're new, what do you do?"
He was the first person to welcome me into the experimental music scene here, me being one of 3 people in the room to see him and Fred play at Urbus Orbis way back in 96 "weli.. you're new, what do you do?"
Welcome announcement from Bandcamp:
"Music and audio that is generated wholly or in substantial part by AI is not permitted on Bandcamp."
"Any use of AI tools to impersonate other artists or styles is strictly prohibited."
blog.bandcamp.com/2026/01/13/k...
"Music and audio that is generated wholly or in substantial part by AI is not permitted on Bandcamp."
"Any use of AI tools to impersonate other artists or styles is strictly prohibited."
blog.bandcamp.com/2026/01/13/k...
Bandcamp’s Mission and Our Approach to Generative AI
We’re articulating our approach to generative AI so musicians can keep making music and fans can trust the music they find on Bandcamp.
blog.bandcamp.com
January 14, 2026 at 3:56 PM
Welcome announcement from Bandcamp:
"Music and audio that is generated wholly or in substantial part by AI is not permitted on Bandcamp."
"Any use of AI tools to impersonate other artists or styles is strictly prohibited."
blog.bandcamp.com/2026/01/13/k...
"Music and audio that is generated wholly or in substantial part by AI is not permitted on Bandcamp."
"Any use of AI tools to impersonate other artists or styles is strictly prohibited."
blog.bandcamp.com/2026/01/13/k...
Michael Zerang is accompanying a dazzlingly inventive and moving production of "The Left Hand of Darkness" that mixes actors, puppets, and animation, and that's why I've interviewed him now. But I've also shared some details about his long and impressive career. chicagoreader.com/music/chicag...
Michael Zerang, percussionist and accompanist - Chicago Reader
Michael Zerang has accompanied dance and theater for decades—including an upcoming puppet staging of Ursula K. Le Guin's Left Hand of Darkness.
chicagoreader.com
January 14, 2026 at 3:45 PM
Michael Zerang is accompanying a dazzlingly inventive and moving production of "The Left Hand of Darkness" that mixes actors, puppets, and animation, and that's why I've interviewed him now. But I've also shared some details about his long and impressive career. chicagoreader.com/music/chicag...
Reposted by Philip Montoro
"Two sources said they believe total cuts to nonprofit groups, many providing street-level care to people experiencing addiction, homelessness and mental illness, could reach roughly $2 billion."
Just in: The Trump administration sent hundreds of letters Tuesday terminating federal grants supporting mental health and drug addiction services.
Trump administration sends letter wiping out addiction, mental health grants
The Trump administration sent hundreds of letters Tuesday terminating federal grants supporting mental health and drug addiction services.
n.pr
January 14, 2026 at 3:37 PM
"Two sources said they believe total cuts to nonprofit groups, many providing street-level care to people experiencing addiction, homelessness and mental illness, could reach roughly $2 billion."
Another reason to dismantle the electoral college, as if any more were needed.
If national elections were by simple plurality, then there wouldn't be "blue states" for a wannabe dictator to punish. If he harmed the minority of voters who would otherwise support him, it would change outcomes.
If national elections were by simple plurality, then there wouldn't be "blue states" for a wannabe dictator to punish. If he harmed the minority of voters who would otherwise support him, it would change outcomes.
BREAKING: Donald Trump says his administration is halting all "payments to sanctuary cities or states having sanctuary cities."
That would mean hurting millions of Americans by illegally stopping the flow of billions of federal dollars.
That would mean hurting millions of Americans by illegally stopping the flow of billions of federal dollars.
January 13, 2026 at 10:38 PM
Another reason to dismantle the electoral college, as if any more were needed.
If national elections were by simple plurality, then there wouldn't be "blue states" for a wannabe dictator to punish. If he harmed the minority of voters who would otherwise support him, it would change outcomes.
If national elections were by simple plurality, then there wouldn't be "blue states" for a wannabe dictator to punish. If he harmed the minority of voters who would otherwise support him, it would change outcomes.
Reposted by Philip Montoro
this is wildly illegal and the courts will rule it such, but congressional democrats should be thinking long and hard about the terms under which they will agree to continue funding this government
Trump: "Starting February 1, we're not making any payments to sanctuary cities or states having sanctuary cities"
January 13, 2026 at 8:02 PM
this is wildly illegal and the courts will rule it such, but congressional democrats should be thinking long and hard about the terms under which they will agree to continue funding this government
Reposted by Philip Montoro
The Trump Administration is no longer hiding their Nazi inspiration, with Noem adopting a slogan coined by convicted Nazi war criminal Kurt Daluebe, who ordered the murder of every male in Lidice in retaliation for the death of a single SS officer.
Is this Trump's plan for American cities?
Is this Trump's plan for American cities?
January 13, 2026 at 12:16 AM
The Trump Administration is no longer hiding their Nazi inspiration, with Noem adopting a slogan coined by convicted Nazi war criminal Kurt Daluebe, who ordered the murder of every male in Lidice in retaliation for the death of a single SS officer.
Is this Trump's plan for American cities?
Is this Trump's plan for American cities?
Reposted by Philip Montoro
Note that the fascist is not using the pepper spray for crowd control. He is entering a vehicle unimpeded to depart. He is simply using the pepper spray to physically punish an unarmed citizen he doesn't like.
Big clash this afternoon between DHS agents and protesters in a residential street in Minneapolis, following a DHS agent hitting another vehicle. Tear gas was deployed in people’s yards and agents pepper prayed people.
January 12, 2026 at 9:04 PM
Note that the fascist is not using the pepper spray for crowd control. He is entering a vehicle unimpeded to depart. He is simply using the pepper spray to physically punish an unarmed citizen he doesn't like.
Reposted by Philip Montoro
From a good friend in Minneapolis: "Target is allowing ICE to stage in their parking lots, use their restrooms, and abduct people from inside their stores - so if you weren’t boycotting already, now is the time." They were staging in Chicago as well.
January 12, 2026 at 3:42 PM
From a good friend in Minneapolis: "Target is allowing ICE to stage in their parking lots, use their restrooms, and abduct people from inside their stores - so if you weren’t boycotting already, now is the time." They were staging in Chicago as well.
Reposted by Philip Montoro
"The residents of occupied cities want ICE abolished, but for people who live two hours away whose only knowledge comes from right-wing podcasts and Nextdoor, it's not so simple."
January 12, 2026 at 3:09 PM
"The residents of occupied cities want ICE abolished, but for people who live two hours away whose only knowledge comes from right-wing podcasts and Nextdoor, it's not so simple."
Reposted by Philip Montoro
[middle aged emo voice] i wrote about the Several States mini fest chicagoreader.com/music/concer...
One-day festival Several States spotlights underappreciated emo bands of yore without cheap nostalgia - Chicago Reader
Several States takes place on two stages at the Ramova Theatre and has 14 bands on the bill.
chicagoreader.com
January 9, 2026 at 11:40 PM
[middle aged emo voice] i wrote about the Several States mini fest chicagoreader.com/music/concer...
Reposted by Philip Montoro
If you don't understand the whole Federal Reserve thing and why it's scaring the shit out of everyone, here's the very very abbreviated basics:
- The Fed sets US monetary policy independent of our government.
- That gives other countries confidence that when we put out numbers, they're real.
- The Fed sets US monetary policy independent of our government.
- That gives other countries confidence that when we put out numbers, they're real.
January 12, 2026 at 2:40 PM
If you don't understand the whole Federal Reserve thing and why it's scaring the shit out of everyone, here's the very very abbreviated basics:
- The Fed sets US monetary policy independent of our government.
- That gives other countries confidence that when we put out numbers, they're real.
- The Fed sets US monetary policy independent of our government.
- That gives other countries confidence that when we put out numbers, they're real.
Reposted by Philip Montoro
Democrats officially going all in on the mealy mouthed “ICE needs training” narrative.
No. ABOLISH ICE.
No. ABOLISH ICE.
WARNER: It used to take 5 to 6 months to get trained. They've now lowered the training period to 47 days. Why 47 days? Because Donald Trump's the 47th president. Tell me that's a rational approach
KERNEN: I'm not taking that bait
WARNER: Joe! You can't pick your facts
KERNEN: I'm not taking that bait
WARNER: Joe! You can't pick your facts
January 12, 2026 at 1:45 PM
Democrats officially going all in on the mealy mouthed “ICE needs training” narrative.
No. ABOLISH ICE.
No. ABOLISH ICE.
Reposted by Philip Montoro
Video message from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome H. Powell:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KckG...
www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/s...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KckG...
www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/s...
Statement by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome H. Powell
YouTube video by Federal Reserve
www.youtube.com
January 12, 2026 at 12:35 AM
Video message from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome H. Powell:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KckG...
www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/s...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KckG...
www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/s...
Reposted by Philip Montoro
If you're not willing to arrest the killer, don't arrest the demonstrators.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey says 29 people were arrested in downtown last night during a noise demonstration at a hotel reportedly housing ICE agents: "For those that are taking the bait and causing property damage or otherwise, there are consequences. We're holding the line here all the way."
January 10, 2026 at 6:52 PM
If you're not willing to arrest the killer, don't arrest the demonstrators.