@puffinlee.bsky.social
Passionate about Maryland, science, democracy, disability rights, hiking, cute animals, and kindness.
Oligarchs out, democracy in!
Oligarchs out, democracy in!
Pinned
Residents of Hagerstown, MD continue to resist the detention center.
“The Maryland Historical Trust, which had issued a “no effect” finding on Jan. 29, notified federal officials that it was reopening its review after residents began contacting the agency…”
open.substack.com/pub/projects...
“The Maryland Historical Trust, which had issued a “no effect” finding on Jan. 29, notified federal officials that it was reopening its review after residents began contacting the agency…”
open.substack.com/pub/projects...
Maryland Reopens Review of Hagerstown Detention Center After Residents Flag Road Project
State officials say they weren't told about a road relocation project that may be linked to the facility, potentially triggering broader federal review.
open.substack.com
February 12, 2026 at 1:35 AM
Residents of Hagerstown, MD continue to resist the detention center.
“The Maryland Historical Trust, which had issued a “no effect” finding on Jan. 29, notified federal officials that it was reopening its review after residents began contacting the agency…”
open.substack.com/pub/projects...
“The Maryland Historical Trust, which had issued a “no effect” finding on Jan. 29, notified federal officials that it was reopening its review after residents began contacting the agency…”
open.substack.com/pub/projects...
Reposted
Sen. Mark Kelly: The most patriotic thing that any American can do right now is to continue exercising our rights, continue speaking truth to power, and not backing down."
February 11, 2026 at 9:30 PM
Sen. Mark Kelly: The most patriotic thing that any American can do right now is to continue exercising our rights, continue speaking truth to power, and not backing down."
Reposted
CNN confirms what MSNBC reported live a few hours ago: DOJ is surveilling Dem lawmakers when they go to the DOJ to search unredacted Epstein files.
CNN: "Another photograph - these are notes AG Bondi brought to the hearing today. This shows a list of Rep. Jayapal's search history. Lawmakers are allowed to go to a DOJ facility to search unredacted files. We learned from this photo that the searches are apparently being tracked & read by the DOJ"
February 11, 2026 at 9:36 PM
CNN confirms what MSNBC reported live a few hours ago: DOJ is surveilling Dem lawmakers when they go to the DOJ to search unredacted Epstein files.
February 12, 2026 at 1:03 AM
Reposted
The rot comes from the very top and attracts the very worst.
February 11, 2026 at 10:06 PM
The rot comes from the very top and attracts the very worst.
Reposted
Today's Moment of Peace
Thousands gather at the Lincoln Memorial to greet the Walk for Peace Buddhist Monks
I SO WISH I WAS THERE
Standing With Them
Looking out from the Lincoln Memorial & the Reflecting Pool and then you gaze off to the Washington Monument
My Spirit is there
RISE for HOPE🕊🙏
Thousands gather at the Lincoln Memorial to greet the Walk for Peace Buddhist Monks
I SO WISH I WAS THERE
Standing With Them
Looking out from the Lincoln Memorial & the Reflecting Pool and then you gaze off to the Washington Monument
My Spirit is there
RISE for HOPE🕊🙏
February 11, 2026 at 10:07 PM
Today's Moment of Peace
Thousands gather at the Lincoln Memorial to greet the Walk for Peace Buddhist Monks
I SO WISH I WAS THERE
Standing With Them
Looking out from the Lincoln Memorial & the Reflecting Pool and then you gaze off to the Washington Monument
My Spirit is there
RISE for HOPE🕊🙏
Thousands gather at the Lincoln Memorial to greet the Walk for Peace Buddhist Monks
I SO WISH I WAS THERE
Standing With Them
Looking out from the Lincoln Memorial & the Reflecting Pool and then you gaze off to the Washington Monument
My Spirit is there
RISE for HOPE🕊🙏
Reposted
Good news out of Denver. Denver is a step closer to enacting a new law banning all law enforcement officers, including ICE and CBP agents, from wearing face coverings while detaining people. This ordinance will be eligible for a final vote as soon as March 2.
www.denverpost.com/2026/02/11/d...
www.denverpost.com/2026/02/11/d...
Denver ban on face coverings for ICE agents, other officers passes council committee
Officers who don’t follow the law could receive a citation carrying a penalty of up to a $99 fine or 300 days in jail. Denver police would have the authority to arrest anyone who doesn’t comply.…
www.denverpost.com
February 11, 2026 at 10:48 PM
Good news out of Denver. Denver is a step closer to enacting a new law banning all law enforcement officers, including ICE and CBP agents, from wearing face coverings while detaining people. This ordinance will be eligible for a final vote as soon as March 2.
www.denverpost.com/2026/02/11/d...
www.denverpost.com/2026/02/11/d...
Reposted
The streets of Minneapolis are a bit quieter this morning, the "surge" has settled into a grinding routine of checkpoints and court hearings, but the presence is still very much here and its worse than it appears.
Today is Wednesday, February 11, 2026, here's what happened yesterday in Minnesota:
Today is Wednesday, February 11, 2026, here's what happened yesterday in Minnesota:
February 11, 2026 at 2:06 PM
The streets of Minneapolis are a bit quieter this morning, the "surge" has settled into a grinding routine of checkpoints and court hearings, but the presence is still very much here and its worse than it appears.
Today is Wednesday, February 11, 2026, here's what happened yesterday in Minnesota:
Today is Wednesday, February 11, 2026, here's what happened yesterday in Minnesota:
Reposted
One month after DHS bought a Hagerstown warehouse for $102M, Washington County, Md. board of commissioners will vote to pledge support for ICE operations.
The facility will cost ~$110M/year to operate. The county collected $300K/year in property taxes when it was a warehouse.
The facility will cost ~$110M/year to operate. The county collected $300K/year in property taxes when it was a warehouse.
Washington County Commissioners to Pledge Cooperation With ICE on Facility They Say Bypassed Them
Resolution commits commissioners to support federal operations one month after warehouse purchase
projectsaltbox.substack.com
February 9, 2026 at 4:40 PM
One month after DHS bought a Hagerstown warehouse for $102M, Washington County, Md. board of commissioners will vote to pledge support for ICE operations.
The facility will cost ~$110M/year to operate. The county collected $300K/year in property taxes when it was a warehouse.
The facility will cost ~$110M/year to operate. The county collected $300K/year in property taxes when it was a warehouse.
Reposted
We strongly oppose DHS's plan to turn a warehouse near Hagerstown into a 1,500-person ICE detention center.
Today, I joined Senator Van Hollen and Senator Alsobrooks in pressing the Washington County Board of County Commissioners for answers.
Today, I joined Senator Van Hollen and Senator Alsobrooks in pressing the Washington County Board of County Commissioners for answers.
February 10, 2026 at 4:03 PM
We strongly oppose DHS's plan to turn a warehouse near Hagerstown into a 1,500-person ICE detention center.
Today, I joined Senator Van Hollen and Senator Alsobrooks in pressing the Washington County Board of County Commissioners for answers.
Today, I joined Senator Van Hollen and Senator Alsobrooks in pressing the Washington County Board of County Commissioners for answers.
Reposted
In the last month ICE has bought warehouses in:
- Hagerstown, MD: $102 million
- Surprise, AZ: $70 million
- Hamburg, PA: $87 million
- Tremont, PA: $120 million
- San Antonio, TX: $82 million
- El Paso, TX: $123 million
- Social Circle, GA: price unknown
This is unprecedented.
- Hagerstown, MD: $102 million
- Surprise, AZ: $70 million
- Hamburg, PA: $87 million
- Tremont, PA: $120 million
- San Antonio, TX: $82 million
- El Paso, TX: $123 million
- Social Circle, GA: price unknown
This is unprecedented.
February 9, 2026 at 6:09 PM
In the last month ICE has bought warehouses in:
- Hagerstown, MD: $102 million
- Surprise, AZ: $70 million
- Hamburg, PA: $87 million
- Tremont, PA: $120 million
- San Antonio, TX: $82 million
- El Paso, TX: $123 million
- Social Circle, GA: price unknown
This is unprecedented.
- Hagerstown, MD: $102 million
- Surprise, AZ: $70 million
- Hamburg, PA: $87 million
- Tremont, PA: $120 million
- San Antonio, TX: $82 million
- El Paso, TX: $123 million
- Social Circle, GA: price unknown
This is unprecedented.
Reposted
An Irish man held by ICE for five months despite having a valid work permit and no criminal record says he fears for his life and has appealed for help from Ireland’s government.
“I’m not in fear of the other inmates. I’m afraid of the staff. They’re capable of anything.”
“I’m not in fear of the other inmates. I’m afraid of the staff. They’re capable of anything.”
Irish man held in ICE detention says he fears for his life and asks Ireland for help
Seamus Culleton describes conditions as ‘torture’ as he pleads with taoiseach to raise his case with Donald Trump
www.theguardian.com
February 10, 2026 at 11:50 PM
An Irish man held by ICE for five months despite having a valid work permit and no criminal record says he fears for his life and has appealed for help from Ireland’s government.
“I’m not in fear of the other inmates. I’m afraid of the staff. They’re capable of anything.”
“I’m not in fear of the other inmates. I’m afraid of the staff. They’re capable of anything.”
Reposted
Rep. Delia Ramirez to DHS officials: "I have as much respect for you as I do for the last white men who put on masks to terrorize communities of color. I have no respect for the inheritors of the Klanhood and the slave patrol. Those activities were criminal and so are yours."
February 10, 2026 at 5:11 PM
Rep. Delia Ramirez to DHS officials: "I have as much respect for you as I do for the last white men who put on masks to terrorize communities of color. I have no respect for the inheritors of the Klanhood and the slave patrol. Those activities were criminal and so are yours."
Reposted
Goldman: You said references to ICE as secret police encourages threats. The problem is you have it backwards sir. People are making valid observations about your tactics which are outright fascist. If you don’t want to be called a fascist regime, stop acting like one.
February 10, 2026 at 5:29 PM
Goldman: You said references to ICE as secret police encourages threats. The problem is you have it backwards sir. People are making valid observations about your tactics which are outright fascist. If you don’t want to be called a fascist regime, stop acting like one.
Reposted
Rep. Kennedy: "Do you believe your agency has a legal obligation to follow court orders?"
ICE Director Lyons: "Yes."
Rep. Kennedy: "You have a very strange way of showing it, with a federal judge finding that your agency is in violation of 96 orders in one month alone."
ICE Director Lyons: "Yes."
Rep. Kennedy: "You have a very strange way of showing it, with a federal judge finding that your agency is in violation of 96 orders in one month alone."
February 10, 2026 at 5:54 PM
Rep. Kennedy: "Do you believe your agency has a legal obligation to follow court orders?"
ICE Director Lyons: "Yes."
Rep. Kennedy: "You have a very strange way of showing it, with a federal judge finding that your agency is in violation of 96 orders in one month alone."
ICE Director Lyons: "Yes."
Rep. Kennedy: "You have a very strange way of showing it, with a federal judge finding that your agency is in violation of 96 orders in one month alone."
Reposted
New version of GOP suppression bill would impose nationwide proof of citizenship, photo ID requirements. www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...
New version of GOP suppression bill would impose nationwide proof of citizenship, photo ID requirements
The bill would undermine the right to vote in the U.S. ahead of the 2026 midterms.
www.democracydocket.com
February 8, 2026 at 1:44 PM
New version of GOP suppression bill would impose nationwide proof of citizenship, photo ID requirements. www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...
Reposted
NBC edited out JD Vance being booed at the Olympics. CBS and ABC paid millions in bogus settlements to fund Trump. CNN made Scott Jennings a rightwing star. The Washington Post laid off 300 journalists.
Support independent media. Subscribe to Democracy Docket. hubs.ly/Q03M8rql0
Support independent media. Subscribe to Democracy Docket. hubs.ly/Q03M8rql0
February 8, 2026 at 3:05 PM
NBC edited out JD Vance being booed at the Olympics. CBS and ABC paid millions in bogus settlements to fund Trump. CNN made Scott Jennings a rightwing star. The Washington Post laid off 300 journalists.
Support independent media. Subscribe to Democracy Docket. hubs.ly/Q03M8rql0
Support independent media. Subscribe to Democracy Docket. hubs.ly/Q03M8rql0
Reposted
People are tired of the chaos. We don't want concentration camps by our high schools or ICE goons waiting to grab people as they come out of church. We the people have had enough. #sheshed
February 8, 2026 at 5:46 AM
People are tired of the chaos. We don't want concentration camps by our high schools or ICE goons waiting to grab people as they come out of church. We the people have had enough. #sheshed
HCR on ICE buying up warehouses for detention centers. She quotes a citizen of Surprise, AZ, speaking at a council meeting attended by over 1,000 residents:
heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/february-7...
heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/february-7...
February 8, 2026 at 1:20 PM
HCR on ICE buying up warehouses for detention centers. She quotes a citizen of Surprise, AZ, speaking at a council meeting attended by over 1,000 residents:
heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/february-7...
heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/february-7...
Reposted
NYT confirming MS NOW reporting:
Prosecutors began investigating Renee Good's killing, then Washington told them to stop.
Federal prosecutors had a warrant to collect evidence from Good's vehicle, but Trump leaders said to drop it. About a dozen prosecutors have since departed.
Prosecutors began investigating Renee Good's killing, then Washington told them to stop.
Federal prosecutors had a warrant to collect evidence from Good's vehicle, but Trump leaders said to drop it. About a dozen prosecutors have since departed.
Prosecutors Began Investigating Renee Good’s Killing. Washington Told Them to Stop.
www.nytimes.com
February 7, 2026 at 8:10 PM
NYT confirming MS NOW reporting:
Prosecutors began investigating Renee Good's killing, then Washington told them to stop.
Federal prosecutors had a warrant to collect evidence from Good's vehicle, but Trump leaders said to drop it. About a dozen prosecutors have since departed.
Prosecutors began investigating Renee Good's killing, then Washington told them to stop.
Federal prosecutors had a warrant to collect evidence from Good's vehicle, but Trump leaders said to drop it. About a dozen prosecutors have since departed.
Reposted
If you were curious, I would say I've seen about 500 Seahawks fans, 300 Patriots fans, and 16.3 million Bad Bunny fans. They're everywhere and it's awesome.
February 7, 2026 at 8:28 PM
If you were curious, I would say I've seen about 500 Seahawks fans, 300 Patriots fans, and 16.3 million Bad Bunny fans. They're everywhere and it's awesome.
Reposted
"The new law forbids counties and local law enforcement from contracting with ICE. It mandates that public bodies terminate any existing immigration detention agreements and prohibits the use of public property for federal civil immigration detention..."
kfoxtv.com/news/local/n...
kfoxtv.com/news/local/n...
New Mexico governor signs Immigrant Safety Act among other bills into law
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has signed four bipartisan bills into law, focusing on improving health care access, investing in statewide infrastructur
kfoxtv.com
February 7, 2026 at 9:05 PM
"The new law forbids counties and local law enforcement from contracting with ICE. It mandates that public bodies terminate any existing immigration detention agreements and prohibits the use of public property for federal civil immigration detention..."
kfoxtv.com/news/local/n...
kfoxtv.com/news/local/n...