Great LakesQ
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qglpolicywonk.bsky.social
Great LakesQ
@qglpolicywonk.bsky.social
1.5K followers 1.9K following 3.9K posts
🌈Passionate advocate. Loves working with smarty pants folks to create innovative solutions to seemingly intractable challenges.
Great Lakes, LGBTQ, health (HIV/cancer) enviro bi-national with 🇨🇦 policy wonk. Loves elevating 🎶 & women’s sports ball.
Posts Replies Media Videos
qglpolicywonk.bsky.social
@indivisible.org Right Now: Tell your affiliates to have events at the MOC local offices. JB is right 👇

Should have been 1st action of the year. All of us working on approps knew some House D's would vote for CDP/ICE. Chapters follow your reccomendations. Malpractice!

@maddow.bsky.social
@ms.now
govpritzker.illinois.gov Governor JB Pritzker @govpritzker.illinois.gov · 14h
Kristi Noem, Stephen Miller, Greg Bovino.

They must all resign and be held accountable.
January 29, 2026 at 3:15 PM
qglpolicywonk.bsky.social
Keep the pressure up.

They are feeling it, time to get louder.

We see how kids & families are treated in their prisons.

Call your member of Congress. Call or stop by their local offices.

‼️ Fire: Miller, Homan, Noem
‼️ No money for CDP/ICE
mollyjongfast.bsky.social Molly Jong-Fast @mollyjongfast.bsky.social · 29m
Feel like TRUMPworld knows somebody’s gonna take the fall for this
January 29, 2026 at 3:04 PM
qglpolicywonk.bsky.social
Media 👇 @apnews.com Reporter:

Being on a sidewalk is not a crime.

Keep reporting what is actually happening.
@chrislhayes.bsky.social
@ms.now
@npr.org
@pbsnews.org
paleofuture.bsky.social Matt Novak @paleofuture.bsky.social · 9h
We’re just not a free country.

Any American watching this play out between regime forces and journalists overseas would recognize it for what it is.
January 29, 2026 at 3:01 PM
Reposted by Great LakesQ
thetnholler.bsky.social
GEORGIA — @ossoff.senate.gov : “This is a SEISMIC event. This should have people across 🇺🇸 absolutely shook. This is an FBI raid on the Fulton County elections office… this is a shot across the bow at the midterm elections.” (H/T @atrupar.com )
January 29, 2026 at 5:46 AM
qglpolicywonk.bsky.social
This part ! 👇👇
leahlitman.bsky.social Leah Litman @leahlitman.bsky.social · 1h
The tone shift is to have Tom Homan recite that the extortionate and coercive demands in AG Bondis letter - turn over your voter rolls, abandon your state policies, and give us Medicaid data & we’ll end the occupation and terrorization of a state - are the terms
atrupar.com Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 1h
Homan: "The withdrawal of law enforcement resources here is dependent upon cooperation ... as we see that cooperation happen, then the redeployment will happen"
January 29, 2026 at 2:56 PM
Reposted by Great LakesQ
djbyrnes1.bsky.social
Martinez wants to make certain material from her case public.

She cites the need to "defend herself from a regrettable and unyielding tide of misinformation from the federal government," and a need to inform the public re: info from her case, citing the recent ICE/CBP killings in Minneapolis.
Image text: IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS EASTERN DIVISION UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff, 25 CR 636 v. Judge Georgia N. Alexakis MARIMAR MARTINEZ, Defendant. MOTION TO MODIFY THE COURT’S PROTECTIVE ORDER Defendant, Marimar Martinez, by and through her attorneys, Cheronis & Parente LLC, respectfully requests that the Court modify the Protective Order previously entered on October 7, 2025 (R. 20)1, and to allow for Ms. Martinez and her counsel to disclose case materials in their possession to the public.2 In support thereof, Ms. Martinez states as follows: I. Introduction Ms. Martinez requests that the Protective Order in this case be modified to allow for the disclosure of case materials which are in the possession of herself and her counsel, to the public. She is compelled to make this request for two reasons. First, in order to defend herself from a regrettable and unyielding tide of misinformation from the federal government regarding her case. While the United States voluntarily dismissed its formal prosecution of her with prejudice, as discussed below, government officials continue to prosecute Ms. Martinez’s character in the court of public opinion. The ability to disclose the evidence in this case is paramount to Ms. Martinez’s ability to combat the continuing harm being done to her reputation. Image text: Second, based on recent events in Minneapolis, Minnesota, involving the execution of two U.S. citizens who were engaged in similar peaceful protests as Ms. Martinez at the time of their killings, Ms. Martinez believes certain information disclosed in her case, and currently subject to the Protective Order, would be useful for both the public and elected officials to know regarding how DHS responds in cases where their agents use deadly force against U.S. citizens. At the outset of the United States’ prosecution, this Court granted the United States’ unopposed motion for a Protective Order. R. 20. The basis for the request was that: The discovery to be provided by the government in this case includes sensitive information, whose unrestricted dissemination could adversely affect law enforcement interests and the privacy interests of third parties. R.2. Between that time and the government’s November 20, 2025, voluntary dismissal of its indictment with prejudice, Ms. Martinez came into the possession of body camera footage, photographs, electronic communications, and other evidentiary materials related to the encounter between herself and Border Patrol agents on October 4, 2025, that gave rise to her brief prosecution. The government dismissed its prosecution of Ms. Martinez and co-defendant Anthony Ian Santos Ruiz, on November 20, 2025. R. 69. At the time of the dismissal, it was Ms. Martinez’s view that dismissal would allow her to “go back to her normal life.” R.74-3, p. 7:21-23. Regretfully, that did not end up being the case. What happened to Ms. Martinez and the truth about the events of October 4, 2025, as well as what is happening with the killing of two other individuals by DHS agents have become matters of strong public interest and debate. The requested modification of the Protective Order is necessary to allow Ms. Martinez to ensure that debate is based in fact. Partial Image text: To this day, Ms. Martinez is described as a “domestic terrorist” who “rammed federal agents with [her] vehicle[]” on the website of the Department of Homeland Security. (Ex. 1, 1-22-26 Screenshot from Department of Homeland Security website, https://www.dhs.gov/news/2025/10/04/update-dhs-deploys-special-operations-after- multiple-violent-attacks-federal-law). Similarly, the Director of the FBI, Kash Patel, maintains a post on “X” (formerly Twitter) where he “reposted” a claim stating: BREAKING: This is the video where Marimar Martinez, aka La Maggie, rammed a white DHS vehicle who had their emergency lights on. Another DHS black SUV then attempts to ram Marimar's SUV from behind. One DHS agent is on the passenger side firing shots. Democrats are insane. (Ex. 2, 1-22-26 Screenshot from FBI Director Kash Patel’s X account, https://x.com/FBIDirectorKash/status/1975001981828931752?lang=en). The accompanying video that Director Patel claims shows Ms. Martinez “ramm[ing] a white DHS vehicle” is of an entirely unrelated incident. Neither Ms. Martinez nor her vehicle appears in the video and has no apparent connection to the events depicted. The FBI director’s mistake was even acknowledged by Assistant Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Tricia McLaughlin, in her own post on X. (Ex. 3, 1-23-26 Screenshot from Tricia McLaughlin’s X account, https://x.com/TriciaOhio/status/1974942178716610568). Remarkably, Assistant Secretary McLaughlin’s post nonetheless still implies that Ms. Martinez, whom the Assistant Secretary refers to as “’La Maggie’” committed “ANOTHER [different] vehicular assault” against DHS officers. (Ex. 3). The post remains viewable online. Partial image text: Under the final factor, courts assess whether “good cause” exists to modify the order. This factor overwhelmingly indicates that modification is proper. As explained above, the ability to disseminate the factual evidence about the events of October 4 and DHS’s response to Ms. Martinez’s shooting is of the utmost importance to Ms. Martinez, and frankly to the entire country at this tragic time in our nation’s history. Ms. Martinez has no convictions nor pending criminal charges but is still publicly degraded as a “domestic terrorist” by her own Government. The Protective Order has become an albatross around her neck and keeps the entire country in the dark about how DHS responds to lethal force incidents by their agents which have now unfortunately become a weekly occurrence. Instead of protecting against improper disclosures, it is a prophylactic to countering a pernicious misinformation campaign mounted by the United States. The government should not be permitted to wage this campaign against Ms. Martinez while actively suppressing the objective evidence that she could use to counteract those efforts. A striking example of why good cause exists to modify the order is that the Government’s false narrative surrounding this case has reached all the way to the United States Supreme Court. In a recent Supreme Court decision, Justice Samuel Alito relied on the Government’s briefing repeating the false narratives surrounding this case and wrote: In a widely publicized event on October 4, a federal vehicle carrying Border Patrol agents was boxed in on a public road by 10 civilian vehicles, and 2 of those vehicles rammed the Government vehicle. As the agents exited their vehicle, one of the civilian vehicles was driven directly at an agent, forcing the agent to fire in self-defense.
January 29, 2026 at 2:48 PM
qglpolicywonk.bsky.social
This is why Wisconsin is concerned it may be next. 👇

@ms.now
@npr.org
@pbsnews.org

www.jsonline.com/story/news/l...
January 29, 2026 at 2:55 PM
Reposted by Great LakesQ
maxberger.bsky.social
Democrats' demand that Stephen Miller is fired as a condition of voting for ICE funding is one of the smartest moves they've made under Trump.

Miller is a loathsome figure who I imagine has rock-bottom likability numbers. Democrats should try to raise his public salience as often as possible.
January 28, 2026 at 8:15 PM
Reposted by Great LakesQ
sifill.bsky.social
Turn it over.
January 29, 2026 at 1:56 AM
Reposted by Great LakesQ
acyn.bsky.social
Raskin: ICE and CBP — these are not law enforcement entities, and at this point they’re completely lawless. They’re outside of the Constitution.
January 28, 2026 at 8:11 PM
qglpolicywonk.bsky.social
Truly terrifying ‼️👇
erininthemorning.com Erin Reed @erininthemorning.com · 18h
1. The most extreme anti-trans bill ever proposed is currently rocketing through the Kansas legislature.

It would empower bounty hunters to search for trans people in bathrooms, even in private businesses, and sue them for large sums of money.

The House is voting on it today.
Kansas Advancing Anti-Trans Bill Allowing Bounty Hunters To Patrol Private Business Bathrooms
The bill, which is racing through the Kansas legislature, stands a significant chance of passing the Senate.
www.erininthemorning.com
January 29, 2026 at 4:59 AM
qglpolicywonk.bsky.social
Yep 👇

Of the corporate consultants
jamesbrandt.bsky.social James Brandt @jamesbrandt.bsky.social · 22h
I will simply never recover from reading this sentence:

"Since Georgia implemented work requirements in 2020, they have spent twice as much on Deloitte consultants and administrative costs as on healthcare for people."
lpeblog.bsky.social LPE Blog @lpeblog.bsky.social · 22h
Today, Luke Farrell (@lukef.bsky.social) explains how complex eligibility requirements have turned America’s safety net into a lucrative revenue stream for monopolistic private contractors.
January 29, 2026 at 4:58 AM
qglpolicywonk.bsky.social
Nurenberg awaits them all

youtube.com/watch?v=XDkh...
When that Man is Dead and Gone (1941) - Protest song against Hitler (Live Take)
YouTube video by Lizzy & the Triggermen
youtube.com
January 29, 2026 at 4:56 AM
qglpolicywonk.bsky.social
Carney has been planning this since he was elected.

We are truly in the midst of a global economic realignment.

It will have long term impacts on US economy.
January 29, 2026 at 4:34 AM
Reposted by Great LakesQ
marcelias.bsky.social
The president of the United States had his Justice Dept. raid an election office and seize ballots in order to cast doubt on an election he lost. Yet, this is treated by legacy media as just another normal day.

I founded Democracy Docket because you deserve better. Subscribe now. hubs.ly/Q03M8rql0
January 29, 2026 at 3:01 AM
Reposted by Great LakesQ
kare11.bsky.social
The shift comes amid a notable softening in tone from the Trump administration over the past several days.
Polls show support for Trump’s immigration approach slipping as ICE tactics draw public backlash
The shift comes amid a notable softening in tone from the Trump administration over the past several days.
www.kare11.com
January 29, 2026 at 4:31 AM
Reposted by Great LakesQ
jonseidel.bsky.social
Settlement talks in the National Guard litigation between Illinois and the Trump administration have reached an impasse, lawyers report tonight:
JOINT STATUS REPORT Pursuant to this Court’s minute entry of January 14, 2026 (ECF 120), the parties submit this Joint Status Report to report on whether the settlement negotiations have been productive and whether they request that the case be stayed for an additional period of time, as follows: 1. The parties have been engaged in discussions regarding resolving this case but are not in accord on certain material elements and terms. As a result, the parties have not been able to resolve the litigation and do not anticipate being able to do so at this time. The parties now diverge on their views as to the most appropriate and efficient path to resolution of this matter. 2. Plaintiffs’ Position: The State of Illinois and the City of Chicago, based on the operative documents and the December 23, 2025 decision of the Supreme Court in this matter, consider defendants’ liability on Count I, the ultra vires claim for a violation of 10 U.S.C. § 12406, clear as a matter of law. As favorable resolution of that claim will afford the plaintiffs the declaratory and injunctive relief they seek in this action, plaintiffs intend to move for partial summary judgment as to liability on Count I. While defendants have stated the view that their planned motion to dismiss (discussed below) should be resolved prior to the summary judgment motion, a motion for summary judgment may be brought at this time. Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(b). Plaintiffs propose the following schedule for their partial summary judgment briefing: summary judgment motion and supporting papers due February 27; opposition papers due March 27; and reply papers due April 10, 2026. Plaintiffs recognize that defendants plan to seek dismissal on mootness grounds by February 6. However, defendants’ proposed deadline for plaintiffs’ response to their motion, February 20, is short, including a holiday weekend, and would set a deadline for our brief one week before our proposed summary judgment motion deadline. As such, plaintiffs ask instead that their response to defendants’ motion should be set not sooner than March 10, 2026, two weeks after our summary judgment motion deadline. Plaintiffs do not oppose a continuing stay of discovery and case deadlines other than the briefing discussed herein, during the pendency of the parties’ motions. Plaintiffs do not seek a referral to the magistrate judge for settlement purposes at this time. 3. Defendants’ Position: Defendants request that this case, including discovery, continue to be stayed except for possible briefing on dispositive motions. While Defendants continue to believe that the most efficient approach—one that would conserve party and judicial resources—is for the parties to settle this case without further litigation, Defendants understand that the parties are presently at an impasse in their discussions. Thus, unles… consider defendants’ liability on Count I, the ultra vires claim for a violation of 10 U.S.C. § 12406, clear as a matter of law. As favorable resolution of that claim will afford the plaintiffs the declaratory and injunctive relief they seek in this action, plaintiffs intend to move for partial summary judgment as to liability on Count I. While defendants have stated the view that their planned motion to dismiss (discussed below) should be resolved prior to the summary judgment motion, a motion for summary judgment may be brought at this time. Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(b). Plaintiffs propose the following schedule for their partial summary judgment briefing: summary judgment motion and supporting papers due February 27; opposition papers due March 27; and reply papers due April 10, 2026. Plaintiffs recognize that defendants plan to seek dismissal on mootness grounds by February 6. However, defendants’ proposed deadline for plaintiffs’ response to their motion, February 20, is short, including a holiday weekend, and would set a deadline for our brief one week before our proposed summary judgment motion deadline. As such, plaintiffs ask instead that their response to defendants’ motion should be set not sooner than March 10, 2026, two weeks after our summary judgment motion deadline. Plaintiffs do not oppose a continuing stay of discovery and case deadlines other than the briefing discussed herein, during the pendency of the parties’ motions. Plaintiffs do not seek a referral to the magistrate judge for settlement purposes at this time. 3. Defendants’ Position: Defendants request that this case, including discovery, continue to be stayed except for possible briefing on dispositive motions. While Defendants continue to believe that the most efficient approach—one that would conserve party and judicial resources—is for the parties to settle this case without further litigation, Defendants understand that the parties are presently at an impasse in their discussions. Thus, unles…
January 29, 2026 at 4:22 AM
Reposted by Great LakesQ
sorokti.bsky.social
Musicians are being moved to write heart wrenching songs right now in response to the latest assault on people’s freedom, liberty & rights in the US. Please share songs in replies.

I’ll start with Schuyler Iona Press’ song that made me cry.

#resist #defundICE #music

bsky.app/profile/pawb...
pawbaby2.bsky.social Marie 🇨🇦 🐸 @pawbaby2.bsky.social · 2d
🎶 “Please take a moment to listen to this young lady’s song there’s a message here that matters.”

#DefundICE
#USDemocracy
#Pinks
January 29, 2026 at 1:20 AM
qglpolicywonk.bsky.social
1200 people 💜💜💜

Call your member of Congress (202) 224-3121.
malena.bsky.social Malena-PRO-CHOICE 🌊 🟦🟧Fighting Tyranny! @malena.bsky.social · 12h
There are approximately 1200 detainees at the Dilley torture camp & one third of them are
children.

C👶🏾H🍼I👶🏾L🍼D👶🏾R🍼E👶🏾N FFS!

Call your Senators at 202-224-3121 today because there are voting on DHS and ICE funding tomorrow!

SAY NO FUNDING FOR ICE MURDERERS!

ABOLISH ICE!
#NoWarrantNoICE
January 29, 2026 at 4:15 AM
qglpolicywonk.bsky.social
I love my Chicago community.

Moving night. Thank you @nationalnurses.bsky.social & @704afge.bsky.social 💜💜💜
mandophotos.bsky.social armando l sanchez @mandophotos.bsky.social · 11h
People attend a vigil for Alex Pretti outside the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center after federal immigration officers shot and killed Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care unit nurse, in Minneapolis the previous week Wednesday evening in Chicago.
January 29, 2026 at 4:10 AM
Reposted by Great LakesQ
thetnholler.bsky.social
🔥 @ilhanmn.bsky.social: “The difference between Trump and I is I was raised to be a decent human being, and my faith teaches me to have compassion — and he lacks both of those things.”
January 29, 2026 at 3:41 AM
Reposted by Great LakesQ
yolanda7712.bsky.social
January 29, 2026 at 3:56 AM
Reposted by Great LakesQ
watchdogprg.bsky.social
Night Vibes >> The year was 1969. It was a time of war and social upheaval. We are there again.

Gimme Shelter by the Rolling Stones with Merry Clayton. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qegl...
Gimme Shelter (Remastered 2019)
YouTube video by The Rolling Stones - Topic
www.youtube.com
January 29, 2026 at 3:56 AM
Reposted by Great LakesQ
iwillnotbesilenced.bsky.social
In Santa Barbara, California, an ICE goon point-blank sprayed a woman with pepper spray while she was filming. The woman required medical attention for a potentially pierced eyeball. 1/28/26
January 29, 2026 at 3:56 AM
qglpolicywonk.bsky.social
@ms.now @maddow.bsky.social
Let’s show this every night
strictlychristo.bsky.social StrictlyChristo 🇺🇦🌻🚫👑 @strictlychristo.bsky.social · 13h
Protesters, including Walter Masterson, confront Congressman Tom Suozzi, a key Democrat whose vote helped secure passage of the Department of Homeland Security’s $64.4 billion funding bill. @waltermasterson.bsky.social
January 29, 2026 at 4:02 AM