Rattling the Bars
@rattlingthebars.bsky.social
Rattling the Bars is a web series about prisoners' rights on TRNN and hosted by former political prisoner turned reporter Mansa Musa, who spent decades in the US carceral system organizing for liberation.
🏠 therealnews.com
📺 youtube.com/@therealnews
🏠 therealnews.com
📺 youtube.com/@therealnews
Check out my in-depth conversation w/ Liza Jessie Peterson about her acclaimed play, The Peculiar Patriot, and powerful documentary, Angola Do You Hear Us?
We explore how Black cultural production serves as a transformative force for self-determination.
youtu.be/rcDuOs80ya0?...
We explore how Black cultural production serves as a transformative force for self-determination.
youtu.be/rcDuOs80ya0?...
November 9, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Check out my in-depth conversation w/ Liza Jessie Peterson about her acclaimed play, The Peculiar Patriot, and powerful documentary, Angola Do You Hear Us?
We explore how Black cultural production serves as a transformative force for self-determination.
youtu.be/rcDuOs80ya0?...
We explore how Black cultural production serves as a transformative force for self-determination.
youtu.be/rcDuOs80ya0?...
Reposted by Rattling the Bars
Poet, actor, and playwright Liza Jessie Peterson is bringing her one-woman play “The Peculiar Patriot,” which has been performed in over 30 prisons across the country, to Baltimore Center Stage. The Philly native believes it’s the right place and the right time for this story.
‘The Peculiar Patriot’ takes Baltimore audiences behind the wall
The play has been performed in over 30 prisons across the country.
therealnews.com
October 30, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Poet, actor, and playwright Liza Jessie Peterson is bringing her one-woman play “The Peculiar Patriot,” which has been performed in over 30 prisons across the country, to Baltimore Center Stage. The Philly native believes it’s the right place and the right time for this story.
Reposted by Rattling the Bars
The mainstream media said voters wouldn’t go for Mamdani and they said “socialism won’t sell.” But on the streets of New York, people were done listening to conventional wisdom.
Mainstream media tried to scare Mamdami voters with socialism—it didn't work!
TRNN was on the ground in New York City on election day speaking to voters.
therealnews.com
November 5, 2025 at 9:01 PM
The mainstream media said voters wouldn’t go for Mamdani and they said “socialism won’t sell.” But on the streets of New York, people were done listening to conventional wisdom.
Reposted by Rattling the Bars
“In 2024 alone, 277 people died in Alabama prisons” Dakarai Larriett, US Senate candidate in Alabama, says. “Building mega-prisons, naming one after governor Kay Ivy, is not the solution.”
Why more mega-prisons won’t fix Alabama’s crisis
“In 2024 alone, 277 people died in Alabama prisons” Dakarai Larriett, US Senate candidate in Alabama, says. “Building mega-prisons, naming one after governor Kay Ivy, is not the solution.”
therealnews.com
November 3, 2025 at 9:20 PM
“In 2024 alone, 277 people died in Alabama prisons” Dakarai Larriett, US Senate candidate in Alabama, says. “Building mega-prisons, naming one after governor Kay Ivy, is not the solution.”
Reposted by Rattling the Bars
‘The Peculiar Patriot’ Takes Baltimore Audiences Behind the Wall baltimorebeat.com/the-peculiar...
October 28, 2025 at 6:00 PM
‘The Peculiar Patriot’ Takes Baltimore Audiences Behind the Wall baltimorebeat.com/the-peculiar...
In the latest Rattling the Bars, Natalie Cadena of @gravelandgrit.bsky.social discusses the coalition—farmers, teachers, Indigenous groups, and local sheriff—working to stop an Arkansas mega-prison. Plus, Bolts’ @laurengill.bsky.social challenges the myth that rural prisons boost local economies.
“75% of [Franklin County] voted for Sarah Huckabee Sanders. And I have people who are telling me, ‘I never really thought about incarceration before,’” but now “‘I’m finding out more about how incarceration works, [and] I’m really starting to question the way that the state locks so many people up.”
Rural America wants to break its economic addiction to prisons
“75% of [Franklin County] voted for Sarah Huckabee Sanders. And I have people who are telling me, ‘I never really thought about incarceration before,’” but now “‘I'm finding out more about how incarce...
therealnews.com
October 28, 2025 at 7:56 PM
In the latest Rattling the Bars, Natalie Cadena of @gravelandgrit.bsky.social discusses the coalition—farmers, teachers, Indigenous groups, and local sheriff—working to stop an Arkansas mega-prison. Plus, Bolts’ @laurengill.bsky.social challenges the myth that rural prisons boost local economies.
Reposted by Rattling the Bars
20% of formerly incarcerated people experience food insecurity – 2x higher than the general population, with even higher rates among formerly incarcerated women & Black individuals
Pausing SNAP has life-threatening consequences for vulnerable populations
Pausing SNAP has life-threatening consequences for vulnerable populations
SNAP benefits to halt in some states amid government shutdown
SNAP serves roughly 42 million low-income Americans.
abcnews.go.com
October 22, 2025 at 2:30 PM
20% of formerly incarcerated people experience food insecurity – 2x higher than the general population, with even higher rates among formerly incarcerated women & Black individuals
Pausing SNAP has life-threatening consequences for vulnerable populations
Pausing SNAP has life-threatening consequences for vulnerable populations
Reposted by Rattling the Bars
“Don’t be afraid to fight back when you think that you’ve been wronged by the prison system because it’s so important that more of us are doing this so that they’re held accountable just like they expect our loved ones to be held accountable.”
Nebraska inmate punished for speaking on wife’s podcast
"Don't be afraid to fight back when you think that you've been wronged by the prison system because it's so important that more of us are doing this so that they're held accountable just like they exp...
therealnews.com
October 22, 2025 at 4:24 PM
“Don’t be afraid to fight back when you think that you’ve been wronged by the prison system because it’s so important that more of us are doing this so that they’re held accountable just like they expect our loved ones to be held accountable.”
Reposted by Rattling the Bars
“We felt that there was a need for this organization because we didn’t see anywhere to go where someone could understand and could feel our pain with the loss of our children”
Their kids were all killed by police. Now, they’re leading a movement
“We felt that there was a need for this organization because we didn't see anywhere to go where someone could understand and could feel our pain with the loss of our children”
therealnews.com
October 20, 2025 at 3:02 PM
“We felt that there was a need for this organization because we didn’t see anywhere to go where someone could understand and could feel our pain with the loss of our children”
On George Floyd’s birthday, Tuesday, October 14th, the Coalition of Concerned Mothers and families of police violence victims rallied in D.C. to demand justice and accountability.
October 17, 2025 at 2:11 AM
On George Floyd’s birthday, Tuesday, October 14th, the Coalition of Concerned Mothers and families of police violence victims rallied in D.C. to demand justice and accountability.
Reposted by Rattling the Bars
If the court dismantles Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act and allows overtly racist gerrymanders, one report estimates that Republicans will be virtually guaranteed an additional 19 seats in the 2026 midterms.
Case before Supreme Court could destroy Voting Rights Act and cement GOP control of House ‘for at least a generation’
If the court dismantles Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act and allows overtly racist gerrymanders, one report estimates that Republicans will be virtually guaranteed an additional 19 seats in the 2026...
therealnews.com
October 15, 2025 at 8:40 PM
If the court dismantles Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act and allows overtly racist gerrymanders, one report estimates that Republicans will be virtually guaranteed an additional 19 seats in the 2026 midterms.
Reposted by Rattling the Bars
“This is the same company that had policies allowing for chatbots to have ‘sensual’ conversations with kids, but discussing local law enforcement among neighbors is a bridge too far, huh?”
Siding with Trump, Facebook suspends Chicago community group issuing ICE alerts
“This is the same company that had policies allowing for chatbots to have ‘sensual’ conversations with kids, but discussing local law enforcement among neighbors is a bridge too far, huh?”
therealnews.com
October 15, 2025 at 8:11 PM
“This is the same company that had policies allowing for chatbots to have ‘sensual’ conversations with kids, but discussing local law enforcement among neighbors is a bridge too far, huh?”
Reposted by Rattling the Bars
New from me at @therealnews.com: I am reporting from the ICE demonstration in Portland as federal officers escalate violence against demonstrators, and the threat of national guard troops could ignite the mass demonstrations.
therealnews.com/violence-at-...
therealnews.com/violence-at-...
Violence at Portland’s ICE facility is coming from one side: the officers
“People of all ages showed up on Sunday, some of which had a small picket line going, others blowing bubbles and using their voices to condemn [law enforcement’s] behavior. But it doesn’t matter what ...
therealnews.com
October 15, 2025 at 2:20 AM
New from me at @therealnews.com: I am reporting from the ICE demonstration in Portland as federal officers escalate violence against demonstrators, and the threat of national guard troops could ignite the mass demonstrations.
therealnews.com/violence-at-...
therealnews.com/violence-at-...
Reposted by Rattling the Bars
The results are in! The Marc Steiner Show and Stories of Resistance with host @undertheshadow.bsky.social, have each won Gold in the 2025 Signal Awards.
We won!
The results are in! The Marc Steiner Show and Stories of Resistance have each won Gold in the 2025 Signal Awards.
therealnews.com
October 16, 2025 at 7:14 PM
The results are in! The Marc Steiner Show and Stories of Resistance with host @undertheshadow.bsky.social, have each won Gold in the 2025 Signal Awards.
Reposted by Rattling the Bars
Watch the trailer for “The Beat Goes On: The Story of Baltimore Beat”
baltimorebeat.com/trailer-the-...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkl4...
baltimorebeat.com/trailer-the-...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkl4...
October 15, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Watch the trailer for “The Beat Goes On: The Story of Baltimore Beat”
baltimorebeat.com/trailer-the-...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkl4...
baltimorebeat.com/trailer-the-...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkl4...
Reposted by Rattling the Bars
Ultimately, as a result of the judge's ruling, the thousands of people in Louisiana who may have been imprisoned past their release dates can proceed as a group – rather than having to file thousands of individual lawsuits.
Read more on this important win here: promiseofjustice.org/news/louisia...
Read more on this important win here: promiseofjustice.org/news/louisia...
Court Rules That Thousands of People Imprisoned by Louisiana Past Their Release Dates May Sue as a Class Action — The Promise of Justice Initiative
Baton Rouge, LA, September 25, 2025 – This week, a Baton Rouge federal judge took a major step in the long-running litigation about “overdetention” – a term referring to the constitutional viola...
promiseofjustice.org
October 15, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Ultimately, as a result of the judge's ruling, the thousands of people in Louisiana who may have been imprisoned past their release dates can proceed as a group – rather than having to file thousands of individual lawsuits.
Read more on this important win here: promiseofjustice.org/news/louisia...
Read more on this important win here: promiseofjustice.org/news/louisia...
Reposted by Rattling the Bars
In late September, a Baton Rouge federal judge took a major step in the long-running litigation about “overdetention" or when an incarcerated person is held in prison past the end of their legal release date.
October 15, 2025 at 12:55 PM
In late September, a Baton Rouge federal judge took a major step in the long-running litigation about “overdetention" or when an incarcerated person is held in prison past the end of their legal release date.
Reposted by Rattling the Bars
“Trump has been able to make this spectacle where you have disorder on one side and him on the other, and he can constantly encroach upon the civil rights of Americans by convincing us that this disorder is so systemic that only he can fix it.”
'Spectacle of disorder': How ICE creates the chaos ICE, cops, and the military are called in to 'fix'
"Trump has been able to make this spectacle where you have disorder on one side and him on the other, and he can constantly encroach upon the civil rights of Americans by convincing us that this disor...
therealnews.com
October 14, 2025 at 2:40 PM
“Trump has been able to make this spectacle where you have disorder on one side and him on the other, and he can constantly encroach upon the civil rights of Americans by convincing us that this disorder is so systemic that only he can fix it.”
Reposted by Rattling the Bars
"One of the most insidious things about prison is that it tries to mute us. It can’t take our voices away, but it can make it harder for them to be heard...Amplifying our voices is empowering and powerful. And you can help by joining any number of advocacy efforts."
Talking to folx in prison reminds me that people have been living with extreme authoritarian conditions, including censorship and denial of trans health care, prior to this moment. Let's listen when they tell us how to get through it and what they need. #solidarity truthout.org/articles/bei...
Being Trans Behind Bars in Florida Was Already Hard. Under Trump, It’s Worse.
Trans people in prison are at the front lines of the increased targeting that trans people are facing under Trump.
truthout.org
October 8, 2025 at 7:36 PM
"One of the most insidious things about prison is that it tries to mute us. It can’t take our voices away, but it can make it harder for them to be heard...Amplifying our voices is empowering and powerful. And you can help by joining any number of advocacy efforts."
Reposted by Rattling the Bars
My podcast #StoriesOfResistance is a finalist for a Signal Award. You can check it out, vote & support here! @therealnews.com
therealnews.com/were-finalis...
therealnews.com/were-finalis...
We’re finalists for the prestigious Signal Awards. Help us win!
Move over, Jon Stewart. The Real News is here…
therealnews.com
September 26, 2025 at 6:23 PM
My podcast #StoriesOfResistance is a finalist for a Signal Award. You can check it out, vote & support here! @therealnews.com
therealnews.com/were-finalis...
therealnews.com/were-finalis...
Reposted by Rattling the Bars
Hundreds of people arrested by ICE agents around Chicago over the past few months could be released, according to a new fed. ruling.
|https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/08/100s-could-be-freed-from-ice-custody-after-ruling-that-warrantless-arrests-violated-consent-decree/
|https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/08/100s-could-be-freed-from-ice-custody-after-ruling-that-warrantless-arrests-violated-consent-decree/
Hundreds Could Be Freed From ICE Custody After Warrantless Arrest Ruling
Immigration attorneys said they have already identified more than 200 arrests that potentially violate the consent decree. However, they said those 200 arrests are likely "just the tip of the iceberg....
blockclubchicago.org
October 9, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Hundreds of people arrested by ICE agents around Chicago over the past few months could be released, according to a new fed. ruling.
|https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/08/100s-could-be-freed-from-ice-custody-after-ruling-that-warrantless-arrests-violated-consent-decree/
|https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/08/100s-could-be-freed-from-ice-custody-after-ruling-that-warrantless-arrests-violated-consent-decree/
Reposted by Rattling the Bars
The “arrest first and ask questions later” reality forces families to spend immense energy on safety planning, rights rehearsals, and preparing for potential detentions, fraying the very foundation of community well-being.
Indiscriminate ICE arrests have left Baltimore’s immigrant communities in a constant state of fear and anxiety
The “arrest first and ask questions later” reality forces families to spend immense energy on safety planning, rights rehearsals, and preparing for potential detentions, fraying the very foundation of...
therealnews.com
October 9, 2025 at 6:11 PM
The “arrest first and ask questions later” reality forces families to spend immense energy on safety planning, rights rehearsals, and preparing for potential detentions, fraying the very foundation of community well-being.
Reposted by Rattling the Bars
Reposted by Rattling the Bars
“Illinois will not let the Trump administration continue on their authoritarian march without resisting,” vowed Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker.
‘Illegal... unconstitutional... dangerous... wrong’: Texas National Guard troops invade Illinois
“Illinois will not let the Trump administration continue on their authoritarian march without resisting,” vowed Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker.
therealnews.com
October 8, 2025 at 2:38 PM
“Illinois will not let the Trump administration continue on their authoritarian march without resisting,” vowed Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker.
Reposted by Rattling the Bars
“You are not provided any joy, any stimulation—you got to find that yourself… I didn’t understand what weeks and months of silence can do to someone’s psyche. That can tear people apart if you’re not conscious of what’s happening to you.”
‘A soul-sucking, desolate hell': How I survived America’s most secretive supermax prison
“You are not provided any joy, any stimulation—you got to find that yourself… I didn't understand what weeks and months of silence can do to someone's psyche. That can tear people apart if you're not ...
therealnews.com
October 6, 2025 at 6:55 PM
“You are not provided any joy, any stimulation—you got to find that yourself… I didn’t understand what weeks and months of silence can do to someone’s psyche. That can tear people apart if you’re not conscious of what’s happening to you.”