Sandra Raponi
@sraponi.bsky.social
Philosophy professor, Honors faculty.
JD, PhD. Political & legal philosophy, global justice, international human rights law.
Human rights-based climate litigation, refugees, free speech.
Zen Buddhism.
From Toronto 🇨🇦, now in MA.
JD, PhD. Political & legal philosophy, global justice, international human rights law.
Human rights-based climate litigation, refugees, free speech.
Zen Buddhism.
From Toronto 🇨🇦, now in MA.
Reposted by Sandra Raponi
"We’re done waiting for Dems to find their spine. We can’t afford a weak & cowardly Democratic Party while the authoritarians invade our cities, terrorize our communities, & threaten our democracy. We get the party we demand, & we intend to demand a Democratic Party that fights.” — @indivisible.org
Indivisible Launches its Largest Primary Program in Response to Senate Democrats Surrendering on the Shutdown Vote
indivisible.org
November 10, 2025 at 11:08 PM
"We’re done waiting for Dems to find their spine. We can’t afford a weak & cowardly Democratic Party while the authoritarians invade our cities, terrorize our communities, & threaten our democracy. We get the party we demand, & we intend to demand a Democratic Party that fights.” — @indivisible.org
Reposted by Sandra Raponi
I'm hearing the same thing. Dems are nearing a surrender. I'm shocked. Largest protest in history + best election night in years + polling showing we're kicking their ass in public opinion. And now Dems may cave.
It ain't over til it's over, so please do call if you've got a Dem senator.
It ain't over til it's over, so please do call if you've got a Dem senator.
Sounds like the squishes in the senate caucus are ready to pull the plug with no ACA changes. This is real. If you want to register your opinion you shld call yr senator in the next hour. They not only want to reopen w/nothing. They want cover from their colleagues who still want to hold out.
November 9, 2025 at 9:04 PM
I'm hearing the same thing. Dems are nearing a surrender. I'm shocked. Largest protest in history + best election night in years + polling showing we're kicking their ass in public opinion. And now Dems may cave.
It ain't over til it's over, so please do call if you've got a Dem senator.
It ain't over til it's over, so please do call if you've got a Dem senator.
Reposted by Sandra Raponi
November 7, 2025 at 11:26 PM
Reposted by Sandra Raponi
MSNBC captured the crowd from the Boston "No Kings" rally:
October 18, 2025 at 6:49 PM
MSNBC captured the crowd from the Boston "No Kings" rally:
Reposted by Sandra Raponi
The first planned migration of an entire country due to climate change is happening! Tuvalu, a Pacific island nation, is at risk of being submerged under rising sea level, so it has signed an agreement with Australia to allow 280 Tuvaluans to settle in Australia as permanent residents each year.
The First Planned Migration of an Entire Country Is Underway
The Pacific island nation of Tuvalu could be submerged in 25 years due to rising sea levels, so a plan is being implemented to relocate its population to Australia.
www.wired.com
July 26, 2025 at 10:20 AM
The first planned migration of an entire country due to climate change is happening! Tuvalu, a Pacific island nation, is at risk of being submerged under rising sea level, so it has signed an agreement with Australia to allow 280 Tuvaluans to settle in Australia as permanent residents each year.
Reposted by Sandra Raponi
BREAKING: Trump’s new Executive Order directs states to treat homelessness and mental illness as crimes. Criminalization doesn’t help anyone – we need housing and healthcare, not handcuffs and budget cuts. #HousingNotHandcuffs
Our statement: buff.ly/JlcAsF4
Our statement: buff.ly/JlcAsF4
Trump’s new Executive Order directs states to treat homelessness and mental illness as crimes - National Homelessness Law Center
Trump’s new Executive Orders direct states to treat homelessness and mental illness as crimes (WASHINGTON, D.C - March 28th) Everybody needs a safe place to live. Across America, sky-high rents are…
buff.ly
July 24, 2025 at 9:37 PM
BREAKING: Trump’s new Executive Order directs states to treat homelessness and mental illness as crimes. Criminalization doesn’t help anyone – we need housing and healthcare, not handcuffs and budget cuts. #HousingNotHandcuffs
Our statement: buff.ly/JlcAsF4
Our statement: buff.ly/JlcAsF4
Reposted by Sandra Raponi
Some people don't feel as close to this as they ought to. Most of us are just a bad break or two away from winding up on the streets, and addiction & mental health crises can affect anyone. They're gutting services and rendering more of us disposable, and there's a carceral disposal system waiting.
July 25, 2025 at 12:20 AM
Some people don't feel as close to this as they ought to. Most of us are just a bad break or two away from winding up on the streets, and addiction & mental health crises can affect anyone. They're gutting services and rendering more of us disposable, and there's a carceral disposal system waiting.
Reposted by Sandra Raponi
This historic decision could pave the way for climate reparations and human rights protections that are long overdue, as well as build a stronger case for big polluters to pay up for the damage they have caused!
www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/...
www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/...
‘Historic’ ruling on climate change by World Court: What to expect
The ICJ is set to decide the future course of climate accountability in a landmark legal case brought by Vanuatu.
www.aljazeera.com
July 23, 2025 at 12:56 PM
This historic decision could pave the way for climate reparations and human rights protections that are long overdue, as well as build a stronger case for big polluters to pay up for the damage they have caused!
www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/...
www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/...
Reposted by Sandra Raponi
New, from me: until recently the big question was “what happens when Trump defies the courts?”
The answer, as it turns out, is that SCOTUS will support him.
The new question is what are the consequences for American democracy and governance?🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/when-youre...
The answer, as it turns out, is that SCOTUS will support him.
The new question is what are the consequences for American democracy and governance?🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/when-youre...
When you’re a star, the Supreme Court lets you do it
SCOTUS is enabling Trump's assault on American institutions
donmoynihan.substack.com
July 23, 2025 at 12:46 PM
New, from me: until recently the big question was “what happens when Trump defies the courts?”
The answer, as it turns out, is that SCOTUS will support him.
The new question is what are the consequences for American democracy and governance?🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/when-youre...
The answer, as it turns out, is that SCOTUS will support him.
The new question is what are the consequences for American democracy and governance?🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/when-youre...
Reposted by Sandra Raponi
🚨BREAKING🚨 ICJ ruling that a healthy environment is a human right could be a real turning point in setting out governments’ legal responsibility to tackle #climate crisis 👇
Healthy environment a human right, UN court says in landmark climate ruling
Court’s decision expected to be used in future litigation and to support political negotiations by vulnerable states
www.theguardian.com
July 23, 2025 at 3:54 PM
🚨BREAKING🚨 ICJ ruling that a healthy environment is a human right could be a real turning point in setting out governments’ legal responsibility to tackle #climate crisis 👇
Reposted by Sandra Raponi
Studying Philosophy Does Make People Better Thinkers
This study “offers the strongest evidence to date that studying philosophy does indeed make people better thinkers.” www.cambridge.org/core/journal... (h/t @greggdcaruso.bsky.social) #philosophy #PhilSky
This study “offers the strongest evidence to date that studying philosophy does indeed make people better thinkers.” www.cambridge.org/core/journal... (h/t @greggdcaruso.bsky.social) #philosophy #PhilSky
Studying Philosophy Does Make People Better Thinkers | Journal of the American Philosophical Association | Cambridge Core
Studying Philosophy Does Make People Better Thinkers
www.cambridge.org
July 13, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Studying Philosophy Does Make People Better Thinkers
This study “offers the strongest evidence to date that studying philosophy does indeed make people better thinkers.” www.cambridge.org/core/journal... (h/t @greggdcaruso.bsky.social) #philosophy #PhilSky
This study “offers the strongest evidence to date that studying philosophy does indeed make people better thinkers.” www.cambridge.org/core/journal... (h/t @greggdcaruso.bsky.social) #philosophy #PhilSky
Reposted by Sandra Raponi
All the conventional wisdom about a constitutional crisis only coming when Trump flat out defies SCOTUS rulings ignores the obvious fact that this Court is a constitutional crisis in itself. We’ve been in full blown CC since it sided in Trump v USA against the USA:
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/16/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/16/u...
Supreme Court Keeps Ruling in Trump’s Favor, but Doesn’t Say Why
www.nytimes.com
July 16, 2025 at 12:02 PM
All the conventional wisdom about a constitutional crisis only coming when Trump flat out defies SCOTUS rulings ignores the obvious fact that this Court is a constitutional crisis in itself. We’ve been in full blown CC since it sided in Trump v USA against the USA:
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/16/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/16/u...
Reposted by Sandra Raponi
Rümeysa Öztürk was unlawfully detained by ICE for over six weeks in retaliation for writing an op-ed.
For the first time since her release, Rümeysa opens up about her experiences and advocates for dignity and justice for those still trapped in ICE detention.
For the first time since her release, Rümeysa opens up about her experiences and advocates for dignity and justice for those still trapped in ICE detention.
“Even God Cannot Hear Us Here”: What I Witnessed Inside an ICE Women’s Prison
Tufts University doctoral student Rümeysa Öztürk opens up about her 45 days in a South Louisiana processing facility—and the generous and compassionate women she met.
www.vanityfair.com
July 17, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Rümeysa Öztürk was unlawfully detained by ICE for over six weeks in retaliation for writing an op-ed.
For the first time since her release, Rümeysa opens up about her experiences and advocates for dignity and justice for those still trapped in ICE detention.
For the first time since her release, Rümeysa opens up about her experiences and advocates for dignity and justice for those still trapped in ICE detention.
Reposted by Sandra Raponi
The Supreme Court said it was unlawful for the Biden administration to forgive student loans because it lacked congressional authority but has no problem with the Trump administration gutting the entire Department of Education without congressional approval. This is a lawless court.
July 14, 2025 at 10:54 PM
The Supreme Court said it was unlawful for the Biden administration to forgive student loans because it lacked congressional authority but has no problem with the Trump administration gutting the entire Department of Education without congressional approval. This is a lawless court.
Reposted by Sandra Raponi
For more on why it is absolutely incumbent upon #SCOTUS to provide even a modicum of explanation when it intervenes to upset the status quo in cases like these, see this "One First" bonus post from June 26:
www.stevevladeck.com/p/bonus-161-...
www.stevevladeck.com/p/bonus-161-...
Bonus 161: Why the Court Needs to Explain Itself
The continuing fallout from Monday afternoon’s ruling in the third-country removals case is an object lesson for why the justices should be providing explanations when they grant emergency relief.
www.stevevladeck.com
July 14, 2025 at 7:47 PM
For more on why it is absolutely incumbent upon #SCOTUS to provide even a modicum of explanation when it intervenes to upset the status quo in cases like these, see this "One First" bonus post from June 26:
www.stevevladeck.com/p/bonus-161-...
www.stevevladeck.com/p/bonus-161-...
Reposted by Sandra Raponi
Since April 4, #SCOTUS has issued 15 rulings on 17 emergency applications filed by Trump (three birthright citizenship apps were consolidated).
It has granted relief to Trump ... in all 15 rulings.
It has written majority opinions in only 3.
Today's order is the 7th with no explanation *at all.*
It has granted relief to Trump ... in all 15 rulings.
It has written majority opinions in only 3.
Today's order is the 7th with no explanation *at all.*
Here we go again: Over an acerbic dissenting opinion by Justice Sotomayor (joined in full by Justices Kagan and Jackson), #SCOTUS, with no explanation, grants a stay in the Department of Education RIFs case—effectively clearing the way for the Trump administration to dismantle much of the agency:
www.supremecourt.gov
July 14, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Since April 4, #SCOTUS has issued 15 rulings on 17 emergency applications filed by Trump (three birthright citizenship apps were consolidated).
It has granted relief to Trump ... in all 15 rulings.
It has written majority opinions in only 3.
Today's order is the 7th with no explanation *at all.*
It has granted relief to Trump ... in all 15 rulings.
It has written majority opinions in only 3.
Today's order is the 7th with no explanation *at all.*
Reposted by Sandra Raponi
A philosophy professor was assaulted and abducted by ICE while protesting the agency's raid on a farm near his university.
Philosophy Professor Reportedly Assaulted & Abducted During ICE Raid on Farm - Daily Nous
Jonathan Caravello, a lecturer in philosophy at California State University Channel Islands, was reportedly "piled on by multiple agents all at once" as "he tried to help a man in a wheelchair" who wa...
dailynous.com
July 12, 2025 at 3:16 PM
A philosophy professor was assaulted and abducted by ICE while protesting the agency's raid on a farm near his university.
Reposted by Sandra Raponi
Let’s talk about Professor Jonathan Caravello, who teaches math and philosophy at CSU Channel Islands. He’s been detained by the feds based on events at a protest in Ventura County on Thursday.
/1
www.pacbiztimes.com/2025/07/12/c...
/1
www.pacbiztimes.com/2025/07/12/c...
CSUCI Professor arrested among Glass House raids | Pacific Coast Business Times
Jonathan Caravello, a professor at CSU Channel Islands, was among one of the more than 200 people arrested from the federal agent’s raid of Glass House Farms’ operations in both Carpinteria and Camari...
www.pacbiztimes.com
July 13, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Let’s talk about Professor Jonathan Caravello, who teaches math and philosophy at CSU Channel Islands. He’s been detained by the feds based on events at a protest in Ventura County on Thursday.
/1
www.pacbiztimes.com/2025/07/12/c...
/1
www.pacbiztimes.com/2025/07/12/c...
Reposted by Sandra Raponi
I don’t think anyone is prepared for what they just did w/ ICE.
This is not a simple budget increase. It is an explosion - making ICE bigger than the FBI, US Bureau of Prisons, DEA,& others combined.
It is setting up to make what’s happening now look like child’s play. And people are disappearing.
This is not a simple budget increase. It is an explosion - making ICE bigger than the FBI, US Bureau of Prisons, DEA,& others combined.
It is setting up to make what’s happening now look like child’s play. And people are disappearing.
July 3, 2025 at 6:58 PM
I don’t think anyone is prepared for what they just did w/ ICE.
This is not a simple budget increase. It is an explosion - making ICE bigger than the FBI, US Bureau of Prisons, DEA,& others combined.
It is setting up to make what’s happening now look like child’s play. And people are disappearing.
This is not a simple budget increase. It is an explosion - making ICE bigger than the FBI, US Bureau of Prisons, DEA,& others combined.
It is setting up to make what’s happening now look like child’s play. And people are disappearing.
Reposted by Sandra Raponi
It’s worth it to listen to the @slate.com’s Amicus SCOTUS year-end Review, hosting by @dahlialithwick.bsky.social & @mjsdc.bsky.social.
Featuring @stevevladeck.bsky.social, @jamellebouie.net & me. It’s sobering & chilling. But at least we’re together figuring it out!
slate.com/podcasts/ami...
Featuring @stevevladeck.bsky.social, @jamellebouie.net & me. It’s sobering & chilling. But at least we’re together figuring it out!
slate.com/podcasts/ami...
Amy Coney Barrett Is Not The Centrist You Were Looking For.
A conservative supermajority so keen to gobble more power for itself, might be giving Trump the tools to override it.
slate.com
July 2, 2025 at 2:33 PM
It’s worth it to listen to the @slate.com’s Amicus SCOTUS year-end Review, hosting by @dahlialithwick.bsky.social & @mjsdc.bsky.social.
Featuring @stevevladeck.bsky.social, @jamellebouie.net & me. It’s sobering & chilling. But at least we’re together figuring it out!
slate.com/podcasts/ami...
Featuring @stevevladeck.bsky.social, @jamellebouie.net & me. It’s sobering & chilling. But at least we’re together figuring it out!
slate.com/podcasts/ami...
Reposted by Sandra Raponi
July 2, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Reposted by Sandra Raponi
“By doing nothing to push back against attacks on lower courts], and by behaving in a way that gives the appearance of justices more interested in rationalizing their votes than in reconciling their jurisprudence, #SCOTUS is ultimately weakening the federal judiciary at the worst possible moment.”:
163. A New Kind of Judicial Supremacy
The Supreme Court closed the balance of the October 2024 Term with both actions and opinions that bespeak a new vision of how it exercises power—one that is as dangerous as it will be unpredictable.
www.stevevladeck.com
June 30, 2025 at 12:33 PM
“By doing nothing to push back against attacks on lower courts], and by behaving in a way that gives the appearance of justices more interested in rationalizing their votes than in reconciling their jurisprudence, #SCOTUS is ultimately weakening the federal judiciary at the worst possible moment.”:
Reposted by Sandra Raponi
And ... it's out. Our episode on SCOTUS's latest complicity with Trump's lawlessness @profmmurray.bsky.social @kateshaw.bsky.social @leahlitman.bsky.social : crooked.com/podcast/scot...
SCOTUS Clears the Way for Trump’s Lawlessness | Crooked Media
crooked.com
June 27, 2025 at 9:41 PM
And ... it's out. Our episode on SCOTUS's latest complicity with Trump's lawlessness @profmmurray.bsky.social @kateshaw.bsky.social @leahlitman.bsky.social : crooked.com/podcast/scot...
Reposted by Sandra Raponi
My latest: Alligator Alcatraz, Florida’s immigrant concentration camp, has its grand opening today after being built in one week. Trump, DeSantis and Noem will be there to celebrate their collaboration.
I wrote about this fulfillment of a Republican wet dream—complete with tacky merch:
I wrote about this fulfillment of a Republican wet dream—complete with tacky merch:
Alligator Alcatraz immigrant prison camp is Florida's sadistic 'one-stop shop' for mass deportation
Trump will attend the opening on Tuesday with Gov. DeSantis and DHS Sec. Noem.
www.thehandbasket.co
July 1, 2025 at 12:34 PM
My latest: Alligator Alcatraz, Florida’s immigrant concentration camp, has its grand opening today after being built in one week. Trump, DeSantis and Noem will be there to celebrate their collaboration.
I wrote about this fulfillment of a Republican wet dream—complete with tacky merch:
I wrote about this fulfillment of a Republican wet dream—complete with tacky merch:
Reposted by Sandra Raponi
I really don’t understand how anyone in this administration, or anyone who supports them, sleep at night.
USAID cuts could lead to 14 million deaths over the next five years, researchers say
An analysis published Monday in the medical journal The Lancet projects that cuts to the agency will lead to more deaths from diseases like AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis.
www.nbcnews.com
June 30, 2025 at 11:30 PM
I really don’t understand how anyone in this administration, or anyone who supports them, sleep at night.