Under the Tree w/Bill Ayers - A Seminar on Freedom
@underthetreepod.bsky.social
A podcast that takes you on a journey to reimagine how we can bring freedom & liberation to life.
https://linktr.ee/underthetree
https://linktr.ee/underthetree
Pinned
Come out to @pilsencommbooks.bsky.social on Sunday, Feb. 15th at 3:30pm for an exciting conversation with @vijayprashad.bsky.social. While the state of our world is dire indeed, there are also so many reasons for hope. Join us for a wide ranging conversation that looks at the U.S. and beyond.
NEW EPISODE!
We’re joined in conversation with co-host Jeff Jones and Jeremy Varon, an activist-scholar, Professor of History at the New School for Social Research, and author of "Our Grief is not a Cry for War," a social history of the movement against the “war on terror.”
bit.ly/4tclUBU
We’re joined in conversation with co-host Jeff Jones and Jeremy Varon, an activist-scholar, Professor of History at the New School for Social Research, and author of "Our Grief is not a Cry for War," a social history of the movement against the “war on terror.”
bit.ly/4tclUBU
February 6, 2026 at 4:06 PM
NEW EPISODE!
We’re joined in conversation with co-host Jeff Jones and Jeremy Varon, an activist-scholar, Professor of History at the New School for Social Research, and author of "Our Grief is not a Cry for War," a social history of the movement against the “war on terror.”
bit.ly/4tclUBU
We’re joined in conversation with co-host Jeff Jones and Jeremy Varon, an activist-scholar, Professor of History at the New School for Social Research, and author of "Our Grief is not a Cry for War," a social history of the movement against the “war on terror.”
bit.ly/4tclUBU
Reposted by Under the Tree w/Bill Ayers - A Seminar on Freedom
The opening ceremony for the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics is tomorrow. In my latest with @edgeofsports.bsky.social we press past the five-ring spectacle to shine a light on the underbelly of these politically charged Games. For @thenation.com www.thenation.com/article/soci...
Get Ready for This Year’s Undemocratic, Debt-Ridden, and Mobster-Infused Winter Olympics
ICE thugs in the streets, Mafia meddling, and billions in waste—seems like the Games are off to a great start.
www.thenation.com
February 5, 2026 at 1:05 PM
The opening ceremony for the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics is tomorrow. In my latest with @edgeofsports.bsky.social we press past the five-ring spectacle to shine a light on the underbelly of these politically charged Games. For @thenation.com www.thenation.com/article/soci...
Reposted by Under the Tree w/Bill Ayers - A Seminar on Freedom
They’re trying to run the Kilmar Abrego Garcia playbook with a five year old boy in a bunny hat because nobody can find peace if they embarrass the Trump administration publicly. Normal people didn’t like it with Garcia and they really aren’t going to like it for Liam.
BREAKING: The federal government has filed a motion seeking to end asylum claims for the family of Liam Conejo Ramos, according to the lawyer representing the family.
DHS has requested expedited deportation proceedings against family of Liam Conejo Ramos
The federal government has filed a motion seeking to end asylum claims for the family of Liam Conejo Ramos, according to the lawyer representing the family.
www.mprnews.org
February 6, 2026 at 2:51 AM
They’re trying to run the Kilmar Abrego Garcia playbook with a five year old boy in a bunny hat because nobody can find peace if they embarrass the Trump administration publicly. Normal people didn’t like it with Garcia and they really aren’t going to like it for Liam.
Reposted by Under the Tree w/Bill Ayers - A Seminar on Freedom
“It seems our university leaders cannot even say that it is wrong to murder a former student in broad daylight because some people might disagree,” geography professor Kate Derickson
Faculty, students push University of Minnesota to denounce ICE and killing of alumnus Alex Pretti
It illustrates the complex balancing act for colleges and universities in responding to ICE actions.
www.startribune.com
February 5, 2026 at 11:43 PM
“It seems our university leaders cannot even say that it is wrong to murder a former student in broad daylight because some people might disagree,” geography professor Kate Derickson
Reposted by Under the Tree w/Bill Ayers - A Seminar on Freedom
Happening now in Silicon Valley: marchers have surrounded the Palantir building and are holding a prayer vigil for victims of ICE, while video of ICE and Palantir crimes is projected on the building. #abolishice #iceout #palantir #paloalto
February 6, 2026 at 2:39 AM
Happening now in Silicon Valley: marchers have surrounded the Palantir building and are holding a prayer vigil for victims of ICE, while video of ICE and Palantir crimes is projected on the building. #abolishice #iceout #palantir #paloalto
Reposted by Under the Tree w/Bill Ayers - A Seminar on Freedom
It feels like it's been impossible to get people outside of higher ed to understand that eliminating staff/programs/majors is primarily an ideological project, whatever claims are made about finances.
What's happened at the Post is what's been happening in higher ed for ages.
What's happened at the Post is what's been happening in higher ed for ages.
February 5, 2026 at 1:19 PM
It feels like it's been impossible to get people outside of higher ed to understand that eliminating staff/programs/majors is primarily an ideological project, whatever claims are made about finances.
What's happened at the Post is what's been happening in higher ed for ages.
What's happened at the Post is what's been happening in higher ed for ages.
Reposted by Under the Tree w/Bill Ayers - A Seminar on Freedom
"These certificates were supposed to open doors, not remind me of what I've lost," says Hamada Abu Layla, 45, holding his three university degrees. Reporting from the Strip, Ismail Nofal details the loss of academic life in Gaza.
https://bit.ly/4tcjnI5
https://bit.ly/4tcjnI5
What Happens to the Educators When the Schools Have Been Destroyed?
Hamada Abu Layla spent 22 years earning three degrees from Gaza universities. Now they mock him from a garbage dump.
bit.ly
February 4, 2026 at 2:51 AM
"These certificates were supposed to open doors, not remind me of what I've lost," says Hamada Abu Layla, 45, holding his three university degrees. Reporting from the Strip, Ismail Nofal details the loss of academic life in Gaza.
https://bit.ly/4tcjnI5
https://bit.ly/4tcjnI5
Reposted by Under the Tree w/Bill Ayers - A Seminar on Freedom
The Nation’s homepage today is dedicated entirely to Gaza and its people. Despite a so-called ceasefire, bombings continue, hunger persists, aid trickles, and hundreds of thousands live in threadbare tents.
Today, as Gaza continues to be stuck in a bloody limbo, we are turning our website over to Gaza and its people in an initiative we are calling “A Day for Gaza.” There will be no pieces published on our website today that do not come directly from Gaza.
A Day for Gaza
Today, The Nation is turning over its website exclusively to stories from Gaza and its people. This is why.
www.thenation.com
February 3, 2026 at 5:08 PM
The Nation’s homepage today is dedicated entirely to Gaza and its people. Despite a so-called ceasefire, bombings continue, hunger persists, aid trickles, and hundreds of thousands live in threadbare tents.
Reposted by Under the Tree w/Bill Ayers - A Seminar on Freedom
If Google is turning over user email data with nothing but a DHS administrative warrant I would assume until proved otherwise it is also turning phone location info over to immigration
Floored by this story. A man wrote a pollite email to a federal prosecutor objecting to the deportation of an Afghan seeking asylum. DHS responded with an administrative warrant to get the man's info from Google, then visited his home to intimidate him.
DHS Hunts Down 67-Year-Old U.S. Citizen Who Criticized Them in Email
The Department of Homeland Security is using a little-known tool to go after its critics.
newrepublic.com
February 4, 2026 at 12:27 AM
If Google is turning over user email data with nothing but a DHS administrative warrant I would assume until proved otherwise it is also turning phone location info over to immigration
Come out to @pilsencommbooks.bsky.social on Sunday, Feb. 15th at 3:30pm for an exciting conversation with @vijayprashad.bsky.social. While the state of our world is dire indeed, there are also so many reasons for hope. Join us for a wide ranging conversation that looks at the U.S. and beyond.
February 4, 2026 at 1:20 AM
Come out to @pilsencommbooks.bsky.social on Sunday, Feb. 15th at 3:30pm for an exciting conversation with @vijayprashad.bsky.social. While the state of our world is dire indeed, there are also so many reasons for hope. Join us for a wide ranging conversation that looks at the U.S. and beyond.
Reposted by Under the Tree w/Bill Ayers - A Seminar on Freedom
Rep. Stephanie Mickelsen is a potato farmer, and her support of immigrant workers put her at odds with Republican leadership.
As Trump moved the party even further right, the fight got personal. ICE raided her farm.
Our latest collaboration with our colleagues at @boisestatepublicradio.org:
As Trump moved the party even further right, the fight got personal. ICE raided her farm.
Our latest collaboration with our colleagues at @boisestatepublicradio.org:
The Trump administration’s policies are disrupting and dividing communities. We visit three of them.
From farm country to cities and even Native American reservations, communities are being shaped (and divided) by Trump administration policies.
revealnews.org
February 2, 2026 at 8:03 PM
Rep. Stephanie Mickelsen is a potato farmer, and her support of immigrant workers put her at odds with Republican leadership.
As Trump moved the party even further right, the fight got personal. ICE raided her farm.
Our latest collaboration with our colleagues at @boisestatepublicradio.org:
As Trump moved the party even further right, the fight got personal. ICE raided her farm.
Our latest collaboration with our colleagues at @boisestatepublicradio.org:
Reposted by Under the Tree w/Bill Ayers - A Seminar on Freedom
Protesters are pushing back against the Trump admin’s practice of kidnapping their neighbors and executing dissidents, and the Trump admin is arresting the journalists who publicize that righteous anger
I wrote about Don Lemon, Georgia Fort, & the First Amendment
ballsandstrikes.org/law-politics...
I wrote about Don Lemon, Georgia Fort, & the First Amendment
ballsandstrikes.org/law-politics...
The Trump Administration Is Trying to Prosecute Its Way Out of Bad Media Coverage
The arrests of journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort threaten more than just their First Amendment rights as journalists.
ballsandstrikes.org
February 2, 2026 at 7:20 PM
Protesters are pushing back against the Trump admin’s practice of kidnapping their neighbors and executing dissidents, and the Trump admin is arresting the journalists who publicize that righteous anger
I wrote about Don Lemon, Georgia Fort, & the First Amendment
ballsandstrikes.org/law-politics...
I wrote about Don Lemon, Georgia Fort, & the First Amendment
ballsandstrikes.org/law-politics...
“Amazon paid $40 million for the movie, with an additional $35 million marketing budget, and $28 million of that went directly to Melania Trump.”
Some brave journalists go to war zones and get shot at. I went to the Melania movie, and would probably opt for being shot at over having to sit through it again www.thenation.com/article/cult...
Melania at the Multiplex
Packaging a $75 million bribe from Jeff Bezos as a vapid, content-challenged biopic.
www.thenation.com
February 2, 2026 at 8:16 PM
“Amazon paid $40 million for the movie, with an additional $35 million marketing budget, and $28 million of that went directly to Melania Trump.”
Dumbest idea.
February 2, 2026 at 3:05 AM
Dumbest idea.
Reposted by Under the Tree w/Bill Ayers - A Seminar on Freedom
What a nightmare. “After a week of public outcry over the South Texas Family Residential Center’s treatment of young children behind its walls, the Dilley facility is experiencing a measles outbreak, according to immigration attorney Eric Lee.” @jackiantonovich.bsky.social
Source: Measles outbreak reported at ICE's Dilley family detention facility
DPS troopers stand guard in front of the Dilley detention center during a protest last weekend. After a week of public outcry over the South Texas Family
www.sacurrent.com
February 2, 2026 at 12:22 AM
What a nightmare. “After a week of public outcry over the South Texas Family Residential Center’s treatment of young children behind its walls, the Dilley facility is experiencing a measles outbreak, according to immigration attorney Eric Lee.” @jackiantonovich.bsky.social
Reposted by Under the Tree w/Bill Ayers - A Seminar on Freedom
“Antifa is not an organization. Antifascism is a natural response to state terror. Antifascist action belongs to the people. Anyone can do it... Every day this goes on, DHS creates thousands of new antifascists.”—Riley (an anonymous antifascist researcher)
New: Antifa unmasked a new generation of fascists in the Trump era. Now it's exposing ICE.
"Predators don’t get anonymity."
My latest for @us.theguardian.com www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
"Predators don’t get anonymity."
My latest for @us.theguardian.com www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Antifa used to unmask neo-Nazis, now it’s exposing ICE: ‘Predators don’t get anonymity’
Following in a long American tradition of identifying fascists, a network of leftists has set out to name and shame Trump’s immigration agents
www.theguardian.com
February 1, 2026 at 3:31 PM
“Antifa is not an organization. Antifascism is a natural response to state terror. Antifascist action belongs to the people. Anyone can do it... Every day this goes on, DHS creates thousands of new antifascists.”—Riley (an anonymous antifascist researcher)
Words to live by.
February 1, 2026 at 3:39 PM
Words to live by.
To be clear, tear gassing a peaceful march with children and seniors was intentional.
They are tear gassing kids in order to scare adults into inaction in the face of a fascist takeover.
But what do we think they’ll do if we give them even more power???
They are tear gassing kids in order to scare adults into inaction in the face of a fascist takeover.
But what do we think they’ll do if we give them even more power???
Just experienced the most intense tear gassing of my life by federal officers outside the ICE facility in Portland where marchers gathered. There was no fast exit as they indiscriminately threw loads of gas and flash bangs. Children were in the crowd screaming. @oregoncapitalchronicle.com
February 1, 2026 at 2:21 PM
To be clear, tear gassing a peaceful march with children and seniors was intentional.
They are tear gassing kids in order to scare adults into inaction in the face of a fascist takeover.
But what do we think they’ll do if we give them even more power???
They are tear gassing kids in order to scare adults into inaction in the face of a fascist takeover.
But what do we think they’ll do if we give them even more power???
Reposted by Under the Tree w/Bill Ayers - A Seminar on Freedom
Whether it's Democrats wanting the federal government to release the names of people who raped children with Jeffrey Epstein or Republicans wanting state governments to release the names of people who voted Democrat in 2024, both sides are seeking names for retribution.
February 1, 2026 at 1:04 PM
Whether it's Democrats wanting the federal government to release the names of people who raped children with Jeffrey Epstein or Republicans wanting state governments to release the names of people who voted Democrat in 2024, both sides are seeking names for retribution.
Reposted by Under the Tree w/Bill Ayers - A Seminar on Freedom
I don't like to talk about stories before they are fully reported, but I am writing on ICE in a Minnesota town that isn't Minneapolis. However bad you think it is, it is worse. It is a campaign of pure terror whose only strategic goal is more terror. There is no strategy other than to break people.
January 31, 2026 at 9:03 PM
I don't like to talk about stories before they are fully reported, but I am writing on ICE in a Minnesota town that isn't Minneapolis. However bad you think it is, it is worse. It is a campaign of pure terror whose only strategic goal is more terror. There is no strategy other than to break people.
Reposted by Under the Tree w/Bill Ayers - A Seminar on Freedom
Lawyers can't reach clients in ICE detention. I've heard it anecdotally, but scale of issue is horrifying.
Bloomberg Law is a legal trade pub so many may miss this. Screenshot from their CA newsletter summarizes "bleak" situation for justice and rule of law.
news.bloomberglaw.com/litigation/l...
Bloomberg Law is a legal trade pub so many may miss this. Screenshot from their CA newsletter summarizes "bleak" situation for justice and rule of law.
news.bloomberglaw.com/litigation/l...
January 31, 2026 at 9:15 PM
Lawyers can't reach clients in ICE detention. I've heard it anecdotally, but scale of issue is horrifying.
Bloomberg Law is a legal trade pub so many may miss this. Screenshot from their CA newsletter summarizes "bleak" situation for justice and rule of law.
news.bloomberglaw.com/litigation/l...
Bloomberg Law is a legal trade pub so many may miss this. Screenshot from their CA newsletter summarizes "bleak" situation for justice and rule of law.
news.bloomberglaw.com/litigation/l...
Reposted by Under the Tree w/Bill Ayers - A Seminar on Freedom
It really is worth understanding what an escalation this is by the feds to be teargassing the big family friendly march
Just experienced the most intense tear gassing of my life by federal officers outside the ICE facility in Portland where marchers gathered. There was no fast exit as they indiscriminately threw loads of gas and flash bangs. Children were in the crowd screaming. @oregoncapitalchronicle.com
February 1, 2026 at 1:21 PM
It really is worth understanding what an escalation this is by the feds to be teargassing the big family friendly march
Reposted by Under the Tree w/Bill Ayers - A Seminar on Freedom
"But only the worker actually goes on strike. As such, the only people who should call for a strike are the workers who will be striking." open.substack.com/pub/tabithaa...
A Strike is Not a Spell
on the January 30 “general strike.”
open.substack.com
January 31, 2026 at 9:34 PM
"But only the worker actually goes on strike. As such, the only people who should call for a strike are the workers who will be striking." open.substack.com/pub/tabithaa...
Reposted by Under the Tree w/Bill Ayers - A Seminar on Freedom
for over 3 weeks, I've spoken to ICE watchers and organizers across the country: first right after Renee Good's killing — then 2 weeks into my reporting, Alex Pretti was killed.
ICE watchers are being detained and harassed — but they're also stopping ICE abductions and inspiring others to join them
ICE watchers are being detained and harassed — but they're also stopping ICE abductions and inspiring others to join them
‘Backing down isn’t an option’: Minnesota ICE shootings mobilize Americans to join ICE observer groups
The killings of Minneapolis residents Renee Good and Alex Pretti have inspired people across the US to document federal agents’ activities in their communities
www.theguardian.com
January 31, 2026 at 5:18 PM
for over 3 weeks, I've spoken to ICE watchers and organizers across the country: first right after Renee Good's killing — then 2 weeks into my reporting, Alex Pretti was killed.
ICE watchers are being detained and harassed — but they're also stopping ICE abductions and inspiring others to join them
ICE watchers are being detained and harassed — but they're also stopping ICE abductions and inspiring others to join them
Portland Union march last night.
I witnessed ICE using tear gas on children.
They shattered a window of low-income housing where a disabled vet lives. He got gassed in his own home.
They shattered a window of low-income housing where a disabled vet lives. He got gassed in his own home.
This was the kind of treatment the union activists got today from Oregon’s largest unions alongside coalitions like @jwjpdx.bsky.social. They fired projectiles and injured many demonstrators and broke out neighbors windows. Gas for a half dozen miles in each direction. #iceout
February 1, 2026 at 1:44 PM
Portland Union march last night.