Violet Miller
@vimiller.bsky.social
reporter @chicago.suntimes.com
union member @cstguild.bsky.social
drummer, mediocre shortstop
prev: Daily Herald | she/her 🏳️⚧️ 🏳️🌈
have a tip? DM me for signal
union member @cstguild.bsky.social
drummer, mediocre shortstop
prev: Daily Herald | she/her 🏳️⚧️ 🏳️🌈
have a tip? DM me for signal
Pinned
Violet Miller
@vimiller.bsky.social
· Oct 31
Federal agents fired pepper balls after detaining two people in Albany Park Friday morning as the immigration blitz in Chicago continued through Halloween.
“It’s actually horrifying. ... It happens so fast. You prepare, but then you don’t know what to do.”
chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
“It’s actually horrifying. ... It happens so fast. You prepare, but then you don’t know what to do.”
chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
Reposted by Violet Miller
Instead, I spoke to 4 housing workers who partner with the city. They were unequivocal: encampment closures don't solve homelessness, they perpetuate it. "I don't feel encampments should be closed at all."
chicagoreader.com/news/housing...
chicagoreader.com/news/housing...
Chicago's encampment closures are ‘unconscionable’ - Chicago Reader
Public encampments provide resources and community for people experiencing homelessness, but city crews repeatedly evict residents.
chicagoreader.com
February 5, 2026 at 1:30 PM
Instead, I spoke to 4 housing workers who partner with the city. They were unequivocal: encampment closures don't solve homelessness, they perpetuate it. "I don't feel encampments should be closed at all."
chicagoreader.com/news/housing...
chicagoreader.com/news/housing...
Fritz Kaegi is running for this 3rd term against challenger Pat Hynes, the Lyons Township assessor who worked as a residential field inspector in the office for 23 years.
It comes as residential property tax bills are rising fastest in predominantly Black neighborhoods on the South and West sides.
It comes as residential property tax bills are rising fastest in predominantly Black neighborhoods on the South and West sides.
What to know about the Democratic primary race for Cook County assessor
Fritz Kaegi is running for this third term as assessor against challenger Pat Hynes — who the Democratic Party endorsed — the Lyons Township assessor who spent 23 years working in the Cook County asse...
chicago.suntimes.com
February 8, 2026 at 6:20 PM
Fritz Kaegi is running for this 3rd term against challenger Pat Hynes, the Lyons Township assessor who worked as a residential field inspector in the office for 23 years.
It comes as residential property tax bills are rising fastest in predominantly Black neighborhoods on the South and West sides.
It comes as residential property tax bills are rising fastest in predominantly Black neighborhoods on the South and West sides.
Reposted by Violet Miller
Among the people in Chicago living in SNAP households who are 22 or older, a CPS lunchroom porter is among the 47% who are employed but still need government support to help buy groceries, according to 2024 U.S. Census data analyzed by WBEZ.
Walmart, Amazon and CPS top list of employers where Illinois workers still need SNAP benefits
www.wbez.org
February 6, 2026 at 4:35 PM
Among the people in Chicago living in SNAP households who are 22 or older, a CPS lunchroom porter is among the 47% who are employed but still need government support to help buy groceries, according to 2024 U.S. Census data analyzed by WBEZ.
Reposted by Violet Miller
The Mayor's Office of Homelessness has extended their window of public comment on their Five Year Blueprint on Homelessness to Feb 13:
www.chicago.gov/city/en/site...
www.chicago.gov/city/en/site...
www.chicago.gov
February 6, 2026 at 2:22 PM
The Mayor's Office of Homelessness has extended their window of public comment on their Five Year Blueprint on Homelessness to Feb 13:
www.chicago.gov/city/en/site...
www.chicago.gov/city/en/site...
Reposted by Violet Miller
JUST IN: In a new court filing, attorneys for Marimar Martinez call Chicago's U.S. attorney's office "active enablers of an out-of-control client."
They cite reports from @chicago.suntimes.com and @npr.org in which DHS refuses to back down on claims that Martinez is a "domestic terrorist."
They cite reports from @chicago.suntimes.com and @npr.org in which DHS refuses to back down on claims that Martinez is a "domestic terrorist."
February 5, 2026 at 6:41 PM
JUST IN: In a new court filing, attorneys for Marimar Martinez call Chicago's U.S. attorney's office "active enablers of an out-of-control client."
They cite reports from @chicago.suntimes.com and @npr.org in which DHS refuses to back down on claims that Martinez is a "domestic terrorist."
They cite reports from @chicago.suntimes.com and @npr.org in which DHS refuses to back down on claims that Martinez is a "domestic terrorist."
Reposted by Violet Miller
JUST IN: Chicago's Marimar Martinez is expected to attend President Donald Trump's State of the Union address:
February 5, 2026 at 6:54 PM
JUST IN: Chicago's Marimar Martinez is expected to attend President Donald Trump's State of the Union address:
Reposted by Violet Miller
NEW: since last year, a pair of "highly trained" feds have been involved in an array of incidents attacking crowds with chemical weapons.
We used public records and open source analysis to identify Edgar Vazquez and Michael Sveum, alongside some other members of their tactical team.
Read more:
We used public records and open source analysis to identify Edgar Vazquez and Michael Sveum, alongside some other members of their tactical team.
Read more:
Identified: the El Paso BORTAC crew rampaging through the Midwest
One violent duo in particular, U.S. Border Patrol agents Michael Sveum (EZ-2) and Edgar Vazquez (EZ-17), have been frequently seen alongside former commander-at-large Greg Bovino terrorizing crowds wi...
unraveledpress.com
February 4, 2026 at 9:24 PM
NEW: since last year, a pair of "highly trained" feds have been involved in an array of incidents attacking crowds with chemical weapons.
We used public records and open source analysis to identify Edgar Vazquez and Michael Sveum, alongside some other members of their tactical team.
Read more:
We used public records and open source analysis to identify Edgar Vazquez and Michael Sveum, alongside some other members of their tactical team.
Read more:
Reposted by Violet Miller
A manager for the Immigrant Defense Network told MPR News that back in November, 2,500 people were trained as constitutional observers. Now, the total is nearly 30,000 trained observers in 77 of Minnesota's 87 counties.
Nearly 30,000 Minnesotans trained as constitutional observers
The Immigrant Defense Network works with more than 100 organizations to help train constitutional observers. At the end of November, there were 2,500 trained observers. That number has soared as more ...
www.mprnews.org
February 3, 2026 at 3:03 PM
A manager for the Immigrant Defense Network told MPR News that back in November, 2,500 people were trained as constitutional observers. Now, the total is nearly 30,000 trained observers in 77 of Minnesota's 87 counties.
Broadview mayor Katrina Thompson said she wants to “permanently close the Broadview ICE Detention Center and reimagine that site as something that reflects our values a place for education, culture, and community well-being,” in a Wednesday statement to press.
February 4, 2026 at 2:56 PM
Broadview mayor Katrina Thompson said she wants to “permanently close the Broadview ICE Detention Center and reimagine that site as something that reflects our values a place for education, culture, and community well-being,” in a Wednesday statement to press.
Reposted by Violet Miller
In a wide-ranging interview this week with the Chicago Sun-Times and WBEZ, Marimar Martinez discussed her shooting, the federal government’s failed attempt to prosecute her and the role she now sees for herself in a fight for accountability.
February 3, 2026 at 7:04 PM
In a wide-ranging interview this week with the Chicago Sun-Times and WBEZ, Marimar Martinez discussed her shooting, the federal government’s failed attempt to prosecute her and the role she now sees for herself in a fight for accountability.
Reposted by Violet Miller
DHS said that the woman CBP shot in the chest in Portland was “involved” in a gang shooting.
Her ~involvement~ was that suspected gang members sexually assaulted and robbed her.
Her ~involvement~ was that suspected gang members sexually assaulted and robbed her.
After Border Patrol shot two people in Portland, DHS claimed they were "vicious gang members" tied to a past shooting.
But records I obtained reveal a US prosecutor has since directly contradicted DHS, saying, "We're not suggesting he is a gang member." My dive into how DHS' claims have collapsed:
But records I obtained reveal a US prosecutor has since directly contradicted DHS, saying, "We're not suggesting he is a gang member." My dive into how DHS' claims have collapsed:
DHS’s account of two Venezuelans shot by border patrol falls apart in court: ‘A smear campaign’
Immigration officials said agent shot two ‘vicious gang members’ in Portland, but records obtained by the Guardian reveal US prosecutor contradicted claims
www.theguardian.com
February 3, 2026 at 2:02 AM
DHS said that the woman CBP shot in the chest in Portland was “involved” in a gang shooting.
Her ~involvement~ was that suspected gang members sexually assaulted and robbed her.
Her ~involvement~ was that suspected gang members sexually assaulted and robbed her.
six months until women’s professional baseball league opening day (aug. 1)
![edited ayo edebiri tweet: “i’m seated. the [robin roberts stadium] employees are scared and asking me to leave because it’s ‘not august yet’ but i’m simply too seated.”](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:y465t32jempmca74z5lixa5h/bafkreihhzhup6x5bga4vpyzykrtnctw5zvkjnkjar67f3hyzzf35s2wrua@jpeg)
February 2, 2026 at 12:51 AM
six months until women’s professional baseball league opening day (aug. 1)
Reposted by Violet Miller
A note from our editors:
February 1, 2026 at 9:10 PM
A note from our editors:
Reposted by Violet Miller
The two federal immigration agents who fired on Minneapolis protester Alex Pretti are identified in government records as Border Patrol agent Jesus Ochoa and Customs and Border Protection officer Raymundo Gutierrez www.propublica.org/article/alex...
Two CBP Agents Identified in Alex Pretti Shooting
The two federal immigration agents who fired on Minneapolis protester Alex Pretti are identified in government records as Border Patrol agent Jesus Ochoa and Customs and Border Protection officer Raym...
www.propublica.org
February 1, 2026 at 9:54 PM
The two federal immigration agents who fired on Minneapolis protester Alex Pretti are identified in government records as Border Patrol agent Jesus Ochoa and Customs and Border Protection officer Raymundo Gutierrez www.propublica.org/article/alex...
Reposted by Violet Miller
They’re not ending anytime soon.
They will fail in court. They’re cool with that. Because it’s not about winning a conviction.
This is about intimidating us with the high potential pain for doing journalism
They will fail in court. They’re cool with that. Because it’s not about winning a conviction.
This is about intimidating us with the high potential pain for doing journalism
Now the Trump administration is arresting journalists, taking former CNN anchor Don Lemon into custody in Los Angeles. Where will the assaults on press freedom end? https://loom.ly/kD5S7Po
Former CNN Anchor Don Lemon Arrested Over Anti-ICE Church Protest
Lemon spoke to protestors, congregants and a pastor on a livestream during the protest.
www.hollywoodreporter.com
January 30, 2026 at 2:00 PM
They’re not ending anytime soon.
They will fail in court. They’re cool with that. Because it’s not about winning a conviction.
This is about intimidating us with the high potential pain for doing journalism
They will fail in court. They’re cool with that. Because it’s not about winning a conviction.
This is about intimidating us with the high potential pain for doing journalism
Reposted by Violet Miller
“A Law enforcement member holds a weapon as they stand guard while people protest outside the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, after the fatal shootings of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti by federal immigration agents, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.”
@reuters.com
@reuters.com
January 30, 2026 at 3:44 PM
“A Law enforcement member holds a weapon as they stand guard while people protest outside the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, after the fatal shootings of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti by federal immigration agents, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.”
@reuters.com
@reuters.com
Reposted by Violet Miller
The Minnesota Society of Professional Journalists strongly condemns the wrongful arrests of journalists Georgia Fort and Don Lemon for reporting on a church protest in St. Paul.
Read our full statement here: www.mnspj.org/2026/01/30/m...
Read our full statement here: www.mnspj.org/2026/01/30/m...
January 30, 2026 at 6:18 PM
The Minnesota Society of Professional Journalists strongly condemns the wrongful arrests of journalists Georgia Fort and Don Lemon for reporting on a church protest in St. Paul.
Read our full statement here: www.mnspj.org/2026/01/30/m...
Read our full statement here: www.mnspj.org/2026/01/30/m...
Reposted by Violet Miller
BIG SCOOP @heatmap.news: The Trump administration is now going after renewable energy projects on both public and private lands by indefinitely delaying water permits … on grounds that the projects might have bad “aesthetics”
Yes, they’re hurting renewable energy projects by calling them ugly
Yes, they’re hurting renewable energy projects by calling them ugly
The Trump Administration Is Now Delaying Renewable Projects It Thinks Are Ugly
The Army Corps of Engineers is out to protect “the beauty of the Nation’s natural landscape.”
heatmap.news
January 29, 2026 at 6:11 PM
BIG SCOOP @heatmap.news: The Trump administration is now going after renewable energy projects on both public and private lands by indefinitely delaying water permits … on grounds that the projects might have bad “aesthetics”
Yes, they’re hurting renewable energy projects by calling them ugly
Yes, they’re hurting renewable energy projects by calling them ugly
Reposted by Violet Miller
BREAKING: A federal judge ordered former Mayor Emanuel to testify about allegations that a “code of silence” among CPD officers led to a botched 2018 raid of a Back of the Yards apartment that violated the civil rights of a family with 4 children — ages 4, 8, 11 and 13. @wttw.bsky.social
Rahm Ordered to Testify About CPD’s ‘Code of Silence’ During Trial Over Botched Raid
A trial, set to start Monday, will decide whether CPD officers traumatized two women and four children in August when a CPD SWAT team broke down the door of their apartment, pointed assault rifles dir...
news.wttw.com
January 29, 2026 at 7:32 PM
BREAKING: A federal judge ordered former Mayor Emanuel to testify about allegations that a “code of silence” among CPD officers led to a botched 2018 raid of a Back of the Yards apartment that violated the civil rights of a family with 4 children — ages 4, 8, 11 and 13. @wttw.bsky.social
Reposted by Violet Miller
Whoa. D.Minn's chief judge Patrick Schiltz dockets a list of "96 court orders that ICE has violated in 74 cases."
www.courtlistener.com/docket/72120...
www.courtlistener.com/docket/72120...
January 28, 2026 at 10:58 PM
Whoa. D.Minn's chief judge Patrick Schiltz dockets a list of "96 court orders that ICE has violated in 74 cases."
www.courtlistener.com/docket/72120...
www.courtlistener.com/docket/72120...
"We demand more from our [electeds] than just strongly worded letters or tweets, or grandiose speeches romanticizing the sacrifice of others," said Michael Applegate, a Navy vet. "Put some skin in the game or get out of the way, because we will not stand for your cowardice or complicity any longer."
Nurses honor Alex Pretti, call for abolition of ICE and general strike in Chicago
A group of hundreds, many of them nurses still wearing badges after walking from their nearby hospitals, performed a Nightingale Tribute — a traditional send off for nurses — for Pretti, who was kille...
chicago.suntimes.com
January 29, 2026 at 1:54 PM
"We demand more from our [electeds] than just strongly worded letters or tweets, or grandiose speeches romanticizing the sacrifice of others," said Michael Applegate, a Navy vet. "Put some skin in the game or get out of the way, because we will not stand for your cowardice or complicity any longer."
Reposted by Violet Miller
The @chicago.suntimes.com has now posted a public tracker of federal criminal cases tied to Operation Midway Blitz, with a small update: We've now tied 32 defendants to the campaign.
The bottom line remains: 15 cleared and no one convicted, so far: chicago.suntimes.com/2026/tracker...
The bottom line remains: 15 cleared and no one convicted, so far: chicago.suntimes.com/2026/tracker...
Tracking every known federal prosecution in Chicago tied to Trump’s immigration blitz
Every known federal prosecution in Chicago tied to Trump’s immigration blitz
chicago.suntimes.com
January 27, 2026 at 10:01 PM
The @chicago.suntimes.com has now posted a public tracker of federal criminal cases tied to Operation Midway Blitz, with a small update: We've now tied 32 defendants to the campaign.
The bottom line remains: 15 cleared and no one convicted, so far: chicago.suntimes.com/2026/tracker...
The bottom line remains: 15 cleared and no one convicted, so far: chicago.suntimes.com/2026/tracker...
Reposted by Violet Miller
The woman who survived five gunshots from a Border Patrol agent in Chicago, only to be criminally charged and then cleared, now wants a judge’s permission to share records showing how the feds respond when agents use deadly force.
@chicago.suntimes.com story: chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
@chicago.suntimes.com story: chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
Woman shot by Border Patrol in Chicago asks judge to let her release evidence
Marimar Martinez is blocked from releasing evidence in her case by what's known as a "protective order." Though standard, her attorney says it's “become an albatross” around her neck and “keeps the en...
chicago.suntimes.com
January 26, 2026 at 11:18 PM
The woman who survived five gunshots from a Border Patrol agent in Chicago, only to be criminally charged and then cleared, now wants a judge’s permission to share records showing how the feds respond when agents use deadly force.
@chicago.suntimes.com story: chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
@chicago.suntimes.com story: chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
Reposted by Violet Miller
The Trump administration on Monday targeted Minnesota schools, saying they have violated federal law by allowing transgender girls to play sports with their peers.
Minnesota targeted by federal government over trans girls in sports
The notice comes as the Trump administration faces a substantial backlash to its immigration enforcement in the state, which has led to the shooting deaths of two Minnesotans.
19thnews.org
January 26, 2026 at 11:44 PM
The Trump administration on Monday targeted Minnesota schools, saying they have violated federal law by allowing transgender girls to play sports with their peers.
Reposted by Violet Miller
I spoke to Waco's Kaleb Blain, a transgender pitmaster working to create space for trans people in Texas BBQ. After being doxxed, attacked online and let go from Terry Black's, he's now forging his own path:
"I have to do this for the rest of my life."
www.chron.com/culture/arti...
"I have to do this for the rest of my life."
www.chron.com/culture/arti...
After a doxxing, a transgender Texan pitmaster forges his own way
"There's not a queer space in barbecue yet, so let's create one."
www.chron.com
January 26, 2026 at 10:01 PM
I spoke to Waco's Kaleb Blain, a transgender pitmaster working to create space for trans people in Texas BBQ. After being doxxed, attacked online and let go from Terry Black's, he's now forging his own path:
"I have to do this for the rest of my life."
www.chron.com/culture/arti...
"I have to do this for the rest of my life."
www.chron.com/culture/arti...