Will Jones
@willpjones.bsky.social
Historian of race and class; Author: The March on Washington & The Tribe of Black Ulysses; Professor, University of Minnesota; President, @umn-tc-aaup.bsky.social; Editor, "Up For Debate" @laborlawchajournal.bsky.social
ORCHID: 0000-0001-9295-866X
ORCHID: 0000-0001-9295-866X
Police enforcing the law?
There’s a @mprnews.org story about local police in St. Peter, MN helping a local woman evade the clutches of ICE agents. I don’t see it in their website yet. They said it appears to be the first such incident in Minnesota
January 31, 2026 at 12:19 AM
Police enforcing the law?
I got to talk about Black Reconstruction and the general strike that ended slavery @marketplace.org
A timeline of major general strikes in the U.S.
People have participated in collective work stoppages to raise the pressure on employers for more than 150 years.
www.marketplace.org
January 30, 2026 at 11:45 PM
I got to talk about Black Reconstruction and the general strike that ended slavery @marketplace.org
I got to talk about Black Reconstruction and the general strike that ended slavery @marketplace.org
Ever since the Civil War, unions and others have used mass slowdowns and work stoppages to advocate for changing things, especially in times of economic uncertainty.
General strikes have a long history in the U.S.
Ever since the Civil War, unions and others have used mass slowdowns and work stoppages to advocate for changing things, especially in times of economic uncertainty.
www.marketplace.org
January 30, 2026 at 11:23 PM
I got to talk about Black Reconstruction and the general strike that ended slavery @marketplace.org
This march was organized in less than a week with far less support from last week's march - and it was still massive! I believe that we will win.
Thousands of people filled the streets of downtown Minneapolis in protest of federal immigration enforcement for the second consecutive Friday.
📷️: Aaron Lavinsky
📷️: Aaron Lavinsky
January 30, 2026 at 10:49 PM
This march was organized in less than a week with far less support from last week's march - and it was still massive! I believe that we will win.
Reposted by Will Jones
@lawcha.bsky.social and @laborlawchajournal.bsky.social will jointly award a $2,000 grant for research leading to an article to a contingent/adjunct faculty, community college faculty, or independent scholar engaged in work related to working people.
@contingent-mag.bsky.social
@historians.org
@contingent-mag.bsky.social
@historians.org
www.oah.org
January 29, 2026 at 4:14 PM
@lawcha.bsky.social and @laborlawchajournal.bsky.social will jointly award a $2,000 grant for research leading to an article to a contingent/adjunct faculty, community college faculty, or independent scholar engaged in work related to working people.
@contingent-mag.bsky.social
@historians.org
@contingent-mag.bsky.social
@historians.org
It says a lot about the state of the Twin Cities that when visiting a relatively affluent senior housing complex I noticed piles of whistles set out for taking on a table by the elevator.
January 29, 2026 at 7:49 PM
It says a lot about the state of the Twin Cities that when visiting a relatively affluent senior housing complex I noticed piles of whistles set out for taking on a table by the elevator.
Reposted by Will Jones
The Minnesota Star Tribune has identified 17 instances of federal officials violating judicial orders related to people detained in Minnesota.
Star Tribune analysis: Feds disobeying judicial orders on immigration detainees
The federal government cites a glut in cases and low staffing as reasons for violating court orders.
bit.ly
January 28, 2026 at 9:00 PM
The Minnesota Star Tribune has identified 17 instances of federal officials violating judicial orders related to people detained in Minnesota.
A masterpiece:
January 28, 2026 at 4:49 PM
A masterpiece:
Reposted by Will Jones
@dskamper.bsky.social is taking a break from ICE protests in Minneapolis for this so it’s worth your time too! Give him a reason to come in from the cold!
⏰ TOMORROW NIGHT!
Join long-time member of the labor movement, EPI Senior State Policy Strategist, and author @dskamper.bsky.social for a virtual conversation about his latest book Who's Got The Power? The Resurgence of the American Union. ✊
Wednesday, January 28
5:30-6:30p
FREE
Register now!
Join long-time member of the labor movement, EPI Senior State Policy Strategist, and author @dskamper.bsky.social for a virtual conversation about his latest book Who's Got The Power? The Resurgence of the American Union. ✊
Wednesday, January 28
5:30-6:30p
FREE
Register now!
Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: Book Talk and Discussion - 'Who’s Got the Power?: The Resurgence of American Unions'. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining...
Please join us for a virtual conversation with Economic Policy Institute Senior Strategist Dave Kamper about his exciting new book, ‘Who’s Got the Power?: The Resurgence of American Unions.’
us06web.zoom.us
January 27, 2026 at 2:45 PM
@dskamper.bsky.social is taking a break from ICE protests in Minneapolis for this so it’s worth your time too! Give him a reason to come in from the cold!
Reposted by Will Jones
As a VA nurse, Alex Pretti was a member of AFGE. This union also reps Border Patrol, and may have repped Pretti's killer. I talked to VA workers who are furious and want Border Patrol out of AFGE. "For a union member to kill another is a fundamental betrayal of what a union is supposed to be.”
Alex Pretti’s Killer May Be Part of His Union
Border Patrol agents belong to the same federal workers union as VA nurses, a situation some of Pretti’s colleagues are determined to change.
jewishcurrents.org
January 26, 2026 at 11:06 PM
As a VA nurse, Alex Pretti was a member of AFGE. This union also reps Border Patrol, and may have repped Pretti's killer. I talked to VA workers who are furious and want Border Patrol out of AFGE. "For a union member to kill another is a fundamental betrayal of what a union is supposed to be.”
Reposted by Will Jones
Good morning friends! Some things to remember when you call your senators today:
1. Renee Good's killer is still at large and has not faced justice
2. Alex Pretti's murderers are still at large, unnamed and still working on our dime.
3. 35 people died in ICE custody last year. 35 shattered families
1. Renee Good's killer is still at large and has not faced justice
2. Alex Pretti's murderers are still at large, unnamed and still working on our dime.
3. 35 people died in ICE custody last year. 35 shattered families
January 27, 2026 at 12:53 PM
Good morning friends! Some things to remember when you call your senators today:
1. Renee Good's killer is still at large and has not faced justice
2. Alex Pretti's murderers are still at large, unnamed and still working on our dime.
3. 35 people died in ICE custody last year. 35 shattered families
1. Renee Good's killer is still at large and has not faced justice
2. Alex Pretti's murderers are still at large, unnamed and still working on our dime.
3. 35 people died in ICE custody last year. 35 shattered families
Get out there folks - 1/31 is projected to be 36 degrees warmer than 1/23!
On Saturday we ride for Alex Pretti
1:00pm at Washburn Fair Oaks Park
From Angry Catfish:
“We're asking folks to host rides and come together. Bike shops and non-profits, cycling orgs and alt cycling collectives, city and rural. We are many but we stand together as one.”
1:00pm at Washburn Fair Oaks Park
From Angry Catfish:
“We're asking folks to host rides and come together. Bike shops and non-profits, cycling orgs and alt cycling collectives, city and rural. We are many but we stand together as one.”
January 26, 2026 at 7:39 PM
Get out there folks - 1/31 is projected to be 36 degrees warmer than 1/23!
Reposted by Will Jones
On Saturday we ride for Alex Pretti
1:00pm at Washburn Fair Oaks Park
From Angry Catfish:
“We're asking folks to host rides and come together. Bike shops and non-profits, cycling orgs and alt cycling collectives, city and rural. We are many but we stand together as one.”
1:00pm at Washburn Fair Oaks Park
From Angry Catfish:
“We're asking folks to host rides and come together. Bike shops and non-profits, cycling orgs and alt cycling collectives, city and rural. We are many but we stand together as one.”
January 26, 2026 at 7:20 PM
On Saturday we ride for Alex Pretti
1:00pm at Washburn Fair Oaks Park
From Angry Catfish:
“We're asking folks to host rides and come together. Bike shops and non-profits, cycling orgs and alt cycling collectives, city and rural. We are many but we stand together as one.”
1:00pm at Washburn Fair Oaks Park
From Angry Catfish:
“We're asking folks to host rides and come together. Bike shops and non-profits, cycling orgs and alt cycling collectives, city and rural. We are many but we stand together as one.”
Reposted by Will Jones
"ICE OUT" on Lake Nokomis in Minneapolis, as seen from my flight leaving MSP airport
January 26, 2026 at 6:28 PM
"ICE OUT" on Lake Nokomis in Minneapolis, as seen from my flight leaving MSP airport
I was so excited to show it to my students in the vault at the MN Historical Society!
January 26, 2026 at 4:27 AM
I was so excited to show it to my students in the vault at the MN Historical Society!
Reposted by Will Jones
“Just yesterday, tens of thousands of Minnesotans peacefully exercised our right to free speech without incident. When ICE is involved, nonviolent protesters and legal observers are gassed, assaulted, and shot." aflcio.mn/4abNrfk
#iceoutmn #iceout
#iceoutmn #iceout
Statement on ICE’s killing of AFGE member Alex Jeffrey Pretti
Minnesota AFL-CIO President Bernie Burnham made the following statement on ICE’s killing of Alex Jeffrey Pretti this morning in Minneapolis:“For the second time in less than three weeks, a Minnesotan…
aflcio.mn
January 24, 2026 at 11:14 PM
“Just yesterday, tens of thousands of Minnesotans peacefully exercised our right to free speech without incident. When ICE is involved, nonviolent protesters and legal observers are gassed, assaulted, and shot." aflcio.mn/4abNrfk
#iceoutmn #iceout
#iceoutmn #iceout
Reposted by Will Jones
Tonight, shine a light for Minnesota.
January 24, 2026 at 11:23 PM
Tonight, shine a light for Minnesota.
UPDATE - Please delete previous flyer
January 24, 2026 at 6:36 PM
UPDATE - Please delete previous flyer
Reposted by Will Jones
IMPORTANT UPDATE: PLEASE DO NOT HEAD TO LOCATION. LOCAL RALLIES THIS EVENING - look for one in your community.
January 24, 2026 at 6:10 PM
IMPORTANT UPDATE: PLEASE DO NOT HEAD TO LOCATION. LOCAL RALLIES THIS EVENING - look for one in your community.
IMPORTANT UPDATE: PLEASE DO NOT HEAD TO LOCATION. LOCAL RALLIES THIS EVENING - look for one in your community.
January 24, 2026 at 6:10 PM
IMPORTANT UPDATE: PLEASE DO NOT HEAD TO LOCATION. LOCAL RALLIES THIS EVENING - look for one in your community.
CAUTION - if you are planning to join this rally, be advised the situation is very tense right now -- lots of ICE and police blocking off the street, multiple rounds of chemical irritants deployed. More clashes and potential arrests expected. Bring PPE, stay safe.
January 24, 2026 at 5:30 PM
CAUTION - if you are planning to join this rally, be advised the situation is very tense right now -- lots of ICE and police blocking off the street, multiple rounds of chemical irritants deployed. More clashes and potential arrests expected. Bring PPE, stay safe.
My kid takes language classes at a cafe in Minneapolis on Saturday mornings. Last week the instructor moved them online for safety. Today, just at the time we would have arrived, ICE shot someone 1/2 a block away. @mayorjacobfrey.bsky.social @governorwalz.mn.gov Get these thugs out of my city.
January 24, 2026 at 3:55 PM
My kid takes language classes at a cafe in Minneapolis on Saturday mornings. Last week the instructor moved them online for safety. Today, just at the time we would have arrived, ICE shot someone 1/2 a block away. @mayorjacobfrey.bsky.social @governorwalz.mn.gov Get these thugs out of my city.
Reposted by Will Jones
Thank you to our Union family across the country and around the world for the #solidarity yesterday.
January 24, 2026 at 3:31 PM
Thank you to our Union family across the country and around the world for the #solidarity yesterday.
I noted every business (not many) that was opened on my way home from yesterday's march.
not the worst of it, but it’s hilarious how Jake Tapper (self-professed independent bookstore aficionado) somehow thinks it hurts Moon Palace to participate in the strike
MP’s loyal customer base, which they’ve cultivated and nurtured for years, would have been horrified if the shop *hadn’t* closed
MP’s loyal customer base, which they’ve cultivated and nurtured for years, would have been horrified if the shop *hadn’t* closed
CNN’s Jake Tapper cuts off bookstore owner after clash over ‘concentration camps’ remark
YouTube video by Erik De La Garza
www.youtube.com
January 24, 2026 at 3:29 PM
I noted every business (not many) that was opened on my way home from yesterday's march.