Ben Ewen-Campen
@benforward3.bsky.social
City Councilor, Somerville MA - Ward 3. Affordable housing, safe streets, good jobs, public transit, fighting climate change (also, biologist at Harvard Med School) https://www.benforward3.com
"Does our plastic actually get recycled?" The #CamberVille newsletter is always excellent, but this one is truly a must-read: a deep dive into the recycling processing plant where all of Somerville's recycling winds up: mailchi.mp/bostonglobe....
November 14, 2025 at 3:03 AM
"Does our plastic actually get recycled?" The #CamberVille newsletter is always excellent, but this one is truly a must-read: a deep dive into the recycling processing plant where all of Somerville's recycling winds up: mailchi.mp/bostonglobe....
Reposted by Ben Ewen-Campen
You probably saw videos of a nighttime raid in Chicago. Agents rappelling from a helicopter, bursting down doors, questioning brown-skinned immigrants.
We investigated -- and found little evidence to support the government’s claims about Tren de Aragua.
www.propublica.org/article/chic...
We investigated -- and found little evidence to support the government’s claims about Tren de Aragua.
www.propublica.org/article/chic...
“I Lost Everything”: Venezuelans Were Rounded Up in a Dramatic Midnight Raid but Never Charged With a Crime
Authorities said Tren de Aragua “terrorists” had taken over the building. A ProPublica investigation found little evidence to back up the government’s claims. For the first time, the Venezuelans arres...
www.propublica.org
November 13, 2025 at 1:28 PM
You probably saw videos of a nighttime raid in Chicago. Agents rappelling from a helicopter, bursting down doors, questioning brown-skinned immigrants.
We investigated -- and found little evidence to support the government’s claims about Tren de Aragua.
www.propublica.org/article/chic...
We investigated -- and found little evidence to support the government’s claims about Tren de Aragua.
www.propublica.org/article/chic...
🚰 There is a MASSIVE issue facing Somerville that is getting way too little attention, probably because it sounds very technical: our Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) plan.
And specifically, how we pay for it. Here's my Resolution for tonight, and below is an explainer 1/
And specifically, how we pay for it. Here's my Resolution for tonight, and below is an explainer 1/
November 13, 2025 at 4:29 PM
🚰 There is a MASSIVE issue facing Somerville that is getting way too little attention, probably because it sounds very technical: our Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) plan.
And specifically, how we pay for it. Here's my Resolution for tonight, and below is an explainer 1/
And specifically, how we pay for it. Here's my Resolution for tonight, and below is an explainer 1/
Reposted by Ben Ewen-Campen
🚨BREAKING: Oversight Dems have received new emails from Jeffrey Epstein’s estate that raise serious questions about Donald Trump and his knowledge of Epstein’s horrific crimes.
Read them for yourself. It’s time to end this cover-up and RELEASE THE FILES.
Read them for yourself. It’s time to end this cover-up and RELEASE THE FILES.
November 12, 2025 at 1:31 PM
🚨BREAKING: Oversight Dems have received new emails from Jeffrey Epstein’s estate that raise serious questions about Donald Trump and his knowledge of Epstein’s horrific crimes.
Read them for yourself. It’s time to end this cover-up and RELEASE THE FILES.
Read them for yourself. It’s time to end this cover-up and RELEASE THE FILES.
Pretty insane aurora borealis in Somerville currently
November 12, 2025 at 3:13 AM
Pretty insane aurora borealis in Somerville currently
Utterly outrageous:
Leadership in the Massachusetts House is trying to gut climate plans *and* cut the budget for Mass Save, the program that helps homeowners afford to make their homes more energy efficient.
commonwealthbeacon.org/energy/house...
Leadership in the Massachusetts House is trying to gut climate plans *and* cut the budget for Mass Save, the program that helps homeowners afford to make their homes more energy efficient.
commonwealthbeacon.org/energy/house...
House energy chair signals effort to dial back 2030 climate commitments - CommonWealth Beacon
Rep. Mark Cusack, co-chair of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy, said he is pushing for his redraft of Gov. Maura Healey's energy affordability bill to receive a floor v...
commonwealthbeacon.org
November 12, 2025 at 2:57 AM
Utterly outrageous:
Leadership in the Massachusetts House is trying to gut climate plans *and* cut the budget for Mass Save, the program that helps homeowners afford to make their homes more energy efficient.
commonwealthbeacon.org/energy/house...
Leadership in the Massachusetts House is trying to gut climate plans *and* cut the budget for Mass Save, the program that helps homeowners afford to make their homes more energy efficient.
commonwealthbeacon.org/energy/house...
you’ve got to be fucking kidding me
November 11, 2025 at 6:41 PM
you’ve got to be fucking kidding me
Reposted by Ben Ewen-Campen
A Sharon Begley byline, almost 5 years after her death.
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
James Watson, dead at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers
James Watson, the co-discoverer of the structure of DNA who died Thursday at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers.
www.statnews.com
November 8, 2025 at 1:39 PM
A Sharon Begley byline, almost 5 years after her death.
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
Reposted by Ben Ewen-Campen
pre-writing a devastating obituary for your enemy is god-tier hating of a kind you don’t often see anymore. renaissance haterism. beautiful stuff.
A Sharon Begley byline, almost 5 years after her death.
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
James Watson, dead at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers
James Watson, the co-discoverer of the structure of DNA who died Thursday at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers.
www.statnews.com
November 9, 2025 at 12:55 AM
pre-writing a devastating obituary for your enemy is god-tier hating of a kind you don’t often see anymore. renaissance haterism. beautiful stuff.
Intergenerational love for #MarketBasket
November 8, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Intergenerational love for #MarketBasket
Reposted by Ben Ewen-Campen
Bow Street and Walnut Street design, scheduled for next year as the gas work took longer than expected this fall.
November 6, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Bow Street and Walnut Street design, scheduled for next year as the gas work took longer than expected this fall.
Reposted by Ben Ewen-Campen
More construction progress on our new cycle track and floating bus stop on Somerville Ave and Central Street. 🚲🚌
www.somervillema.gov/intersection...
www.somervillema.gov/intersection...
November 6, 2025 at 5:26 PM
More construction progress on our new cycle track and floating bus stop on Somerville Ave and Central Street. 🚲🚌
www.somervillema.gov/intersection...
www.somervillema.gov/intersection...
Reposted by Ben Ewen-Campen
SNAP UPDATE: I’m directing SNAP benefits to be processed today — and paid IN FULL starting tomorrow.
Americans are going hungry because President Trump chose to play politics with their lives.
People need to eat. We’re making sure they do.
Americans are going hungry because President Trump chose to play politics with their lives.
People need to eat. We’re making sure they do.
November 7, 2025 at 8:58 PM
SNAP UPDATE: I’m directing SNAP benefits to be processed today — and paid IN FULL starting tomorrow.
Americans are going hungry because President Trump chose to play politics with their lives.
People need to eat. We’re making sure they do.
Americans are going hungry because President Trump chose to play politics with their lives.
People need to eat. We’re making sure they do.
Reposted by Ben Ewen-Campen
HUGE WIN: Thank you to @massgovernor.bsky.social and the Mass. Department of Transitional Assistance for getting FULL SNAP benefits on cards as early as tomorrow. Hunger isn't political - we'll keep fighting for our residents!
SNAP UPDATE: I’m directing SNAP benefits to be processed today — and paid IN FULL starting tomorrow.
Americans are going hungry because President Trump chose to play politics with their lives.
People need to eat. We’re making sure they do.
Americans are going hungry because President Trump chose to play politics with their lives.
People need to eat. We’re making sure they do.
November 7, 2025 at 9:55 PM
HUGE WIN: Thank you to @massgovernor.bsky.social and the Mass. Department of Transitional Assistance for getting FULL SNAP benefits on cards as early as tomorrow. Hunger isn't political - we'll keep fighting for our residents!
Reposted by Ben Ewen-Campen
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
newyorkermag.visitlink.me
November 6, 2025 at 9:00 PM
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
I’m proud to have led the efforts to ban the use of tear gas in Somerville.
“The use of tear gas in military conflicts is banned under international treaties, but the chemicals have been used for decades in domestic policing in the United States.”
“The use of tear gas in military conflicts is banned under international treaties, but the chemicals have been used for decades in domestic policing in the United States.”
What to Know About Tear Gas, the Chemicals Immigration Agents Are Using in Illinois
www.nytimes.com
November 6, 2025 at 8:06 PM
I’m proud to have led the efforts to ban the use of tear gas in Somerville.
“The use of tear gas in military conflicts is banned under international treaties, but the chemicals have been used for decades in domestic policing in the United States.”
“The use of tear gas in military conflicts is banned under international treaties, but the chemicals have been used for decades in domestic policing in the United States.”
Reposted by Ben Ewen-Campen
“Mommy! Mommy! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!”
— Leia Kahl, as she was overwhelmed by immigration agents’ tear gas.
Leia’s age: 2.
Via @natashakorecki.bsky.social
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
— Leia Kahl, as she was overwhelmed by immigration agents’ tear gas.
Leia’s age: 2.
Via @natashakorecki.bsky.social
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
Chicago residents say kids tear-gassed due to nearby immigration enforcement
A Chicago mother tells NBC News she and her 2-year-old were hit with a chemical agent. Many residents say the city wasn’t a “war zone”— until immigration agents swept through.
www.nbcnews.com
November 6, 2025 at 11:49 AM
“Mommy! Mommy! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!”
— Leia Kahl, as she was overwhelmed by immigration agents’ tear gas.
Leia’s age: 2.
Via @natashakorecki.bsky.social
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
— Leia Kahl, as she was overwhelmed by immigration agents’ tear gas.
Leia’s age: 2.
Via @natashakorecki.bsky.social
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
Reposted by Ben Ewen-Campen
Liz Breadon, who represents Allston-Brighton on Boston City Council, called it the largest single raid she’s aware of in the neighborhood this year. She said, as far as she knows, all of the people detained had some form of legal immigration status.
https://bit.ly/49B6ZK8
https://bit.ly/49B6ZK8
ICE detains 9 at Allston-Brighton car wash in what could be neighborhood’s largest raid of the year
The local city councilor said, as far as she knows, all of the people detained had some form of legal immigration status.
www.wgbh.org
November 5, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Liz Breadon, who represents Allston-Brighton on Boston City Council, called it the largest single raid she’s aware of in the neighborhood this year. She said, as far as she knows, all of the people detained had some form of legal immigration status.
https://bit.ly/49B6ZK8
https://bit.ly/49B6ZK8
🗽Thank you Somerville! We have a new Mayor, a new City Charter, three great new City Councilors, and a new School Committee Rep in Ward 3.
Huge congratulations to Mayor-elect Jake Wilson - I’m excited about the future, and ready for the tough work ahead. 1/
Huge congratulations to Mayor-elect Jake Wilson - I’m excited about the future, and ready for the tough work ahead. 1/
November 5, 2025 at 2:34 PM
🗽Thank you Somerville! We have a new Mayor, a new City Charter, three great new City Councilors, and a new School Committee Rep in Ward 3.
Huge congratulations to Mayor-elect Jake Wilson - I’m excited about the future, and ready for the tough work ahead. 1/
Huge congratulations to Mayor-elect Jake Wilson - I’m excited about the future, and ready for the tough work ahead. 1/
“Criminals posing as US immigration officers have carried out robberies, kidnappings, and sexual assaults in several states, warns a law enforcement bulletin issued last month by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.” 👇
NEW: Even the FBI thinks unidentified masked ICE agents is a bad idea. @dell.bsky.social and @carolinehaskins.bsky.social with the scoop. No paywall bc FOIA: www.wired.com/story/fbi-wa...
FBI Warns of Criminals Posing as ICE, Urges Agents to ID Themselves
In a bulletin to law enforcement agencies, the FBI said criminal impersonators are exploiting ICE’s image and urged nationwide coordination to distinguish real operations from fakes.
www.wired.com
November 4, 2025 at 7:34 PM
“Criminals posing as US immigration officers have carried out robberies, kidnappings, and sexual assaults in several states, warns a law enforcement bulletin issued last month by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.” 👇
Reposted by Ben Ewen-Campen
Donald Trump is the most powerful person in the world. Only a monster would use that power to force 42 million Americans to go hungry.
Trump announces he will refuse to follow the court order to provide SNAP benefits to needy families.
November 4, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Donald Trump is the most powerful person in the world. Only a monster would use that power to force 42 million Americans to go hungry.
Reposted by Ben Ewen-Campen
After a judge ordered Donald Trump to make SNAP payments, the wannabe king declared he will defy a court order and won't help people afford groceries.
Trump's message to 42 million Americans: eat dirt.
Trump's message to 42 million Americans: eat dirt.
November 4, 2025 at 6:19 PM
After a judge ordered Donald Trump to make SNAP payments, the wannabe king declared he will defy a court order and won't help people afford groceries.
Trump's message to 42 million Americans: eat dirt.
Trump's message to 42 million Americans: eat dirt.
Reposted by Ben Ewen-Campen
🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨
This is the President openly announcing that he will violate court orders - two courts had concluded that the Trump regime withholding SNAP funding was illegal - and that the government had to pay out (at least reduced) SNAP benefits starting this week
This is the President openly announcing that he will violate court orders - two courts had concluded that the Trump regime withholding SNAP funding was illegal - and that the government had to pay out (at least reduced) SNAP benefits starting this week
November 4, 2025 at 4:40 PM
🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨
This is the President openly announcing that he will violate court orders - two courts had concluded that the Trump regime withholding SNAP funding was illegal - and that the government had to pay out (at least reduced) SNAP benefits starting this week
This is the President openly announcing that he will violate court orders - two courts had concluded that the Trump regime withholding SNAP funding was illegal - and that the government had to pay out (at least reduced) SNAP benefits starting this week
Reposted by Ben Ewen-Campen
Sep 30: USDA issues guidance saying they can use contingency fund
Oct 10: USDA tells states to prepare for lapse
Oct 23: USDA deletes Sep 30 guidance
Oct 24: USDA says it can’t use contingency fund
Oct 31: Courts tell USDA to release funds
Nov 1: no funds go out
Nov 4: Trump says he’ll defy courts
Oct 10: USDA tells states to prepare for lapse
Oct 23: USDA deletes Sep 30 guidance
Oct 24: USDA says it can’t use contingency fund
Oct 31: Courts tell USDA to release funds
Nov 1: no funds go out
Nov 4: Trump says he’ll defy courts
The president says he will defy court orders and illegally withhold SNAP benefits despite there being money in the SNAP contingency fund that the Trump is required to use.
November 4, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Sep 30: USDA issues guidance saying they can use contingency fund
Oct 10: USDA tells states to prepare for lapse
Oct 23: USDA deletes Sep 30 guidance
Oct 24: USDA says it can’t use contingency fund
Oct 31: Courts tell USDA to release funds
Nov 1: no funds go out
Nov 4: Trump says he’ll defy courts
Oct 10: USDA tells states to prepare for lapse
Oct 23: USDA deletes Sep 30 guidance
Oct 24: USDA says it can’t use contingency fund
Oct 31: Courts tell USDA to release funds
Nov 1: no funds go out
Nov 4: Trump says he’ll defy courts