Rachel Cohen
@cohen489.bsky.social
pragmatic optimist and well-known email author
views are mine alone
cohen489.substack.com
americandemands.com
views are mine alone
cohen489.substack.com
americandemands.com
Reposted by Rachel Cohen
I wanted to share probably the most important sermon I’ve given and it’s while I’m being arrested. It’s torture pure and simple what happens at #Broadview. I’m ok, though I was thrown to the ground and choked with my pectoral cross. A review of the video shows I was peaceful - did I deserve this?
November 15, 2025 at 5:57 AM
I wanted to share probably the most important sermon I’ve given and it’s while I’m being arrested. It’s torture pure and simple what happens at #Broadview. I’m ok, though I was thrown to the ground and choked with my pectoral cross. A review of the video shows I was peaceful - did I deserve this?
Reposted by Rachel Cohen
great question.
i think it’s worth reiterating that beach street, where this protest occurred and the “free speech” zone is, has been closed to most vehicle traffic for weeks.
yet isp/ccso/broadview pd have prohibited anyone from being in the street—by force/arrest if necessary.
i think it’s worth reiterating that beach street, where this protest occurred and the “free speech” zone is, has been closed to most vehicle traffic for weeks.
yet isp/ccso/broadview pd have prohibited anyone from being in the street—by force/arrest if necessary.
Besides the obvious intent to suppress free assembly, protest, & free speech - what on Earth do these cops think the protesters are suddenly going to do? Why do they need to be there in such force? They - clearly - are the ones escalating. Without them, people would stand in an intersection & pray.
November 14, 2025 at 8:41 PM
great question.
i think it’s worth reiterating that beach street, where this protest occurred and the “free speech” zone is, has been closed to most vehicle traffic for weeks.
yet isp/ccso/broadview pd have prohibited anyone from being in the street—by force/arrest if necessary.
i think it’s worth reiterating that beach street, where this protest occurred and the “free speech” zone is, has been closed to most vehicle traffic for weeks.
yet isp/ccso/broadview pd have prohibited anyone from being in the street—by force/arrest if necessary.
Reposted by Rachel Cohen
Devastating piece on the human toll of Kavanaugh Stops.
Especially infuriating to know that rich white guys like Brett K can simply close their eyes to the human suffering their racist jurisprudence has unleashed.
Especially infuriating to know that rich white guys like Brett K can simply close their eyes to the human suffering their racist jurisprudence has unleashed.
For two months, the U.S. government has been racial profiling as masked federal agents hunted for immigrants throughout Chicago. They’ve repeatedly snatched up U.S. citizens while traumatizing communities. “I felt like a piece of trash.” Here is our story www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/15/l...
Latino US citizens racially profiled by federal immigration agents in Chicago: ‘I felt like a piece of trash’
The Tribune spoke to U.S. citizens and green card holders who have either been questioned or detained during Trump’s Operation Midway Blitz.
www.chicagotribune.com
November 15, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Devastating piece on the human toll of Kavanaugh Stops.
Especially infuriating to know that rich white guys like Brett K can simply close their eyes to the human suffering their racist jurisprudence has unleashed.
Especially infuriating to know that rich white guys like Brett K can simply close their eyes to the human suffering their racist jurisprudence has unleashed.
SCOTUS was never going to come for queer rights via a cert petition asking for an Obergefell repeal—they were always going to come for the LGBTQ community by targeting trans people. and they literally are doing that, this session. protect trans people.
open.substack.com/pub/cohen489...
open.substack.com/pub/cohen489...
Kim Davis is a Distraction
The real fight for queer rights is already in front of the Court, and people aren’t paying attention.
open.substack.com
November 11, 2025 at 5:06 PM
SCOTUS was never going to come for queer rights via a cert petition asking for an Obergefell repeal—they were always going to come for the LGBTQ community by targeting trans people. and they literally are doing that, this session. protect trans people.
open.substack.com/pub/cohen489...
open.substack.com/pub/cohen489...
Reposted by Rachel Cohen
5/ Local Chicago media is doing an outstanding job covering the Trump federal overreach here. Read and follow and do what you can to support them with donations.
Here's a list of many of the news outlets and journalists on the story: bsky.app/profile/did:...
Here's a list of many of the news outlets and journalists on the story: bsky.app/profile/did:...
November 6, 2025 at 3:00 PM
5/ Local Chicago media is doing an outstanding job covering the Trump federal overreach here. Read and follow and do what you can to support them with donations.
Here's a list of many of the news outlets and journalists on the story: bsky.app/profile/did:...
Here's a list of many of the news outlets and journalists on the story: bsky.app/profile/did:...
Reposted by Rachel Cohen
“.. in a group Signal chat, .. he wrote in part: ‘I fired 5 rounds and she had 7 holes. Put that in your book boys.’”
@reuters.com #Chicago
www.reuters.com/world/us/bor...
@reuters.com #Chicago
www.reuters.com/world/us/bor...
November 6, 2025 at 2:24 PM
“.. in a group Signal chat, .. he wrote in part: ‘I fired 5 rounds and she had 7 holes. Put that in your book boys.’”
@reuters.com #Chicago
www.reuters.com/world/us/bor...
@reuters.com #Chicago
www.reuters.com/world/us/bor...
Reposted by Rachel Cohen
Just a complete disappointment.
Mayor Brandon Johnson hopes to give the Chicago Police Department a bigger pot of cash to spend on overtime next year, but wants the money to come with strings attached.
More money, stricter rules for Chicago police overtime spending face City Council scrutiny
Police Supt. Larry Snelling on Wednesday welcomed proposed new restrictions on Chicago police overtime, but defended spending an annual nine-figure sum on it.
trib.al
November 6, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Just a complete disappointment.
Reposted by Rachel Cohen
“So many people worked creatively and constantly to make Mayor Mamdani possible. That kind of movement is the only way to beat back fascism. Not exaggerating, it is actually the only way.” — @cohen489.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/cohen489...
open.substack.com/pub/cohen489...
No One is Coming to Save You (for optimists)
Good news, that means you have agency!
open.substack.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:38 PM
“So many people worked creatively and constantly to make Mayor Mamdani possible. That kind of movement is the only way to beat back fascism. Not exaggerating, it is actually the only way.” — @cohen489.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/cohen489...
open.substack.com/pub/cohen489...
Reposted by Rachel Cohen
From an Evanston resident filming an arrest at Oakton/Asbury ~an hour ago:
"He was being very violent with her, I said ‘You got to stop that,’ and he said, ‘Step back or I’ll fucking shoot you.‘ I step back, and then I continue to record, at which point he turned around and pointed a gun at me.”
"He was being very violent with her, I said ‘You got to stop that,’ and he said, ‘Step back or I’ll fucking shoot you.‘ I step back, and then I continue to record, at which point he turned around and pointed a gun at me.”
October 31, 2025 at 6:28 PM
From an Evanston resident filming an arrest at Oakton/Asbury ~an hour ago:
"He was being very violent with her, I said ‘You got to stop that,’ and he said, ‘Step back or I’ll fucking shoot you.‘ I step back, and then I continue to record, at which point he turned around and pointed a gun at me.”
"He was being very violent with her, I said ‘You got to stop that,’ and he said, ‘Step back or I’ll fucking shoot you.‘ I step back, and then I continue to record, at which point he turned around and pointed a gun at me.”
I understand there are so many things to focus on right now but THE fight and focus has to be the government disappearing people without process into black sites and work camps based on their race. I’m going insane
October 31, 2025 at 5:03 PM
I understand there are so many things to focus on right now but THE fight and focus has to be the government disappearing people without process into black sites and work camps based on their race. I’m going insane
class action over conditions in the Broadview processing facility illegally used as a detention facility in Chicagoland and the factual allegations have me physically ill. full complaint linked in this Block Club story: blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/31/l...
October 31, 2025 at 4:43 PM
class action over conditions in the Broadview processing facility illegally used as a detention facility in Chicagoland and the factual allegations have me physically ill. full complaint linked in this Block Club story: blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/31/l...
Reposted by Rachel Cohen
🚨NEW: The FCC has voted to raise calling rates for incarcerated people – a move that bends to the will of telecomm companies, jails and prisons, while saddling poor families with higher costs.
Now, prices could hike as much as 83% 🧵
Now, prices could hike as much as 83% 🧵
October 30, 2025 at 6:14 PM
🚨NEW: The FCC has voted to raise calling rates for incarcerated people – a move that bends to the will of telecomm companies, jails and prisons, while saddling poor families with higher costs.
Now, prices could hike as much as 83% 🧵
Now, prices could hike as much as 83% 🧵
you may have seen that WaPo analysis showing how big law firms are refusing to take impact litigation (insert Cersei SHAME meme)—but we need to talk about impacts on direct representation of pro bono clients, too.
open.substack.com/pub/cohen489...
open.substack.com/pub/cohen489...
Maybe You Don't Have to Kill the Lawyers
A postmortem for the American legal system.
open.substack.com
October 30, 2025 at 5:13 PM
you may have seen that WaPo analysis showing how big law firms are refusing to take impact litigation (insert Cersei SHAME meme)—but we need to talk about impacts on direct representation of pro bono clients, too.
open.substack.com/pub/cohen489...
open.substack.com/pub/cohen489...
when ur crush texts u 🥺
October 30, 2025 at 3:00 AM
when ur crush texts u 🥺
Reposted by Rachel Cohen
We now have legal fees on top of our campaign expenses.
You can help us stand up to the Trump administration by chipping in here: katforillinois.com/legal
You can help us stand up to the Trump administration by chipping in here: katforillinois.com/legal
Donate to Kat Abughazaleh
Show your support with a contribution.
katforillinois.com
October 29, 2025 at 4:55 PM
We now have legal fees on top of our campaign expenses.
You can help us stand up to the Trump administration by chipping in here: katforillinois.com/legal
You can help us stand up to the Trump administration by chipping in here: katforillinois.com/legal
Reposted by Rachel Cohen
I have been charged in a federal indictment sought by the Department of Justice.
This political prosecution is an attack on all of our First Amendment rights. I’m not backing down, and we’re going to win.
This political prosecution is an attack on all of our First Amendment rights. I’m not backing down, and we’re going to win.
October 29, 2025 at 4:55 PM
I have been charged in a federal indictment sought by the Department of Justice.
This political prosecution is an attack on all of our First Amendment rights. I’m not backing down, and we’re going to win.
This political prosecution is an attack on all of our First Amendment rights. I’m not backing down, and we’re going to win.
Reposted by Rachel Cohen
U.S. Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino is on the witness stand in the courtroom of U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis. He is wearing his typical Border Patrol uniform.
"Good morning, your honor," he says.
"Good morning, your honor," he says.
Ellis is calling Bovino to the witness stand.
Will start a new thread for his testimony.
Will start a new thread for his testimony.
October 28, 2025 at 3:07 PM
U.S. Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino is on the witness stand in the courtroom of U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis. He is wearing his typical Border Patrol uniform.
"Good morning, your honor," he says.
"Good morning, your honor," he says.
Reposted by Rachel Cohen
A bunch of newly activated people in Chicago need to read this. A troubling number of people believe the police "are on our side" because they have largely followed the law and orders they've been given about not helping ICE. The police will never be "on our side." Sometimes, they're just reined in.
In case you wanted to know what was going through the heads of some Chicago police as the feds throw tear gas and make arrests throughout the city, Jeremy Gorner and I have you covered here. What they have to say may surprise you.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/26/c...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/26/c...
Chicago police find themselves in difficult spots as wave of federal immigration enforcement continues
On at least two occasions, CPD personnel responding to standoffs between neighbors and federal agents have found themselves tear-gassed alongside residents as agents react to thrown objects and sho…
www.chicagotribune.com
October 26, 2025 at 10:37 PM
A bunch of newly activated people in Chicago need to read this. A troubling number of people believe the police "are on our side" because they have largely followed the law and orders they've been given about not helping ICE. The police will never be "on our side." Sometimes, they're just reined in.
Reposted by Rachel Cohen
As ICE continues to terrorize our communities, kidnapping our neighbors, 9 cyclists came together this morning at 6am to buyout 5 vendors and donate the food to a local shelter. They went home safe, hungry ppl were fed, this is #BikeChi ✊🏽
October 24, 2025 at 12:35 AM
As ICE continues to terrorize our communities, kidnapping our neighbors, 9 cyclists came together this morning at 6am to buyout 5 vendors and donate the food to a local shelter. They went home safe, hungry ppl were fed, this is #BikeChi ✊🏽
Reposted by Rachel Cohen
October 23, 2025 at 11:12 PM
“I was very on board with the disappearances of Latine people without due process but now that I see the people protesting the Gestapo are polite I have changed my mind”
The point is voters will see that we're non violent and he will lose support.
None of this gained him support today: Trump opened the Artic Nat'l Wildlife Refuge, leaked that he's going to Socialize Quantum Computing, finished off the East wing, and this:
bsky.app/profile/fact...
None of this gained him support today: Trump opened the Artic Nat'l Wildlife Refuge, leaked that he's going to Socialize Quantum Computing, finished off the East wing, and this:
bsky.app/profile/fact...
Trump: I don't think we're gonna necessarily ask for a declaration of war. I think we're just gonna kill people. Okay? We're gonna kill them. They're gonna be, like, dead.
October 23, 2025 at 9:41 PM
“I was very on board with the disappearances of Latine people without due process but now that I see the people protesting the Gestapo are polite I have changed my mind”
Reposted by Rachel Cohen
Holy crap, yes @cohen489.bsky.social!!
October 22, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Holy crap, yes @cohen489.bsky.social!!
Reposted by Rachel Cohen
the Ninth Circuit stay in Portland v Trump gives us LOTS of insight into how cooked we are. I’m focused on the clarity with which it shows it doesn’t matter how you protest, Trump is gonna Trump
open.substack.com/pub/cohen489...
open.substack.com/pub/cohen489...
A Tale of Two Cities
Ninth Circuit judges have drastically different understandings of the on-the-ground reality in Portland.
open.substack.com
October 22, 2025 at 2:53 PM
the Ninth Circuit stay in Portland v Trump gives us LOTS of insight into how cooked we are. I’m focused on the clarity with which it shows it doesn’t matter how you protest, Trump is gonna Trump
open.substack.com/pub/cohen489...
open.substack.com/pub/cohen489...