Erin Butler
@erinbutler.bsky.social
Midwest state courts @afj.org; @afjactioncampaign.org | Member @wbng.org / @newsguild.org / @cwa.org | Progressive | Cat lady | Just my opinions
Reposted by Erin Butler
Teamsters 🤝 Aghogho
I am proud to stand with working people and am deeply honored to have earned additional Teamsters endorsements from Local 243, Local 247, and Local 1038.
I am proud to stand with working people and am deeply honored to have earned additional Teamsters endorsements from Local 243, Local 247, and Local 1038.
December 12, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Teamsters 🤝 Aghogho
I am proud to stand with working people and am deeply honored to have earned additional Teamsters endorsements from Local 243, Local 247, and Local 1038.
I am proud to stand with working people and am deeply honored to have earned additional Teamsters endorsements from Local 243, Local 247, and Local 1038.
Reposted by Erin Butler
CONGRATULATIONS, MY FRIEND!!!
St. Paul is so fortunate! @mollycoleman.bsky.social is a visionary leader ahead of her time!! 👊
St. Paul is so fortunate! @mollycoleman.bsky.social is a visionary leader ahead of her time!! 👊
Thank you, Ward Four! We did it. Whether you knocked doors, made phone calls, donated, hosted a meet and greet with your neighbors, were a supporter from day one or decided just before walking into your polling place: you built this campaign, and I’m forever grateful for your support.
August 13, 2025 at 3:58 PM
CONGRATULATIONS, MY FRIEND!!!
St. Paul is so fortunate! @mollycoleman.bsky.social is a visionary leader ahead of her time!! 👊
St. Paul is so fortunate! @mollycoleman.bsky.social is a visionary leader ahead of her time!! 👊
Reposted by Erin Butler
Not sure how I missed this, but I would be lining up to vote for molly coleman if I lived in st paul!!
Door knockin' for @mollycoleman.bsky.social! Special election for the Ward 4 city council seat is on August 12th. Tell yo friends.
July 16, 2025 at 11:30 PM
Not sure how I missed this, but I would be lining up to vote for molly coleman if I lived in st paul!!
Reposted by Erin Butler
NEW REPORT from Rutgers: As of May 2025, the total number of federal wage theft investigators -- 611 -- has reached its lowest level since 1973.
The authors estimate that minimum wage workers lose more each year from wage theft than all Americans lose from property theft.
The authors estimate that minimum wage workers lose more each year from wage theft than all Americans lose from property theft.
May 29, 2025 at 2:30 PM
NEW REPORT from Rutgers: As of May 2025, the total number of federal wage theft investigators -- 611 -- has reached its lowest level since 1973.
The authors estimate that minimum wage workers lose more each year from wage theft than all Americans lose from property theft.
The authors estimate that minimum wage workers lose more each year from wage theft than all Americans lose from property theft.
Reposted by Erin Butler
Malcolm X had his “earliest vivid memory” at 4 years old. In the town I’m visiting on May 16 for the Malcolm Lives tour: Lansing, Michigan. Malcolm lived longer in this town as a youngster than any other. So it’s special to come to Lansing—Malcolm’s hometown—with a biography on him for youngsters.
April 28, 2025 at 11:48 PM
Malcolm X had his “earliest vivid memory” at 4 years old. In the town I’m visiting on May 16 for the Malcolm Lives tour: Lansing, Michigan. Malcolm lived longer in this town as a youngster than any other. So it’s special to come to Lansing—Malcolm’s hometown—with a biography on him for youngsters.
Reposted by Erin Butler
385 American workers die every day due to dangerous working conditions, according to the @aflcio.org.
Meanwhile, Trump put a former Amazon exec in charge of worker health and safety and is planning to shutter 11 regional OSHA offices.
Make no mistake: these moves will cost workers their lives.
Meanwhile, Trump put a former Amazon exec in charge of worker health and safety and is planning to shutter 11 regional OSHA offices.
Make no mistake: these moves will cost workers their lives.
April 24, 2025 at 9:45 PM
385 American workers die every day due to dangerous working conditions, according to the @aflcio.org.
Meanwhile, Trump put a former Amazon exec in charge of worker health and safety and is planning to shutter 11 regional OSHA offices.
Make no mistake: these moves will cost workers their lives.
Meanwhile, Trump put a former Amazon exec in charge of worker health and safety and is planning to shutter 11 regional OSHA offices.
Make no mistake: these moves will cost workers their lives.
Reposted by Erin Butler
Q: "How do you respond to Governor Newsom?"
Sen. Van Hollen: "I think Americans are tired of elected officials or politicians who are all finger to the wind...Anybody who can't stand up for the Constitution and the right of due process doesn't deserve to lead."
Sen. Van Hollen: "I think Americans are tired of elected officials or politicians who are all finger to the wind...Anybody who can't stand up for the Constitution and the right of due process doesn't deserve to lead."
April 20, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Q: "How do you respond to Governor Newsom?"
Sen. Van Hollen: "I think Americans are tired of elected officials or politicians who are all finger to the wind...Anybody who can't stand up for the Constitution and the right of due process doesn't deserve to lead."
Sen. Van Hollen: "I think Americans are tired of elected officials or politicians who are all finger to the wind...Anybody who can't stand up for the Constitution and the right of due process doesn't deserve to lead."
Reposted by Erin Butler
Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate Susan Crawford in Waukesha this morning: “I need to talk for a few minutes about my opponent…Elon Musk”
“He has spent over $25 million trying to ensure that I don't end up on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. He is trying to buy votes in Wisconsin”
“He has spent over $25 million trying to ensure that I don't end up on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. He is trying to buy votes in Wisconsin”
March 29, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate Susan Crawford in Waukesha this morning: “I need to talk for a few minutes about my opponent…Elon Musk”
“He has spent over $25 million trying to ensure that I don't end up on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. He is trying to buy votes in Wisconsin”
“He has spent over $25 million trying to ensure that I don't end up on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. He is trying to buy votes in Wisconsin”
Reposted by Erin Butler
After an initial review of Trump’s new Executive Order on elections, I have a few major takeaways👇:
March 26, 2025 at 12:00 AM
After an initial review of Trump’s new Executive Order on elections, I have a few major takeaways👇:
Reposted by Erin Butler
The Trump admin broke the law when it defunded Voice of America and Radio Free Asia.
Today, at a press conference in NYC, we stood with journalists outside of the court to demand that they be allowed to return to work!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0vB...
Today, at a press conference in NYC, we stood with journalists outside of the court to demand that they be allowed to return to work!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0vB...
Voice of America Journalists Hold Press Conference on Trump’s Attacks on Free Press
YouTube video by The NewsGuild-CWA
www.youtube.com
March 24, 2025 at 7:52 PM
The Trump admin broke the law when it defunded Voice of America and Radio Free Asia.
Today, at a press conference in NYC, we stood with journalists outside of the court to demand that they be allowed to return to work!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0vB...
Today, at a press conference in NYC, we stood with journalists outside of the court to demand that they be allowed to return to work!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0vB...
The Toledo War
Ooh, I have a question: if you were called to do Drunk History, what would be your topic?
Mine would be the death of Sam Cooke and the evil reign of Bobby Womack
Mine would be the death of Sam Cooke and the evil reign of Bobby Womack
March 19, 2025 at 2:37 PM
The Toledo War
Reposted by Erin Butler
What a 1-2 punch in this Ohio appeals court decision: (1) noting that state courts are "unrestricted" in providing greater civil rights than federal law, then (2) using a GOP-backed amendment designed to kill Obamacare to strike down the ban on gender-affirming care. bsky.app/profile/elli...
![ur separate provisions of the Ohio Constitution. {¶ 41} We begin with the principle that “[t]he Ohio Constitution is a document of independent force,” which means that “state courts are unrestricted in according greater civil liberties and protections to individuals and groups” under our own state’s constitution. Arnold v. Cleveland, 67 Ohio St.3d 35 (1993), paragraph one of the syllabus. Indeed, “state constitutions are a vital and independent source of law.” State v. Gardner, 2008-Ohio2787, ¶ 76, citing William J. Brennan, Jr., The Bill of Rights and the States: The Revival of State Constitutions as Guardians of Individual Rights, 61 N.Y.U. L. REV. 535 (1986). This principle has long been recognized and repeatedly emphasized by the Supreme Court of Ohio. See, e.g., Direct Plumbing Supply Co. v. Dayton, 138 Ohio St. 540, 545 (1941) (“[I]t is well to remember that Ohio is a sovereign state and that the fundamental guaranties of the Ohio Bill of Rights have undiminished vitality.”); Simpkins v. Grace Brethren Church of Delaware, 2016-Ohio-8118, ¶ 60-62 (Lanzinger, J., concurring in judgment only) (summarizing greater protections the court has found in the Ohio Constitution).](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:lvzlku7pfr7kqlhxsibry4oj/bafkreic3kgap4kdouymbmv4wuq5lfnso4r2k5q5qidlhbtj76l7yrq3rpq@jpeg)
![1. Gender-Affirming Care is Health Care Protected by Section 21 {¶ 54} At the outset, we reject the state’s suggestion that Section 21 does not cover “health care” itself but, rather, only “preserve[s] freedom in the market for buying (or refusing to buy) licensed health care or insurance.” (Emphasis added.) (See Appellees’ Brief at 44-46.) True, “health care” is not defined in the HCFA. But to agree with the state’s interpretation, we would have to either add language (“licensed”) that does not exist in the constitutional provision or ignore the language (“health care or health insurance”) that does. We decline to do either.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:lvzlku7pfr7kqlhxsibry4oj/bafkreibwh4k4jvsxfp32ubgef25vrpsinvvi2oazz4qg7qwqwceebfeksa@jpeg)
March 18, 2025 at 10:28 PM
What a 1-2 punch in this Ohio appeals court decision: (1) noting that state courts are "unrestricted" in providing greater civil rights than federal law, then (2) using a GOP-backed amendment designed to kill Obamacare to strike down the ban on gender-affirming care. bsky.app/profile/elli...
Reposted by Erin Butler
You may have heard that Drake sued his label for releasing Kendrick Lamar’s Grammy-winning song “Not Like Us.”
Let’s break down defamation, and why suits like this can be a threat to the First Amendment.
Let’s break down defamation, and why suits like this can be a threat to the First Amendment.
February 10, 2025 at 1:41 AM
You may have heard that Drake sued his label for releasing Kendrick Lamar’s Grammy-winning song “Not Like Us.”
Let’s break down defamation, and why suits like this can be a threat to the First Amendment.
Let’s break down defamation, and why suits like this can be a threat to the First Amendment.
Reposted by Erin Butler
Kiah was set to join our faculty at Howard Law School in the Fall. She was a dedicated, brilliant civil rights lawyer poised to make a powerful difference in our world.
Our hearts are broken & we pray for her family & friends.
www.kwch.com/2025/01/30/c...
Our hearts are broken & we pray for her family & friends.
www.kwch.com/2025/01/30/c...
Civil rights attorney, former Miss Kansas contestant killed in plane crash near DC airport
As families and communities identify victims in Wednesday night’s plane crash near Washington, D.C., we’re learning that a well-known civil rights attorney and former Miss Kansas contestant is among t...
www.kwch.com
January 31, 2025 at 1:22 AM
Kiah was set to join our faculty at Howard Law School in the Fall. She was a dedicated, brilliant civil rights lawyer poised to make a powerful difference in our world.
Our hearts are broken & we pray for her family & friends.
www.kwch.com/2025/01/30/c...
Our hearts are broken & we pray for her family & friends.
www.kwch.com/2025/01/30/c...
Reposted by Erin Butler
The union representing thousands of janitors said ICE went to multiple downtown San Francisco offices but that building security kept them from entering, KTVU reports.
“Union president Olga Miranda said the janitors were relieved that someone spoke up for them.”
www.ktvu.com/news/ice-age...
“Union president Olga Miranda said the janitors were relieved that someone spoke up for them.”
www.ktvu.com/news/ice-age...
ICE agents in downtown San Francisco blocked by building security
Local 87, the union representing 6,000 janitors in the private sector, said federal agents went to multiple downtown office buildings late Friday afternoon, but that building security kept them from e...
www.ktvu.com
January 28, 2025 at 5:17 PM
The union representing thousands of janitors said ICE went to multiple downtown San Francisco offices but that building security kept them from entering, KTVU reports.
“Union president Olga Miranda said the janitors were relieved that someone spoke up for them.”
www.ktvu.com/news/ice-age...
“Union president Olga Miranda said the janitors were relieved that someone spoke up for them.”
www.ktvu.com/news/ice-age...
Reposted by Erin Butler
Some Know Your Rights Workshops + Webinar happening THIS WEEK
🗓️ 1/29 | @nipnlg.bsky.social | Community Defender Training
RSVP: secure.nationalimmigrationproject.org/np/clients/n...
🗓️ 1/30 | @aclu.org | KYRs Webinar
RSVP: act.aclu.org/a/2025-kyr-t...
🗓️ 1/31 | Van Buren Branch Library (Newark, NJ)
🗓️ 1/29 | @nipnlg.bsky.social | Community Defender Training
RSVP: secure.nationalimmigrationproject.org/np/clients/n...
🗓️ 1/30 | @aclu.org | KYRs Webinar
RSVP: act.aclu.org/a/2025-kyr-t...
🗓️ 1/31 | Van Buren Branch Library (Newark, NJ)
January 29, 2025 at 1:45 AM
Some Know Your Rights Workshops + Webinar happening THIS WEEK
🗓️ 1/29 | @nipnlg.bsky.social | Community Defender Training
RSVP: secure.nationalimmigrationproject.org/np/clients/n...
🗓️ 1/30 | @aclu.org | KYRs Webinar
RSVP: act.aclu.org/a/2025-kyr-t...
🗓️ 1/31 | Van Buren Branch Library (Newark, NJ)
🗓️ 1/29 | @nipnlg.bsky.social | Community Defender Training
RSVP: secure.nationalimmigrationproject.org/np/clients/n...
🗓️ 1/30 | @aclu.org | KYRs Webinar
RSVP: act.aclu.org/a/2025-kyr-t...
🗓️ 1/31 | Van Buren Branch Library (Newark, NJ)
Reposted by Erin Butler
I’m Aghogho Edevbie and I'm running for Sec of State here in MI. Voting is our collective duty, and when it comes to defending our Democracy – it’s time to get to work. Join our team ➡️ aghogho.com #MIGOV #MIPOL
It's Go Time!
YouTube video by Aghogho Edevbie
youtu.be
January 27, 2025 at 2:00 PM
I’m Aghogho Edevbie and I'm running for Sec of State here in MI. Voting is our collective duty, and when it comes to defending our Democracy – it’s time to get to work. Join our team ➡️ aghogho.com #MIGOV #MIPOL
Reposted by Erin Butler
Please remember that President Carter appointed more minorities and women to the bench than all previous presidents combined. He was the first President to embrace the concept of bringing racial diversity to the federal bench. A key aspect of his legacy.
www.washingtonpost.com/archive/poli...
www.washingtonpost.com/archive/poli...
Carter Names Record Number of Minorities to Federal Bench
www.washingtonpost.com
December 30, 2024 at 2:18 AM
Please remember that President Carter appointed more minorities and women to the bench than all previous presidents combined. He was the first President to embrace the concept of bringing racial diversity to the federal bench. A key aspect of his legacy.
www.washingtonpost.com/archive/poli...
www.washingtonpost.com/archive/poli...
Reposted by Erin Butler
New York Times Editor’s note: “Jimmy Carter died on Dec. 29, 2024. Roughly a year before he entered hospice care, he wrote his final New York Times Opinion essay. In it, he looked back on the Capitol riot and explained why he was so worried about American democracy.”
www.nytimes.com/2022/01/05/o...
www.nytimes.com/2022/01/05/o...
Opinion | Jimmy Carter: I Fear for Our Democracy (Gift Article)
Even established democracies can fall to military juntas and despots. We can’t let that happen here.
www.nytimes.com
December 30, 2024 at 3:56 AM
New York Times Editor’s note: “Jimmy Carter died on Dec. 29, 2024. Roughly a year before he entered hospice care, he wrote his final New York Times Opinion essay. In it, he looked back on the Capitol riot and explained why he was so worried about American democracy.”
www.nytimes.com/2022/01/05/o...
www.nytimes.com/2022/01/05/o...
Reposted by Erin Butler
Merry Christmas to all
December 25, 2024 at 12:09 AM
Merry Christmas to all
Reposted by Erin Butler
My colleagues in @nytguildtech.bsky.social donated what remains of their strike fund to the striking workers in Pittsburgh - a whopping $114K. That’s what solidarity is www.unionprogress.com/2024/12/19/s...
'Stunned by the solidarity': New York Times tech workers make 'shocking' $114,000 donation to Post-Gazette strikers, just in time for the holidays - Pittsburgh Union Progress
It was shortly after 6 p.m. on Dec. 12 when Zack Tanner, president of the Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh, posted a cryptic message on the striking union’s Slack channel imploring everyone to attend the...
www.unionprogress.com
December 19, 2024 at 7:22 PM
My colleagues in @nytguildtech.bsky.social donated what remains of their strike fund to the striking workers in Pittsburgh - a whopping $114K. That’s what solidarity is www.unionprogress.com/2024/12/19/s...
Reposted by Erin Butler
Whoa is spelled w-h-o-a. Please make a note of it.
November 20, 2024 at 5:49 PM
Whoa is spelled w-h-o-a. Please make a note of it.
Reposted by Erin Butler
NEW: It's not over: a runoff for Mississippi's supreme court is *Tuesday*.
A very conservative justice lost in an upset on Nov. 5. But now the GOP hopes to cancel out that loss: A moderate justice faces runoff against a GOP lawmaker.
Court would take overall step to center if incumbent survives.
A very conservative justice lost in an upset on Nov. 5. But now the GOP hopes to cancel out that loss: A moderate justice faces runoff against a GOP lawmaker.
Court would take overall step to center if incumbent survives.
Elections for Mississippi Supreme Court Leave the Rights of Criminal Defendants in Flux
A conservative justice was unexpectedly defeated in early November. A runoff next week will decide the fate of a moderate justice, who is challenged by a Republican state senator.
boltsmag.org
November 20, 2024 at 3:12 PM
NEW: It's not over: a runoff for Mississippi's supreme court is *Tuesday*.
A very conservative justice lost in an upset on Nov. 5. But now the GOP hopes to cancel out that loss: A moderate justice faces runoff against a GOP lawmaker.
Court would take overall step to center if incumbent survives.
A very conservative justice lost in an upset on Nov. 5. But now the GOP hopes to cancel out that loss: A moderate justice faces runoff against a GOP lawmaker.
Court would take overall step to center if incumbent survives.
Reposted by Erin Butler
I hope I'm not the only person on BlueSky waiting on Forsyth and Craven counties!
(We need to make state supreme courts feel as important as they are.)
(We need to make state supreme courts feel as important as they are.)
November 19, 2024 at 1:40 AM
I hope I'm not the only person on BlueSky waiting on Forsyth and Craven counties!
(We need to make state supreme courts feel as important as they are.)
(We need to make state supreme courts feel as important as they are.)
Reposted by Erin Butler
Huge development in North Carolina: as counties finish their counts, Democratic Justice Allison Riggs, who was trailing by thousands of vote this am, is now ahead by… *106* votes statewide.
Awaiting final count everywhere.
Awaiting final count everywhere.
November 16, 2024 at 1:50 AM
Huge development in North Carolina: as counties finish their counts, Democratic Justice Allison Riggs, who was trailing by thousands of vote this am, is now ahead by… *106* votes statewide.
Awaiting final count everywhere.
Awaiting final count everywhere.