Viri Pettersen
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mspetter.bsky.social
Viri Pettersen
@mspetter.bsky.social
Kamala’s Capt, fmr NYSUT Asst to Pres, fmr Director, AFT NE; NYSUT member; Retired Educator & RVCTA Union President; Long Islander; Focused on families, friends, public education, unions, politics; Coffee-drinker!☕️ 🚫DMs
https://linktr.ee/mspetter
Reposted by Viri Pettersen
@rweingarten.bsky.social went on @meidastouch.com pod to share why the Trump admin gutting the Dept of Ed will bring chaos and dysfunction to programs schools depend on.

“I have not heard them get up and say one thing that they are going to do that helps children.”
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gR0q...
GOP Turns AGAINST EACH OTHER as Trump COLLAPSE SPREADS
YouTube video by MeidasTouch
www.youtube.com
November 21, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Reposted by Viri Pettersen
ICYMI: @rweingarten.bsky.social calls Trump's plan to dismantle the Dept of Education an "abdication & abandonment of America’s future."

"Rather than show leadership in helping all students seize their potential, it walks away from that responsibility."

Full statement ⬇️
www.aft.org/press-releas...
AFT’s Weingarten on President Trump’s Order to Dismantle the Education Department
WASHINGTON—AFT President Randi Weingarten issued the following statement responding to the announcement today revealing President Donald Trump’s plan to move multiple parts of the U.S. Department of E...
www.aft.org
November 19, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Imagine being one of the Epstein survivors.

First Epstein got a sweetheart deal.
Then Ghislaine Maxwell got hers.

Now, survivors' families are calling for justice...to release all the files. But the GOP won’t do it.

We stand with survivors. #ReleaseTheFiles
November 14, 2025 at 10:22 AM
Today we honor all who’ve worn the uniform and devoted their lives to defending this nation. On Veterans Day, remember: patriotism isn’t about slogans—it’s about keeping our promise to those who served. 🇺🇸
VC The Lincoln Project #VeteransDay
November 11, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Fetterman. Cortez Masto. Hassan. Rosen. Kaine. King. Durbin. Shaheen. Eight Democrats who turned their backs on affordable healthcare. You didn’t just disappoint us—you endangered millions. 📞 (202) 224-3121
November 10, 2025 at 11:06 PM
Reposted by Viri Pettersen
This #VeteransDay, those who have served our country in uniform are coming together to fight for a democracy that works for all of us. Find a Vets Say No event near you and stand up against attacks on our rights and freedoms.

Sign up here ⬇️
www.vetssayno.org
TAKE ACTION VETERAN'S DAY
www.vetssayno.org
November 10, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Reposted by Viri Pettersen
We are upset, like many, that the ACA tax credits are not restored in this “deal” to reopen the govt. But let’s be clear why: the Rs refused to budge as the hunger & aviation crises worsened. Let’s be clear who is hurting working families. The AFT will keep fighting www.aft.org/press-releas...
AFT’s Weingarten Responds to Key Vote to End Shutdown
WASHINGTON—AFT President Randi Weingarten issued the following statement responding to the Senate’s key vote on reopening the federal government:
www.aft.org
November 10, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Reposted by Viri Pettersen
BIG news! We're launching a new weekly video series to keep you in the loop on what's happening with AFT. In our first-ever report, @rweingarten.bsky.social breaks down:

🗳️ Pro-education, pro-worker election wins
🏛️ Fight in DC for healthcare, food assistance & student debt
🎓 Big student debt victory
November 7, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Reposted by Viri Pettersen
Lots of Republicans have been throwing around the word Communism after @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social win. I figured I should correct them with some facts! @nysut.bsky.social @aft.org @rweingarten.bsky.social @kmclyons.bsky.social @mspetter.bsky.social
November 7, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Reposted by Viri Pettersen
Voters showed up in record numbers to send a message that they want leaders who will tackle the kitchen-table issues they face every day—from education to soaring housing and healthcare costs to the price of groceries, child care and college. www.aft.org/press-releas...
November 5, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Reposted by Viri Pettersen
Today-Trump and Musk endorsed Cuomo-Cuomo is the candidate of the billionaires. Mamdani is fighting for affordability for all of us-particularly working families. I disagree with ZM on Israel but I want a Mayor who fights for the strugglers & strivers- not for those who are taking away our freedoms
November 3, 2025 at 11:45 PM
Reposted by Viri Pettersen
November 3, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Reposted by Viri Pettersen
CA voters support Prop 50 because they want to stop the erosion of our democracy. Californians deserve a government that fights for better wages, lower costs, and economic opportunity for all. #CAVoteYesProp50 www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
California set to approve Prop 50 as voters signal displeasure with Trump
Voters set to accept new maps to help Democrats counter Republican gerrymandering – and check president’s power
www.theguardian.com
November 3, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Reposted by Viri Pettersen
Here are some quick facts about the Republican healthcare crisis. democrats-budget.house.gov/legislation/...
The Republican Health Care Crisis: Higher Costs, Less Coverage
democrats-budget.house.gov
November 3, 2025 at 8:49 PM
🔥Kamala Harris: "This fight is not about sitting by and complaining, 'Oh, they're cheating.' California is taking a stand to make sure the voices of the people are heard."

#CAVoteYesProp50
November 3, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Reposted by Viri Pettersen
My response to @edsecmcmahon.govpeeps.us on twitter
November 1, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Reposted by Viri Pettersen
42 million Americans are about to lose food assistance — including 16 million children.

Trump’s shutdown is forcing families to choose between paying rent and buying food.

Congress must demand that USDA release SNAP now: actionnetwork.org/letters/save...

#SNAPDayOfAction
October 28, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Reposted by Viri Pettersen
He got the Speaker he wanted - a cuck who will sit in the corner and let him do whatever he pleases whenever he wants.
October 26, 2025 at 1:28 PM
We want the president to focus on solving our problems, not building gilded edifices or punishing his political opponents. We want a society based on the rule of law, not chaos, corruption and cruelty. - @rweingarten.bsky.social www.aft.org/column/we-pe...
We, the people, say: ‘No Kings’
Democracy and economic opportunity are inextricably linked.
www.aft.org
October 26, 2025 at 2:37 PM
We, the people, say #NoKings. We, the people, must act to secure the kind of society and government we want. - @rweingarten.bsky.social www.aft.org/column/we-pe...
We, the people, say: ‘No Kings’
Democracy and economic opportunity are inextricably linked.
www.aft.org
October 26, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Reposted by Viri Pettersen
@rweingarten.bsky.social discusses the massive turnout for last week's #NoKings rallies across the country, and how AFT and @aaup.org are organizing at colleges and universities to stand up to the Trump administration's loyalty compacts.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Boycotts, strikes and more protests: organizers on what’s next for No Kings
Leaders of groups behind mass protests against Trump administration map out their vision
www.theguardian.com
October 24, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Reposted by Viri Pettersen
"School should be an ICE-free zone, just like it’s a gun-free zone & a drug-free zone"— @rweingarten.bsky.social

Weingarten traveled to Chicago to discuss how schools navigate ICE crackdowns. Now, US senators are calling on Dept. of Ed. to keep ICE away from schools.
www.nbcnews.com/politics/pol...
Senators demand Linda McMahon ask DHS to stop immigration enforcement near schools
The letter says that “if society can agree that alcohol, tobacco and drugs should be kept at least 1,000 feet away from our schools,” then “violent DHS tools and tactics also belong on that list.”
www.nbcnews.com
October 24, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Reposted by Viri Pettersen
"There are so many children and adults with chronic illnesses that will be left without care if Congress doesn’t act. Without reversing the Medicaid cuts and renewing ACA support, lives will be lost that could have been saved." - Matthew Butler, UMMAP
Facing healthcare cuts: It’s a matter of life and death
By Matthew Butler
aftvoices.org
October 20, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Reposted by Viri Pettersen
This is what loving America looks like. 🇺🇸
AFT members joined with millions of people across the country for the "No Kings" day of action to stand up for the promise of America for ALL.
October 20, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Reposted by Viri Pettersen
The Trump administration's illegal firings of federal workers "...shows their complete and utter contempt for the workers who’ve dedicated their careers to helping others and serving their fellow Americans." - @rweingarten.bsky.social

Read more ⬇️
Federal Employee Unions File Expanded Lawsuit Challenging Trump Administration’s Illegal Shutdown Firings
SAN FRANCISCO – Labor unions challenging the Trump administration’s illegal mass firing of federal employees during the government shutdown on Tuesday expanded their lawsuit to cover additional federa...
www.aft.org
October 22, 2025 at 2:10 PM