Ruth Zakarin
@ruthz.bsky.social
CEO of the MA Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence. Knitter, cat lady, grey hair evangelist. Oh, and I box. #COYS. Opinions strong, plentiful, and my own.
Check out my essays at: https://ruthzakarin.substack.com/
Check out my essays at: https://ruthzakarin.substack.com/
Pinned
Ruth Zakarin
@ruthz.bsky.social
· Jun 8
Your daily reminder from me that this administration operates like someone who abuses their partner.
They use hurt and fear to maintain power and control. They cannot tolerate pushback and refuse to take any responsibility for their actions.
And they always blame the victim for their violence.
They use hurt and fear to maintain power and control. They cannot tolerate pushback and refuse to take any responsibility for their actions.
And they always blame the victim for their violence.
Reposted by Ruth Zakarin
Good morning to everyone but especially to Lady Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, whose judgement against Rudy Giuliani for defaming them and turning their lives upside down cannot be pardoned away by the president
November 10, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Good morning to everyone but especially to Lady Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, whose judgement against Rudy Giuliani for defaming them and turning their lives upside down cannot be pardoned away by the president
A mantra for the coming days…
Seat Adelita Grijalva and release the files
Seat Adelita Grijalva and release the files
Seat Adelita Grijalva and release the files
Seat Adelita Grijalva and release the files
Seat Adelita Grijalva and release the files
Now, doesn’t that feel better?
Seat Adelita Grijalva and release the files
Seat Adelita Grijalva and release the files
Seat Adelita Grijalva and release the files
Seat Adelita Grijalva and release the files
Seat Adelita Grijalva and release the files
Now, doesn’t that feel better?
November 11, 2025 at 2:56 AM
A mantra for the coming days…
Seat Adelita Grijalva and release the files
Seat Adelita Grijalva and release the files
Seat Adelita Grijalva and release the files
Seat Adelita Grijalva and release the files
Seat Adelita Grijalva and release the files
Now, doesn’t that feel better?
Seat Adelita Grijalva and release the files
Seat Adelita Grijalva and release the files
Seat Adelita Grijalva and release the files
Seat Adelita Grijalva and release the files
Seat Adelita Grijalva and release the files
Now, doesn’t that feel better?
Reposted by Ruth Zakarin
During his first term, Trump’s travel ban hit close to home—my 4-year-old’s beloved Iranian teacher was suddenly gone. Eight years later, my now 12-year-old still remembers the fear and confusion. Attacks on immigrant communities are tearing classrooms apart.
Tell us how Trump’s immigration policies are impacting your family and community!
Please do not share any identifying information about yourself and immigrants in your community.
action.momsrising.org
November 10, 2025 at 5:13 PM
During his first term, Trump’s travel ban hit close to home—my 4-year-old’s beloved Iranian teacher was suddenly gone. Eight years later, my now 12-year-old still remembers the fear and confusion. Attacks on immigrant communities are tearing classrooms apart.
I was today years old when I learned that Edmund Fitzgerald Day was a thing. But a thing it is, so enjoy.
And of course this was brought to you by… Boston.
And of course this was brought to you by… Boston.
A commendable Edmund Fitzgerald cover. (The sinking was 50 years ago today.)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JLU...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JLU...
Punch Brothers cover Gordon Lightfoot "Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" 3/3/22 Boston, MA
YouTube video by Less Than Face Productions
www.youtube.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:34 AM
I was today years old when I learned that Edmund Fitzgerald Day was a thing. But a thing it is, so enjoy.
And of course this was brought to you by… Boston.
And of course this was brought to you by… Boston.
And of course there is a domestic/sexual violence component. Because of course there is. It totally stands to reason that our Abuser-in-Chief would pardon another abuser. Because of course.
Trump pardoned a drug dealer with ties to the Kushner family, and today that man was sent back to federal prison for threatening to kill a woman, groping his family's nanny, and several other crimes.
Seems relevant, given Trump has admitted he has no idea who he's pardoning...
Seems relevant, given Trump has admitted he has no idea who he's pardoning...
November 11, 2025 at 2:24 AM
And of course there is a domestic/sexual violence component. Because of course there is. It totally stands to reason that our Abuser-in-Chief would pardon another abuser. Because of course.
“…our survival used as a bargaining chip, told it was for a reason. Our suffering would prevent even more suffering and that it would be temporary and worth it to save healthcare for millions. And now it's all for nothing.”
This breaks my heart.
This breaks my heart.
I received this email about Democrats caving to end the shutdown from one of the SNAP recipients I spoke to:
November 10, 2025 at 3:55 PM
“…our survival used as a bargaining chip, told it was for a reason. Our suffering would prevent even more suffering and that it would be temporary and worth it to save healthcare for millions. And now it's all for nothing.”
This breaks my heart.
This breaks my heart.
Any bets on what happens today?
Tomorrow, Mike Johnson will go through a veritable Simone Biles level of verbal gymnastics to *justify* why he can’t seat Adelita Grijalva. And the gaslighting will continue.
November 10, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Any bets on what happens today?
I think last night might have been the worst Sunday scaries ever. And I’m not feeling so great about things this Monday morning either.
But I’m going to go do my job. I just wish some of our Democratic electeds had done theirs.
But I’m going to go do my job. I just wish some of our Democratic electeds had done theirs.
November 10, 2025 at 11:59 AM
I think last night might have been the worst Sunday scaries ever. And I’m not feeling so great about things this Monday morning either.
But I’m going to go do my job. I just wish some of our Democratic electeds had done theirs.
But I’m going to go do my job. I just wish some of our Democratic electeds had done theirs.
Tomorrow, Mike Johnson will go through a veritable Simone Biles level of verbal gymnastics to *justify* why he can’t seat Adelita Grijalva. And the gaslighting will continue.
November 10, 2025 at 3:36 AM
Tomorrow, Mike Johnson will go through a veritable Simone Biles level of verbal gymnastics to *justify* why he can’t seat Adelita Grijalva. And the gaslighting will continue.
Reposted by Ruth Zakarin
Not that he didn’t already know, but now Trump knows for sure he can roll the Dems every time and there’s no need to negotiate for anything
November 10, 2025 at 3:01 AM
Not that he didn’t already know, but now Trump knows for sure he can roll the Dems every time and there’s no need to negotiate for anything
Reposted by Ruth Zakarin
During the shutdown I was worried about my son in the military not receiving pay....tonight I am scared for my son that just came in my room and said.... well, now I guess can't afford healthcare.
November 10, 2025 at 2:54 AM
During the shutdown I was worried about my son in the military not receiving pay....tonight I am scared for my son that just came in my room and said.... well, now I guess can't afford healthcare.
THIS. What a betrayal to every person impacted by this damn shutdown.
My family has been without half our income for 40 days. It has been.. very hard.
We are willing to feel that pain so people can have health care next year, or to undo these illegal recissions.
We are not willing to have been put through this for NOTHING.
We are willing to feel that pain so people can have health care next year, or to undo these illegal recissions.
We are not willing to have been put through this for NOTHING.
November 10, 2025 at 2:51 AM
THIS. What a betrayal to every person impacted by this damn shutdown.
It would be good if decisions were made based on the heath and safety of all who live in this country. This entire shutdown shows how far away we are from that being a reality. And the Dems who caved own that too.
November 10, 2025 at 2:41 AM
It would be good if decisions were made based on the heath and safety of all who live in this country. This entire shutdown shows how far away we are from that being a reality. And the Dems who caved own that too.
Thank you @warren.senate.gov and @markey.senate.gov for holding the line and refusing to participate in this betrayal.
November 10, 2025 at 2:16 AM
Thank you @warren.senate.gov and @markey.senate.gov for holding the line and refusing to participate in this betrayal.
And more importantly, it’s a betrayal of every single person who suffered during this shutdown. Because their suffering was for naught — and it was a lot of suffering.
Truly unforgivable.
Truly unforgivable.
This is a morally repugnant betrayal of House Democrats, of Democratic activists, and of Democratic state electeds who have been fighting this out in the court of public opinion.
We trusted Senate Dems to negotiate. They fucked us. Just fucking enraging.
We trusted Senate Dems to negotiate. They fucked us. Just fucking enraging.
November 10, 2025 at 1:33 AM
And more importantly, it’s a betrayal of every single person who suffered during this shutdown. Because their suffering was for naught — and it was a lot of suffering.
Truly unforgivable.
Truly unforgivable.
This feels like giving over the whole playground to the recess bully who makes a pinky promise while winking at his cronies.
November 9, 2025 at 10:31 PM
This feels like giving over the whole playground to the recess bully who makes a pinky promise while winking at his cronies.
This is a screenshot from the Boston Globe’s coverage of Trump’s demanding states halt feeding people. I hope everyone saves it to bring to their relatives at Thanksgiving who are still going on about states rights. That assumes, of course, that’s families are able to travel for Thanksgiving at all.
November 9, 2025 at 6:33 PM
This is a screenshot from the Boston Globe’s coverage of Trump’s demanding states halt feeding people. I hope everyone saves it to bring to their relatives at Thanksgiving who are still going on about states rights. That assumes, of course, that’s families are able to travel for Thanksgiving at all.
There’s no end to their cruelty. A bottomless pit of meanness and evil.
Just fucking feed people.
Just fucking feed people.
November 9, 2025 at 5:50 PM
There’s no end to their cruelty. A bottomless pit of meanness and evil.
Just fucking feed people.
Just fucking feed people.
Reposted by Ruth Zakarin
The president seems to have been briefed on how the tariffs oral argument at SCOTUS went:
November 9, 2025 at 1:48 PM
The president seems to have been briefed on how the tariffs oral argument at SCOTUS went:
Trump had a big fancy shindig at Mar-a-Lago Friday night that featured a three-course menu of beef filet, truffle dauphinoise, pan-seared scallops and a dessert called “Trump chocolate cake” all while desperately trying to get SCOTUS to stop SNAP payments. www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
Trump attends another extravagant party at Mar-a-Lago during shutdown
Images of the president were shared by guests on social media Friday at the lavish event which featured a three-course menu of beef filet, truffle dauphinoise, pan-seared scallops and a trio of desser...
www.independent.co.uk
November 9, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Trump had a big fancy shindig at Mar-a-Lago Friday night that featured a three-course menu of beef filet, truffle dauphinoise, pan-seared scallops and a dessert called “Trump chocolate cake” all while desperately trying to get SCOTUS to stop SNAP payments. www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
Reposted by Ruth Zakarin
“Critical gains in reducing firearm-related harm are now in jeopardy.
Recent fed admin actions &funding withdrawals threaten to dismantle the foundational infrastructure that undergirds public safety…the US faces a grave risk of backsliding into patterns of preventable violence &inequitable harms”🧪🛟
Recent fed admin actions &funding withdrawals threaten to dismantle the foundational infrastructure that undergirds public safety…the US faces a grave risk of backsliding into patterns of preventable violence &inequitable harms”🧪🛟
November 9, 2025 at 2:21 PM
“Critical gains in reducing firearm-related harm are now in jeopardy.
Recent fed admin actions &funding withdrawals threaten to dismantle the foundational infrastructure that undergirds public safety…the US faces a grave risk of backsliding into patterns of preventable violence &inequitable harms”🧪🛟
Recent fed admin actions &funding withdrawals threaten to dismantle the foundational infrastructure that undergirds public safety…the US faces a grave risk of backsliding into patterns of preventable violence &inequitable harms”🧪🛟
Reposted by Ruth Zakarin
@sonalirajan.bsky.social sharing the compelling opinion piece you co-authored, recently published in @amjpublichealth.bsky.social via this blog post:
relentlessschoolnurse.com/2025/11/09/t...
relentlessschoolnurse.com/2025/11/09/t...
The Relentless School Nurse: “Firearm Violence Prevention in Peril” – What School Nurses Must Do Now
This post is grounded in a recent open-access article in the American Journal of Public Health titled “Firearm Violence Prevention in Peril: Protecting Our Progress in Public Health.” The article…
relentlessschoolnurse.com
November 9, 2025 at 1:35 PM
@sonalirajan.bsky.social sharing the compelling opinion piece you co-authored, recently published in @amjpublichealth.bsky.social via this blog post:
relentlessschoolnurse.com/2025/11/09/t...
relentlessschoolnurse.com/2025/11/09/t...
Please help me amplify this story. A 13 year old child abducted and forced to self deport is horrific and I fear not enough people know this is happening.
A few weeks ago I wrote about a 13 year old boy from Massachusetts who had been abducted by ICE and sent to a detention center in Virginia. I wrote about the trauma of a child being separated from his family and community, and I posed the question:
What are we doing here?
I have some updates.
🧵
What are we doing here?
I have some updates.
🧵
November 9, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Please help me amplify this story. A 13 year old child abducted and forced to self deport is horrific and I fear not enough people know this is happening.
Saw the Springsteen movie and for some reason kept waiting for Bruce to get locked in a refrigerator
November 9, 2025 at 1:16 AM
Saw the Springsteen movie and for some reason kept waiting for Bruce to get locked in a refrigerator
Reposted by Ruth Zakarin
From 2016: “Almost half of the people who die at the hands of police have some kind of disability, according to a new report, as officers are often drawn into emergencies where urgent care may be more appropriate than lethal force.” www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
ICE agents in Chicago violently detain a non verbal autistic man for being “non compliant”
He couldn’t “comply” because of his disability…they don’t care
This is not the first time they’ve gone after a disabled person
They target the most vulnerable because it’s an easy way to meet their quota
He couldn’t “comply” because of his disability…they don’t care
This is not the first time they’ve gone after a disabled person
They target the most vulnerable because it’s an easy way to meet their quota
November 8, 2025 at 8:32 PM
From 2016: “Almost half of the people who die at the hands of police have some kind of disability, according to a new report, as officers are often drawn into emergencies where urgent care may be more appropriate than lethal force.” www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...