Sam Levin
@samtlevin.bsky.social
Guardian senior reporter, based in Los Angeles. Sam.Levin@theguardian [dot] com. https://www.theguardian.com/profile/sam-levin
José worked as a firefighter since 2019 + ran a landscaping business in Monmouth, OR, the area where he grew up
Cecelia Koontz, Monmouth’s mayor, who for years hired José for landscaping: “It hit ppl really hard. He cares so much about his work. Ppl respected that + were horrified he was detained”
Cecelia Koontz, Monmouth’s mayor, who for years hired José for landscaping: “It hit ppl really hard. He cares so much about his work. Ppl respected that + were horrified he was detained”
November 11, 2025 at 11:21 PM
José worked as a firefighter since 2019 + ran a landscaping business in Monmouth, OR, the area where he grew up
Cecelia Koontz, Monmouth’s mayor, who for years hired José for landscaping: “It hit ppl really hard. He cares so much about his work. Ppl respected that + were horrified he was detained”
Cecelia Koontz, Monmouth’s mayor, who for years hired José for landscaping: “It hit ppl really hard. He cares so much about his work. Ppl respected that + were horrified he was detained”
José's crew spent a week in August battling the Bear Gulch fire, then a 9,000-acre blaze + largest in 70+ years in WA’s Olympic Peninsula.
Border Patrol showed up to his remote forest location, surrounded the crew + ultimately arrested José + another immigrant firefighter.
"It’s backstabbing.”
Border Patrol showed up to his remote forest location, surrounded the crew + ultimately arrested José + another immigrant firefighter.
"It’s backstabbing.”
November 11, 2025 at 11:12 PM
José's crew spent a week in August battling the Bear Gulch fire, then a 9,000-acre blaze + largest in 70+ years in WA’s Olympic Peninsula.
Border Patrol showed up to his remote forest location, surrounded the crew + ultimately arrested José + another immigrant firefighter.
"It’s backstabbing.”
Border Patrol showed up to his remote forest location, surrounded the crew + ultimately arrested José + another immigrant firefighter.
"It’s backstabbing.”
The law enforcement briefings + counterterrorism training materials were obtained by @propertyofthepeople.org / @rshapiro.bsky.social and shared with @us.theguardian.com.
Experts say US officials’ claims linking emojis to the Venezuelan gang are “ludicrous,” “baseless,” “uneducated” + “absurd”
Experts say US officials’ claims linking emojis to the Venezuelan gang are “ludicrous,” “baseless,” “uneducated” + “absurd”
September 19, 2025 at 6:57 PM
The law enforcement briefings + counterterrorism training materials were obtained by @propertyofthepeople.org / @rshapiro.bsky.social and shared with @us.theguardian.com.
Experts say US officials’ claims linking emojis to the Venezuelan gang are “ludicrous,” “baseless,” “uneducated” + “absurd”
Experts say US officials’ claims linking emojis to the Venezuelan gang are “ludicrous,” “baseless,” “uneducated” + “absurd”
Scandal exposed by UnCommon Law, org that reps ppl in parole cases + has affected clients. They obtained test data showing when Quest Diagnostics used a new chemical for tests, positives jumped 300% across prisons
Quest admitted its chemical switch caused a spike but downplayed the scale of impact.
Quest admitted its chemical switch caused a spike but downplayed the scale of impact.
April 9, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Scandal exposed by UnCommon Law, org that reps ppl in parole cases + has affected clients. They obtained test data showing when Quest Diagnostics used a new chemical for tests, positives jumped 300% across prisons
Quest admitted its chemical switch caused a spike but downplayed the scale of impact.
Quest admitted its chemical switch caused a spike but downplayed the scale of impact.
One judge noted harms extend far beyond the real threats of physical + sexual violence into distress from being "subject to searches by male correctional officers, made to shower in the company of men, referred to as men, forced to dress as men" and "uncomfortable dissonance" of all men's facility
March 7, 2025 at 8:28 PM
One judge noted harms extend far beyond the real threats of physical + sexual violence into distress from being "subject to searches by male correctional officers, made to shower in the company of men, referred to as men, forced to dress as men" and "uncomfortable dissonance" of all men's facility
The chaos of the last month: trans women have repeatedly been placed in isolation, threatened with transfer, told their medical care would be stopped, then told the court cases would protect their housing + treatments, only to be told again they're being transferred any way
"Am I safe or am I not?"
"Am I safe or am I not?"
March 7, 2025 at 8:00 PM
The chaos of the last month: trans women have repeatedly been placed in isolation, threatened with transfer, told their medical care would be stopped, then told the court cases would protect their housing + treatments, only to be told again they're being transferred any way
"Am I safe or am I not?"
"Am I safe or am I not?"
Marion's letter to another on death row: "The day our paths crossed, I felt renewed comfort, a sort of peace in not what’s said, but just your presence. God has given me a gift in your friendship…Tomorrow holds no promises, but today, I take comfort in your friendship. Thank you for being my friend"
January 31, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Marion's letter to another on death row: "The day our paths crossed, I felt renewed comfort, a sort of peace in not what’s said, but just your presence. God has given me a gift in your friendship…Tomorrow holds no promises, but today, I take comfort in your friendship. Thank you for being my friend"
His final letter to Boyd Young, lawyer + close friend of 15 years: “I never wanted to be writing this. It crushes my heart to do so. Man I LOVE YOU Brother! From the moment I met you, you was in my corner. Thank you for bringing so many people in to meet me + eventually grow to love me too.”
![text screenshot:
In Bowman’s final letter to Young, he said: “I never wanted to be writing this to you. It crushes my heart to do so. Man I LOVE YOU Brother! [From] the moment I met you, you was in my corner … Thank you [for] bringing so many people in [to] meet me and eventually grow to love me too.” Bowman expressed gratitude to Young for making him an uncle to his children and taking him on “trips around the world” through the photos and postcards his family sent.
Bowman’s letter concluded: “I’m stopping now before everything in me breaks. I love you for life, brother!”](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:wkwznppeeuglgghcet7mch4g/bafkreiaz6mipq4fnrz7rdihu6v6ipusfyumjlktb6bo4eisn7gy4xzp44y@jpeg)
January 31, 2025 at 9:04 PM
His final letter to Boyd Young, lawyer + close friend of 15 years: “I never wanted to be writing this. It crushes my heart to do so. Man I LOVE YOU Brother! From the moment I met you, you was in my corner. Thank you for bringing so many people in to meet me + eventually grow to love me too.”
One trans man in prison, already losing care:
“I’m happy to be the person I am. They want to tell me I’m something different, but I know who I am inside + that’s something they'll never be able to take away from me. We’re not just going to sit back + let this happen. We’re going to keep fighting."
“I’m happy to be the person I am. They want to tell me I’m something different, but I know who I am inside + that’s something they'll never be able to take away from me. We’re not just going to sit back + let this happen. We’re going to keep fighting."
January 30, 2025 at 7:09 PM
One trans man in prison, already losing care:
“I’m happy to be the person I am. They want to tell me I’m something different, but I know who I am inside + that’s something they'll never be able to take away from me. We’re not just going to sit back + let this happen. We’re going to keep fighting."
“I’m happy to be the person I am. They want to tell me I’m something different, but I know who I am inside + that’s something they'll never be able to take away from me. We’re not just going to sit back + let this happen. We’re going to keep fighting."
Some trans women have received gender-affirming care since youth + never been in men's facilities. Others have fought for yrs for basic healthcare + safe housing in prison and are now having it all stripped away.
"This is crucial to their health and daily living. Many are feeling hopelessness."
"This is crucial to their health and daily living. Many are feeling hopelessness."
January 30, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Some trans women have received gender-affirming care since youth + never been in men's facilities. Others have fought for yrs for basic healthcare + safe housing in prison and are now having it all stripped away.
"This is crucial to their health and daily living. Many are feeling hopelessness."
"This is crucial to their health and daily living. Many are feeling hopelessness."
Inside a federal women's prison days after Trump's order:
“The officers yelled at trans women: ‘Come right now, leave your things. You don’t have time to pack.' They said disgusting, degrading things, like: ‘We don’t have to call you women anymore. Where you’re going, you’re going to be a man.’”
“The officers yelled at trans women: ‘Come right now, leave your things. You don’t have time to pack.' They said disgusting, degrading things, like: ‘We don’t have to call you women anymore. Where you’re going, you’re going to be a man.’”
January 30, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Inside a federal women's prison days after Trump's order:
“The officers yelled at trans women: ‘Come right now, leave your things. You don’t have time to pack.' They said disgusting, degrading things, like: ‘We don’t have to call you women anymore. Where you’re going, you’re going to be a man.’”
“The officers yelled at trans women: ‘Come right now, leave your things. You don’t have time to pack.' They said disgusting, degrading things, like: ‘We don’t have to call you women anymore. Where you’re going, you’re going to be a man.’”
Marion reflected on death row friends he's been cut off from in final weeks of his life: “These ppl have helped me survive – ppl who never would’ve gotten together on the outside, who are so different, but still have so much humanity in common. Some say they never had a friend until they came here."
January 28, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Marion reflected on death row friends he's been cut off from in final weeks of his life: “These ppl have helped me survive – ppl who never would’ve gotten together on the outside, who are so different, but still have so much humanity in common. Some say they never had a friend until they came here."
Marion can no longer have contact visits w/ lawyer + friend of 15 years, Boyd Young. When they meet, Marion's in leg shackles, belly chain + handcuffs, attached to guard by dog leash. They can't directly exchange paperwork. Even tho he has no physical contact, he faces full strip search each visit.
January 28, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Marion can no longer have contact visits w/ lawyer + friend of 15 years, Boyd Young. When they meet, Marion's in leg shackles, belly chain + handcuffs, attached to guard by dog leash. They can't directly exchange paperwork. Even tho he has no physical contact, he faces full strip search each visit.
In Marion's "execution watch" cage, he's locked behind 2 doors, lost most belongings, has no chair + gets all meals delivered on a tray, where guards also pass him toilet brush + other items. He can touch both walls at same time. At times, lights on 24/7. He's been stuck there for more than 135 days
January 28, 2025 at 8:29 PM
In Marion's "execution watch" cage, he's locked behind 2 doors, lost most belongings, has no chair + gets all meals delivered on a tray, where guards also pass him toilet brush + other items. He can touch both walls at same time. At times, lights on 24/7. He's been stuck there for more than 135 days
When prison firefighter Laquisha Johnson was freed, she went to LA firehouses with her résumé: “I had documentation of my training, certificates, references + they told me no. I was so passionate and fired up about it, and it was disappointing. I served my time. I want to be a citizen + contribute."
January 15, 2025 at 7:28 PM
When prison firefighter Laquisha Johnson was freed, she went to LA firehouses with her résumé: “I had documentation of my training, certificates, references + they told me no. I was so passionate and fired up about it, and it was disappointing. I served my time. I want to be a citizen + contribute."
Some make $50 monthly, on call 24/7, 365 days.
"Let's say I wanted a day off – you can’t, cuz you’re gonna go back to prison. Like they’re dangling shiny keys over a monkey. Then, I had gratitude for getting out of prison. Now I look back at it as involuntary servitude" -Rasheed Stanley-Lockheart
"Let's say I wanted a day off – you can’t, cuz you’re gonna go back to prison. Like they’re dangling shiny keys over a monkey. Then, I had gratitude for getting out of prison. Now I look back at it as involuntary servitude" -Rasheed Stanley-Lockheart
January 15, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Some make $50 monthly, on call 24/7, 365 days.
"Let's say I wanted a day off – you can’t, cuz you’re gonna go back to prison. Like they’re dangling shiny keys over a monkey. Then, I had gratitude for getting out of prison. Now I look back at it as involuntary servitude" -Rasheed Stanley-Lockheart
"Let's say I wanted a day off – you can’t, cuz you’re gonna go back to prison. Like they’re dangling shiny keys over a monkey. Then, I had gratitude for getting out of prison. Now I look back at it as involuntary servitude" -Rasheed Stanley-Lockheart
Roberta Bell, 53, was lead plaintiff in class-action that won protections for 100s of Dublin survivors. She reported extensive harassment/assault she suffered + witnessed, became leader for younger women struggling to come forward + face intense retaliation as a result. She's pleading for clemency.
December 18, 2024 at 6:46 PM
Roberta Bell, 53, was lead plaintiff in class-action that won protections for 100s of Dublin survivors. She reported extensive harassment/assault she suffered + witnessed, became leader for younger women struggling to come forward + face intense retaliation as a result. She's pleading for clemency.
We spoke to two women who reported repeated sexual assaults by guards + said they were explicitly targeted as immigrants
“These officers knew we were immigrants and thought that they could do whatever they wanted to us, because we were going to be deported."
These survivors now face deportation..
“These officers knew we were immigrants and thought that they could do whatever they wanted to us, because we were going to be deported."
These survivors now face deportation..
December 18, 2024 at 5:45 PM
We spoke to two women who reported repeated sexual assaults by guards + said they were explicitly targeted as immigrants
“These officers knew we were immigrants and thought that they could do whatever they wanted to us, because we were going to be deported."
These survivors now face deportation..
“These officers knew we were immigrants and thought that they could do whatever they wanted to us, because we were going to be deported."
These survivors now face deportation..
Bamby Salcedo, TransLatin@ Coalition: “For many of us, hope is the last thing that will die. Regardless of the outcome, we are resilient. We're going to continue to exist despite the oppression we may experience because of this decision. We're going to continue to fight like hell for all of us."
December 5, 2024 at 12:54 AM
Bamby Salcedo, TransLatin@ Coalition: “For many of us, hope is the last thing that will die. Regardless of the outcome, we are resilient. We're going to continue to exist despite the oppression we may experience because of this decision. We're going to continue to fight like hell for all of us."
When TN's lawyer said the “democratic process..is the best check on potentially misguided laws,” Sotomayor said: “When you’re 1% of the population or less, it’s very hard to see how the democratic process is going to protect you. Blacks were a much larger part of the pop + it didn’t protect them"
December 5, 2024 at 12:51 AM
When TN's lawyer said the “democratic process..is the best check on potentially misguided laws,” Sotomayor said: “When you’re 1% of the population or less, it’s very hard to see how the democratic process is going to protect you. Blacks were a much larger part of the pop + it didn’t protect them"
Sotomayor and Jackson's qs made clear a ruling against trans youth could pave the way for bans on trans adults healthcare. Jackson said TN's arguments were "very familiar" to interracial marriage bans. “I’m worried that we’re undermining the foundations of some of our bedrock equal protection cases"
![screenshot of text:
Elizabeth Prelogar, the US solicitor general, noted that the court would “turn its back on 50 years of precedent” if it sided with Tennessee’s arguments that the law does not constitute sex discrimination warranting closer scrutiny.
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, a liberal, repeatedly compared Tennessee’s ban with the prohibition on interracial marriage, overturned by the landmark Loving v Virginia decision in 1967: “Some of these questions … sound very familiar to me, [such as] the arguments made back in the day, the 50s and 60s, with respect to racial classifications.” Jackson later added: “I’m worried that we’re undermining the foundations of some of our bedrock equal protection cases.”](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:wkwznppeeuglgghcet7mch4g/bafkreigdy6jgwywk47x75dk6cobdhkzsymf5ewaw7si4x5iuvghiepe4wq@jpeg)
December 5, 2024 at 12:48 AM
Sotomayor and Jackson's qs made clear a ruling against trans youth could pave the way for bans on trans adults healthcare. Jackson said TN's arguments were "very familiar" to interracial marriage bans. “I’m worried that we’re undermining the foundations of some of our bedrock equal protection cases"
“The motivation is not, as the state has suggested, to protect the health of children, which states have a right to regulate, but instead is based on not only particular animus towards transgender individuals, but also a broader social vision that upholds gender hierarchy"
@kredburn.bsky.social
@kredburn.bsky.social
December 5, 2024 at 12:36 AM
“The motivation is not, as the state has suggested, to protect the health of children, which states have a right to regulate, but instead is based on not only particular animus towards transgender individuals, but also a broader social vision that upholds gender hierarchy"
@kredburn.bsky.social
@kredburn.bsky.social
Stephen Levine, Tennessee expert with the most trans healthcare experience, previously acknowledged the banned treatments are “sometimes appropriate.” He’s a prolific expert witness in anti-LGBTQ+ cases. Asked about criticism of his efforts, he said: “I’ve been trying to help [trans ppl] for 50 yrs”
November 21, 2024 at 10:00 PM
Stephen Levine, Tennessee expert with the most trans healthcare experience, previously acknowledged the banned treatments are “sometimes appropriate.” He’s a prolific expert witness in anti-LGBTQ+ cases. Asked about criticism of his efforts, he said: “I’ve been trying to help [trans ppl] for 50 yrs”
Another Tennessee expert, a psychiatrist, was previously barred from examining two trans youth plaintiffs in another case because although she claimed to have treated “over 1000 patients w gender dysphoria,” a judge said it was unclear if she’d supported any of them in their gender identity.
November 21, 2024 at 9:48 PM
Another Tennessee expert, a psychiatrist, was previously barred from examining two trans youth plaintiffs in another case because although she claimed to have treated “over 1000 patients w gender dysphoria,” a judge said it was unclear if she’d supported any of them in their gender identity.
A Florida judge previously said one of Tennessee’s experts was “far off from the accepted view” after he testified he wouldn’t use trans people’s correct pronouns. This doctor also previously compared gender affirming care with Nazi eugenics. He has no trans youth clinical experience or research.
November 21, 2024 at 9:41 PM
A Florida judge previously said one of Tennessee’s experts was “far off from the accepted view” after he testified he wouldn’t use trans people’s correct pronouns. This doctor also previously compared gender affirming care with Nazi eugenics. He has no trans youth clinical experience or research.