Dr. Cara Berg Powers
@clbergpowers.bsky.social
I post about public education, school integration, cultural theory, media literacy, sex ed, parenting, and random thoughts from my ADHD brain. Proud co-editor of uncoveringpossible.com out now from Vernon Press! CFC166871CD4B 24% off
Regardless of the outcome from the Jury, the residents of Worcester deserve to know why so much time and resources was spent on this case. Without even getting conspiratorial, it's an abuse of public trust and resources and serves absolutely no public good.
February 11, 2026 at 5:33 PM
Regardless of the outcome from the Jury, the residents of Worcester deserve to know why so much time and resources was spent on this case. Without even getting conspiratorial, it's an abuse of public trust and resources and serves absolutely no public good.
Reposted by Dr. Cara Berg Powers
Y'all...I can't even
February 11, 2026 at 4:49 PM
Y'all...I can't even
Worth noting that over and over in the police body cam footage that has been shown at trial the last two days and in their own testimonies, they directly contradict this video that was released by several elected officials over the weekend in anticipation of increased ICE activity.
Massachusetts is not defenseless. Know your rights. Memorize them. Share them.
A message from my office, @markey.senate.gov, @massgovernor.bsky.social, @mayorwu.boston.gov, @pressley.house.gov, @whipkclark.bsky.social, @repmcgovern.bsky.social, and @trahan.house.gov.
A message from my office, @markey.senate.gov, @massgovernor.bsky.social, @mayorwu.boston.gov, @pressley.house.gov, @whipkclark.bsky.social, @repmcgovern.bsky.social, and @trahan.house.gov.
February 11, 2026 at 5:22 PM
Worth noting that over and over in the police body cam footage that has been shown at trial the last two days and in their own testimonies, they directly contradict this video that was released by several elected officials over the weekend in anticipation of increased ICE activity.
Worth noting that by the admission of multiple officers on the stand, the duty that they were there doing was one the city has expressly prohibited them from doing.
Judge talking about interfering with a police officer charge.
Commonwealth must prove McGuirk was engaged in lawful performance of duties, that Haxhiaj acted to hinder the duty or made a threat, that Haxhiaj knew McGuirk was in performance of duties, that Haxhiaj intended to hinder the duty.
Commonwealth must prove McGuirk was engaged in lawful performance of duties, that Haxhiaj acted to hinder the duty or made a threat, that Haxhiaj knew McGuirk was in performance of duties, that Haxhiaj intended to hinder the duty.
February 11, 2026 at 5:15 PM
Worth noting that by the admission of multiple officers on the stand, the duty that they were there doing was one the city has expressly prohibited them from doing.
Reposted by Dr. Cara Berg Powers
Gagne's closing argument starts here. Apparently, he's going with the "all sensible people agree" framing, tacitly reading the jurors into the elevated circle of "sensible people".
Gagne starts his closing argument. He moves the TV away. Guess he doesn't think video will help his case.
"Nobody is above the law."
"Nobody is above the law."
February 11, 2026 at 5:11 PM
Gagne's closing argument starts here. Apparently, he's going with the "all sensible people agree" framing, tacitly reading the jurors into the elevated circle of "sensible people".
Reposted by Dr. Cara Berg Powers
This is in Burlington, Massachusetts
Concentration camps: stories of as many as 50 people to a cell — men and women in some cases — with no windows and limited airflow, a single camera-monitored toilet, aluminum blankets, no showers and poor quality food.
ICE detainees from Maine being held under ‘inhumane’ conditions in Mass. facility, attorneys say
An Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesperson said the allegations of overcrowding and lack of access to lawyers are false.
www.pressherald.com
February 7, 2026 at 3:36 PM
This is in Burlington, Massachusetts
This is important because this is actually a very tall order to fill- "that it was likely to cause harm or was offensive" is a burden that they've not even remotely established. It's not even clear they've established intent.
Judge is talking about assault and battery on a public employee charge. Commonwealth most prove Haxhiaj touched McGuirk, touching was intentional, that it was likely to cause harm or was offensive, that Haxhiaj knew McGuirk was a public employee, that McGuirk was in the performance of her duties.
February 11, 2026 at 5:10 PM
This is important because this is actually a very tall order to fill- "that it was likely to cause harm or was offensive" is a burden that they've not even remotely established. It's not even clear they've established intent.
Reposted by Dr. Cara Berg Powers
Halloran says McGuirk claimed she used "escort position" on Haxhiaj but she didn't. She grabbed both of Haxhiaj by both shoulders and threw her to the side. She didn't want to admit it on the stand because it's excessive force.
February 11, 2026 at 4:26 PM
Halloran says McGuirk claimed she used "escort position" on Haxhiaj but she didn't. She grabbed both of Haxhiaj by both shoulders and threw her to the side. She didn't want to admit it on the stand because it's excessive force.
Wow, that's quite a characterization. And honestly, the video supports it.
Halloran says McGuirk ran toward young girl because she wanted to get in on the action. She put the young girl in handcuffs. The young girl was screaming.
Only four police officers used physical force that day, including McGuirk. Other officers managed to speak with people without using force.
Only four police officers used physical force that day, including McGuirk. Other officers managed to speak with people without using force.
February 11, 2026 at 4:29 PM
Wow, that's quite a characterization. And honestly, the video supports it.
Yesterday too
McGuirk is in plainclothes but has her badge and gun on her side.
February 11, 2026 at 4:27 PM
Yesterday too
Reposted by Dr. Cara Berg Powers
🚨 Please help
My child is critically injured and fighting for his life after Israeli drone attacks in Gaza. He urgently needs medical care outside Gaza to survive. A donation or even a share can save him.
Please don’t look away — donate or share this appeal.
chuffed.org/project/168482
My child is critically injured and fighting for his life after Israeli drone attacks in Gaza. He urgently needs medical care outside Gaza to survive. A donation or even a share can save him.
Please don’t look away — donate or share this appeal.
chuffed.org/project/168482
February 10, 2026 at 8:39 PM
🚨 Please help
My child is critically injured and fighting for his life after Israeli drone attacks in Gaza. He urgently needs medical care outside Gaza to survive. A donation or even a share can save him.
Please don’t look away — donate or share this appeal.
chuffed.org/project/168482
My child is critically injured and fighting for his life after Israeli drone attacks in Gaza. He urgently needs medical care outside Gaza to survive. A donation or even a share can save him.
Please don’t look away — donate or share this appeal.
chuffed.org/project/168482
Reposted by Dr. Cara Berg Powers
Jayapal: To the survivors in the room, if you are willing, please stand. And if you are willing, please raise your hands. If you have still not been able to meet with this DOJ. Please note for the record that every single survivor has raised their hand.
February 11, 2026 at 3:45 PM
Jayapal: To the survivors in the room, if you are willing, please stand. And if you are willing, please raise your hands. If you have still not been able to meet with this DOJ. Please note for the record that every single survivor has raised their hand.
I mean, listen, if you want to establish mindset...
Haxhiaj says prior to incident, she was working with city to address the DOJ report about civil rights violations by Worcester PD.
Gagne the objects. Judge calls sidebar.
Gagne the objects. Judge calls sidebar.
February 11, 2026 at 3:51 PM
I mean, listen, if you want to establish mindset...
If you were wondering who the prosecution is representing right now (it's supposed to be the public, of course), just look at the Facebook comment masquerading here as a line of questioning.
Gagne plays video. Asks Haxhiaj whether she was elected to get into "scrums" with federal agents. She says she was elected to protect her constituents.
She says she's not allowed to break the law and didn't do so.
She says she's not allowed to break the law and didn't do so.
February 11, 2026 at 3:50 PM
If you were wondering who the prosecution is representing right now (it's supposed to be the public, of course), just look at the Facebook comment masquerading here as a line of questioning.
Reposted by Dr. Cara Berg Powers
the sort of information environment where you wish the FAA was not run by a contestant on the Real World, the Department of Defense by a Fox and Friends drunk, and DHS by Corey Lewandowski
February 11, 2026 at 1:38 PM
the sort of information environment where you wish the FAA was not run by a contestant on the Real World, the Department of Defense by a Fox and Friends drunk, and DHS by Corey Lewandowski
Honestly if not for my Adderall prescription and the occasional bottle of wine, I'd rarely excavate my license from my wallet.
like americans actually do not spend much time at all showing ID. i might be asked for mine *maybe* once every other week or so, and that’s because i travel by plane a lot for work
February 11, 2026 at 2:30 PM
Honestly if not for my Adderall prescription and the occasional bottle of wine, I'd rarely excavate my license from my wallet.
Reposted by Dr. Cara Berg Powers
in fact you do not have to show your ID when you board a train in the united states, you only need to show your ticket (which can be purchased without an ID)
Markwayne Mullin defends "show me your papers": "If you're here legally, there's nothing to hide. Most people already are walking around with a government-issued ID, meaning your Real ID or your driver's license. If you go board a train here, you gotta show your ID."
February 11, 2026 at 1:59 PM
in fact you do not have to show your ID when you board a train in the united states, you only need to show your ticket (which can be purchased without an ID)
Reposted by Dr. Cara Berg Powers
I'm at #Worcester District Court for the second day of @etelhaxhiaj.bsky.social's trial. Haxhiaj says she will be taking the stand in her own defense today.
I will be taking the stand this morning. Our community was and always will be on the right side of history and on the right side of love.
Thank you to everyone who packed the court yesterday.
Thank you to everyone who packed the court yesterday.
At #Worcester District Court for the trial of @etelhaxhiaj.bsky.social. Huge crowd here.
February 11, 2026 at 2:06 PM
I'm at #Worcester District Court for the second day of @etelhaxhiaj.bsky.social's trial. Haxhiaj says she will be taking the stand in her own defense today.
About the same as Boston. Almost exactly.
I used to live in El Paso (which gives me zero insight into this) but I want to make a basic point because most US Americans have never been there: this is a large city of almost 700,000 people. It’s in the top 25 for the country. More than twice Pittsburgh and more than Milwaukee, for example
here is our el paso airspace closure coverage and yes, we are as confused as you are (free link) www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
February 11, 2026 at 1:41 PM
About the same as Boston. Almost exactly.
Reposted by Dr. Cara Berg Powers
I used to live in El Paso (which gives me zero insight into this) but I want to make a basic point because most US Americans have never been there: this is a large city of almost 700,000 people. It’s in the top 25 for the country. More than twice Pittsburgh and more than Milwaukee, for example
here is our el paso airspace closure coverage and yes, we are as confused as you are (free link) www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
FAA Closes Airspace at El Paso for ‘Special Security Reasons’
The US Federal Aviation Administration closed the airspace around the border city of El Paso, Texas, for 10 days, in an unusual move that authorities put down to unspecified “special security reasons....
www.bloomberg.com
February 11, 2026 at 1:16 PM
I used to live in El Paso (which gives me zero insight into this) but I want to make a basic point because most US Americans have never been there: this is a large city of almost 700,000 people. It’s in the top 25 for the country. More than twice Pittsburgh and more than Milwaukee, for example
Reposted by Dr. Cara Berg Powers
CNN aviation reporter
February 11, 2026 at 1:26 PM
CNN aviation reporter
Anyone else with ADHD walk into a room and suddenly turn into mime? Trying to remember why you walked in, you're walking into imaginary walls, stopping mid thought and rapidly redirecting, opening random drawers and cabinets, making overwrought facial expressions...
February 11, 2026 at 1:38 PM
Anyone else with ADHD walk into a room and suddenly turn into mime? Trying to remember why you walked in, you're walking into imaginary walls, stopping mid thought and rapidly redirecting, opening random drawers and cabinets, making overwrought facial expressions...
Children have rights. Parents have a responsibility to safeguard and support those rights.
John James needs to go away. Undermining public schools, interfering in the educational instruction of other people's kids, making it easier for right wingers to control their children as they develop into young adults ... that's what he means by parent's bill of rights.
In bid for governor, John James proposes ‘bill of rights’ for Michigan parents - Bridge Michigan
In a new 'bill of rights' for Michigan parents, GOP gubernatorial candidate John James proposes opting into a private school choice program and limiting transgender athletes.
search.app
February 11, 2026 at 1:28 PM
Children have rights. Parents have a responsibility to safeguard and support those rights.
February 11, 2026 at 1:26 PM
Reposted by Dr. Cara Berg Powers
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February 11, 2026 at 12:53 PM
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