Kevin Gosztola
@kgosztola.bsky.social
1.5K followers 170 following 300 posts
Journalist. Editor of The Dissenter Newsletter which covers press freedom, whistleblowing, and government secrecy (https://thedissenter.org)
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Reposted by Kevin Gosztola
jimdaleywrites.bsky.social
The WGN producer was released with no charges, per the outlet wgntv.com/news/operati...
Reposted by Kevin Gosztola
Reposted by Kevin Gosztola
peoplesfabric.com
Based on all the social media reports, today may have been the busiest Friday for ICE activity that we’ve seen since this surge started.

With hundreds of police now protecting ICE’s facility for them, presumably ICE is able to deploy more agents to snatch people.
kgosztola.bsky.social
U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis issued a temporary restraining order to prevent attacks by federal agents on journalists or non-violent protesters. Ellis also instructed agents to wear “visible identification” on their uniforms or helmets.

More: thedissenter.org/judge-bars-i...
US Judge Bars Attacks By ICE On Journalists And Protesters
In Chicago, U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis issued a temporary restraining order to protect journalists and protesters from attacks by federal agents.
thedissenter.org
Reposted by Kevin Gosztola
mulchy.bsky.social
from the inbox:

masked federal agents yesterday evening dragged a person out of their car and tackled them in the street outside uic.

a handful of other agents looked on, at least one carrying an apparent rifle.

at the end of the clip, the person can be heard screaming, “help! help me! help!”
Reposted by Kevin Gosztola
seth-stern.bsky.social
It's great that this TRO will issue. The lawyers and plaintiffs deserve tons of credit for making this happen.

But why is Judge Ellis walking back the position of the DOJ and at least one federal appellate court that journalists can't be dispersed at protests?
Reposted by Kevin Gosztola
Reposted by Kevin Gosztola
djbyrnes1.bsky.social
The judge finds that because "defendants' conduct likely violates the First Amendnent," factors weigh in favor of entering a restraining order against them.

She will not limit the order to the Broadview facility, but will limit it to the northern (court) district of Illinois.
Reposted by Kevin Gosztola
jgo4justice.bsky.social
Because I cannot stand even one more pandering LinkedIn message mistaking @freepress.bsky.social for THE Free Press and/or me for CBS sellout Bari Weiss, please read this piece by @timkarr.bsky.social explaining what our Free Press stands for - and against. www.freepress.net/blog/this-fr...
What's in a Name: This Free Press Isn't 'The' Free Press
While Bari Weiss borrowed our name, our two organizations could not be more different. Here’s why.
www.freepress.net
Reposted by Kevin Gosztola
couriernewsroom.bsky.social
"With local news in a severe tailspin for decades, there was a real question about whether Chicago’s media would meet the moment. But they have indeed," writes @markjacob.bsky.social in Stop The Presses.
The press steps up as Trump targets Chicago
Local journalism is under siege, but still makes itself indispensable
www.stopthepresses.news
kgosztola.bsky.social
"Federal [ICE] agents have responded with a pattern of extreme brutality in a concerted and ongoing effort to silence the press and civilians," according to a lawsuit filed by journalists, media organizations, clergy, and citizens in the Chicagoland area
Lawsuit Against ICE's Brutality Against Press, Protesters
In Chicago, media organizations, journalists, clergy, and citizens sued Trump officials for violating their rights outside Broadview ICE facility
thedissenter.org
Reposted by Kevin Gosztola
freedom.press
Proud to partner with @theintercept.com on this article by Jeremy Busby of @joinjeremy.org.

Jamming cell phones in prisons isn't about crime, it's to stop incarcerated people from exposing abuses, like those shown in HBO's upcoming documentary The Alabama Solution.
The Latest FCC Censorship Push No One Is Talking About Targets Incarcerated People
Brendan Carr is advancing a plan to choke communications for people who use cellphones to expose abuses in prison.
theintercept.com
Reposted by Kevin Gosztola
Reposted by Kevin Gosztola
laurenleharper.bsky.social
"No more anonymous complaints" is a threat to whistleblowers and the public who relies on them to know when abuses are being committed.

Without whistleblowers (and the journalists who help tell their stories) we wouldn't know about botched Afghanistan withdrawal, Abu Ghraib, and much more.
Live updates: Trump defends using troops to police U.S. cities in address to military leaders
The gathering, at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia, was ordered by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and required some officers to fly thousands of miles.
www.washingtonpost.com
Reposted by Kevin Gosztola
peoplesfabric.com
Based on the latest reporting about the Border Patrol shooting in Brighton Park this morning:

A Chicago woman was shot by CBP and is in fair condition.

DHS claims CBP vehicles were rammed & boxed in. Other parties involved say CBP’s vehicle hit a car, possibly crashing that car into another.
Reposted by Kevin Gosztola
thetriibe.com
Lots of questions about living conditions in South Shore following the federal agents militarized raid earlier this week.

This piece provides some historical context and framing around how Venezuelans landed in the predominantly-Black Chicago neighborhood.

thetriibe.com/2025/04/some...
Some see housing stock and affordability as underlying reasons why migrants landed in Black Chicago neighborhoods • The TRiiBE
As three Black neighborhoods were at the top for permanent migrant housing, residents are looking for all forms of government to put their communities first
thetriibe.com
Reposted by Kevin Gosztola
unraveledpress.com
At the Broadview, IL ICE detention center—

IL state troopers are already pushing non-violent demonstrators out of the street and away from the ICE facility. One arrest so far.
kgosztola.bsky.social
Deported for journalism. A denial of due process and violation of First Amendment rights.

What happened to Mario Guevara sets a chilling precedent that any member of the press, who wasn’t born in the US, could be detained and removed by the Trump administration.
US Deports Mario Guevara For Engaging In Journalism
President Trump's administration deported journalist Mario Guevara to El Salvador after holding him in ICE detention for more than 100 days
thedissenter.org
Reposted by Kevin Gosztola
thexylom.com
BREAKING: Mario Guevara has reunited with family members and media colleagues after being deported to Olocuilta, El Salvador.

"GOD IS GOOD FRIENDS, Ready to continue working double time from my land, that's what my God wanted. Thank you very much to ALL," he wrote in Spanish on his Facebook page.
Six journalists stand on the sidewalk Mario Guevara enjoying an orange Fanta and pupusas
Reposted by Kevin Gosztola
aaroncynic.bsky.social
Today so far feds in Chicagoland have:

Attacked & arrested protesters at the Broadview detention center w/the help of the ISP other agencies

Tear gassed a street in Logan Square that has a grocery store & elementary school on it, among other things

Violently handcuffed an Alderperson

It's 3pm
Reposted by Kevin Gosztola
peoplesfabric.com
Witness video shows federal agents throwing tear gas canisters in the middle of Armitage Ave today as they appear to be blocked in and heckled by angry neighbors.

This is around the 3500 block of West Armitage.
Reposted by Kevin Gosztola
aforhj.org
“It’s a pure attempt to intimidate and silence, and that’s the impression that they’re trying to create and the feeling that they’re trying to instill in federal workers”