Rattling the Bars
@rattlingthebars.bsky.social
Rattling the Bars is a web series about prisoners' rights on TRNN and hosted by former political prisoner turned reporter Mansa Musa, who spent decades in the US carceral system organizing for liberation.
🏠 therealnews.com
📺 youtube.com/@therealnews
🏠 therealnews.com
📺 youtube.com/@therealnews
Reposted by Rattling the Bars
No, this isn't rage bait. 2025 is wrapping up, and the U.S. is still a leader in mass incarceration.
The data is clear: The U.S. criminal legal system is out of step with the rest of the world. It's time to end the failed experiment of mass incarceration, once and for all.
The data is clear: The U.S. criminal legal system is out of step with the rest of the world. It's time to end the failed experiment of mass incarceration, once and for all.
December 4, 2025 at 3:45 PM
No, this isn't rage bait. 2025 is wrapping up, and the U.S. is still a leader in mass incarceration.
The data is clear: The U.S. criminal legal system is out of step with the rest of the world. It's time to end the failed experiment of mass incarceration, once and for all.
The data is clear: The U.S. criminal legal system is out of step with the rest of the world. It's time to end the failed experiment of mass incarceration, once and for all.
Reposted by Rattling the Bars
We speak with organizers on the ground in Charlotte, NC, and Chicago, IL, about what to do when ICE invades your town.
How to stand up to ICE: Lessons from Chicago and Charlotte
We speak with organizers on the ground in Charlotte, NC, and Chicago, IL, about what to do when ICE invades your town.
therealnews.com
December 3, 2025 at 5:00 PM
We speak with organizers on the ground in Charlotte, NC, and Chicago, IL, about what to do when ICE invades your town.
Reposted by Rattling the Bars
There is a movement to stop a prison in Arkansas.
“… We can be better served with the money that we're trying to allocate to this prison by putting (it into) educational programs, mental health programs, wraparound services for individuals who (are) coming home (from prison)."
“… We can be better served with the money that we're trying to allocate to this prison by putting (it into) educational programs, mental health programs, wraparound services for individuals who (are) coming home (from prison)."
Nonprofit plans campaign against proposed Franklin County prison | Arkansas Democrat Gazette
In a small room at the headquarters of the nonprofit decARcerate on Sunday, a group of almost 20 people, led by Kaleem Nazeem, began planning for a fight to win hearts and minds.
www.arkansasonline.com
November 29, 2025 at 5:16 PM
There is a movement to stop a prison in Arkansas.
“… We can be better served with the money that we're trying to allocate to this prison by putting (it into) educational programs, mental health programs, wraparound services for individuals who (are) coming home (from prison)."
“… We can be better served with the money that we're trying to allocate to this prison by putting (it into) educational programs, mental health programs, wraparound services for individuals who (are) coming home (from prison)."
Reposted by Rattling the Bars
As we enter this season of thankfulness and gratitude, we thank you for being a part of our community. As a team, we fight for the dignity, freedom, and autonomy of those targeted and touched by the criminal legal system and for an end to mass incarceration.
December 2, 2025 at 5:04 PM
As we enter this season of thankfulness and gratitude, we thank you for being a part of our community. As a team, we fight for the dignity, freedom, and autonomy of those targeted and touched by the criminal legal system and for an end to mass incarceration.
Reposted by Rattling the Bars
Each year I give to ~15 media outlets; most are based in NYC or NYS, but my list also always includes @therealnews.com.
@maximillianalvarez.bsky.social consistently makes his story subjects the protagonists of their struggles; I want more of that.
@maximillianalvarez.bsky.social consistently makes his story subjects the protagonists of their struggles; I want more of that.
December 1, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Each year I give to ~15 media outlets; most are based in NYC or NYS, but my list also always includes @therealnews.com.
@maximillianalvarez.bsky.social consistently makes his story subjects the protagonists of their struggles; I want more of that.
@maximillianalvarez.bsky.social consistently makes his story subjects the protagonists of their struggles; I want more of that.
Reposted by Rattling the Bars
Rigorous, principled, independent journalism is an essential part of movement building.
The Right funds its media. Can progressive philanthropy meet the moment?
Rigorous, principled, independent journalism is an essential part of movement building.
therealnews.com
November 20, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Rigorous, principled, independent journalism is an essential part of movement building.
Reposted by Rattling the Bars
Please participate! We are excited to feature your contribution in 2026.
@librariesftp.bsky.social is inviting folks to send a photo + 100 words about what your local library means to you and your community. We'll feature them every month in our newsletter. Submit: tinyurl.com/b44bfx23
I wrote about @slcpl.bsky.social for this month's newsletter! tinyurl.com/2rac688x
I wrote about @slcpl.bsky.social for this month's newsletter! tinyurl.com/2rac688x
For The People Newsletter Vol. XXXIV
For everyone working to strengthen and expand public libraries
tinyurl.com
December 1, 2025 at 9:47 PM
Please participate! We are excited to feature your contribution in 2026.
Reposted by Rattling the Bars
“My own government is forcing me to subsidize the mass murder of children. I don’t want that, & I don’t think Americans do either.”
In this Q&A, Dr. Feroze Sidhwa discussed his second medical mission at the Nasser Medical Complex where the Israeli military used US-made weapons to bomb the hospital.
In this Q&A, Dr. Feroze Sidhwa discussed his second medical mission at the Nasser Medical Complex where the Israeli military used US-made weapons to bomb the hospital.
U.S. is forcing Americans to ‘subsidize the mass murder of children’ in Gaza
In part two of a Q&A with Prism, Dr. Feroze Sidhwa discussed his second medical mission in Khan Younis at the Nasser Medical Complex
prismreports.org
December 1, 2025 at 8:15 PM
“My own government is forcing me to subsidize the mass murder of children. I don’t want that, & I don’t think Americans do either.”
In this Q&A, Dr. Feroze Sidhwa discussed his second medical mission at the Nasser Medical Complex where the Israeli military used US-made weapons to bomb the hospital.
In this Q&A, Dr. Feroze Sidhwa discussed his second medical mission at the Nasser Medical Complex where the Israeli military used US-made weapons to bomb the hospital.
Reposted by Rattling the Bars
“Our neighbors are disappearing without a trace,” Kori Skillman reports at @baltimorebeat.bsky.social.
‘An accountability vacuum’: How Baltimore is enabling ICE’s lawlessness
“Our neighbors are disappearing without a trace,” Kori Skillman reports at Baltimore Beat.
therealnews.com
December 1, 2025 at 8:20 PM
“Our neighbors are disappearing without a trace,” Kori Skillman reports at @baltimorebeat.bsky.social.
Reposted by Rattling the Bars
“Historically, temp workers and prison labor… [have] been used to bust union strikes,” Katherine Passley of Beyond the Bars says. “Well, what would it look like if we were to bring those people into the union so that they can’t bust these union efforts?”
How prisons and temp agencies exploit the most vulnerable workers
“Historically, temp workers and prison labor… [have] been used to bust union strikes,” Katherine Passley of Beyond the Bars says. “Well, what would it look like if we were to bring those people into t...
therealnews.com
December 1, 2025 at 5:29 PM
“Historically, temp workers and prison labor… [have] been used to bust union strikes,” Katherine Passley of Beyond the Bars says. “Well, what would it look like if we were to bring those people into the union so that they can’t bust these union efforts?”
To paraphrase formerly incarcerated organizer Sean Wilson: Northern Wisconsin prisons employ mostly white workers, so closures will affect those towns. But Black and Brown communities are harmed by these prisons’ very existence. We don’t start fires to employ firefighters.
tinyurl.com/yc59ejfu
tinyurl.com/yc59ejfu
People are dying inside Wisconsin's '18th-century' prisons
YouTube video by The Real News Network
youtu.be
November 28, 2025 at 3:16 PM
To paraphrase formerly incarcerated organizer Sean Wilson: Northern Wisconsin prisons employ mostly white workers, so closures will affect those towns. But Black and Brown communities are harmed by these prisons’ very existence. We don’t start fires to employ firefighters.
tinyurl.com/yc59ejfu
tinyurl.com/yc59ejfu
Want to hear some real news?
Tune in to the latest episode of Rattling the Bars, where I speak with Sean Wilson, a seasoned organizer from dream.org, about Gov. Tony Evers’ plan to overhaul Wisconsin’s prison system.
@govevers.wisconsin.gov
therealnews.com/green-bay-co...
Tune in to the latest episode of Rattling the Bars, where I speak with Sean Wilson, a seasoned organizer from dream.org, about Gov. Tony Evers’ plan to overhaul Wisconsin’s prison system.
@govevers.wisconsin.gov
therealnews.com/green-bay-co...
Wisconsin moves to modernize prisons—but not fast enough to save lives
“I don't think Wisconsin can afford to drag its feet while people are dying… It is high time for there to be some political urgency around the closure of these prisons and a real, committed goal to re...
therealnews.com
November 24, 2025 at 11:34 PM
Want to hear some real news?
Tune in to the latest episode of Rattling the Bars, where I speak with Sean Wilson, a seasoned organizer from dream.org, about Gov. Tony Evers’ plan to overhaul Wisconsin’s prison system.
@govevers.wisconsin.gov
therealnews.com/green-bay-co...
Tune in to the latest episode of Rattling the Bars, where I speak with Sean Wilson, a seasoned organizer from dream.org, about Gov. Tony Evers’ plan to overhaul Wisconsin’s prison system.
@govevers.wisconsin.gov
therealnews.com/green-bay-co...
Reposted by Rattling the Bars
People are facing down masked men with GUNS in their cul de sacs while wearing sweats and flip flops. USians are in the streets.
November 20, 2025 at 7:34 PM
People are facing down masked men with GUNS in their cul de sacs while wearing sweats and flip flops. USians are in the streets.
Reposted by Rattling the Bars
Call your local hotline number, blow you whistle, if you are able to come out onto the street in support of your neighbors, do it. We can drive ICE out. 🥰👇
Yesterday
ICE was in New Brunswick on Ward Street at 8am. The community called the rapid response number 888-347-3767 ☎️ and the rapid response teams were able to stop the kidnapping. WHEN WE FIGHT, WE WIN.CALL The Rapid Response for Any Immigration Situation 888-347-3767
New Labor
#ICEoutofNJ
ICE was in New Brunswick on Ward Street at 8am. The community called the rapid response number 888-347-3767 ☎️ and the rapid response teams were able to stop the kidnapping. WHEN WE FIGHT, WE WIN.CALL The Rapid Response for Any Immigration Situation 888-347-3767
New Labor
#ICEoutofNJ
November 20, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Call your local hotline number, blow you whistle, if you are able to come out onto the street in support of your neighbors, do it. We can drive ICE out. 🥰👇
Reposted by Rattling the Bars
and a swastika was drawn on his DA file. Read more about his case and most importantly, the innocent man whose freedom we continue to fight for here:
promiseofjustice.org/news/new-hea...
promiseofjustice.org/news/new-hea...
Swastika Found on DA File Introduced into Court, Judge Grants Hearing for PJI Client Incarcerated for 45 Years — The Promise of Justice Initiative
BREAKING NEWS: PJI Client, Lloyd Gray granted new hearing based on evidence presented of racial discrimination in Orleans Criminal Court!
promiseofjustice.org
October 31, 2025 at 4:54 PM
and a swastika was drawn on his DA file. Read more about his case and most importantly, the innocent man whose freedom we continue to fight for here:
promiseofjustice.org/news/new-hea...
promiseofjustice.org/news/new-hea...
Reposted by Rattling the Bars
Yesterday, our dear friend & client, Lloyd Gray was granted a new hearing based on newly discovered evidence of racial discrimination! Lloyd has been incarcerated for the last 45 yrs due to a nonunanimous jury conviction where two of the jurors who found him not guilty were Black...
October 31, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Yesterday, our dear friend & client, Lloyd Gray was granted a new hearing based on newly discovered evidence of racial discrimination! Lloyd has been incarcerated for the last 45 yrs due to a nonunanimous jury conviction where two of the jurors who found him not guilty were Black...
Reposted by Rattling the Bars
a big runoff last night, in New Orleans:
Calvin Duncan was exonerated after spending *28 years* in prison; he tried to get his own case records from the New Orleans city clerk—but the office dragged its feet.
So Duncan ran to become city clerk himself, and yesterday ousted the incumbent.
Calvin Duncan was exonerated after spending *28 years* in prison; he tried to get his own case records from the New Orleans city clerk—but the office dragged its feet.
So Duncan ran to become city clerk himself, and yesterday ousted the incumbent.
Calvin Duncan wins Orleans clerk of court race - Verite News New Orleans
Duncan, a political newcomer and former prisoner, defeated incumbent Darren Lombard by a wide margin in Saturday's runoff.
veritenews.org
November 16, 2025 at 4:09 PM
a big runoff last night, in New Orleans:
Calvin Duncan was exonerated after spending *28 years* in prison; he tried to get his own case records from the New Orleans city clerk—but the office dragged its feet.
So Duncan ran to become city clerk himself, and yesterday ousted the incumbent.
Calvin Duncan was exonerated after spending *28 years* in prison; he tried to get his own case records from the New Orleans city clerk—but the office dragged its feet.
So Duncan ran to become city clerk himself, and yesterday ousted the incumbent.
Reposted by Rattling the Bars
Federal funding cuts go deeper than erasing Black history; they suppress the voices of those who share and protect Black stories, which puts the future of Black history at risk. baltimorebeat.com/the-importan...
November 20, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Federal funding cuts go deeper than erasing Black history; they suppress the voices of those who share and protect Black stories, which puts the future of Black history at risk. baltimorebeat.com/the-importan...
Reposted by Rattling the Bars
"U.S.-backed wars—both proxy and otherwise—lead to environmental damage that destabilizes whole populations and regions. The U.S. military is the largest institutional emitter of fossil fuels in the world, at about 1.2 billion metric tons from 2001 through 2018.”
prismreports.org/2023/11/28/c...
prismreports.org/2023/11/28/c...
COP28 must address militarization
As the earth approaches climate tipping points, world leaders must consider the world’s largest institutional emitter of fossil fuels: the U.S. military
prismreports.org
November 20, 2025 at 12:23 PM
"U.S.-backed wars—both proxy and otherwise—lead to environmental damage that destabilizes whole populations and regions. The U.S. military is the largest institutional emitter of fossil fuels in the world, at about 1.2 billion metric tons from 2001 through 2018.”
prismreports.org/2023/11/28/c...
prismreports.org/2023/11/28/c...
Reposted by Rattling the Bars
"No COP discussion or agreement has ever suggested addressing root causes of climate change and ecological destruction—colonialism, imperialism—through demilitarization."
ray levy uyeda wrote this for @prismreports.org in 2023 and it's even more relevant for COP30
prismreports.org/2023/11/28/c...
ray levy uyeda wrote this for @prismreports.org in 2023 and it's even more relevant for COP30
prismreports.org/2023/11/28/c...
COP28 must address militarization
As the earth approaches climate tipping points, world leaders must consider the world’s largest institutional emitter of fossil fuels: the U.S. military
prismreports.org
November 20, 2025 at 12:22 PM
"No COP discussion or agreement has ever suggested addressing root causes of climate change and ecological destruction—colonialism, imperialism—through demilitarization."
ray levy uyeda wrote this for @prismreports.org in 2023 and it's even more relevant for COP30
prismreports.org/2023/11/28/c...
ray levy uyeda wrote this for @prismreports.org in 2023 and it's even more relevant for COP30
prismreports.org/2023/11/28/c...
Reposted by Rattling the Bars
🧵 The elimination of Teen Vogue’s entire political desk and layoffs of their Black, brown, trans, and queer workers is part of a devastating mainstream media landscape.
prismreports.org/2025/11/19/p...
prismreports.org/2025/11/19/p...
Progressive philanthropy needs to commit to funding journalism
Marginalized voices are facing new pressures amid industry cutbacks and increasing attacks from the Trump administration
prismreports.org
November 19, 2025 at 7:29 PM
🧵 The elimination of Teen Vogue’s entire political desk and layoffs of their Black, brown, trans, and queer workers is part of a devastating mainstream media landscape.
prismreports.org/2025/11/19/p...
prismreports.org/2025/11/19/p...
Reposted by Rattling the Bars
November 20 is Black Consciousness Day in #Brazil. A day celebrating the struggle of Black groups, communities & movs & celebrating Brazil’s most historic Black leader, #Zumbi dos Palmares. Latest episode #StoriesOfResistance @undertheshadow.bsky.social #ConcienciaNegra
Zumbi dos Palmares: Brazil's hero of Black resistance
Zumbi dos Palmares was the leader of the great Palmares Quilombo, in colonial Brazil. He was killed by Portuguese forces on Nov. 20, 1695, after years of struggle. He is Brazil’s greatest hero of Blac...
therealnews.com
November 20, 2025 at 11:01 PM
November 20 is Black Consciousness Day in #Brazil. A day celebrating the struggle of Black groups, communities & movs & celebrating Brazil’s most historic Black leader, #Zumbi dos Palmares. Latest episode #StoriesOfResistance @undertheshadow.bsky.social #ConcienciaNegra
Reposted by Rattling the Bars
Reposted by Rattling the Bars
I don't have words.
Idaho is building a chamber for firing squad executions and this is how the architects and contractors are discussing the project. They're accounting for blood drainage and blown out eardrums, but not asking, "why are we doing this?"
Who are the monsters now?
Idaho is building a chamber for firing squad executions and this is how the architects and contractors are discussing the project. They're accounting for blood drainage and blown out eardrums, but not asking, "why are we doing this?"
Who are the monsters now?
TAKE ACTION! Elevatus Architecture and Okland Construction have been contracted by Idaho to design a new firing squad execution chamber. Help us demand they withdraw from this contract to stop this before it’s built. THREAD
November 19, 2025 at 9:33 PM
I don't have words.
Idaho is building a chamber for firing squad executions and this is how the architects and contractors are discussing the project. They're accounting for blood drainage and blown out eardrums, but not asking, "why are we doing this?"
Who are the monsters now?
Idaho is building a chamber for firing squad executions and this is how the architects and contractors are discussing the project. They're accounting for blood drainage and blown out eardrums, but not asking, "why are we doing this?"
Who are the monsters now?
Reposted by Rattling the Bars
This year’s COP30 conference has more fossil fuel lobbyists in attendance than any previous conference, but it has also drawn the biggest delegation of Indigenous peoples from around the world—each group representing competing visions for addressing the climate crisis.
At COP30, humanity must choose: Fossil fuel industry profits or a livable planet?
“The presence of lobbyists and other representatives from the fossil fuel industry… is a huge problem, obviously, for the COP process,” Dharna Noor says. “The idea that these companies that have their...
therealnews.com
November 19, 2025 at 6:35 PM
This year’s COP30 conference has more fossil fuel lobbyists in attendance than any previous conference, but it has also drawn the biggest delegation of Indigenous peoples from around the world—each group representing competing visions for addressing the climate crisis.