Sarah Milstein
@sarahmilstein.com
Writing a romance novel(?!). Better known for: tech leaderizing, dog loving, nap taking, vegetable cooking, needlepoint doing
Pinned
Sarah Milstein
@sarahmilstein.com
· Jan 20
This is a hard era. But I'm buoyed today by the lessons so many emphasize:
* Picking a lane and working in community is how we make a difference
* Joy is vital, art is critical
* It's unhelpful to be aware of and outraged by every horrible thing
Sometimes, we'll despair. But these truths will help
* Picking a lane and working in community is how we make a difference
* Joy is vital, art is critical
* It's unhelpful to be aware of and outraged by every horrible thing
Sometimes, we'll despair. But these truths will help
Reposted by Sarah Milstein
“I’ve mentioned before that concentration camp regimes in their early stages often make use of large open infrastructure to convert into detention spaces. Dachau was converted from a shuttered factory into a concentration camp in 1933.”
When I got the contract to write a history of concentration camps in 2014, I hoped to keep the US from ending up here. That didn't work out! But now it's critical to understand how much is already in process and the enormity of what's coming. The sooner we act to stop it, the more people we'll save.
Building the camps
The warehouseification of detention and initial thoughts on stopping it.
degenerateart.beehiiv.com
February 11, 2026 at 2:49 AM
“I’ve mentioned before that concentration camp regimes in their early stages often make use of large open infrastructure to convert into detention spaces. Dachau was converted from a shuttered factory into a concentration camp in 1933.”
Reposted by Sarah Milstein
THEY ARE BUYING UP WAREHOUSES TO HOLD HUMAN BEINGS IN DETENTION INDEFINITELY.
I feel crazy at how everyone is acting like this is normal. These are concentration camps being built right before our eyes. These buildings are not meant to house human beings. People will be caged like cattle and die.
I feel crazy at how everyone is acting like this is normal. These are concentration camps being built right before our eyes. These buildings are not meant to house human beings. People will be caged like cattle and die.
February 10, 2026 at 11:19 PM
THEY ARE BUYING UP WAREHOUSES TO HOLD HUMAN BEINGS IN DETENTION INDEFINITELY.
I feel crazy at how everyone is acting like this is normal. These are concentration camps being built right before our eyes. These buildings are not meant to house human beings. People will be caged like cattle and die.
I feel crazy at how everyone is acting like this is normal. These are concentration camps being built right before our eyes. These buildings are not meant to house human beings. People will be caged like cattle and die.
Reposted by Sarah Milstein
Hey, look nothing has changed in 15 days except Alex Pretti’s death is “under investigation” by DOJ.
As of right now, ICE is fully funded, Renee Good’s death remains without an investigation, Alex Pretti’s death is under investigation by DHS(?), Kristi Noem has not been impeached, and as of right now, ICE is still in Minnesota. Keep pushing, folks.
The killing of Alex Pretti and the grotesque lying was an overreach by the administration. They've paid a price and had to pull back a bit. But it's when there's some disarray that the democratic opposition needs to intensify the offensive, and turn a marginal tactical success into a major victory.
February 11, 2026 at 3:40 AM
Hey, look nothing has changed in 15 days except Alex Pretti’s death is “under investigation” by DOJ.
Reposted by Sarah Milstein
Friends from Minneapolis reporting to me that things are at the point where folks are being hidden in other people's houses and we are in the "again" part of "never again" which the "never" was supposed to preclude
February 10, 2026 at 10:54 PM
Friends from Minneapolis reporting to me that things are at the point where folks are being hidden in other people's houses and we are in the "again" part of "never again" which the "never" was supposed to preclude
Reposted by Sarah Milstein
Notice how the popular media narrative has moved on, while people on the ground in Minneapolis are still struggling and crying out that things are as bad as ever. This is how fascist regimes operate — overreach, recalibration, normalization. Get louder, not quieter.
February 11, 2026 at 3:54 AM
Notice how the popular media narrative has moved on, while people on the ground in Minneapolis are still struggling and crying out that things are as bad as ever. This is how fascist regimes operate — overreach, recalibration, normalization. Get louder, not quieter.
That's a great point--and they've been doing a lot of very good reporting in this era
February 10, 2026 at 9:50 PM
That's a great point--and they've been doing a lot of very good reporting in this era
To his point about community Facebook groups being shockingly effective for finding dogs: Many years ago, our dog escaped from a Rover boarding situation in MT while we were in CA. We called the local cops, who said they couldn't help but check the town's lost-pet FB page. She was already listed
February 10, 2026 at 8:29 PM
To his point about community Facebook groups being shockingly effective for finding dogs: Many years ago, our dog escaped from a Rover boarding situation in MT while we were in CA. We called the local cops, who said they couldn't help but check the town's lost-pet FB page. She was already listed
! @weratedogs.com com goes beyond what you've already heard about the Ring Cam ads and includes excellent reporting about ICE and, less surprisingly, about finding lost dogs
February 10, 2026 at 8:25 PM
! @weratedogs.com com goes beyond what you've already heard about the Ring Cam ads and includes excellent reporting about ICE and, less surprisingly, about finding lost dogs
Mamdani has named Lisa Gelobter as the city's new CTO, a great choice on many levels. She cares about the city and about New Yorkers, she has strong technical chops *and* a strong focus on equity, and she knows how to get things done
If you don't know her, fix that: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisa_Ge...
If you don't know her, fix that: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisa_Ge...
Lisa Gelobter - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
February 10, 2026 at 7:21 PM
Mamdani has named Lisa Gelobter as the city's new CTO, a great choice on many levels. She cares about the city and about New Yorkers, she has strong technical chops *and* a strong focus on equity, and she knows how to get things done
If you don't know her, fix that: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisa_Ge...
If you don't know her, fix that: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisa_Ge...
Reposted by Sarah Milstein
i urgently need a lawyer/group of lawyers who can write up a risk assessment for people of various citizenship/visa/asylum statuses to get on a plane home to minnesota from detention
February 10, 2026 at 3:33 PM
i urgently need a lawyer/group of lawyers who can write up a risk assessment for people of various citizenship/visa/asylum statuses to get on a plane home to minnesota from detention
Reposted by Sarah Milstein
South Carolina Republicans are trying to hide the fact that they're pushing legislation to test the water for abortion pills.
From today's newsletter:
jessica.substack.com/p/gavin-news...
From today's newsletter:
jessica.substack.com/p/gavin-news...
February 10, 2026 at 4:05 PM
South Carolina Republicans are trying to hide the fact that they're pushing legislation to test the water for abortion pills.
From today's newsletter:
jessica.substack.com/p/gavin-news...
From today's newsletter:
jessica.substack.com/p/gavin-news...
Reposted by Sarah Milstein
Another classic post-Homan day where around school dismissal time we get a flurry of ICE vehicles all across our neighborhoods. Today one vehicle led an observer to their own home and pointed at it. This is a sick game to them, but we won’t be intimidated and we won’t stop until DHS is abolished.
February 9, 2026 at 11:20 PM
Another classic post-Homan day where around school dismissal time we get a flurry of ICE vehicles all across our neighborhoods. Today one vehicle led an observer to their own home and pointed at it. This is a sick game to them, but we won’t be intimidated and we won’t stop until DHS is abolished.
Reposted by Sarah Milstein
In the last month ICE has bought warehouses in:
- Hagerstown, MD: $102 million
- Surprise, AZ: $70 million
- Hamburg, PA: $87 million
- Tremont, PA: $120 million
- San Antonio, TX: $82 million
- El Paso, TX: $123 million
- Social Circle, GA: price unknown
This is unprecedented.
- Hagerstown, MD: $102 million
- Surprise, AZ: $70 million
- Hamburg, PA: $87 million
- Tremont, PA: $120 million
- San Antonio, TX: $82 million
- El Paso, TX: $123 million
- Social Circle, GA: price unknown
This is unprecedented.
February 9, 2026 at 6:09 PM
In the last month ICE has bought warehouses in:
- Hagerstown, MD: $102 million
- Surprise, AZ: $70 million
- Hamburg, PA: $87 million
- Tremont, PA: $120 million
- San Antonio, TX: $82 million
- El Paso, TX: $123 million
- Social Circle, GA: price unknown
This is unprecedented.
- Hagerstown, MD: $102 million
- Surprise, AZ: $70 million
- Hamburg, PA: $87 million
- Tremont, PA: $120 million
- San Antonio, TX: $82 million
- El Paso, TX: $123 million
- Social Circle, GA: price unknown
This is unprecedented.
Reposted by Sarah Milstein
Right now Rikers Island, the physically largest jail in the entire United States, is holding under 7,000 people.
ICE's warehouse plans include detention camps which will hold between 8,500-10,000 people in buildings not designed for human habitation.
ICE's warehouse plans include detention camps which will hold between 8,500-10,000 people in buildings not designed for human habitation.
February 9, 2026 at 5:57 PM
Right now Rikers Island, the physically largest jail in the entire United States, is holding under 7,000 people.
ICE's warehouse plans include detention camps which will hold between 8,500-10,000 people in buildings not designed for human habitation.
ICE's warehouse plans include detention camps which will hold between 8,500-10,000 people in buildings not designed for human habitation.
Reposted by Sarah Milstein
ICE has now spent over half a BILLION dollars just on purchasing warehouses around the country to convert into detention camps.
If these mega-camps are utilized to the full capacity ICE intends, they'll be the largest prisons in the country, with little real oversight. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
If these mega-camps are utilized to the full capacity ICE intends, they'll be the largest prisons in the country, with little real oversight. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
ICE to begin detaining immigrants inside Social Circle warehouse in April
Homeland Security plans to build warehouse detention facilities in other cities being met with opposition.
www.ajc.com
February 9, 2026 at 5:56 PM
ICE has now spent over half a BILLION dollars just on purchasing warehouses around the country to convert into detention camps.
If these mega-camps are utilized to the full capacity ICE intends, they'll be the largest prisons in the country, with little real oversight. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
If these mega-camps are utilized to the full capacity ICE intends, they'll be the largest prisons in the country, with little real oversight. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
For a great listen on why how centrism works in US media--and why it's a problem, this convo between @volts.wtf and @michaelhobbes.bsky.social is illuminating:
www.volts.wtf/p/all-about-...
www.volts.wtf/p/all-about-...
All about "reactionary centrism"
Michael Hobbes joins me to diagnose the pundit class's obsession with scolding the left while the right burns down the house.
www.volts.wtf
February 9, 2026 at 6:14 PM
For a great listen on why how centrism works in US media--and why it's a problem, this convo between @volts.wtf and @michaelhobbes.bsky.social is illuminating:
www.volts.wtf/p/all-about-...
www.volts.wtf/p/all-about-...
A great read on why centrism is a losing strategy for Dems *in this particular era,* from @adambonica.bsky.social and @jakemgrumbach.bsky.social. Plus illuminating responses, pro and con
www.bostonreview.net/forum/how-no...
(The package prompted me to make a donation to @bostonreview.bsky.social)
www.bostonreview.net/forum/how-no...
(The package prompted me to make a donation to @bostonreview.bsky.social)
How Not to Defeat Authoritarianism
Moderation used to help Democrats win, but its advantages now have been greatly exaggerated.
www.bostonreview.net
February 9, 2026 at 6:08 PM
A great read on why centrism is a losing strategy for Dems *in this particular era,* from @adambonica.bsky.social and @jakemgrumbach.bsky.social. Plus illuminating responses, pro and con
www.bostonreview.net/forum/how-no...
(The package prompted me to make a donation to @bostonreview.bsky.social)
www.bostonreview.net/forum/how-no...
(The package prompted me to make a donation to @bostonreview.bsky.social)
Reposted by Sarah Milstein
Please join me in writing for her release. We know that ICE has stopped medical treatment for detainees. www.cbsnews.com/atlanta/news...
February 9, 2026 at 5:06 PM
Please join me in writing for her release. We know that ICE has stopped medical treatment for detainees. www.cbsnews.com/atlanta/news...
It's incredible to me how many of you know how to find Olympics coverage on tv
February 8, 2026 at 9:40 PM
It's incredible to me how many of you know how to find Olympics coverage on tv
A group of friends and I pooled money this week to cover rent for two MN families. I coordinated our giving w/ @ziibiing.com, and every time I messaged her, I died inside, knowing that she was texting w/hundreds of other people every day
Mutual aid is vital. Systems to sustain it are, too 👇
Mutual aid is vital. Systems to sustain it are, too 👇
Another addition to the website to help us built *systems* and not just have me trying to do everything alone:
If you'd like to adopt a rent that you can either *cover immediately* and fundraise for, or just pay outright, please fill out this form and we will contact you via Signal.
If you'd like to adopt a rent that you can either *cover immediately* and fundraise for, or just pay outright, please fill out this form and we will contact you via Signal.
Adopt A Rent — Stand With Minnesota
Donate your Delta Skymiles to get people home from Texas
www.standwithminnesota.com
February 8, 2026 at 8:54 PM
A group of friends and I pooled money this week to cover rent for two MN families. I coordinated our giving w/ @ziibiing.com, and every time I messaged her, I died inside, knowing that she was texting w/hundreds of other people every day
Mutual aid is vital. Systems to sustain it are, too 👇
Mutual aid is vital. Systems to sustain it are, too 👇
In addition to nixing KU, today happened to be the day I ordered cameras to replace our Rings. In Jan, I cancelled Amzn Prime, and got off One Medical
Undoubtedly, I use a lot of shit that run on AWS. I don't have to contribute to the billionaire machine in every other way, too
Undoubtedly, I use a lot of shit that run on AWS. I don't have to contribute to the billionaire machine in every other way, too
February 8, 2026 at 8:28 PM
In addition to nixing KU, today happened to be the day I ordered cameras to replace our Rings. In Jan, I cancelled Amzn Prime, and got off One Medical
Undoubtedly, I use a lot of shit that run on AWS. I don't have to contribute to the billionaire machine in every other way, too
Undoubtedly, I use a lot of shit that run on AWS. I don't have to contribute to the billionaire machine in every other way, too
The way I was using KU, it'll be better for authors (and probs cheaper for me) if I just buy single titles to read them--and sometimes, I'll be able to do that in places other than Amzn
February 8, 2026 at 8:23 PM
The way I was using KU, it'll be better for authors (and probs cheaper for me) if I just buy single titles to read them--and sometimes, I'll be able to do that in places other than Amzn
That NYT story about romance and AI, which embarrassed itself extravagantly on several levels, did have one big-ass silver lining: it prompted me to cancel my KU subscription
February 8, 2026 at 8:22 PM
That NYT story about romance and AI, which embarrassed itself extravagantly on several levels, did have one big-ass silver lining: it prompted me to cancel my KU subscription
Be ungovernable to the algorithms
February 8, 2026 at 6:02 PM
Be ungovernable to the algorithms
Reposted by Sarah Milstein
This isn’t new news as such, but people keep being surprised by it, so it’s worth repeating. Substack hosts, profits from, and promotes explicitly Nazi content, and if you are adding value to that network, you are helping them to do so. www.theguardian.com/media/2026/f...
Revealed: How Substack makes money from hosting Nazi newsletters
Exclusive: Site takes a cut of subscriptions to content that promotes far-right ideology, white supremacy and antisemitism
www.theguardian.com
February 7, 2026 at 5:07 PM
This isn’t new news as such, but people keep being surprised by it, so it’s worth repeating. Substack hosts, profits from, and promotes explicitly Nazi content, and if you are adding value to that network, you are helping them to do so. www.theguardian.com/media/2026/f...