tekla 💜✨
@tekla.bsky.social
writer, artist, feminist, fancy. dedicated to reproductive freedom, LGBTQ+ liberation, and racial justice. professionally trans over at A4TE, but all views shared here = my own.
Reposted by tekla 💜✨
Jack Smith: "My fear is that we have seen the rule of law function in our country for so long that many of us have come to take it for granted. The rule of law is not self-executing. It depends on our collective commitment to apply it."
January 22, 2026 at 3:33 PM
Jack Smith: "My fear is that we have seen the rule of law function in our country for so long that many of us have come to take it for granted. The rule of law is not self-executing. It depends on our collective commitment to apply it."
Reposted by tekla 💜✨
I'm a labor activist - my knowledge of law, politics, economics, history, etc. is focused primarily and insistently upon supporting the cause of labor - and I never thought I'd see a general strike in my lifetime.
There hasn't been anything like this in the U.S. since the Palmer Raids in 1920.
There hasn't been anything like this in the U.S. since the Palmer Raids in 1920.
Statement from the entire Minneapolis City Council in support of a General Strike and Day of Truth & Freedom on January 23rd.
January 23, 2026 at 2:06 AM
I'm a labor activist - my knowledge of law, politics, economics, history, etc. is focused primarily and insistently upon supporting the cause of labor - and I never thought I'd see a general strike in my lifetime.
There hasn't been anything like this in the U.S. since the Palmer Raids in 1920.
There hasn't been anything like this in the U.S. since the Palmer Raids in 1920.
Reposted by tekla 💜✨
I love every single thing about this.
You don’t know your role yet maybe, but we are all finding out just what we have to offer.
In Minneapolis, one man knew immediately what he could offer and said “Bring me your clothing”.
In Minneapolis, one man knew immediately what he could offer and said “Bring me your clothing”.
January 23, 2026 at 4:25 AM
I love every single thing about this.
Reposted by tekla 💜✨
the fact that some people choose to brutalize their fellow humans is so, so bizarre to me. I’ve really been abyss-staring about it.
But if history teaches us anything, it’s that there have always been people who fought for life to be better. to be kinder and lovelier and more humane.
But if history teaches us anything, it’s that there have always been people who fought for life to be better. to be kinder and lovelier and more humane.
January 23, 2026 at 2:25 AM
the fact that some people choose to brutalize their fellow humans is so, so bizarre to me. I’ve really been abyss-staring about it.
But if history teaches us anything, it’s that there have always been people who fought for life to be better. to be kinder and lovelier and more humane.
But if history teaches us anything, it’s that there have always been people who fought for life to be better. to be kinder and lovelier and more humane.
the world is very beautiful. the fact that we are all here is a miracle.
January 23, 2026 at 2:25 AM
the world is very beautiful. the fact that we are all here is a miracle.
Reposted by tekla 💜✨
coverage of the student and faculty response from the university of arkansas student newspaper:
www.uatrav.com/news/article...
www.uatrav.com/news/article...
January 22, 2026 at 7:16 PM
coverage of the student and faculty response from the university of arkansas student newspaper:
www.uatrav.com/news/article...
www.uatrav.com/news/article...
Reposted by tekla 💜✨
The prevailing consensus over the last year was that anyone calling for a general strike was ridiculous and ignorant and it would never work here, and maybe that’s true nationally, I dunno, but I bet those people wouldn’t have seen tomorrow in MN coming either
National media should really be covering the fact thay every major school, museum, and arts institution in the Twin Cities, and hundreds of local businesses are closed tomorrow to protest federal occupation.
Nothing like this at this scale has happened anywhere in America anytime in living memory.
Nothing like this at this scale has happened anywhere in America anytime in living memory.
January 23, 2026 at 1:15 AM
The prevailing consensus over the last year was that anyone calling for a general strike was ridiculous and ignorant and it would never work here, and maybe that’s true nationally, I dunno, but I bet those people wouldn’t have seen tomorrow in MN coming either
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It is impossible to overstate how the US is being run and ruined by people steeped in stages of Poster's Madness that science has no name for.
not surprising and yet still jarring to read ex-FBI agents describing how Kash Patel and Bongino reacted to Charlie Kirk's murder while running the agency. truly the content creator administration/podcast govt www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
January 22, 2026 at 11:34 PM
It is impossible to overstate how the US is being run and ruined by people steeped in stages of Poster's Madness that science has no name for.
Reposted by tekla 💜✨
As a photojournalist, I can confirm that good, clear signage with your key message, properly placed, is ABSOLUTELY KEY for your press conference/rally/march/event.
i designed this sign yesterday and i normally don’t like…claim my work, but i just want to talk about the power of a good podium sign.
put your message there! it ends up in every photo! have it mounted on foam so it stays straight for photos!
put your message there! it ends up in every photo! have it mounted on foam so it stays straight for photos!
January 23, 2026 at 1:52 AM
As a photojournalist, I can confirm that good, clear signage with your key message, properly placed, is ABSOLUTELY KEY for your press conference/rally/march/event.
Reposted by tekla 💜✨
houseofmirrors.substack.com/p/shame-is-a...
Wrote about the shortcomings of anti-ai activism, what it can learn from past and present movements, and why we need to bring back shame as a tactic.
Wrote about the shortcomings of anti-ai activism, what it can learn from past and present movements, and why we need to bring back shame as a tactic.
Shame is a Weapon
If anti-AI activists want to win, they have to grow fangs
houseofmirrors.substack.com
January 22, 2026 at 7:39 PM
houseofmirrors.substack.com/p/shame-is-a...
Wrote about the shortcomings of anti-ai activism, what it can learn from past and present movements, and why we need to bring back shame as a tactic.
Wrote about the shortcomings of anti-ai activism, what it can learn from past and present movements, and why we need to bring back shame as a tactic.
Reposted by tekla 💜✨
Something lost on JD Vance—and much of the news media—is that no legal or other reason existed to arrest the 5-year-old child’s father either. Not even the administration has articulated any reason to cage people while their asylum or other cases are proceeding.
January 22, 2026 at 11:53 PM
Something lost on JD Vance—and much of the news media—is that no legal or other reason existed to arrest the 5-year-old child’s father either. Not even the administration has articulated any reason to cage people while their asylum or other cases are proceeding.
Reposted by tekla 💜✨
National media should really be covering the fact thay every major school, museum, and arts institution in the Twin Cities, and hundreds of local businesses are closed tomorrow to protest federal occupation.
Nothing like this at this scale has happened anywhere in America anytime in living memory.
Nothing like this at this scale has happened anywhere in America anytime in living memory.
January 22, 2026 at 8:25 PM
National media should really be covering the fact thay every major school, museum, and arts institution in the Twin Cities, and hundreds of local businesses are closed tomorrow to protest federal occupation.
Nothing like this at this scale has happened anywhere in America anytime in living memory.
Nothing like this at this scale has happened anywhere in America anytime in living memory.
Reposted by tekla 💜✨
Reposted by tekla 💜✨
You cannot have heart eyes for the Obama years and not see Mike Brown, Tamir Rice, Freddie Gray, Sandra Bland, etc as being a systemic problem. I don't want a return to "less abuse" just like you wouldn't be ok with your spouse agreeing to beating your ass fewer times a month. The whole thing stinks
January 22, 2026 at 11:14 PM
You cannot have heart eyes for the Obama years and not see Mike Brown, Tamir Rice, Freddie Gray, Sandra Bland, etc as being a systemic problem. I don't want a return to "less abuse" just like you wouldn't be ok with your spouse agreeing to beating your ass fewer times a month. The whole thing stinks
Reposted by tekla 💜✨
I just want to say: there are many ways out of this, but the most likely one is: mitigate harms and save as many lives as possible, while winning elections in the face of vote suppression, then using power ruthlessly to repair our systems.
It may not be that likely. It’s just the most likely.
It may not be that likely. It’s just the most likely.
Today I taught and that leaves me tired and apparently am finding new stages of grief for society.
January 23, 2026 at 12:11 AM
I just want to say: there are many ways out of this, but the most likely one is: mitigate harms and save as many lives as possible, while winning elections in the face of vote suppression, then using power ruthlessly to repair our systems.
It may not be that likely. It’s just the most likely.
It may not be that likely. It’s just the most likely.
Reposted by tekla 💜✨
all while his stupid metal rocket blows up, the Cybertruck proves itself the biggest automotive flop of a generation, and Tesla's core car sales decay as the company pivots to a pure play on totally implausible vaporware hype
every single person in that room proves meritocracy is a bad joke
every single person in that room proves meritocracy is a bad joke
January 22, 2026 at 4:11 PM
all while his stupid metal rocket blows up, the Cybertruck proves itself the biggest automotive flop of a generation, and Tesla's core car sales decay as the company pivots to a pure play on totally implausible vaporware hype
every single person in that room proves meritocracy is a bad joke
every single person in that room proves meritocracy is a bad joke
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absolutely insane to see Musk feted at Davos as the icon of a boldly "optimistic" future in 2026, as if he hadn't just spent the last year buying elections for fascists, making Nazi salutes, condemning millions in Africa to death, and building "Mechahitler," and a nonconsensual porn/CSAM generator
January 22, 2026 at 4:09 PM
absolutely insane to see Musk feted at Davos as the icon of a boldly "optimistic" future in 2026, as if he hadn't just spent the last year buying elections for fascists, making Nazi salutes, condemning millions in Africa to death, and building "Mechahitler," and a nonconsensual porn/CSAM generator
Reposted by tekla 💜✨
The New Deal is one of the best things this godforsaken country ever managed to put together, and Republicans have been wanting to gut it ever since. I think this is specific, targeted hate, not just a brainless drive for real estate value
VOA's headquarters, 'the Sistine Chapel of the New Deal,' faces possible destruction as part of the Trump administration's drive for "maximum value for the federal real estate footprint." wapo.st/4a5NCsq
The stunning art trove hidden in a D.C. building marked by Trump for disposal
Packed with frescoes, paintings and reliefs, the federal government’s Cohen Building has been called “the Sistine Chapel of the New Deal.” Advocates fear these works could be at risk.
wapo.st
January 22, 2026 at 3:11 PM
The New Deal is one of the best things this godforsaken country ever managed to put together, and Republicans have been wanting to gut it ever since. I think this is specific, targeted hate, not just a brainless drive for real estate value
Reposted by tekla 💜✨
my Blackest opinion is that the presumption of conflict between "America has a long and deeply rooted history of violence" and "we can and should fight against today's version of that, as did those who came before us" is less a philosophical debate about how to treat the past and more a skill issue
January 22, 2026 at 5:38 PM
my Blackest opinion is that the presumption of conflict between "America has a long and deeply rooted history of violence" and "we can and should fight against today's version of that, as did those who came before us" is less a philosophical debate about how to treat the past and more a skill issue
Reposted by tekla 💜✨
The grimness of US history should encourage us. Yes, people used to send lynching postcards. And other people saw that, worked towards building a more just society anyway, and succeeded beyond anyone's wildest imagination. There's more work to be done. What's our excuse for choosing despair instead?
I understand and appreciate the fact that for some it is genuinely uncomfortable and distracting to think about how grim US history is. yes, that is strategically relevant, and no, I wouldn't put "did you know people used to send lynching photos to each other as postcards?" on a recruitment flyer
January 22, 2026 at 7:18 PM
The grimness of US history should encourage us. Yes, people used to send lynching postcards. And other people saw that, worked towards building a more just society anyway, and succeeded beyond anyone's wildest imagination. There's more work to be done. What's our excuse for choosing despair instead?
Reposted by tekla 💜✨
BREAKING: Another of DOJ's invasive trans care subpoenas quashed as to patient records. This one was challenged by patients of Children's National Hospital.
Opinion from Judge Julie Rubin (Biden): storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Opinion from Judge Julie Rubin (Biden): storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
January 22, 2026 at 1:38 AM
BREAKING: Another of DOJ's invasive trans care subpoenas quashed as to patient records. This one was challenged by patients of Children's National Hospital.
Opinion from Judge Julie Rubin (Biden): storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Opinion from Judge Julie Rubin (Biden): storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Reposted by tekla 💜✨
“Regardless, we need to establish a fundamental value: no grace for fascism, no tolerance for state terror”
January 22, 2026 at 1:56 PM
“Regardless, we need to establish a fundamental value: no grace for fascism, no tolerance for state terror”
Reposted by tekla 💜✨
Notably FACE was passed not long after ACT UP's Stop The Church action at St. Patrick's Cathedral which pissed off conservatives to no end
/3 FACE prohibits violent interference with access to clinics AND religious facilities. That was a deal brokered to get FACE passed — to add protection of religious facilities along with clinic facilities. It was widely publicized, as have been recent FACE lawsuits and investigations …
January 21, 2026 at 7:24 PM
Notably FACE was passed not long after ACT UP's Stop The Church action at St. Patrick's Cathedral which pissed off conservatives to no end
Reposted by tekla 💜✨
Well somebody said "defund the police" in 2020, the year they won the House, the senate, and the presidency, so you can understand their difficulties
Swing-district Dems will be called "anti-law enforcement" in their campaigns no matter how they vote on ICE funding.
Allowing swing-district Democrats to vote for DHS funding so as not to look "anti-law enforcement" feeds into the false narrative that ICE is enforcing laws rather than breaking them. It is an organized crime syndicate. prospect.org/2026/01/21/j...
January 22, 2026 at 12:58 PM
Well somebody said "defund the police" in 2020, the year they won the House, the senate, and the presidency, so you can understand their difficulties
Reposted by tekla 💜✨
Most of my friends still live in the Cities and are very active in all this, but I have to say the group chat updates have been pretty dire over the last two days or so
January 22, 2026 at 7:08 AM
Most of my friends still live in the Cities and are very active in all this, but I have to say the group chat updates have been pretty dire over the last two days or so