Toby Higbie
@thigbie.bsky.social
I teach U.S. history & labor studies at a public university in California. First 40 years in the Midwest. Posting personal opinions about labor & migration history, worker organizing, higher ed policy, Midwest politics and regionalism. He/him.
The movement is growing. Minneapolis central labor councils endorse January 23 statewide Day of Truth and Freedom. No work, no school, no shopping.
Will we see this movement spread to other states?
Will we see this movement spread to other states?
Today we shared that our delegation, alongside the St. Paul Regional Labor Fed., W. Area Labor Council, NE Area Labor Council and E Central ALC delegations, have joined in solidarity to endorse the unified statewide action on 1.23 - DAY OF TRUTH & FREEDOM ✊
Full release: minneapolisunions.org/press
Full release: minneapolisunions.org/press
PRESS
minneapolisunions.org
January 17, 2026 at 5:03 AM
The movement is growing. Minneapolis central labor councils endorse January 23 statewide Day of Truth and Freedom. No work, no school, no shopping.
Will we see this movement spread to other states?
Will we see this movement spread to other states?
Reposted by Toby Higbie
This unassuming announcement belies a huge victory. Welcome back IMLS.
January 17, 2026 at 4:20 AM
This unassuming announcement belies a huge victory. Welcome back IMLS.
Lots of news in the world of working people this week.
Sign up for the Weekly Labor Reads newsletter compilation of the stories that caught our attention, from the UCLA Institute for Research on Labor and Employment @uclairle.bsky.social. In your mailbox every Friday morning.
Sign up for the Weekly Labor Reads newsletter compilation of the stories that caught our attention, from the UCLA Institute for Research on Labor and Employment @uclairle.bsky.social. In your mailbox every Friday morning.
📰 IRLE's Weekly Labor Reads delivers a digest of labor news straight to your inbox.
Our top stories reports on how communities have united to form defense networks against ICE: www.nytimes.com/2026/01/14/u...
Catch up on more labor news here: conta.cc/4qZYrCg
Subscribe at: bit.ly/IRLE_LaborReads
Our top stories reports on how communities have united to form defense networks against ICE: www.nytimes.com/2026/01/14/u...
Catch up on more labor news here: conta.cc/4qZYrCg
Subscribe at: bit.ly/IRLE_LaborReads
How ICE Crackdowns Set Off a Resistance in American Cities
www.nytimes.com
January 16, 2026 at 5:57 PM
Lots of news in the world of working people this week.
Sign up for the Weekly Labor Reads newsletter compilation of the stories that caught our attention, from the UCLA Institute for Research on Labor and Employment @uclairle.bsky.social. In your mailbox every Friday morning.
Sign up for the Weekly Labor Reads newsletter compilation of the stories that caught our attention, from the UCLA Institute for Research on Labor and Employment @uclairle.bsky.social. In your mailbox every Friday morning.
And this: inthesetimes.com/article/minn...
“We Are Facing a Tsunami of Hate”: Amid ICE Crackdown, Unions and Community Groups Call for Minnesota Shutdown in 10 Days
Following the ICE murder of Renee Good and an assault on the state by federal immigration forces, a labor-community coalition is calling for residents to refuse to work, shop or go to school on Januar...
inthesetimes.com
January 16, 2026 at 5:20 PM
And this: inthesetimes.com/article/minn...
Lots of concrete actions happening on the ground. Example: www.mprnews.org/episode/2026...
Minneapolis church has delivered more than 12,000 boxes of groceries to families in hiding
DHH church has hundreds of volunteers packing and delivering groceries to families who have been too scared to leave their homes during the immigration operation.
www.mprnews.org
January 16, 2026 at 5:19 PM
Lots of concrete actions happening on the ground. Example: www.mprnews.org/episode/2026...
Aggressive deportation drives undermine the rights and interests of all workers, regardless of status. Fearful workers are more reluctant to report wage theft, to organize, to stand in solidarity. And behind the scenes there is collusion btw employers and agents of the state
How Trump’s Immigration Crackdown Chills Organizing and Erodes Conditions for All Workers - Workday Magazine
This article is a joint publication of Workday Magazine and The Nation. In late 2025, federal immigration authorities detained a non-union janitor who had recently—and publicly—accused contractors for...
workdaymagazine.org
January 16, 2026 at 3:20 PM
Aggressive deportation drives undermine the rights and interests of all workers, regardless of status. Fearful workers are more reluctant to report wage theft, to organize, to stand in solidarity. And behind the scenes there is collusion btw employers and agents of the state
Powerful stories from organizers and researchers reflecting on the impact of 2025 fires on workers and communities. Economic and health impacts linger much longer than public attention. Need to prepare now for the future climate-related disasters that are sure to come
January 16, 2026 at 12:54 AM
Powerful stories from organizers and researchers reflecting on the impact of 2025 fires on workers and communities. Economic and health impacts linger much longer than public attention. Need to prepare now for the future climate-related disasters that are sure to come
Reposted by Toby Higbie
Last night, The Minneapolis Federation of Educators Local 59 signed on to the call for a Jan 23 shutdown. That brings total labor support to: the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1005, SEIU Local 26, UNITE HERE Local 17, CWA Local 7250, St. Paul Federation of Educators Local 28, and the MFE 59
Unions and community orgs are calling for a Minnesota-wide shutdown in 10 days to protest the ferocious assault by federal immigration agents. They're saying on Jan 23, no work, no school, no shopping. SEIU Local 26, UNITE HERE Local 17, & others are supporting, w/ more to join. By me, Amie Stager
“We Are Facing a Tsunami of Hate”: Amid ICE Crackdown, Unions and Community Groups Call for Minnesota Shutdown in 10 Days
Following the ICE murder of Renee Good and an assault on the state by federal immigration forces, a labor-community coalition is calling for residents to refuse to work, shop or go to school on Januar...
inthesetimes.com
January 14, 2026 at 2:56 PM
Last night, The Minneapolis Federation of Educators Local 59 signed on to the call for a Jan 23 shutdown. That brings total labor support to: the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1005, SEIU Local 26, UNITE HERE Local 17, CWA Local 7250, St. Paul Federation of Educators Local 28, and the MFE 59
Minneapolis unions and community orgs call for one day boycott of work, school, and shopping on January 23 to protest ICE assault, murder.
“We Are Facing a Tsunami of Hate”: Amid ICE Crackdown, Unions and Community Groups Call for Minnesota Shutdown in 10 Days
Following the ICE murder of Renee Good and an assault on the state by federal immigration forces, a labor-community coalition is calling for residents to refuse to work, shop or go to school on Januar...
inthesetimes.com
January 14, 2026 at 12:16 AM
Minneapolis unions and community orgs call for one day boycott of work, school, and shopping on January 23 to protest ICE assault, murder.
Great conversation w/ @dskamper.bsky.social abt--among other things--how workers' experiences during the pandemic helped prime a union upsurge, esp. among younger workers. Got a glimpse of what life would be like with semi-robust welfare state--income support, eviction moratorium, and more
“Moments of crisis can also be moments of possibility.”
Dave Kamper on why today’s labor victories—from campuses to shop floors—are reshaping what’s possible for workers. 🔥
📻 Listen at 1p @wpfwdc
#WorkersPower #Organizing #LaborRadio
Dave Kamper on why today’s labor victories—from campuses to shop floors—are reshaping what’s possible for workers. 🔥
📻 Listen at 1p @wpfwdc
#WorkersPower #Organizing #LaborRadio
January 9, 2026 at 2:54 AM
Great conversation w/ @dskamper.bsky.social abt--among other things--how workers' experiences during the pandemic helped prime a union upsurge, esp. among younger workers. Got a glimpse of what life would be like with semi-robust welfare state--income support, eviction moratorium, and more
Faith leaders, union members, and community members in the rapid response immigrant defense network gathered this morning in downtown Los Angeles for a solemn vigil to honor Renee Moore and others killed by ICE. A government at war with its own people is fundamentally weak.
January 8, 2026 at 8:56 PM
Faith leaders, union members, and community members in the rapid response immigrant defense network gathered this morning in downtown Los Angeles for a solemn vigil to honor Renee Moore and others killed by ICE. A government at war with its own people is fundamentally weak.
These top-down initiatives demonstrate how out of touch university leaders are from what happens in classrooms and what students and faculty might actually need to engage the technical landscape. Just pushing products. Happening in K-12 now as well
The thing that annoys me is how the idea of "AI competency" is either hilariously empty OR an impossible bar for most undergraduate students.
The weak version of this seems to be "showing students how to use ChatGPT and telling them that it can hallucinate." The strong version is an MA in ML.
The weak version of this seems to be "showing students how to use ChatGPT and telling them that it can hallucinate." The strong version is an MA in ML.
It’s been fun while it lasted: “Purdue University will begin requiring that all of its undergraduate students demonstrate basic competency in artificial intelligence starting with freshmen who enter the university in 2026.”
www.forbes.com/sites/michae...
www.forbes.com/sites/michae...
December 14, 2025 at 4:23 PM
These top-down initiatives demonstrate how out of touch university leaders are from what happens in classrooms and what students and faculty might actually need to engage the technical landscape. Just pushing products. Happening in K-12 now as well
Tomorrow: I look forward to reading you posts then. And then the next day. One by one.
December 13, 2025 at 3:41 AM
Tomorrow: I look forward to reading you posts then. And then the next day. One by one.
Fascinating interview w/ field director of NYC DSA, Tascha Van Auken. Among many other things of note: the imprint of Obama 2008 organizing strategy devised by Marshall Ganz. The demobilization of that organizing cadre in the teeth of the Great Recession was a huge tragedy. Lesson learned.
New Dig: guest host @micahuetricht.bsky.social talks w @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social field director Tascha Van Auken. Tascha, architect of @socialists.nyc field program and entire electoral strategy, lays out 100k volunteers on 3 million doors in fascinating detail. www.thedigradio.com/podcast/thre...
Three Million Doors w/ Tascha Van Auken
Featuring Tascha Van Auken on how Zohran’s campaign mobilized an army of 100,000 volunteers to knock three million doors. Van Auken has been an architect of NYC-DSA’s field operation and its general e...
www.thedigradio.com
December 8, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Fascinating interview w/ field director of NYC DSA, Tascha Van Auken. Among many other things of note: the imprint of Obama 2008 organizing strategy devised by Marshall Ganz. The demobilization of that organizing cadre in the teeth of the Great Recession was a huge tragedy. Lesson learned.
Reposted by Toby Higbie
“You may have never heard of a Fusion Center, but a Fusion Center has likely heard about you.”
The state surveillance centers feeding info to the federal government | Opinion
State fusion centers, including two in Sacramento, collect and share mass surveillance data with federal agencies, risking civil liberties.
www.sacbee.com
December 6, 2025 at 3:52 PM
“You may have never heard of a Fusion Center, but a Fusion Center has likely heard about you.”
Bacon’s call for social movement unionism is part of a thought provoking series in @labornotes.bsky.social: How can unions defend worker power under Trump 2.0?
labornotes.org/content/how-...
labornotes.org/content/how-...
How Can Unions Defend Worker Power Under Trump 2.0? | Labor Notes
labornotes.org
December 4, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Bacon’s call for social movement unionism is part of a thought provoking series in @labornotes.bsky.social: How can unions defend worker power under Trump 2.0?
labornotes.org/content/how-...
labornotes.org/content/how-...
“The labor movement needs a freedom agenda,” says David Bacon—cities that work for everyone, opposition to wars abroad and anti-immigrant fascism at home, climate justice. Only an expansive social movement can organize the millions needed to rebuild labor power
labornotes.org/2025/12/toda...
labornotes.org/2025/12/toda...
labornotes.org
December 4, 2025 at 4:09 PM
“The labor movement needs a freedom agenda,” says David Bacon—cities that work for everyone, opposition to wars abroad and anti-immigrant fascism at home, climate justice. Only an expansive social movement can organize the millions needed to rebuild labor power
labornotes.org/2025/12/toda...
labornotes.org/2025/12/toda...
Reposted by Toby Higbie
Today is the 70th anniversary of Rosa Parks' arrest. Six myths: 1) She wasn't old or tired. 42 years old that day, she had a "life history of being rebellious" & had spent two decades helping to turn the Montgomery NAACP into a more activist branch alongside ED Nixon and Johnnie Carr.
December 1, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Today is the 70th anniversary of Rosa Parks' arrest. Six myths: 1) She wasn't old or tired. 42 years old that day, she had a "life history of being rebellious" & had spent two decades helping to turn the Montgomery NAACP into a more activist branch alongside ED Nixon and Johnnie Carr.
Power from the Past: Back in '78 organizers and legal advocates in Los Angeles blocked the deportation of over 100 workers rounded up to undermine unionization at a shoe factory. The strategy spread across activists networks to Chicago and other cities--an echo of the fight-back we're seeing today
In 1978, immigrant workers and unions stopped an immigration raid at the Sbicca shoe factory in East Los Angeles, setting a major legal precedent and showing how labor solidarity can defend against deportations.
Labor Solidarity Defends Against Deportations
In 1978, immigrants won a long fight with U.S. Border Patrol after a raid meant to union-bust.
inthesetimes.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Power from the Past: Back in '78 organizers and legal advocates in Los Angeles blocked the deportation of over 100 workers rounded up to undermine unionization at a shoe factory. The strategy spread across activists networks to Chicago and other cities--an echo of the fight-back we're seeing today
What happens when socialists run a major U.S. city? Good things for working people, says @ericblanc.bsky.social. Basic services like municipal water, sewage, parks, public education, safe workplaces, and union power--addressed the "affordability" crisis of the early 20th century. Lessons for NYC
If you want to do mass socialist politics, not just talk about it, good to learn from the biggest and most powerful socialist organization ever seen in America: the "sewer socialists" of Wisconsin
www.laborpolitics.com/p/sewer-soci...
www.laborpolitics.com/p/sewer-soci...
Socialists in City Hall? A New Look at Sewer Socialism in Wisconsin
It’s been done before—we can do it again in New York and beyond
www.laborpolitics.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:12 PM
What happens when socialists run a major U.S. city? Good things for working people, says @ericblanc.bsky.social. Basic services like municipal water, sewage, parks, public education, safe workplaces, and union power--addressed the "affordability" crisis of the early 20th century. Lessons for NYC
Reposted by Toby Higbie
This Day in Labor History: November 19, 1915. Utah executed IWW organizer Joe Hill for a murder he almost certainly did not commit. But he was an Wobbly and dispensable to society, especially in Utah, a starkly conservative western state outraged by the sheer existence of these radicals!!!
November 19, 2025 at 1:59 PM
This Day in Labor History: November 19, 1915. Utah executed IWW organizer Joe Hill for a murder he almost certainly did not commit. But he was an Wobbly and dispensable to society, especially in Utah, a starkly conservative western state outraged by the sheer existence of these radicals!!!
“Hovering over all proposed solutions was the prospect of faculty unionization.… A lot of tenure-track faculty are now where graduate students were a few decades go.”
@cnewf.bsky.social reflects on his recent tour of U.S. universities
utotherescue.blogspot.com/2025/11/line...
@cnewf.bsky.social reflects on his recent tour of U.S. universities
utotherescue.blogspot.com/2025/11/line...
Liner Note 42. Since Your Power is the Story Then Never Interrupt It
Indiana University on November 6, 2025 Critiquing universities is one thing and rebuilding them is another. Getting from the first to...
utotherescue.blogspot.com
November 17, 2025 at 1:29 PM
“Hovering over all proposed solutions was the prospect of faculty unionization.… A lot of tenure-track faculty are now where graduate students were a few decades go.”
@cnewf.bsky.social reflects on his recent tour of U.S. universities
utotherescue.blogspot.com/2025/11/line...
@cnewf.bsky.social reflects on his recent tour of U.S. universities
utotherescue.blogspot.com/2025/11/line...
Great wrap of education news in the recent elections. Turns out defending public education is popular!
Also… Arne Duncan launching a trial ballon for a Rahm Emanuel presidential bid?? I’d rather not.
Also… Arne Duncan launching a trial ballon for a Rahm Emanuel presidential bid?? I’d rather not.
Education played a surprising role in powering this week's blue wave. I wrote about what went down, why it matters and what's next educationwars.substack.com/p/education-...
Education Helped Power the Blue Wave
10 surprising election takeaways
educationwars.substack.com
November 16, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Great wrap of education news in the recent elections. Turns out defending public education is popular!
Also… Arne Duncan launching a trial ballon for a Rahm Emanuel presidential bid?? I’d rather not.
Also… Arne Duncan launching a trial ballon for a Rahm Emanuel presidential bid?? I’d rather not.
Check out the report itself. Traces the evolution of the policy and does see a shift under Obama
mesana.org/pdf/Discrimi...
mesana.org/pdf/Discrimi...
mesana.org
November 16, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Check out the report itself. Traces the evolution of the policy and does see a shift under Obama
mesana.org/pdf/Discrimi...
mesana.org/pdf/Discrimi...
”The resolution agreements, which exhibit high degrees of uniformity, are an emerging blueprint for a system of federal surveillance of campus speech and dissent.”
AAUP/MESA report explains how a novel approach to Title VI investigations developed pre-Trump, then took off under Trump II.
AAUP/MESA report explains how a novel approach to Title VI investigations developed pre-Trump, then took off under Trump II.
“This report underscores how the Civil Rights Act of 1964—which passed in response to years of nonviolent civil disobedience against racial injustice—is being misused to squash political dissent & speech that advocates for the human rights of Palestinians.”
— Veena Dubal, AAUP General Counsel
— Veena Dubal, AAUP General Counsel
Power & Pushback: New report details weaponization of antisemitism on campuses
A new report from the American Association of University Professors and the Middle East Studies Association reveals how civil rights law has been used to suppress Palestine activism on U.S. campuses.
mondoweiss.net
November 16, 2025 at 5:41 PM
”The resolution agreements, which exhibit high degrees of uniformity, are an emerging blueprint for a system of federal surveillance of campus speech and dissent.”
AAUP/MESA report explains how a novel approach to Title VI investigations developed pre-Trump, then took off under Trump II.
AAUP/MESA report explains how a novel approach to Title VI investigations developed pre-Trump, then took off under Trump II.