zoezolbrod
@zoezolbrod.bsky.social
Reader, writer, (THE TELLING, CURRENCY, essays etc in The Rumpus, The Guardian, Salon, HuffPost, Brevity Blog, novel COIN OF THE REALM forthcoming from TriQuarterly Books), Chicago, bikes > cars
I read this book entirely based on a Substack note that led me to a Substack post, which was nominally about landing the ending in literary fiction but was mostly about assassins. While reading I had the uncanny sence I was actually reading Marjorie Morningstar, if anyone remembers that novel.
Glass Century
A big, long New York City novel by Ross Barkan tracing the lives of couple in an extramarital relationship
open.substack.com
November 11, 2025 at 4:08 PM
I read this book entirely based on a Substack note that led me to a Substack post, which was nominally about landing the ending in literary fiction but was mostly about assassins. While reading I had the uncanny sence I was actually reading Marjorie Morningstar, if anyone remembers that novel.
Reposted by zoezolbrod
Alderman Sigcho Lopez’s recent IG live is worth a watch. 22 min of him talking as he follows federal agents. He talks about what happened today in Little Village and this week. He calls out CPD for protecting ICE at one point & also speaks to an escalation in the attack on our communities.
November 8, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Alderman Sigcho Lopez’s recent IG live is worth a watch. 22 min of him talking as he follows federal agents. He talks about what happened today in Little Village and this week. He calls out CPD for protecting ICE at one point & also speaks to an escalation in the attack on our communities.
Chicago officials say the daycare teacher abducted this week has valid work permit and asylum case. Homeland Security says her work authorization was approved by the Biden administration. As if that negates it. They think what they say is illegal is illegal, and gives them the right to violence.
After Daycare Teacher Taken By Feds, Local Officials Fight For Her Release: 'This Is Not Normal'
The teacher had a valid work permit and pending asylum case, officials said. Meanwhile, agents — including Border Patrol boss Greg Bovino — once again had a heavy presence on the Southwest Side Thursd...
blockclubchicago.org
November 7, 2025 at 10:14 PM
Chicago officials say the daycare teacher abducted this week has valid work permit and asylum case. Homeland Security says her work authorization was approved by the Biden administration. As if that negates it. They think what they say is illegal is illegal, and gives them the right to violence.
Reposted by zoezolbrod
With appearances by @britticisms.bsky.social, @zoezolbrod.bsky.social, Gina Frangello, @meganstielstra.bsky.social, and the all-star band of @marydeereynolds.bsky.social, Amalea Tshilds, @beanatitagain.bsky.social, Angela James, L. Wyatt, Julie Pomerleau & Jeanine O'Toole.
CHICAGO! We are getting the band back together for ONE NIGHT ONLY to celebrate Sinéad with words, music, and cake. Dec 17 at the Hideout. Proceeds go to @icirr.bsky.social
Nothing Compares to Her: A Salute to Sinéad | Hideout Chicago
Nothing Compares to Her: A Salute to Sinéad The late Sinéad O’Connor was a singular talent whose soaring voice and fearless advocacy for children, the LGBTQ community, and anyone being crushed by th...
hideoutchicago.com
November 7, 2025 at 3:21 PM
With appearances by @britticisms.bsky.social, @zoezolbrod.bsky.social, Gina Frangello, @meganstielstra.bsky.social, and the all-star band of @marydeereynolds.bsky.social, Amalea Tshilds, @beanatitagain.bsky.social, Angela James, L. Wyatt, Julie Pomerleau & Jeanine O'Toole.
Reposted by zoezolbrod
As Trump loses popularity, there will be an attempt to minimize what‘s happening in Chicago right now .
THIS is the number one national issue — are you FOR or AGAINST a taxpayer-funded secret police terrorizing major cities?
THIS is the number one national issue — are you FOR or AGAINST a taxpayer-funded secret police terrorizing major cities?
This was horrific to watch. Agents entering a daycare, wrestling with and abducting a teacher in front of small screaming children. I just… what the fuck are we doing here.
this morning, ICE went into a Spanish language immersion daycare and took a teacher from the building in front of screaming and crying kids and parents at dropoff and the daycare had to shut down for the day (near Lane Tech, where they were yesterday). Really hoping today's "theme" is not "daycare."
November 5, 2025 at 5:30 PM
As Trump loses popularity, there will be an attempt to minimize what‘s happening in Chicago right now .
THIS is the number one national issue — are you FOR or AGAINST a taxpayer-funded secret police terrorizing major cities?
THIS is the number one national issue — are you FOR or AGAINST a taxpayer-funded secret police terrorizing major cities?
Reposted by zoezolbrod
Happy pub day to @mskellymhayes.bsky.social @akpress.org and everyone who inspired this beautiful and heartfelt offering. May it provide solace, clarity, and guidance in these truly scary and unprecedented times.
I’m honored to have contributed a piece on grief, my great teacher and friend.
I’m honored to have contributed a piece on grief, my great teacher and friend.
It's publication day for Read This When Things Fall Apart! So grateful to our contributors and to @akpress.org for making this book a reality. This is a strange time to be promoting a book, but I believe it's a text that has the potential to help us right now. Please get yourself a copy. ❤️
Read This When Things Fall Apart: Letters to Activists in Crisis
Letters to Activists in Crisis
bookshop.org
November 4, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Happy pub day to @mskellymhayes.bsky.social @akpress.org and everyone who inspired this beautiful and heartfelt offering. May it provide solace, clarity, and guidance in these truly scary and unprecedented times.
I’m honored to have contributed a piece on grief, my great teacher and friend.
I’m honored to have contributed a piece on grief, my great teacher and friend.
I know it's bad when I start arguing with randos on Facebook. Time for me to lock myself out of the socials and take some breaths.
November 4, 2025 at 5:15 PM
I know it's bad when I start arguing with randos on Facebook. Time for me to lock myself out of the socials and take some breaths.
Just heard sirens here in Evanston and went on high alert. I hang on every word Kelly Hayes says about community and activism, and I can't wait to get my hands on this book she edited.
Read This When Things Fall Apart
www.akpress.org
November 4, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Just heard sirens here in Evanston and went on high alert. I hang on every word Kelly Hayes says about community and activism, and I can't wait to get my hands on this book she edited.
I have a family member with bipolar and I pick up a lot of creative nonfiction on the topic. This one by Kerry Neville is swoopingly literary and ends with hard-won joy.
Momma May be Mad
A memoir by Kerry Neville that captures the hell of living with suicidal bipolar and her stuttering, wondrous climb towards better health.
open.substack.com
November 4, 2025 at 3:59 PM
I have a family member with bipolar and I pick up a lot of creative nonfiction on the topic. This one by Kerry Neville is swoopingly literary and ends with hard-won joy.
The pattern of ICE /Immigration violence, lawlessness, disappearing people, lying about it all is making life more dangerous for everyone in the communities they ransack.
NEWS: Federal agents crashed with woman’s car, pointed guns at her, dragged her out by legs, tossed her in a minivan, held her and (eventually) let her go without charges. This as Chicagoans say the immigration blitz is out of control. (DHS blames her.)
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/03/c...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/03/c...
Chicago woman dragged out of her car after colliding with ICE demands accountability
The arrest of Dayanne Figueroa highlights growing concerns about the use of force against U.S. citizens and due process. She was released after a few hours without charges.
www.chicagotribune.com
November 3, 2025 at 1:51 PM
The pattern of ICE /Immigration violence, lawlessness, disappearing people, lying about it all is making life more dangerous for everyone in the communities they ransack.
Incredible turnout today for a mutual aid food drive in Evanston, 2 days after people were beaten and abducted by ICE/feds and schools had to go on soft lockdown. We know how to come together.
November 2, 2025 at 11:43 PM
Incredible turnout today for a mutual aid food drive in Evanston, 2 days after people were beaten and abducted by ICE/feds and schools had to go on soft lockdown. We know how to come together.
Reposted by zoezolbrod
Large protest in Evanston where landscapers were detained by federal agents
"They were brutalizing people who were yelling at them, it’s legal to yell in America," Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss said. www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/l...
"They were brutalizing people who were yelling at them, it’s legal to yell in America," Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss said. www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/l...
Large protest in Evanston after landscapers were detained, 3 citizens arrested by federal agents
Hundreds protested Saturday in Evanston where undocumented landscapers were detained and three citizens were arrested by federal agents on Halloween.
www.nbcchicago.com
November 2, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Large protest in Evanston where landscapers were detained by federal agents
"They were brutalizing people who were yelling at them, it’s legal to yell in America," Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss said. www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/l...
"They were brutalizing people who were yelling at them, it’s legal to yell in America," Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss said. www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/l...
Reposted by zoezolbrod
Evanston Mayor Dan Biss on today’s ICE raids in his community: “What federal agents are doing in Evanston right now is monstrous.”
October 31, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Evanston Mayor Dan Biss on today’s ICE raids in his community: “What federal agents are doing in Evanston right now is monstrous.”
🚨Urgent 10/31: ICE is extremely active in EVANSTON IL and surrounding areas today. PLEASE send landscapers and other outside workers home, cancel service and pay anyway if you can. Working together we can help protect each other!
October 31, 2025 at 3:46 PM
🚨Urgent 10/31: ICE is extremely active in EVANSTON IL and surrounding areas today. PLEASE send landscapers and other outside workers home, cancel service and pay anyway if you can. Working together we can help protect each other!
Reposted by zoezolbrod
Ellis tells Bovino the people of Chicago have a right to tell him and his agents that they don't like what they are doing and want them to leave.
"They can't get tear gassed" for doing that.
Bovino: "I understand what you are saying, your honor. We will abide by the temporary restraining order."
"They can't get tear gassed" for doing that.
Bovino: "I understand what you are saying, your honor. We will abide by the temporary restraining order."
October 28, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Ellis tells Bovino the people of Chicago have a right to tell him and his agents that they don't like what they are doing and want them to leave.
"They can't get tear gassed" for doing that.
Bovino: "I understand what you are saying, your honor. We will abide by the temporary restraining order."
"They can't get tear gassed" for doing that.
Bovino: "I understand what you are saying, your honor. We will abide by the temporary restraining order."
Reposted by zoezolbrod
Ellis asks whether it would be appropriate for a man who gets out of his car in running clothes after training for a marathon and asks agents what they are doing to be placed in a chokehold.
That's what videos show happened Saturday in Old Irving Park.
That's what videos show happened Saturday in Old Irving Park.
October 28, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Ellis asks whether it would be appropriate for a man who gets out of his car in running clothes after training for a marathon and asks agents what they are doing to be placed in a chokehold.
That's what videos show happened Saturday in Old Irving Park.
That's what videos show happened Saturday in Old Irving Park.
Thank you to everyone in the Chicago area who is seeking out and videoing hostile federal forces breaking the law.
Ellis says she acknowledges that things can change quickly and be "dynamic" and that she is not present
"But I am getting videos ... it is difficult for me to see that the force being used is necessary." @wttw.bsky.social
"But I am getting videos ... it is difficult for me to see that the force being used is necessary." @wttw.bsky.social
October 28, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Thank you to everyone in the Chicago area who is seeking out and videoing hostile federal forces breaking the law.
Reposted by zoezolbrod
Greetings from the Dirksen federal courthouse, where Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino is set to appear before U.S. District Court Judge Sara Ellis.
What you need to know, for @wttw.bsky.social:
What you need to know, for @wttw.bsky.social:
Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino, Who Fired Tear Gas at Little Village Crowd, Set to Face Federal Judge
U.S. District Court Judge Sara Ellis ordered Border Patrol chief Greg Bovino to appear in her courtroom at the Dirksen Federal Building in downtown Chicago at 10 a.m. Tuesday.
news.wttw.com
October 28, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Greetings from the Dirksen federal courthouse, where Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino is set to appear before U.S. District Court Judge Sara Ellis.
What you need to know, for @wttw.bsky.social:
What you need to know, for @wttw.bsky.social:
Reposted by zoezolbrod
Folks have the right to be on public property absent exigent circumstances, Ellis says.
People standing on sidewalks and fliming and shouting do not present an immediate threat to law enforcement officers, Ellis says, explaining her order.
People standing on sidewalks and fliming and shouting do not present an immediate threat to law enforcement officers, Ellis says, explaining her order.
October 28, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Folks have the right to be on public property absent exigent circumstances, Ellis says.
People standing on sidewalks and fliming and shouting do not present an immediate threat to law enforcement officers, Ellis says, explaining her order.
People standing on sidewalks and fliming and shouting do not present an immediate threat to law enforcement officers, Ellis says, explaining her order.
Reposted by zoezolbrod
They've used Chicago as a testing/training ground for this roving army of BP dipshits after doing the same in LA. Feels pretty crucial that everyone not in Chicago continue paying attention to Chicago to know exactly what to expect when they move elsewhere.
🚨BIG changes happening -- ICE leadership is being purged tonight. The old guard, which prioritized targeted enforcement operations aimed at people with criminal records, is being replaced with Border Patrol and Gregory Bovino's "Midway Blitz" style.
Think things are bad now? It'll get worse.
Think things are bad now? It'll get worse.
October 28, 2025 at 2:06 AM
They've used Chicago as a testing/training ground for this roving army of BP dipshits after doing the same in LA. Feels pretty crucial that everyone not in Chicago continue paying attention to Chicago to know exactly what to expect when they move elsewhere.
Reposted by zoezolbrod
Please listen to this driver's testimony about the entire incident (too long to embed). She says she has no idea how they knew who her passenger was, they never produced a warrant, and she isn't sure they even knew his name:
www.tiktok.com/t/ZTMHSkAKr/
www.tiktok.com/t/ZTMHSkAKr/
I felt like I needed to make a video after what I experienced this morning to give a bit more info on the story. I have no idea how they knew who was in my vehicle or if they just randomly pulled me o...
TikTok video by Kim
www.tiktok.com
October 22, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Please listen to this driver's testimony about the entire incident (too long to embed). She says she has no idea how they knew who her passenger was, they never produced a warrant, and she isn't sure they even knew his name:
www.tiktok.com/t/ZTMHSkAKr/
www.tiktok.com/t/ZTMHSkAKr/
Reposted by zoezolbrod
Reposted by zoezolbrod
If, like me, you don't live in Illinois or near an ICE hotspot(?), consider donating to ICIRR! illinoiscoalitionforimmigrantandrefugeerights-bloom.kindful.com?campaign=124...
Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights | Kindful
illinoiscoalitionforimmigrantandrefugeerights-bloom.kindful.com
October 21, 2025 at 4:40 PM
If, like me, you don't live in Illinois or near an ICE hotspot(?), consider donating to ICIRR! illinoiscoalitionforimmigrantandrefugeerights-bloom.kindful.com?campaign=124...
Reposted by zoezolbrod
I will tell you that the folks working the ICIRR Hotline are the real deal and saved these kids.
PUT THIS NUMBER IN YOUR PHONE AND CALL IF YOU SEE ICE IN ILLINOIS: (855) 435-7693
PUT THIS NUMBER IN YOUR PHONE AND CALL IF YOU SEE ICE IN ILLINOIS: (855) 435-7693
October 21, 2025 at 4:16 PM
I will tell you that the folks working the ICIRR Hotline are the real deal and saved these kids.
PUT THIS NUMBER IN YOUR PHONE AND CALL IF YOU SEE ICE IN ILLINOIS: (855) 435-7693
PUT THIS NUMBER IN YOUR PHONE AND CALL IF YOU SEE ICE IN ILLINOIS: (855) 435-7693
This Substack post is about both Abundance and the argument with Ezra Klein I've been having in my head for the past month plus.
Abundance
This book by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson is a political economic argument but this post is mostly about my internal argument with Ezra of late.
open.substack.com
October 19, 2025 at 7:35 PM
This Substack post is about both Abundance and the argument with Ezra Klein I've been having in my head for the past month plus.