Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Sharita Gruberg

The Century Foundation @tcfdotorg.bsky.social · 13h

Amazon is a behemoth, delivering over 1.6M packages a day. Delivery workers are absolutely essential to this $2 trillion company, yet many struggle to get by and face extreme levels of surveillance.

@juliesulabor.bsky.social explores a major new survey of delivery workers for @msnbc.com.

Opinion | Amazon promises ‘big deals’ — but not for its delivery workers

“Prime Big Deal Days” offer lower prices to customers, but Amazon offers few benefits or protections for the people delivering the packages.

www.msnbc.com

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David Dayen @ddayen.bsky.social · 14h

So this is funny.
The administration just issued a rule slashing foreign agricultural worker wages. And to justify it, in a public filing, Trump's Labor Department alleges that Trump's immigration enforcement has devastated the Ag workforce and caused a "risk of supply shock-induced food shortages."

Trump Labor Department Says His Immigration Raids Are Causing a Food Crisis

In a filing in the Federal Register, the Labor Department argues there are “immediate dangers to the American food supply” due to a lack of migrant agricultural workers.

prospect.org

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Raj Nayak @rdnayak.bsky.social · 13h

Fantastic report by the SHIFT Project team + @profsheenalives.bsky.social and @juliesulabor.bsky.social

Amazon Drives Low Wages: The Unraveling of Workplace Protections for Delivery Drivers - The Shift Project

Read the Full Article Amazon has revolutionized shopping and challenged traditional brick-and-mortar retail. But at the heart of this logistics […]

shift.hks.harvard.edu

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Reposted by Sharita Gruberg

Jack Jenkins @jackjenkins.me · 1d

Gonna be thinking about this lede for a minute.

(RNS) — Last month, the Rev. David Black stood in front of a Chicago-area U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility and spread his arms wide. Adorned in all black and wearing a clerical collar, the pastor looked up at a group of masked, heavily armed ICE agents on the roof and began to pray.

“I invited them to repentance,” Black, a minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA), said in an interview. “I basically offered an altar call. I invited them to come and receive that salvation, and be part of the kingdom that is coming.”

But when Black began to lower his arms a few seconds later, the agents responded to his spiritual plea by firing pepper balls, or chemical agents that cause eye irritation and respiratory distress, video footage shows. One struck Black in the head, exploding into a puff of white pepper smoke and forcing him to his knees. Fellow demonstrators rushed to his aid, and as the pastor rubbed his face in pain, the agents continued to fire.

“We could hear them laughing,” Black said.

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Tom Scocca @tomscocca.bsky.social · 1d

It's not just that they're going to strike down a law against conversion therapy, it's that they're going to do it on behalf of made-up claims from a straw plaintiff who can't honestly show the law affected her at all

Tom Scocca @tomscocca.bsky.social · 1d

One thing about American's widespread distrust and disapproval of the Supreme Court is that mainstream news coverage mostly doesn't dwell on stuff like standing, so people don't even begin to grasp how rigged the Court truly is www.nytimes.com/live/2025/10...

Supreme Court Live Updates: Justices Seem Set to Rule Against Colorado’s Ban on Conversion Therapy

www.nytimes.com

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Sharita Gruberg @gruberg.bsky.social · 1d

Not surprised. Homan has always treated rules governing basic standards for humans in ICE custody with extreme disdain.

The Washington Post @washingtonpost.com · 1d

Exclusive: The Trump administration said immigration enforcement will “remain unchanged” through the government shutdown.

But at least one team at ICE isn’t going into work: the office that ensures detention centers meet federal safety standards.

ICE kept most offices open in shutdown — but not the one inspecting detention centers

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s entire Office of Detention Oversight has been placed on furlough, despite surging numbers of detainees.

wapo.st

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Zack Ford @zackford.bsky.social · 1d

These Supreme Court oral arguments on conversion therapy are going to be painful. No matter what is said, know that trying to force someone to be what they're not is psychological torture with measurable negative consequences, and anyone trying to defend such efforts is a bigoted monster.

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Sharita Gruberg @gruberg.bsky.social · 1d

Everyone in DC reacting to the Brook Pinto fundraising text went

a man in a white shirt is pointing at something in front of a crowd of people .

ALT: a man in a white shirt is pointing at something in front of a crowd of people .

media.tenor.com

Sharita Gruberg @gruberg.bsky.social · 1d

apparently that Brook Pinto fundraising text went to folks who’ve moved from DC too and I’ve gotten texts from friends begging those of us still in DC to for the love of god not let her back into elected office. Don’t worry, we hate her too

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Popehat Agitates And Irritates @kenwhite.bsky.social · 2d

It’s important to flood social media and news channels with news about how ICE lies, so that potential jurors see it.

Chicago Sun-Times @chicago.suntimes.com · 2d

Body-camera video appears to contradict the government’s claim that Marimar Martinez, 30, drove toward officers before one of them opened fire at her late Saturday morning in Brighton Park, her attorney claimed.
trib.al/9Sxu9IN

Attorney for woman shot by Border Patrol claims officer said 'Do something b-----' before shooting

Body-camera video appears to contradict the government's claim that Marimar Martinez, 30, drove toward officers before one of them opened fire at her late Saturday morning in Brighton Park, her attorney claimed. A judge ordered Martinez and a co-defendant released pending trial.

trib.al

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Jared Holt @jaredlholt.bsky.social · 2d

This really makes it sound like a Border Patrol agent tried to kill an anti-ICE activist in Chicago and DHS lied to cover for him

Chicago Sun-Times @chicago.suntimes.com · 2d

Body-camera video appears to contradict the government’s claim that Marimar Martinez, 30, drove toward officers before one of them opened fire at her late Saturday morning in Brighton Park, her attorney claimed.
trib.al/9Sxu9IN

Attorney for woman shot by Border Patrol claims officer said 'Do something b-----' before shooting

Body-camera video appears to contradict the government's claim that Marimar Martinez, 30, drove toward officers before one of them opened fire at her late Saturday morning in Brighton Park, her attorney claimed. A judge ordered Martinez and a co-defendant released pending trial.

trib.al

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Andrew Weinstein @andrewjweinstein.com · 3d

ICE admits that up to 50% of arrests in its Chicago raids are "collateral.” These aren't statistics. They are parents taken from their children, neighbors taken from our communities. When does a "collateral" U.S. citizen child's trauma matter? This isn't law enforcement; it's a campaign of terror.

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Clara Jeffery @clarajeffery.bsky.social · 3d

As bad as this headline is, the details are worse. Russel Vought is trying to roll back SS for the elderly, the disabled, the widowed and orphaned and FURTHER cut food stamps. Make sure to read and share this gift link: wapo.st/4qa8yoq

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Olúfẹ́mi O. Táíwò @olufemiotaiwo.bsky.social · 4d

important for us in the US to note: even a solidly right wing government can't ignore this.

The Associated Press @apnews.com · 4d

Over 2 million people across Italy have rallied in more than 100 cities for a one-day general strike.

2 million rally in Italy for Gaza as general strike halts key services

Over 2 million people across Italy have rallied in more than 100 cities for a one-day general strike.

bit.ly

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Queer Hand Luke @lfschleusener.bsky.social · 5d

Firing someone for having a Pride flag sends a chilling message. Leaders who allow fear to replace trust damage morale and weaken our national security.

Out In National Security @outinnationalsecurity.org · 5d

Bigotry weakens national security. We will secure accountability for those who weaponize it, because trust, talent, and service are too important to lose. #OutInNatSec

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Kate Gallagher Robbins @kfgrobbins.bsky.social · 5d

Good day to read this @chabeli.bsky.social piece on how women of color are impacted when there is no new jobs report. #numbersday

Chabeli Carrazana @chabeli.bsky.social · Aug 15

Trump’s pick to lead the Bureau of Labor Statistics suggested a pause of the monthly employment reports, the only timely economic measure of how women of color are faring in the economy.

19thnews.org/2025/08/susp...

Suspending monthly economic reports would be really bad for women of color

Trump’s pick to lead the Bureau of Labor Statistics suggested a pause of the monthly employment reports, the only timely economic measure of how women of color are faring in the economy.

19thnews.org

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Greg Lipper @theglipper.bsky.social · 5d

Extremely gross. www.macstories.net/linked/apple...

Apple Removes ICEBlock and Similar Apps From the App Store Under Pressure From the DOJ

Late yesterday, Apple pulled ICEBlock and similar apps from the App Store under pressure from the U.S. Department of Justice, according to Fox Business News. ICEBlock is a crowd-sourced app used to tr...

www.macstories.net

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Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 5d

BERMAN: The private sector jobs from ADP, not great. And if you at the jobs reports going back to spring, not great either. Why are jobs lagging?

CHAVEZ-DeREMER: Well certainly, what we inherited from Biden

B: But why is it headed in wrong direction?

CD: We have the strongest economy in the world

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Sharita Gruberg @gruberg.bsky.social · 5d

Congress isn’t shut down. Email your senators ASAP and tell them to vote #NoToPanuccio and #BlockBerry

act.nationalpartnership.org/a/panuccio-b...

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Reposted by Sharita Gruberg

Shahrzad Shams @shahrzadshams.bsky.social · 6d

A new @rooseveltinstitute.org report by @rfunkfordham.bsky.social empirically assesses the antidemocratic effects of Citizens United 15 years after it was decided.

The findings speak for themselves: there is no place for big money in our political system.

rooseveltinstitute.org/publications...

Citizens United and the Decline of US Democracy: Assessing the Decision’s Impact 15 Years Later - Roosevelt Institute

In a new analysis, Rachel Funk Fordham examines the 15-year legacy of Citizens United, assessing its impact on democracy through new evidence and political science research and offering recommendation...

rooseveltinstitute.org

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Reposted by Sharita Gruberg

Gabe Ortíz @tusk81.bsky.social · 6d

“She said she witnessed agents dragging residents, including children — some naked or improperly clothed — out of the building and into U-Haul vans. Children were separated from their mothers, she said.” people.com/ice-agents-o...

ICE Agents Rappel from Helicopter in Overnight Chicago Raid, Dragging Kids from Beds to U-Hauls

Overnight on Tuesday, Sept. 30, federal agents from different raided an apartment building on the South Side of Chicago, pulling men, women and children — some of them allegedly naked — from their apa...

people.com

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Bobby Kogan @bbkogan.bsky.social · 6d

There are four exceptions where you can incur obligations during a shutdown despite having no funding.

One is if the action is necessary to discharge the President’s constitutional duties and powers.

OMB is asserting that conducting mass firings falls under that.

Be fucking for real right now

Asked about the legal concerns, White House Office of Management and Budget communications director Rachel McCauley said in a written statement that "issuing RIFs is an excepted activity to fulfill the President's constitutional authority to supervise and control the Executive Branch, similar to conducting foreign policy."

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Sharita Gruberg @gruberg.bsky.social · 6d

🚨🚨🚨Republicans shut down the government and are now ramming through 100 Trump noms.
With Brittany Panuccio in place, Stephen Miller will have the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission he needs to begin ending civil rights for workers as we know it.
#NoToPanuccio #BlockBerry

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Sharita Gruberg @gruberg.bsky.social · 6d

"As I got to my unit to stick my key in the door, I was grabbed by an officer. And, I said, 'What's going on? What's going on?' He never actually told me. He said I was being detained.," said Alicia Brooks.

Walter Olson @walterolson.bsky.social · 7d

“ABC7 spoke to Pertissue Fisher, a woman who lives in the building. She said ICE agents took everyone in the building, including her, and asked questions later….’They was bringing the kids down, too, had them zip tied to each other.’”

It can’t happen here, you say. But it is happening.

ICE agents raid South Shore apartments; Trump says Chicago could become military training ground

ICE agents raided a South Shore apartment building overnight as the city braces for a possible military deployment.

abc7chicago.com

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Aaron Reichlin-Melnick @reichlinmelnick.bsky.social · 6d

Surreal moment for America. Needless to say, if the normal police ever pulled something like this — pulling every single person out of an apartment building and handcuffing them to run warrant checks — they would be sued into oblivion.

Yet ICE is going to get away with it entirely.

"It was scary, because I had never had a gun in my face," Fisher said. "They asked my name and my date of birth and asked me, did I have any warrants? And I told them, 'No, 'Ididn't."
Fisher said she was handcuffed before being released around 3 a.m., and she was told that if anyone had any kind of warrant out for them, even if it was unrelated to immigration, they would not be released.

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