Mary Leighton
@maryleighton.bsky.social
Therapist based in Chicago. Former Socio-cultural Anthropologist & STS scholar. Hosted the "What Democracy Looks Like In..." podcast.
Reposted by Mary Leighton
After this weekend’s antisemitic terror attack in Australia, it is more important than ever that people assemble for Hanukkah.
May the Festival of Lights shine brightly in Jewish homes and communities throughout the world.
May the Festival of Lights shine brightly in Jewish homes and communities throughout the world.
December 15, 2025 at 1:48 AM
After this weekend’s antisemitic terror attack in Australia, it is more important than ever that people assemble for Hanukkah.
May the Festival of Lights shine brightly in Jewish homes and communities throughout the world.
May the Festival of Lights shine brightly in Jewish homes and communities throughout the world.
Reposted by Mary Leighton
True joy recognizes and acknowledges pain, tears, sadness, and every other emotion that exists within the spectrum of human experience. It is about discovering and finding balance, equilibrium, and a sense of steadiness even in the midst of difficult, trying, and turbulent times.
December 3, 2025 at 5:25 PM
True joy recognizes and acknowledges pain, tears, sadness, and every other emotion that exists within the spectrum of human experience. It is about discovering and finding balance, equilibrium, and a sense of steadiness even in the midst of difficult, trying, and turbulent times.
Reposted by Mary Leighton
When the mercury plummets to -40° (where Celsius and Fahrenheit finally agree), most sensible creatures burrow inward. But not in the Yukon. Here, in this land where exhaled breath crystallizes mid-air and exposed skin stings within seconds, I found myself moved to dance Bhangra.
December 13, 2025 at 3:10 PM
When the mercury plummets to -40° (where Celsius and Fahrenheit finally agree), most sensible creatures burrow inward. But not in the Yukon. Here, in this land where exhaled breath crystallizes mid-air and exposed skin stings within seconds, I found myself moved to dance Bhangra.
Two wildly familiar issues highlighted in this article: 1) "polling showed that most French people backed the left’s ideas – investment in hospitals, fairer taxation of the very rich and multinationals – even if they didn’t vote left."
‘We have to end the melancholy’: the French leftwing MP intent on resisting the far right
Clémentine Autain believes only a leftwing alliance united behind one leader can stave off the threat of a far-right president
www.theguardian.com
December 6, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Two wildly familiar issues highlighted in this article: 1) "polling showed that most French people backed the left’s ideas – investment in hospitals, fairer taxation of the very rich and multinationals – even if they didn’t vote left."
Reposted by Mary Leighton
Good morning to Brazilian reporter Manuela Borges, who’s been waiting eleven years for this petty moment. ❤️ 🇧🇷
November 26, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Good morning to Brazilian reporter Manuela Borges, who’s been waiting eleven years for this petty moment. ❤️ 🇧🇷
Watch this space: I anticipate this being the next version of the the disastrously toxic myth of the 25 year old brain "mature" brain.
Brain has five ‘eras’, scientists say – with adult mode not starting until early 30s
Study suggests brain development has four pivotal ‘turning points’ at around the ages of nine, 32, 66 and 83
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Watch this space: I anticipate this being the next version of the the disastrously toxic myth of the 25 year old brain "mature" brain.
Reposted by Mary Leighton
Coercive sterilization in ICE detention. Eugenics.
"They tried to shut me up by deporting me."
www.npr.org/2020/12/22/9...
www.npr.org/2020/12/22/9...
Dozens Of Women Allege Unwanted Surgeries And Medical Abuse In ICE Custody
More women are coming forward to say they were pressured to have reproductive surgeries they did not want or understand, offering a glimpse into alleged medical abuses at an ICE detention center.
www.npr.org
November 15, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Coercive sterilization in ICE detention. Eugenics.
Reposted by Mary Leighton
ICE vs the clergy
November 15, 2025 at 1:32 AM
ICE vs the clergy
Usually the justification for denying visas based on health is the cost to the taxpayer: but US healthcare is privatized so this logic doesn't apply. Also, reciprocal retaliatory visa restrictions by other countries are quite common... given US obesity rates this could backfire quite badly...
U.S. visas can be denied for obesity, cancer and diabetes, Rubio says
The Trump administration has directed visa officers to consider obesity and other chronic health conditions when deciding whether to grant visas to immigrants.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 13, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Usually the justification for denying visas based on health is the cost to the taxpayer: but US healthcare is privatized so this logic doesn't apply. Also, reciprocal retaliatory visa restrictions by other countries are quite common... given US obesity rates this could backfire quite badly...
Reposted by Mary Leighton
A family friend was telling us about what her husband shared about his experience in Broadview before he was deported back to Mexico. She's been sharing to friends and family because she's just in disbelief & horror what her husband told her. She wasn't able to talk to him until he was in Mexico.
November 7, 2025 at 3:08 AM
A family friend was telling us about what her husband shared about his experience in Broadview before he was deported back to Mexico. She's been sharing to friends and family because she's just in disbelief & horror what her husband told her. She wasn't able to talk to him until he was in Mexico.
Reposted by Mary Leighton
Easily several hundred people have packed into this plaza in Chicago's North Center tonight in response to ICE abducting a daycare worker early this morning.
This is a neighborhood that has largely been spared until now from the "Midway Blitz" terror campaign. But everyone knows someone affected.
This is a neighborhood that has largely been spared until now from the "Midway Blitz" terror campaign. But everyone knows someone affected.
November 6, 2025 at 12:48 AM
Easily several hundred people have packed into this plaza in Chicago's North Center tonight in response to ICE abducting a daycare worker early this morning.
This is a neighborhood that has largely been spared until now from the "Midway Blitz" terror campaign. But everyone knows someone affected.
This is a neighborhood that has largely been spared until now from the "Midway Blitz" terror campaign. But everyone knows someone affected.
Reposted by Mary Leighton
The declarations keep coming back to the ways in which the awful conditions themselves were used to coerce deportations.
Here, one lawyer describes how his client, who had a work permit, US citizen children, and a strong case for relief, was coerced into giving up his case.
Here, one lawyer describes how his client, who had a work permit, US citizen children, and a strong case for relief, was coerced into giving up his case.
November 4, 2025 at 10:39 PM
The declarations keep coming back to the ways in which the awful conditions themselves were used to coerce deportations.
Here, one lawyer describes how his client, who had a work permit, US citizen children, and a strong case for relief, was coerced into giving up his case.
Here, one lawyer describes how his client, who had a work permit, US citizen children, and a strong case for relief, was coerced into giving up his case.
Reposted by Mary Leighton
Reposted by Mary Leighton
Former Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot announces that she is opening a documentation center to collect evidence of the criminal misconduct of DHS leadership and of ICE agent deployed to Chicago and its environs. The effort will also focus on unmasking and identifying all ICE agents deployed.
Lori Lightfoot on federal immigration enforcement across Chicago | The Chicago Report
From politics to pop culture, Paris Schutz and guests bring Chicago's top voices to you.
www.fox32chicago.com
October 23, 2025 at 2:29 AM
Former Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot announces that she is opening a documentation center to collect evidence of the criminal misconduct of DHS leadership and of ICE agent deployed to Chicago and its environs. The effort will also focus on unmasking and identifying all ICE agents deployed.
Reposted by Mary Leighton
The correct term for Trump's particular aesthetic style is “Regional Car Dealership Rococo” according to architecture critic Kate Wagner, author of McMansion Hell.
The McMansionization of the White House, or: Regional Car Dealership Rococo: a treatise | McMansion Hell
Get more from McMansion Hell on Patreon
www.patreon.com
October 24, 2025 at 4:17 PM
The correct term for Trump's particular aesthetic style is “Regional Car Dealership Rococo” according to architecture critic Kate Wagner, author of McMansion Hell.
This is disastrous. Roughly 42,000,000 people will not have enough to eat in November. That's 12% of the US population (1 in 8 people), who will lose their ability to feed themselves sufficiently.
USDA announces SNAP benefits will not be issued in November
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced that SNAP benefits will not be issued for next month.
www.wabi.tv
October 23, 2025 at 6:27 PM
This is disastrous. Roughly 42,000,000 people will not have enough to eat in November. That's 12% of the US population (1 in 8 people), who will lose their ability to feed themselves sufficiently.
#BoycottHomeDepot indeed.
For folks asking if they've made it *inside* a Home Depot yet as the business has clearly just continued letting agents do whatever they want in their lots, the answer is yes. This is from yesterday in Evanston.
October 22, 2025 at 6:49 PM
#BoycottHomeDepot indeed.
Reposted by Mary Leighton
Hero’s of the day - In a small town of Beckley, WV, Kendra Sullivan staged a one-woman No Kings protest. She was confronted, had the police called on her, but stood her ground. She was physically threatened. Police came more than once and protected her right to protest. This is how we do it.
October 19, 2025 at 1:32 AM
Hero’s of the day - In a small town of Beckley, WV, Kendra Sullivan staged a one-woman No Kings protest. She was confronted, had the police called on her, but stood her ground. She was physically threatened. Police came more than once and protected her right to protest. This is how we do it.
Reposted by Mary Leighton
After spending 43 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit, evidence hidden by the prosecution reversed his conviction. Rather than finally enjoying freedom, ICE abducted him for deportation
Depraved.
www.miamiherald.com/news/local/i...
Depraved.
www.miamiherald.com/news/local/i...
He was wrongfully imprisoned for 43 years. Moments after being released, ICE took him
Subramanyam “Subu” Vedam now faces deportation.
www.miamiherald.com
October 12, 2025 at 2:00 AM
After spending 43 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit, evidence hidden by the prosecution reversed his conviction. Rather than finally enjoying freedom, ICE abducted him for deportation
Depraved.
www.miamiherald.com/news/local/i...
Depraved.
www.miamiherald.com/news/local/i...
This is so lovely! Having a positive experience during a peaceful protest boosts revenue and the profile of independent businesses and the local farmers market in downtown Portland.
October 8, 2025 at 1:54 PM
This is so lovely! Having a positive experience during a peaceful protest boosts revenue and the profile of independent businesses and the local farmers market in downtown Portland.
Reposted by Mary Leighton
I feel like this photo of masked, armed men pepper spraying a pastor protecting his community is going to be a defining picture of this moment in America for a long, long time.
October 7, 2025 at 11:29 PM
I feel like this photo of masked, armed men pepper spraying a pastor protecting his community is going to be a defining picture of this moment in America for a long, long time.
"intelligence that indicates there’s illegal alienage in a particular place or location" turns out to be..."Hey, Chip, you or other folks. How do they appear in relation to what you or other people look like?"
Transcript: Gregory Bovino says arrestees in Downtown Chicago chosen based partly on ‘how they look’
WBEZ spoke with the U.S. Border Patrol commander about a deportation blitz in the Loop and River North neighborhoods. He claimed our report took his comments out of context. Here is the transcript and...
chicago.suntimes.com
October 2, 2025 at 1:10 PM
"intelligence that indicates there’s illegal alienage in a particular place or location" turns out to be..."Hey, Chip, you or other folks. How do they appear in relation to what you or other people look like?"
Reposted by Mary Leighton
Just some good 16th century advice:
"Company, musicke, honest gaming, or any other virtuous exercise doeth helpe agaynst heavinesse of mind."
William Bullein, 1558
wellcomecollection.org/works/bga5qy...
"Company, musicke, honest gaming, or any other virtuous exercise doeth helpe agaynst heavinesse of mind."
William Bullein, 1558
wellcomecollection.org/works/bga5qy...
October 1, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Just some good 16th century advice:
"Company, musicke, honest gaming, or any other virtuous exercise doeth helpe agaynst heavinesse of mind."
William Bullein, 1558
wellcomecollection.org/works/bga5qy...
"Company, musicke, honest gaming, or any other virtuous exercise doeth helpe agaynst heavinesse of mind."
William Bullein, 1558
wellcomecollection.org/works/bga5qy...