José Antonio Zayas Cabán
@yeswaydrjose.bsky.social
Saxophonist, Educator, Activist. Executive Director at Our Streets
We should not be enabling autocracy through planning.
We should not be enabling environmental collapse through “incrementalism.”
Down the road, what will we say?
That we made room for everyone, especially the most vulnerable and essential…or that we gave in when it mattered most?
We should not be enabling environmental collapse through “incrementalism.”
Down the road, what will we say?
That we made room for everyone, especially the most vulnerable and essential…or that we gave in when it mattered most?
November 3, 2025 at 6:50 PM
We should not be enabling autocracy through planning.
We should not be enabling environmental collapse through “incrementalism.”
Down the road, what will we say?
That we made room for everyone, especially the most vulnerable and essential…or that we gave in when it mattered most?
We should not be enabling environmental collapse through “incrementalism.”
Down the road, what will we say?
That we made room for everyone, especially the most vulnerable and essential…or that we gave in when it mattered most?
When parking wins and people lose, it’s not just policy.
It’s precedent.
And when those in power ignore what’s just, what’s needed, what’s been asked for…that’s not democracy.
It’s autocracy disguised as process.
It’s precedent.
And when those in power ignore what’s just, what’s needed, what’s been asked for…that’s not democracy.
It’s autocracy disguised as process.
November 3, 2025 at 6:50 PM
When parking wins and people lose, it’s not just policy.
It’s precedent.
And when those in power ignore what’s just, what’s needed, what’s been asked for…that’s not democracy.
It’s autocracy disguised as process.
It’s precedent.
And when those in power ignore what’s just, what’s needed, what’s been asked for…that’s not democracy.
It’s autocracy disguised as process.
This may seem like a small decision—bus lanes, bikeways, a few parking spots.
But it’s not.
It’s a window into how we govern, whose comfort we prioritize, and who we’re willing to leave behind.
But it’s not.
It’s a window into how we govern, whose comfort we prioritize, and who we’re willing to leave behind.
November 3, 2025 at 6:50 PM
This may seem like a small decision—bus lanes, bikeways, a few parking spots.
But it’s not.
It’s a window into how we govern, whose comfort we prioritize, and who we’re willing to leave behind.
But it’s not.
It’s a window into how we govern, whose comfort we prioritize, and who we’re willing to leave behind.
We are told to “compromise.”
But compromise in the face of injustice is not progress.
It’s capitulation.
Dr. King warned that the greatest threat to justice was not the loud voice of extremism, but the appalling silence of the moderate.
But compromise in the face of injustice is not progress.
It’s capitulation.
Dr. King warned that the greatest threat to justice was not the loud voice of extremism, but the appalling silence of the moderate.
November 3, 2025 at 6:50 PM
We are told to “compromise.”
But compromise in the face of injustice is not progress.
It’s capitulation.
Dr. King warned that the greatest threat to justice was not the loud voice of extremism, but the appalling silence of the moderate.
But compromise in the face of injustice is not progress.
It’s capitulation.
Dr. King warned that the greatest threat to justice was not the loud voice of extremism, but the appalling silence of the moderate.
It echoes some of what we’re hearing from the current administration at this moment:
Giving space to people—not cars—is “hostile.”
And hostility is toward our most vulnerable, underserved communities is acceptable.
Giving space to people—not cars—is “hostile.”
And hostility is toward our most vulnerable, underserved communities is acceptable.
November 3, 2025 at 6:50 PM
It echoes some of what we’re hearing from the current administration at this moment:
Giving space to people—not cars—is “hostile.”
And hostility is toward our most vulnerable, underserved communities is acceptable.
Giving space to people—not cars—is “hostile.”
And hostility is toward our most vulnerable, underserved communities is acceptable.
Air quality is a crisis.
We can’t call this a win. This is a concession that reinforces both class hierarchy and climate denial.
We can’t call this a win. This is a concession that reinforces both class hierarchy and climate denial.
November 3, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Air quality is a crisis.
We can’t call this a win. This is a concession that reinforces both class hierarchy and climate denial.
We can’t call this a win. This is a concession that reinforces both class hierarchy and climate denial.
Transit riders deserve dignity and dedicated space to travel and thrive.
Dedicated bus lanes improve employee retention, expand job access, and move far more people in far less space.
Dedicated bus lanes improve employee retention, expand job access, and move far more people in far less space.
November 3, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Transit riders deserve dignity and dedicated space to travel and thrive.
Dedicated bus lanes improve employee retention, expand job access, and move far more people in far less space.
Dedicated bus lanes improve employee retention, expand job access, and move far more people in far less space.
Transit riders should not be pitted against cyclists.
And those privileged enough to cycle—because of time, proximity, or resources—should stand in solidarity with those who depend on transit.
And those privileged enough to cycle—because of time, proximity, or resources—should stand in solidarity with those who depend on transit.
November 3, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Transit riders should not be pitted against cyclists.
And those privileged enough to cycle—because of time, proximity, or resources—should stand in solidarity with those who depend on transit.
And those privileged enough to cycle—because of time, proximity, or resources—should stand in solidarity with those who depend on transit.
To reiterate my comment about the Lyndale project: from the invisible members of our community who live with a disability, to the able-bodied person who walks, bikes, rolls, or rides transit—
whether out of necessity, climate consciousness, or both:
You benefit. And you benefit when others benefit.
whether out of necessity, climate consciousness, or both:
You benefit. And you benefit when others benefit.
November 3, 2025 at 6:50 PM
To reiterate my comment about the Lyndale project: from the invisible members of our community who live with a disability, to the able-bodied person who walks, bikes, rolls, or rides transit—
whether out of necessity, climate consciousness, or both:
You benefit. And you benefit when others benefit.
whether out of necessity, climate consciousness, or both:
You benefit. And you benefit when others benefit.
There’s no denying the benefit of a protected, bidirectional bikeway. But we should be honest about what’s taken place.
People who don’t drive tend to have more disposable income. Others who can’t drive are essential to the corridor’s economy.
People who don’t drive tend to have more disposable income. Others who can’t drive are essential to the corridor’s economy.
November 3, 2025 at 6:50 PM
There’s no denying the benefit of a protected, bidirectional bikeway. But we should be honest about what’s taken place.
People who don’t drive tend to have more disposable income. Others who can’t drive are essential to the corridor’s economy.
People who don’t drive tend to have more disposable income. Others who can’t drive are essential to the corridor’s economy.
It has set a precedent. Project after project since, Minneapolis and Hennepin County follow the same playbook:
Protect parking. Appease business interests…
And ask the rest of us to fight over the scraps.
Protect parking. Appease business interests…
And ask the rest of us to fight over the scraps.
November 3, 2025 at 6:50 PM
It has set a precedent. Project after project since, Minneapolis and Hennepin County follow the same playbook:
Protect parking. Appease business interests…
And ask the rest of us to fight over the scraps.
Protect parking. Appease business interests…
And ask the rest of us to fight over the scraps.
After years of community-led advocacy, @mayorfrey.com and Margaret Kelliher turned their backs on residents, some businesses and the state’s Minneapolis delegation to deny the incoming E Line 24/7 access to its bus lanes.
November 3, 2025 at 6:45 PM
After years of community-led advocacy, @mayorfrey.com and Margaret Kelliher turned their backs on residents, some businesses and the state’s Minneapolis delegation to deny the incoming E Line 24/7 access to its bus lanes.
Businesses should serve the community’s interests, not the other way around.
But that’s not what happened on Hennepin.
But that’s not what happened on Hennepin.
November 3, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Businesses should serve the community’s interests, not the other way around.
But that’s not what happened on Hennepin.
But that’s not what happened on Hennepin.
County streets should be for people, not parking.
And hierarchy should be inverted in this layout, starting with solidarity for our transit-dependent and climate conscious neighbors.
And hierarchy should be inverted in this layout, starting with solidarity for our transit-dependent and climate conscious neighbors.
August 16, 2025 at 6:18 AM
County streets should be for people, not parking.
And hierarchy should be inverted in this layout, starting with solidarity for our transit-dependent and climate conscious neighbors.
And hierarchy should be inverted in this layout, starting with solidarity for our transit-dependent and climate conscious neighbors.
District 3 Commissioner @mariongreene.bsky.social and Josh Potter—Hennepin County Transportation Engineer—should hear from you directly.
Ask @ward10.minneapolismn.gov to speak up too.
Don’t let this pass. Don’t let this pattern of incrementalism continue. There is still time to use your voice.
Ask @ward10.minneapolismn.gov to speak up too.
Don’t let this pass. Don’t let this pattern of incrementalism continue. There is still time to use your voice.
August 16, 2025 at 6:18 AM
District 3 Commissioner @mariongreene.bsky.social and Josh Potter—Hennepin County Transportation Engineer—should hear from you directly.
Ask @ward10.minneapolismn.gov to speak up too.
Don’t let this pass. Don’t let this pattern of incrementalism continue. There is still time to use your voice.
Ask @ward10.minneapolismn.gov to speak up too.
Don’t let this pass. Don’t let this pattern of incrementalism continue. There is still time to use your voice.
Provide your feedback but don’t be completely distracted by the storymap.
Even with 43,000 engagement touchpoints, a successful 4:3 pilot, and clear community energy…
This design is what they proposed. Many of our voices discarded.
Even with 43,000 engagement touchpoints, a successful 4:3 pilot, and clear community energy…
This design is what they proposed. Many of our voices discarded.
August 16, 2025 at 6:18 AM
Provide your feedback but don’t be completely distracted by the storymap.
Even with 43,000 engagement touchpoints, a successful 4:3 pilot, and clear community energy…
This design is what they proposed. Many of our voices discarded.
Even with 43,000 engagement touchpoints, a successful 4:3 pilot, and clear community energy…
This design is what they proposed. Many of our voices discarded.
What about our opportunity to dream bigger?
Open Streets—put on life support by @mayorfrey.com —showed us.
50k people (well, when @ourstreetsmn.org organized it) on Lyndale. Joyful, car-free, vibrant. Spending, connecting, breathing cleaner air.
Now, the plan is to shrink the program in 2026.
Open Streets—put on life support by @mayorfrey.com —showed us.
50k people (well, when @ourstreetsmn.org organized it) on Lyndale. Joyful, car-free, vibrant. Spending, connecting, breathing cleaner air.
Now, the plan is to shrink the program in 2026.
August 16, 2025 at 6:18 AM
What about our opportunity to dream bigger?
Open Streets—put on life support by @mayorfrey.com —showed us.
50k people (well, when @ourstreetsmn.org organized it) on Lyndale. Joyful, car-free, vibrant. Spending, connecting, breathing cleaner air.
Now, the plan is to shrink the program in 2026.
Open Streets—put on life support by @mayorfrey.com —showed us.
50k people (well, when @ourstreetsmn.org organized it) on Lyndale. Joyful, car-free, vibrant. Spending, connecting, breathing cleaner air.
Now, the plan is to shrink the program in 2026.
Dedicated bus lanes improve employee retention and job access.
Buses move far more people using far less space.
We’re in an air quality crisis and this plan shrinks from our responsibility to act.
Buses move far more people using far less space.
We’re in an air quality crisis and this plan shrinks from our responsibility to act.
August 16, 2025 at 6:18 AM
Dedicated bus lanes improve employee retention and job access.
Buses move far more people using far less space.
We’re in an air quality crisis and this plan shrinks from our responsibility to act.
Buses move far more people using far less space.
We’re in an air quality crisis and this plan shrinks from our responsibility to act.
People who don’t drive tend to have more disposable income and spend more at local businesses.
Others who don’t drive because they can’t are essential to the corridor’s economy.
Transit riders deserve dignity and dedicated space to travel and thrive.
Others who don’t drive because they can’t are essential to the corridor’s economy.
Transit riders deserve dignity and dedicated space to travel and thrive.
August 16, 2025 at 6:18 AM
People who don’t drive tend to have more disposable income and spend more at local businesses.
Others who don’t drive because they can’t are essential to the corridor’s economy.
Transit riders deserve dignity and dedicated space to travel and thrive.
Others who don’t drive because they can’t are essential to the corridor’s economy.
Transit riders deserve dignity and dedicated space to travel and thrive.
From the invisible members of our community who live with a disability, to the able-bodied person who chooses to walk, bike, roll, or take transit— whether out of necessity, climate consciousness, or both.
You benefit.
You benefit.
August 16, 2025 at 6:18 AM
From the invisible members of our community who live with a disability, to the able-bodied person who chooses to walk, bike, roll, or take transit— whether out of necessity, climate consciousness, or both.
You benefit.
You benefit.
That means 24/7 bus lanes throughout, protected bikeways throughout, green space throughout…using space for community centered development that incentivizes more shift and reduces vehicle miles traveled.
And we know who benefits.
Mode shift means improved access and accessibility for everyone.
And we know who benefits.
Mode shift means improved access and accessibility for everyone.
August 16, 2025 at 6:18 AM
That means 24/7 bus lanes throughout, protected bikeways throughout, green space throughout…using space for community centered development that incentivizes more shift and reduces vehicle miles traveled.
And we know who benefits.
Mode shift means improved access and accessibility for everyone.
And we know who benefits.
Mode shift means improved access and accessibility for everyone.