Shavonne is running on a platform built on fiscal reality and long-range planning, and she argues that legislation without proper funding is just rhetoric.

Drawing on her experience in capital planning at Metro, she emphasizes that Congress is fundamentally about massive budget management and risk assessment.

Her campaign is powered by a comprehensive 261-page policy plan designed to protect the district’s federal workforce, veterans, and seniors from cuts. She believes that to truly serve the “wealthiest majority-Black congressional district in the country,” we have to move beyond slogans and address the interconnected issues of food access, aging infrastructure, and equitable development.

What Shavonne Stands For:

• Funding Over Rhetoric: She fights for the federal dollars necessary to keep schools, hospitals, and transit systems running, warning that without funding, legislation is powerless.

• Protecting Vulnerable Communities: She is advocating for updated Medicaid structures to support aging foster youth and those with chronic illnesses like sickle cell, ensuring they aren’t left behind when they age out of the system.

• Economic Resilience: She is working to reverse the loss of major economic anchors in the district, such as addressing food deserts, where residents currently have to drive to neighboring states for groceries.

• Authentic Engagement: Rejecting the reliance on massive war chests and name recognition, she is doing the hard work of door-knocking in underserved neighborhoods to ensure every voice is heard.

How YOU Can Help:

• Donate: Small contributions (starting at $4.44) help fund critical outreach like text banking and radio ads to reach older voters who are often missed.

• Amplify: Share her posts to help build name recognition for a candidate with a long name in a crowded primary field.

• Engage: Ask her questions and hold her accountable. She encourages direct dialogue and wants to hear directly from constituents about their specific needs.

• Vote: Early voting is June 11–18, and the primary is June 23.

  Maryland has closed primaries, so unaffiliated voters must switch to Democrat by June 2 to participate.

https://voteshavonneforcongress.com/

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Andrew is running for Congress in Connecticut’s 3rd District against a 35-year incumbent. He’s a candidate who is not afraid to “tell it like it is” — a Democratic Socialist, who is over the “Vote Blue No Matter Who” lectures. He’s calling the system out for what it is: a corporate-owned machine that ignores the working class while funding genocide and protecting predators.

What Andrew Stands For:

• Ending Billionaire Welfare: Andrew’s point is simple: stop giving away our money to Big Oil, Big Pharma, and billionaires like Elon Musk. Close the loopholes and stop the subsidies — that’s our healthcare and housing money right there.

• Economic Bill of Rights: He’s looking to finish what FDR started—guaranteeing that every American has a roof over their head and a living wage.

• Abolishing ICE: Andrew isn’t afraid to call for the total abolition of ICE and real accountability for the racism on which the institution was built.

• Hard Justice & Accountability: This was a huge part of our talk. From calling out the “redacted Epstein files” vibe of US history, to demanding a DNA database for politicians and law enforcement to clear the rape kit backlog—Andrew wants the predators out of policy-making.

• Funding the Future, Not Bombs: We’re looking at a $1 trillion+ defense budget while our schools are starving. Andrew wants to fully fund the IDEA program for special education and stop the “imperial war spending” that siphons life out of our communities.

How You Can Help:

• Primary Day: If you’re in CT-03, the primary is August 11th. Voters will need to make sure they’re registered as Democrats by July 24th (online or by mail). “Unaffiliated” voters will need to switch their registration to the Democratic Party by May 11th to be eligible.

• Check Him Out: See his platform for yourself, share his message, volunteer, and help turn his race into a national conversation!

https://www.riceforct.com

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So, while the Trump regime has been busy stealing PII linked to millions of Americans and slashing billions in healthcare and research, it’s now suddenly pivoting to accelerate research and access to psychedelic drugs such as LSD, ibogaine, psilocybin (mushrooms), and MDMA (Ecstasy).

Is this a prelude to a newer, more overt MKUltra-esque project?

Are we at risk of living through more forced torture and experimentation in America’s new and soon-to-be-filled concentration camps?

We cannot forget the atrocities that occurred during Trump’s first term, like the forced sterilizations performed on women in immigrant camps.

These concerns are not far-fetched. In fact, psychological and physical torture and abuse were foundational to the CIA’s operations from its inception in 1947.

I argue that the CIA was never established to protect the American people, but rather created as a front for indefinite psychological operations to be used against us.

In the 1940s, post-WWII, the U.S. handed out ‘get-out-of-Nuremberg-free’ passes to Nazi doctors under Operation Paperclip.

In exchange, their expertise was utilized by the CIA to commit crimes against humanity, ostensibly to develop brainwashing techniques using abusive tactics such as psychic driving and forced LSD consumption.

The “experiments” were non-consensual, of course.

This new push to normalize psychedelics under the guise of ‘accelerated research’ bears a haunting resemblance to the unchecked history of the CIA’s past.

Is this truly for healing, or is the regime simply repeating one of America’s darkest state-sponsored abuses under a new front?

Sources

MKUltra — https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10443815/

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/10/books/review/poisoner-in-chief-stephen-kinzer.html?unlocked_article_code=1.b1A.7tfr.mM7BqdNLsYyZ&smid=url-share

Experimentation in prisons —
https://www.aclu.org/news/national-security/secret-cia-document-shows-plan-test-drugs-prisoners

Forced sterilizations in immigrant detention — https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/forced-sterilization-accusations-ice-facility-fit-trumps-poor-treatment

Operation Paperclip — https://www.npr.org/2014/02/15/275877755/the-secret-operation-to-bring-nazi-scientists-to-america

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Elldwnia is funding her run out of pocket to prove a point:

💰 Money should not be a barrier to running for office or representing the people.

She accepts zero campaign donations—not a dime from corporations, not a cent from PACs, and no endorsements.

Her campaign is powered entirely by teens, neurodivergent adults, the elderly, and disabled individuals—groups that are often overlooked in traditional politics. If you identify with any of these communities and are looking for a way to volunteer, please reach out!

What Elldwnia Stands For:

• Centering vulnerable humans: She is fighting for everyone, but specifically for disabled children, the elderly, and the unhoused, arguing that a society is only as strong as its weakest link.

• Education & Healthcare: She advocates for teachers to be paid like doctors, free school lunches (and food to take home), and tuition-free public college and trade schools.

• Digital Justice: She calls for the regulation of harmful social media algorithms that endanger our youth.

• Grassroots Democracy: She rejects tactics like yard signs and phone banks, and prefers face-to-face conversations and empowering young people to lead the charge.

How You Can Help:

• Volunteer: Whether you’re a teen, a disabled adult, or an elder, she has a place for you!

• Show Up: Elldwnia is hosting sit-downs at local cafes throughout her district. She wants to talk to her constituents to hear their issues directly.

• Spread the Word: Share her story, her videos, and her message — visit:

https://elldwniaforcongress.org/

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Blue Maga Definition: A person (usually a Democrat or self-professed progressive) who maintains the status quo by substituting symbolic gestures for material action, suppresses dissent from marginalized communities to preserve party cohesion, expects Black people and allies to coexist with their abusers and white supremacists to protect political interests, and functions as an enabler of the white supremacy they claim to oppose.

🧢 Blue MAGA is just as serious a threat as regular MAGA.

Because they’re just not serious.

Blue MAGA’s 🧢 pretension toward the Black community is exhausting—and racist.

We’re on our third protest, and nothing has changed. When we tell them why, they won’t listen.

So, why? Why has nothing changed?

Because blue MAGA 🧢 doesn’t understand that their jobs don’t end when the march is over. The time between protests isn’t for relaxation. The real work happens daily.

They expect us to stand down with them and watch while the world burns.

That’s a liability, my friends.

Blue MAGA 🧢 helped create and enable this system. Now they want credit for pretending to fight it.

They have the most selfish caucasity—with ZERO awareness—to tell US—Black women—and the very people who carry their party—to stop being upset about their inaction.

In essence, they’re asking,

“WhAT mORe dO yoU ExPECt uS tO Do?!?” as they weaponize our physical absence to label us as selfish.

We’ve been doing this work. It’s not new to us. It’s new to them—we’ve tried to tell them, but they don’t want to hear it.

They expect us to sit with our abusers, our oppressors, and white supremacists so they can feel better about their passivity.

It’s always about their feelings. 🙄

Until they wake up and choose LABOR over quarterly dance parties 🕺and performative activism—I don’t think we’re going to get anywhere with them.

And so, until they do decide to do the work—

Fuck Blue MAGA 🧢. 🖕🏽

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So, you want to save democracy?

Good!

Put down the protest sign and pick up a shovel. It’s time to do the work.

Because I want to be clear: This is real, hard WORK.

If you want to preserve what’s left of democracy—for yourself, for your kids, and for the future—you have to put in physical time and effort.

Ready?

Before I get to my point, I have to point out to white people—that all of these actionable items I’m providing are way overdue. Embarrassingly overdue. It’s time to start listening to Black women, and it’s time to do your part. Hold up your end of the bargain now. Are you anti-fascist? Don’t just say you are. Prove it. Are you actively anti-racist? In your everyday life? Can you prove it? Show us.

Because generally, white people aren’t accustomed to hard work. The culture they’ve created here in America is one of nepotism, mediocrity, and dormancy enabled at the core by colonization and forced/slave labor.

This authoritarian movement is going to be a real wake up call for those who have had the privilege of not having to experience being imprisoned or treated unjustly because of the color of their skin.

White people, this really shouldn’t be our burden to carry. But because of the spite, hate, fear, supremacy, and complacency, we’ve landed here.

You’re going to have to get your hands dirty—because now, this is what we all have to do:

PROTECT THE VOTE

1. Demand election transparency. Call or visit your local Board of Elections. Questions to ask: What machines are used? How are votes tabulated? Who counts the ballots? How can I observe?

   • How to start: Don’t just ask, call, visit, and demand responses. Request vendor names, data access logs, etc. Research voter protection groups (eg.

     Legal Defense Fund, https://866ourvote.org, and others) to know your rights and who to contact if you notice red flags in your county/state.

2. Check your voter registration constantly. Make sure you haven’t been purged.

   • How to start: Bookmark your state/local registration site and check it often (don’t wait until right before an election).

3. Organize your essential documents now. Birth certificates, passports, legal decrees—gather them and have them ready before you need them.

   • How to start: Order any replacement birth certificates or documents as soon as possible.

4. Learn your rights. Know exactly what you can and can’t do at the polls. Share that info with others.

5. File Freedom of Information (FOIA) requests. Force transparency. Make the government show its work.

   • How to start: Use sites like MuckRock to file FOIA requests for things like meeting minutes, Flock camera (license plate reader) data, and police reports.

SHOW UP & HOLD THOSE IN POWER ACCOUNTABLE

1. Attend local government meetings. City council, school board, county commission. Be present where decisions are made, and make statements on the record. Ask your local school districts what safety protocols they have in place for ICE and CBP operations targeting students and families.

   • How to start: Head to a local meeting. If you can’t speak, attend and listen. This is a good opportunity to connect with other parents and community members to organize on a more granular/discreet level.

2. Contact your representatives. Call, email, and show up at town halls. Bird-dog and demand answers during public comment periods.

3. Register new voters. Organize rides to the polls, start a fund for those who can’t afford an ID, volunteer—eliminate every barrier you can.

4. Protect vulnerable neighbors. Check on elderly, disabled, and marginalized neighbors and community members. Help them navigate potential obstacles.

   • How to start: Knock on doors. Ask: “Do you need help getting to the polls? Do you have your ID?”

5. Track campaign donations. Follow the money $$$. Expose anyone who is funding corruption.

   • How to start: Use OpenSecrets.org or your state’s ethics commission site. Share your findings with local news outlets, social media, etc.

6. Demand state-level contingency plans. (This idea comes directly from , who you can follow for many more.)

   Blue governors may be our last line of defense if federal power is used to override elections or constitutional limits. States should be preparing legal frameworks, election protections, limits on cooperation with unlawful federal actions, and financial contingency plans.

   • How to start: Contact your governor and ask: “What is our state’s plan if federal authority is used to undermine constitutional governance or election integrity?”

BUILD THE ALTERNATIVE (THIRD-PARTY)

The two-party system is no longer sustainable. We need a viable third-party and new political infrastructure NOW.

1. Research third parties. Working Families Party, Democratic Socialists of America, etc. Find your fit and get involved. Find out how you can get them on the ballot.

2. Get them on the ballot. Many states require signatures. Learn the rules. Volunteer, and start collecting.

3. Push for structural reform. Advocate for equitable systems (i.e. Ranked-Choice Voting, expanding mail-in voting) and fair redistricting.

4. Vote strategically. Establishment Democrats and Blue 🧢 MAGA keep the duopoly alive — they expect us to conform. But we can’t. We have to build toward something better.

This whole section is mandatory. It’s not optional.

ORGANIZE

1. Volunteer with local organizations. ACLU, mutual aid networks, community groups—find your people.

   • How to start: Pick an issue you care about most. Find a local org. Email or call to offer your time: “I have 4 hours a week. What do you need?”

2. Organize or join a union.

3. Build coalitions. Connect environmental, racial justice, labor, and faith groups. Share goals to multiply your impact.

   • How to start: Host a coffee meet; invite people from different groups to come together and align on shared goals.

4. Host community discussions. Bring people together to talk across divides.

5. Start a study group. Read and analyze together. Build shared understanding.

   • How to start: Pick a book or topic on racial justice, history, organizing, or democracy. Keep yourself educated and informed.

SPEAK TRUTH & EDUCATE

1. Write everywhere. Substack, Facebook, Instagram, local newspaper op-eds, etc. Fill every space possible with truth and reality. Overwhelm your community and the world with it.

2. Create art for the movement. Do you have a special talent? Are you an artist? You can create murals, posters, hats, signs, shirts, etc., for the movement. Make your message visible.

3. Talk honestly with strangers. Ask how they’re surviving in this economy. Ask how they’re handling fascism while under the rule of a pedophile. Break the silence. Plant seeds.

   • How to start: Next time you’re in line running errands, ask the person next to you how they’re handling life right now. Most folks are going through the same financial stressors that you are. Plant a seed and make a connection by subtly relating life to [obvious] politics.

4. Practice media literacy. Fact-check before sharing. Always call out misinformation and disinformation. Don’t let it fester; correct the record immediately, no matter who’s reading/watching.

5. Teach. If you’re knowledgeable on a certain topic, help people understand how it works and how they can get involved.

SUSTAIN THE MOVEMENT

1. Grow food and support community gardens. As our economy steadily declines, we have to build local resilience. Learn to feed and support each other.

   • How to start: Start a garden, or volunteer at a local community garden.

2. Start or join a mutual aid network. Meet people’s needs directly, and build trust in your community through action.

   • How to start: Create a neighborhood WhatsApp group for “Free Food/Clothes/Help.” Post what you have and what you need. Bartering and trading are going to become more common.

3. Support independent journalism. Subscribe to quality journalism. Truthful reporting is a lifeline—we can’t fight what we don’t understand. Keep yourself informed and armed with knowledge and truth.

4. Donate strategically. Fund orgs fighting for voting rights and defending civil liberties. Steer clear of the DNC, Act Blue, and orgs that are discreetly funding genocide and bolstering white supremacy.

5. Use your spending power. Boycott persons and corporations undermining our democracy. Support ethical alternatives.

🪧 A national strike would bring billionaires to their knees.

LEAD

1. Run for office. School board, city council, state legislature—people are desperate for truth and authentic representation.

   • How to start: You don’t need to be a politician. You need to be a real human being. Check orgs like runforsomething.net for support!

2. What are your strengths? Apply them immediately!

   • How to start: Are you good at math? Audit a budget. Good at talking? Organize a local meeting or rally. Organize a group of parents in and around your school who are willing to protect and keep each other posted on potential ICE activity. Good at cooking? Feed the needy; feed volunteers. Your place in this is essential, no matter what it is. No act is too small, but you absolutely have to do something NOW.

   Truth, She Wrote is a reader-supported publication. If something resonates, please support my work. If you can, please consider becoming a paid subscriber so I can keep bringing real stories with deeper context and truth that don’t always make it to the front page. If you can’t, but value my voice, I’m just as grateful to have you here. I will never put this work behind a paywall, because everyone deserves the truth.

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I am not an anomaly. What I witnessed and experienced was not unique to me. This is my truth, and nothing but.

After the 2024 election, reporting described DNC staff as feeling warned and pressured to keep quiet about their experiences, fearing that speaking out could jeopardize future political opportunities.

Naturally, these warnings intimidated people.

I totally empathize with that feeling. I’ve been there—scared into submission by abusers or unethical actors—far too many times.

But now, I’m too old—and too fucking tired of being silenced when speaking out against injustice—to let this go.

The DNC has continued to push a narrative about the reason the 2024 election was lost, while leaving out significant accusations and official reports.

That is, objectively, the definition of lying by omission.

They left out so many other things, like:

Patterns and documented reports of racism, bias, sexism, and mistreatment internally (something I personally experienced).

The concerns and claims about the mismanagement of campaign funds, and acceptance of dark money (or a further look into them to prove otherwise).

The complaints from organizers and volunteers who were hindered from doing their jobs adequately and to the fullest of their abilities.

A glaring point made by my friend, Walter:

Using Kamala as a scapegoat for the election loss because of her stance on the genocide occurring in Gaza (and specificity matters because there is more than one right now) makes absolutely no logical sense.

The majority of the Democratic establishment is supporting a genocide that the United States is actively funding—if we’re talking numbers and data, that is a fact.

Please read this linked article by NOTUS, which does a thorough job of laying out the bigger picture.

The campaign was an emotional rollercoaster for many of us—myself included—a collective sentiment that I feel comfortable saying was shared by many, if not most.

And I think that many of you—my readers and supporters with whom I’ve connected— understand my frustration. It’s very hard—impossible, really—for me to observe or sit through injustice.

I cannot stand injustice.

We deserve truth and transparency from every person in charge of influencing decisions that shape the trajectory and quality of our lives.

If an establishment is going to call itself a party for the people, it has to lead by example. Just because they’re “winning elections” does not mean their overall likability is higher.

They know that. Ignoring our outrage is a manipulation tactic—stonewalling.

The only reason they are “winning” elections right now (taking credit for it is wildly delusional) is because Donald Trump and his regime represent one of the most serious threats to the country since its “founding.” And when a nation’s democracy is under threat, I assume that urgency often takes precedence over holding the institutions or parties that contributed to the crisis accountable. I get that.

Also, lest we forget the most historic contradiction of its founding—the "founding" itself.

This does not give them a pass on responsibility or accountability.

That is the very same thing that we—the “good guys,” I guess (for lack of a better term in these times), are accusing Republicans of doing.

As Sen. Cory Booker once said:

“This is not a left or right moment. It is a right or wrong moment.”

So, when will the Democratic establishment be ready to meet that moment? The hour is getting late.

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The death penalty carries the inherent risk of executing an innocent person. Since 1973, at least 202 people who were wrongly convicted and sentenced to death in the U.S. have been exonerated.

The Death Penalty Information Center

In 1991, Charles Lee “Sonny” Burton, along with five other men, robbed an AutoZone in Talladega, AL. During the robbery, one of the group’s accomplices, Derrick DeBruce, shot and killed a store patron named Doug Battle.

Both Burton’s attorneys and the prosecution agree that Sonny was not the one who pulled the trigger.

All six of the men involved were tried and convicted. Four of them were sentenced to life in prison, while Sonny Burton and Derrick DeBruce—the man who inarguably pulled the trigger—both received death sentences.

DeBruce later had his death sentence overturned on appeal, and he was resentenced to life in prison without parole (he has since passed).

However, Sonny is still on death row.

25 EXECUTIONS

According to the EJI, Alabama’s governor, Kay Ivey, has overseen 25 death row executions since taking office in 2017. Among them, there have been public claims of innocence, intellectual disability, and juror opposition, with attorneys and advocates arguing that some cases warranted further investigation. The state ultimately allowed the executions to proceed.

Ivey has commuted a sentence only once, and at least three executions have been botched during her time in office.

In 2024, Kenneth Eugene Smith became the first known person in the world to be executed by nitrogen hypoxia after a botched attempt using lethal injection in November 2022.

“…each execution by nitrogen hypoxia resulted in what Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor has called “psychological terror” and “excruciating suffocation.”

Austin Sarat, VERDICT

Charles Burton is scheduled to be Alabama’s first execution this year and would be the fifth nitrogen hypoxia execution in the state if Governor Ivey does not grant clemency. There’s still time to intervene.

Those who want to take action can contact Governor Kay Ivey’s office directly at governor.alabama.gov/contact or sign the clemency letter at:

charlessonnyburton.com/action

Public pressure + clemency requests are submitted to the Governor’s office ahead of the execution date.

☕️ Buy Me a Coffee

Dear [School Board Members / Principal / School Leadership],

I’m writing as a concerned parent and community member to raise a critical issue that requires immediate planning, transparency, and district- and school-level coordination: the potential presence of federal immigration enforcement near our schools.

As you may know, [School or District Name] serves a diverse student population. According to a survey by [Data Source – e.g., State Department of Education or District Report], approximately [Percentage of non-White students] of students are identified as Black, Hispanic, Asian, multiracial, or other non-White groups. This diversity means some families may be especially vulnerable to trauma or harm if federal enforcement actions occur near schools without clear protections.

Recent events in Minnesota have brought this danger into sharper focus, showing what can happen when schools and local governments are unprepared for rapidly escalating federal enforcement.

[Optional: include if your state has a law or policy limiting local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement: While [State law or policy name] limits cooperation with federal immigration enforcement] rightfully prohibits 287(g) agreements, that legal safeguard alone is not enough.]

Our [district/school] must take clear, proactive steps to ensure our students, faculty, staff, and families are protected from unnecessary trauma, violence, or arrest on or near school property.

[State Department of Education or Governor’s Office] is urging districts to adopt clear policies regarding immigration enforcement, student safety, and data privacy. I would like to understand whether our district has reviewed or implemented any of those recommendations, and if not, whether there are plans to do so in the near future.

I’m respectfully requesting the following:

— Details of any existing or in-progress protocols related to federal immigration enforcement near schools, including whether coordination is happening with local law enforcement, the Governor’s office, or the [State Department of Education or relevant agency];

— A clear timeline for when any guidance, safety plans, or procedures will be made available to families if they do not already exist;

— A commitment to community engagement, including opportunities for parents like myself to contribute to the development or review of any such plans—whether through advisory sessions, open forums, etc.

[Optional: include if you would like to offer assistance or ongoing involvement: I’m happy to assist—whether that means drafting guidance, connecting with advocacy organizations, or identifying and bringing together other families who share these concerns. I’m raising this because I care deeply—and because I believe we have the tools and leadership to act proactively, before this crisis reaches our doorstep.]

I look forward to your response and to hearing more about how we can all work together to ensure that our schools remain as safe and trusted as possible for all families.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Optional: Parent/Guardian at School Name]
[Optional: Contact Information]

On September 22, 2025, Victor Acurio Suárez, an Ecuadorian immigrant seeking protection via asylum through the legal, documented process, was kidnapped and detained by ICE with the assistance of the Seaford Police Department in southern Delaware.

Here’s what’s especially cruel about this situation: Victor is Autistic and has aphasia—disabilities that require him to have the support and supervision of an in-home caregiver; he is unable to live independently.

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Victor’s brother, Lenin, is that caregiver, and has been since the two brothers fled Ecuador back in 2021 to escape from gang violence that directly and physically threatened their lives on more than one occasion.

Reports say that Victor was outside at a Lowe’s in Seaford, Delaware, flagging down potential customers for work. His brother, Lenin, has said that Victor can perform low-complexity work, but only so long as someone is nearby to guide and assist him.

Coincidentally and unfortunately, he caught the attention of an ICE agent who happened to be in the parking lot at the time.

The ICE agent reportedly pulled his vehicle closer to Victor to observe him as another agent arrived to “assist”, and soon after, attempted to apprehend him. Victor fled on foot and sought shelter beneath a nearby trailer.

The agent was unable to retrieve Victor on his own, so he called on the Seaford Police Department for reinforcement. Victor has been in detention at the Moshannon Valley Processing Center (operated by the multi-billion dollar for-profit concentration camp and prison management company, GEO Group) in Pennsylvania ever since.

The Philly Enquirer reports:

Acurio Suárez has long been cared for by his brother, Lenin Acurio Suárez, who said in an interview last month that Victor Acurio Suárez did not realize he was in immigration custody when he was taken to the Moshannon Valley Processing Center in Pennsylvania. He thought he was on vacation, provided with three free meals a day and allowed to buy snacks and kick a soccer ball.

Fucking sick, right?

Here’s where Delaware’s house bill HB182 comes into play, but also gets murky: it’s supposed to prohibit contracts between ICE and local law enforcement; however, what’s to stop local police departments from assisting federal agencies without an agreement?

States that have passed these laws need to be more explicit: law enforcement must be prohibited from cooperating with federal immigration agencies altogether, not just through formal contracts.

Victor’s asylum claim is still valid, but even though he has no criminal record and has been going about the asylum-seeking process the proper, legal way, immigration Judge Dennis Ryan ordered him to “voluntarily” self-deport back to Ecuador, which would put him straight back into harm’s way.

And choosing not to self-deport is also murky, as the court could (and likely would) then issue an actual order of deportation.

It’s a lose-lose situation.

Delaware’s Governor, Matt Meyer, has been an outspoken critic of the Trump regime and is calling for Victor’s immediate release, but further legislation is still needed to close the loophole that allows local agencies to assist ICE with unlawful kidnappings and detentions throughout the country.

Victor’s attorney, Kaley Miller-Schaeffer, appealed the decision as Victor and Lenin await a response from the Board of Immigration Appeals.

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Fascism does not discriminate — it will come for all of us.

Protesting today matters. This 21st-century fascist regime needs to see just how deeply the people who live here love this country — despite its savage, stolen beginnings — and how committed we are to its democracy, its freedoms, and its future. They need to see just how many of us they’ll have to bulldoze over before they pull off a full-blown, long-term fascist takeover.

No Kings 2.0 is not an “I hate America” protest.

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That, my friends, is nothing more than Donald Trump and his flunky, fascist regime’s predictable projection of how they actually feel about this country and its democracy.

They hate democracy.

They hate freedom of speech.

They hate due process.

They hate equality.

They hate liberty.

They hate justice.

They are the threat to this diverse, imperfect, beautiful nation that so many of us have come to love.

No Kings CANNOT stop here.

We have to keep calling them out — their bullshit, their manipulation, their contortion, their lies, their projection. We see them for what they are, and we know their plan for this country does not include us.

But we built this country.

We fund this country.

And most importantly, we, the people, are this country.

And they need to know: we’re standing on business.

All the torture, terror, genocide, and slavery that built this country — it cannot be for nothing. This is supposed to be a democracy. We did not sign up for dictatorship. We don’t deserve that. Our neighbors don’t deserve that. Our kids don’t deserve that.

The fight cannot end here.

This has to be a new beginning. Get loud. Get bold. Keep fighting for your rights — and don’t let the fire die out today.

Be safe. Be vigilant. Be peaceful. Be brave. Be consistent.

You and I are the only ones who can save this country, and prevent the failure of this almost 250-year experiment — and the whole world is watching us.

I haven’t written fully about my experience because there’s just so much to unpack — too much for one single piece. Maybe it’s better told aloud. But I’m incredibly grateful that Kamala Harris is releasing this book.

Everything I’ve continued to speak out about — the horrific and often devious treatment I, and many of my Black and Brown colleagues, endured — the racism I faced from members of my own team — and the stories from colleagues across the country who were actively held back from doing their jobs — I personally believe it was sabotage.

I believe some of this will be validated in her book — it seems she endured similar treatment from people within her own inner circle, at the very top.

If that turns out to be the case, it’s deeply sad — and even more tragic that I had no idea she was going through the same thing. From what I’ve read so far, it sounds like she was possibly navigating the same toxic dynamics — just magnified by her position.

On the staff level, they siloed us. They kept many of us silent, threatening retribution if we spoke out.

Clearly, I don’t give a fuck.

I’ve been speaking out, and I’m not stopping — not in a democratic emergency, and not in a political climate this dangerous. We need leaders who will actually speak the hell up.

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I’ve said this since the moment the election was called: the DNC — and the establishment as a whole — has some serious work to do. If they don’t acknowledge their wrongdoings, they’ll end up burning the entire party to the ground.

And they’re doing an amazing job of that already.

Articles featuring colleagues who spoke up — but whose experiences were ignored or dismissed:

• Notus — ‘Broken Since the Beginning’: What Went Wrong Inside the Harris Campaign

• NPR — Not going back: How Harris failed to turn the page on Trump in her 107-day sprint

• ABC News — Harris campaign leadership urges staffers not to speak with reporters: Sources

• Economic Times — Black staffers who worked for Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign accuse leadership of mistreatment; here are all the stunning claims they have made

• The Atlantic — Why They Lost

• The New York Times (Gifted) — How Alarmed Harris Staffers Went Rogue to Reach Black and Latino Voters

• KFOX14 — Harris campaign staffers led covert effort to reach Black, Latino Philly voters, NYT says

• The New York Post — Kamala Harris staffers in Philadelphia were alarmed over campaign’s poor outreach to black and Latino voters: report

While 250 U.S. legislators, senators, and representatives from all 50 states are currently in Israel planting trees, the UN and other nations are finally concluding that the atrocities occurring in Gaza are, in fact, unequivocally constituted as a genocide. There are no more excuses or justifications — the world is finally catching on.

While our own representatives are nonchalantly vacationing in Israel, next door, Palestinian residents are being displaced and murdered — yet, one U.S. representative “couldn’t be more proud.”

“Standing here, I couldn’t be prouder to be a Jew and a Zionist; to me, they are the same,” stated Esther Panitch, a Democratic representative from the state of Georgia, and an attendee of the 50 States One Israel conference.

I thought perhaps the above statement was propaganda, but after doing a deep dive, I found that, sadly, this Georgia Democrat is proud of her stance. I’m sure that if I were to go down the rabbit hole, I would find many others who share the same sentiments.

All of this, while being serenaded with Wizard of Oz melodies. Sadly, folks, this isn’t a joke — this isn’t satire — this is real life.

As the world wakes up, the U.S. is advancing bills that bar people from boycotting Israeli-owned businesses for political purposes, since Israel has been deemed an official “friend" to the U.S.

Netanyahu expects our backing to support Israel’s massive Gazan cleanse. At the same time, the ushering in of this new 50/1 American/Israeli alliance will further drive efforts to denounce and persecute pro-Palestinian, anti-genocide voices.

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The propaganda being pushed by the Israel/U.S. alliance is threatening our constitutional rights, here in America. Our freedoms are being severed while our rights are being stripped. Our leaders have left us to fend for ourselves, and if we don’t find a way to escape from this dark hole we’re in, I fear that our future will be very bleak.

We have two choices: allow the [valid] fear of retribution to take over, or continue speaking out with the general understanding that up is down, left is right, and any opposition to genocide will be mystically contorted, under the guise of anti-Semitism. If we choose the latter, we'll have to [metaphorically] fight like hell.

If you didn’t think this could get any worse, please note that we’ve only reached the eighth month of this regime’s rule. The evidence of our eyes and ears suggests that America is about to be in for a wild ride.

We’ve officially crossed over the threshold into authoritarianism in America.

Now, what do we do?

This question has become far more common, and I see it everywhere. It’s one I’ve been asking myself. The American people are literally crying out for help — “What do we do?!” “What can we do?”

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I personally am not one to sit idly by. When I witness blatant injustice and harm being done to others, I get angry, and that anger quickly turns into activation and motivation. But sometimes, even I’m not sure how or where I can best utilize or activate my strength.

The wave of rage many of us are feeling is unlike anything we’ve experienced before, because our current political reality is unprecedented in American history. The United States has never been governed by a dictator. For as long as we’ve been alive, this country has run (unequally and unjustly, of course) under a democracy. That experiment is now officially over. Perhaps not forever, but certainly for now.

Within just a few short months, we’ve completely closed the chapter of our young democracy and have entered into a full-blown dictatorship. And though it’s only been a few short months, the changes, lawlessness, and cruelty have left many of us feeling helpless and hopeless. We find ourselves searching for a place where we can fit in — a way to fight it, a way to combat it, a way to make change for the common good.

We must seize the opportunity to fight while we still have our freedom — because in America, freedom is no longer guaranteed. It stands on the brink of being stripped as a right, steadily fading into a waning privilege.

Earlier this year, the Trump regime allowed a South African apartheid-sympathizing billionaire, along with a group of juvenile incels, to establish a new, make-believe department — the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE — tasked with demonetizing and dismantling the infrastructure of virtually every established U.S. government agency.

We’ve had big tech and AI conglomerates like OpenAI and Palantir bend the knee to Donald Trump and his regime, willfully deploying the largest surveillance scheme in U.S. history.

We’ve been stripped of our privacy and autonomy. ICE and other non-relevant agencies have been granted access to our IRS data, cell phone metadata, medical records, addresses, legal filings, emergency contacts, bank information, internet history — literally everything. Every single data point that can be traced back to you has been made available to anyone with access to these systems. This is a disaster waiting to happen. Oh, wait! It already has.

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The Supreme Court — an institution that once had a duty to uphold the rule of law and the Constitution of the United States of America — is now a sham. Six “justices” sit on the bench who have decided that capitulating to America’s dictator is worth more than their honor, their loyalty, their dignity, and their legacy of service to our country and its people. John Roberts, Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, Brett Kavanaugh, Neil Gorsuch, and Amy Coney Barrett are stains on American history that will never erased. We, the people, will make sure of that.

The writ of habeas corpus is at risk of being abolished. Donald Trump has created a modern-day SS composed of police, feds, FBI, military, and National Guard members, enlisted for what appears to be the sole purpose of harassing, torturing, and instilling fear and submission into innocent people throughout the country — a movement that continues to grow and expand. Citizens and non-citizens are being kidnapped, detained, arrested, and even sent to third-party war-torn countries without due process. Donald Trump has circumvented the typical processes and norms governing the passage of bills and orders through the use of executive orders. By doing so, he has diverted funds intended for life-saving agencies such as Medicaid, the Department of Education, and Social Security, channeling billions of our tax dollars to ICE. In effect, he has created the largest allegiant army in the world, swiftly enticing and hiring loyalists who are willing to pillage and plunder innocent humans in exchange for exorbitant hiring bonuses.

We have concentration camps being built before our very eyes that house citizens and non-citizens alike, since the regime no longer recognizes due process as a right worth honoring.

This, folks, is the new America.

Now, what can we do to stop it? How do we stop it?

I believe that the only way this could fully be stopped is if the entire nation staged an actual coup — a J6 for the greater good. I’m not promoting this; I’m simply stating that there are more of us — the good folks — than them, and the regime cannot be toppled without dismantling it completely. Removing Donald Trump is not enough. The goal for this regime is to have a ‘pure’ white Christian nationalist society without Black and brown people in their way. That means Stephen Miller, Pete Hegseth, Tulsi Gabbard, J.D. Vance, and the rest of the klan have to go. But the likelihood of that happening is slim to none.

Since that is unlikely to happen — because our country is too docile and complacent to overthrow its government as others have done (with Syria being one recent example), the next best thing I can recommend is to take up as much space as possible.

Preach — If you’re an aware, empathetic human who cringes at the sight of a person’s head being bashed to the ground by cowardly bastards wearing balaclavas, or if you literally feel the pain and anguish of those whose rights and voices are being unlawfully silenced, then speak out. If you’re privy to current events by way of independent, truthful media, repost it, speak it, share it, shout it, preach it. It doesn’t matter if it feels like no one is listening; it doesn’t matter how many likes you get on your posts — our collective goal right now is to educate, to spread the truth, and to wake up those who are not yet conscious. We have to try before it’s too late.

Strike — Limit your purchases to only what is essential for you and your family. Don’t just limit your strike to a specific date or time frame — keep it indefinite. Don’t spend your hard-earned money at Trump-supporting companies like Target, Walmart, Home Depot, Amazon, and Coca-Cola — prioritize local Indigenous, Black, brown, LGBTQ2S+, and other minority-owned businesses, and try to shop only for absolute necessities. With a recession looming, the more minimal, the better.

Run — RUN for office. If you’re smart, competent, and frustrated with your local leadership, if you see open or uncontested seats, if you’re raging at home because the Democratic establishment just doesn’t get it — then run. Run for something. Local elections are more critical now than ever: school boards, county commissions, city councils, state legislatures — the possibilities are endless. Grassroots support is incredibly popular right now, and if you stand up for what’s right and aren’t afraid to protect and listen to potential constituents, you will garner their support.

Organize — Partner with local organizations doing the hard work, from food banks and court observers to local ACLU chapters that are working with your state government and legislators to pass bills that protect the people. You’ll arm yourself with even more knowledge and information. The more we know, the more we can network, spread the word, and bring others into our efforts.

Support — Stand with your Democratic representatives, senators, and governors. Call, write, and meet with them. Let them know you’re there, ready to help, and that they’re not alone. Push them to do what’s right and to speak up — because it’s not always easy. Fighting authoritarianism takes a really large damn village. And if they fall short, hold their feet to the fire when they fail to take a strong enough stand against authoritarianism.

Speak Out — Call out your Republican officials and representatives. Overwhelm their offices with phone calls and emails. Show up at town halls (if they exist) and school board meetings. Educate yourself on what’s happening in your community. Speak out in your local Facebook groups. Hold conservatives accountable for their complicity and fecklessness in the rise of authoritarianism. Make them answer for their actions. Make your presence known so they know that getting away with it won’t be so easy.

Connect — Find like-minded people through independent online sources as well as in person. Times are about to become incredibly rough, and we need to know who our allies are and who we can count on. We need to stick together because there will be a lot of suffering — and right now, people need people more than ever. Let’s find each other, build community, and stay connected. This movement demands a powerful collective effort — one that includes you and me — to overcome this. We’re going to need shoulders to lean on, to cry on, to vent to, in the most human way possible. You’re not alone, I promise you.

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When I tell you things are going to get tougher, please believe me. This time in history is not for the faint of heart, and unfortunately, many of us can’t escape.

We will be mentally, emotionally, and physically pushed to our limits. We will have to think outside the box, outsmart our enemies, push back against them, and plan ahead. We will need to learn how to strategize and organize the way our ancestors did.

This is not going to be easy — but we have each other, and you are not alone. We are part of a historic movement, one in which we stand on the right side of justice, equality, and history. They can’t erase our knowledge, our power, or our memories — and they cannot erase the truth.

This, folks, is our mandate: to rise, to resist, and to build something much better.

Why should United States citizens worry about entering into direct conflict with Iran? What exactly are the implications?

I compiled this Q&A to provide a [hopefully] understandable explanation.

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The most important consideration, in my opinion, should be for humanity. War poses a significant threat to all humankind. People are suddenly forced into immediate tactical survival mode and uncertainty. But add in an element of imminent danger by way of missile strikes, drone strikes, and other attacks—it’s just not good for our livelihood or our souls.

I believe we have a right to live our lives without fear; without being subjected to danger by our own governments; without being thrown into senseless wars by men who don’t seem to realize that they have expiration dates, too.

However, the threat to humanity is not the only risk. Let’s take a look at a few others.

In July of 2015, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), headed by President Obama’s Secretary of State John Kerry and Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Wendy Sherman, was enacted.

Here is the full text of the agreement, but it’s lengthy, so I’ll lay out a few key points.

1. What was the JCPOA?
   Iran signed onto the agreement (implemented in January of 2016), promising the creation of a peaceful nuclear program, essentially allowing for “responsible” proliferation under stringent international laws, rules, and regulations.

   Though the agreement set limitations on the amounts and types of nuclear weaponry they were allowed to produce, it still gave Iran “permission” to move forward with their nuclear research and development and to obtain uranium, plutonium, and other necessary natural resources without the threat of sanctions or retaliation. The agreement solidified the understanding that cooperation between the countries involved would be met.

   Why is the desire for nuclear weapons so strong? Despite the environmental and physical risks of harm, possessing nuclear capabilities would give Iran a sense of protection and belonging; a seat at the nuclear table, if you will.

   Essentially, the plan allowed Iran the freedom to develop an arsenal to further protect its national interests through deterrence. And with a general understanding of mutually assured destruction (in conflict, a country is less likely to strike if they know that the other also has the power to strike back), nuclear-equipped nations are more willing to accept that risk. Mutually assured destruction (MAD) is essentially its own built-in safety mechanism. No one wants nuclear war.

   Now, this all may seem counterintuitive to people like you and me, but that’s because there’s another intersectional conversation to be had regarding proliferation, non-proliferation, environmental risks of destruction and destabilization, etc. Unfortunately, I don’t foresee nuclear power ever entirely disappearing.

2. Donald Trump pulled out of the JCPOA in May of 2018. This is important to note.

   

   Due to this retraction/undoing, Iran was immediately subjected to sanctions from the [1.0] Trump regime. However, pulling out of that agreement meant that Iran no longer had to follow the rules, essentially giving them the autonomy to build a weapons arsenal on their own terms, without any guardrails or rules in place.

3. What weapons does Iran currently have, and what are their capabilities?
   Iran’s arsenal—one of the largest in the Middle East—primarily consists of ballistic missiles and drones. Their ballistics fall into the small to mid-range size, with ranges long enough (up to 2,000 km) to reach Israel, but not nearly long enough to reach, say, the U.S.
   

So, what should we be concerned with if Iran’s weapons don’t pose a physical threat to the U.S.?

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1. America’s presence is established in several corners of the world, including the Middle East, with U.S. embassies, government entities, and military installations strategically embedded throughout. Unfortunately, Iran’s missiles do have the capability to reach some of those establishments should they attempt to strike. This puts our troops, diplomats, and other overseas personnel at risk, hence why many have been given the green light to evacuate (of course, without assistance from the U.S. government).

2. Iran is one of the world’s largest producers of oil. War and/or sanctions on Iran would decrease the availability of oil, causing drastic increases in petrol prices—both at the barrel and at the pump. It would wreak even further havoc on our economy (and others’), more than likely dragging us closer to the looming recession.

3. Perhaps the most frightening aspect of all is that there is no plan—not even a concept of a plan. The U.S. has introduced no plan of action, unless we are to consider the erratic, intelligible threats made by its aspiring dictator—but still, those aren’t plans. Those are threats with no intelligence behind them. They don’t acknowledge or discuss any end goal or even a reasonable justification for the madness we’re all being forced into. Arguably, we should expect any “decisions” made by this administration to be full of the same incompetence we’ve seen since day one. There is really no valid reason for the U.S. to involve itself in this conflict, and I think that point also gets buried in all of this. It’s senseless. It’s unnecessary. It’s not in our best interest. The question is then, whose interest is this in?
   

   Thankfully, history provides us with a portrait of what could (and more than likely will) go wrong without a plan in place. We have George W. Bush to thank for entering us into a senseless war of mass destruction against Iraq in 2003 based on lies from his regime. Let’s not forget, the Iraq war went on for eight long years—Conveniently well past the end of Bush’s presidency.

The threat that we face is so urgent right now. I think some of the questions we need to be asking are:

WHO does this war benefit? And HOW?

WHY is the U.S. complicit?

WHAT will the aggressors (Israel and others) gain from this?

Perhaps then we can understand why we’re once again being used as pawns in another treacherous game of war.

It's Tuesday, June 17, 2025.

As we are almost certainly heading into an inevitable war with Iran—potentially within hours—I’m having a lot of thoughts; it’s hard to gather them all.

I’ve been struggling to keep up with writing here on Substack because I have a hard time not only collecting but also “perfecting” my thoughts. I’m a writer, but not a writer—if that makes sense. I spend an extraordinary amount of time trying to make every sentence “perfect”, which is almost always to my detriment.

Then, enough time passes that the topic no longer feels relevant—usually due to an even newer, bigger, unprecedented, totally abnormal, erratically horrifying breaking piece of news that ends up taking priority—and I essentially cease to continue, call it a day, and kill my own story.

So! Before even more time passes—before our conversations shift indefinitely to topics of war, I’ll share some of the photos I took during Philadelphia’s ever-so-peaceful No Kings Day rally, where it was reported that 80,000—100,000 people were in attendance.

It’s reported that over 80,000 people in Philadelphia—the City of Brotherly Love—the birthplace of the Declaration of Independence (1776) and the U.S. Constitution (1787)—came out in full force, PEACEFULLY, for the ‘NO KINGS DAY’ protest on June 14, 2025.

Some Special Guests included:

•Martin Luther King III & Arndrea Waters

•Rev. William Barber II

•Timothy Snyder, author of the best-selling book “On Tyranny”

•Mike Lee, President of the ACLU in PA

•Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers

And more.

America serves under the institution of democracy. And though it is FAR from perfect, WE WILL CONTINUE to fight until we ALL have equality, equity, liberty, and JUSTICE for ALL. That means we are NOT going back.

We reject hate. We reject senseless violence. We acknowledge that this land was STOLEN from Native Indigenous peoples, and we understand that NO HUMAN BEING is “illegal” — especially on stolen land.

We will not capitulate; we will not live in fear; we will not back down. We do not and will not serve ANY wannabe kings in America.

As a long-time resident of the state of Delaware,

Having worked in politics on a presidential campaign headquartered in the state of Delaware,

As a current student of the University of Delaware,

As a mother of children currently attending public schools and Universities within the state of Delaware,

And as a resident who pays attention,

I see a lot of what Delaware is lacking. Equity in education is one of those things. However, I also see how Delaware can frame thoughts and conversations around improving educational and cultural equity. Because what remains most important is our children, who are the future.

Delaware, as small as she may be, is growing. While it is exciting to see the “First State” gain recognition and popularity as it continues to expand, I am equally concerned that district and community leaders are not interested in adapting to new families' cultural and diversity-related needs.

From 2010-2020, the state of Delaware saw a 10.2% increase in its population (based on stats from the U.S. Census); from 2023–2024, it saw a 1.49% increase—and these numbers don't appear to be slowing down any time soon.

According to a 2024 Appoquinimink school district referendum, the district experienced a 17% increase in student growth within the past 5 years (from 2019–2024), equating to the addition of nearly 2,000 students.

The expedited rate of growth and potential for overcrowding is not just an Appoquinimink district concern—educational referendums have been popping up across the state over the past several years due to its expanding, steady rate of growth—one of the fastest growing in the country (currently #9 out of 50 states with a growth rate of approximately 1.5% per year, according to data reported by the U.S. Census Bureau).

Statistically, Delaware continues to experience a gradual decrease among white-identifying people while minorities, most notably people who identify as Black, Hispanic, Asian, and mixed-race, have seen a gradual increase in growth each year.

So, when superintendents and school board members hold conservative, nationalist ideologies, it becomes a concern—not only for my own family, but for the thousands of international and culturally diverse families within my district (and state) whose beliefs, holidays, faiths, and cultures—have not and are not being included or considered in conversations.

Delaware will hold its annual school board elections on Tuesday, May 13, 2025.

In my local district (Appoquinimink), the two candidates running alongside Dr. Sandhya Celestin-Brown leave much to be desired.

Dr. Celestin-Brown is the only candidate who has addressed and recognized the importance of inclusivity and equitable learning, which is essential to promoting a positive learning environment for children and students. She is also the only candidate who responded (thoroughly and thoughtfully) to the ACLU of Delaware’s school board candidate questionnaire—the other two candidates—both conservative, republican white men—seem to have a greater focus on business and politics than addressing the deep-rooted issues that lie within the district’s foundation. Both men also refused to respond to the ACLU’s questions, likely due to fear of accountability.

I’m tired of the “it’s not about politics” excuses. You are correct if you believe school board elections are not about politics. However, using that excuse as a justification or guise to dismiss the atrocities America is currently experiencing (by labeling them as “political”) is cowardly. The statements and affirmations needing to be proclaimed are not about politics—they are about the safety, protection, and security of the families in which the board serves.

Schools also have an integral duty to their constituents (students and families) to uphold these values and stand up for students and families (especially those at a higher risk of being targeted). Sadly, in Delaware, not much of that is being done.

Authoritarianism is scary, I know. But the silence is deafening. We have seen dictators and terrorists in action throughout history; we know how to combat them. Capitulation is a sure way to fail.

Goldey-Beacom College of Wilmington has joined other universities and institutions in the AAC&U’s Call for Constructive Engagement.

The University of Delaware has yet to make a statement.

Delaware State University has yet to make a statement.

Most K-12 school districts have not yet made statements.

As countries across the world are issuing advisories against travel to the United States and citizens are sent to torture camps in South America, it would be remiss not to admit that we are all in grave danger. Donald Trump, an autocrat and aspiring dictator, is actively shredding the 237-year-old Constitution as it currently stands in an attempt to expel those whom he deems inferior.

Families deserve to be informed. Students deserve to be reassured that their schools will do everything in their power to protect them, and that means speaking up, speaking out, and proactively confronting the lawlessness of the U.S. regime—Not capitulating to it.

That means that schools will thoroughly train and educate their staff on how to address illegal ICE arrests, violations of student rights (FERPA, etc.), and communicate to families how they will address and combat these threats against children and students going forward.

Families should not fear sending their children to school.

Students should not fear the illegalities of green card revocations occurring while attending Universities and colleges. Not in America.

But they do now.

I will continue to say—Delaware could be an example in setting a precedent for the rest of the nation to follow. As the first state to ratify the Constitution in 1787, will we lead by example to affirm our stance on upholding it?

I held off publishing this yesterday, because I needed to be very clear. And now, with the news of Harvard’s standoff with Trump, I see it would’ve been premature.

With an overwhelming build-up of emotion (outrage, mostly), I was ready to find ways to publicly ask Delaware's Department of Education, universities, and schools why they have not issued any statement of support for students and families amid the thousands of enforcement arrests happening right now— 32,809 as of March 13, 2025, according to the Department of Homeland Security. And that number has surely grown. We’re halfway through April.

It has been disheartening—and infuriating—to watch Delaware schools sit idly by without even the slightest blanket statement that says, “Hey, we’re aware there’s some crazy shit going on, and we are going to stand by and do our best to protect our students and families.”

Perhaps not in those exact words—but you get the point.

I was completely unaware and stunned to learn that Harvard University—just yesterday—was the first and only university to speak out in support of their students' rights and freedoms in the midst of the illegal arrests and deportations taking place under the Trump regime.

So yes, I’m glad they finally did that. But why has it taken this long? And why isn’t anyone pointing out how insane it is that they are facing persecution for calling something what it actually is—illegal?

We cannot keep trying to redefine definitions, rewrite meaning, or bend logic. It won’t work. I’ll call it out every time it happens, because it is not normal.

Look—if you give a dictator an inch, he’ll take your entire colony. We’ve seen this with Great Britain and Germany in the late 1930s.

So the threat to revoke federal grants and funds (which is coercion, by the way) for speaking out or refusing to comply with illegal demands? It’s null and void.

Because let me tell you: it doesn’t matter. Whether you give a dictator carte blanche or decide to go to war with him— history has already shown us the consequences. The irony is that the Trump regime is bullying federal agencies under the guise of fighting antisemitism and discrimination.

Thanks to Hitler, we know how it ends— even when you comply. Spoiler alert: you still lose.

Columbia University got to experience that loss firsthand because they made the wrong decision—bargaining with an aspiring fascist.

On March 8, 2025, one day after the Trump regime announced that it was revoking $400 million in federal funding from Columbia (again, under the guise of antisemitism), they illegally arrested Columbia graduate student Mahmoud Khalil.

Columbia made a poor decision to concede, almost enthusiastically, in hopes that they would make daddy Trump proud and be able to reclaim their stolen funds— but now they look foolish, scrambling instead, to reclaim their integrity.

Because just yesterday, Harvard finally broke the silence. Now, Columbia is trying to clean up the mess it created with a half-hearted new statement.

So, yes—it makes more sense now why Delaware’s DOE has remained fearfully silent.

However, Federal educational institutions have a duty to uphold. According to Delaware’s DOE, part of that mission is to educate and to provide safe, healthy environments conducive to learning.

Refusing to acknowledge that children, students, and families—members of our communities—are being targeted and disappeared is abhorrent.

Last week, it was reported that eight University of Delaware students had their green cards revoked. We’re still anxiously waiting for details— because it wouldn’t be a Trump regime without a complete lack of transparency. But we’ve already seen what they do: they make false accusations, detain people, and send them to detention centers and internationally condemned prisons.

Despite the daily threats posed by the American regime, we still live in a democracy.
Educational institutions should be the first to understand just how severe this moment is.

The revocation of academic grants and funds on the basis of refusal to follow the demands placed on an institution by the executive branch of government is not lawful. It’s actually coercion, which is—you guessed it—another crime!

We have not overturned the authoritarian stone just yet. There is still time to fight. To continue our democracy, we must all take a stand.

The Delaware branch of the ACLU has already asked nicely. And I’m just one person— but I promise you, there are more of us coming.

So, Delaware: I implore you to stand up for what’s right—and what’s just.

Your silence enables cruelty.
It normalizes injustice.
And you will have to reckon with the proverbial consequences when your time comes.

You have a duty to the students, families, and communities you serve. It’s time to stop being afraid—because a whole community stands with you. And with democracy.

The threat to our students and families is real.

Don’t wait until the last minute to make a statement— because when it’s your turn, your shame will be louder than the silence.