Gabriel Lezra @gabelezra.bsky.social · 22/09/2026The work of justice is to plant trees under whose shade you may never sit; and the fight against organized oligarchy, against the immense power of concentrated money, is often a battle for a sunrise you may never see. But one day, someone, somewhere, will sit under a tree, watching the sun rise. 18220
Gabriel Lezra @gabelezra.bsky.social · 17hLiterally what I explained in my @contrariannews.org column. I hope everyone who likes to stream sports is excited to also have to pay for golf, stock car racing, and whatever else they can slam into this combined streaming behemoth. 011
Gabriel Lezra @gabelezra.bsky.social · 01/10/2026I joined the @managingmadrid.bsky.social podcast yesterday to talk about how the Paramount-WBD merger will make it more expensive and more unpleasant to stream sports content. Absolute blast hanging out with @kiyanso.bsky.social as always! www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5qO...youtube.comManaging Madrid Founder GABE LEZRA on the rising cost of watching Real Madrid on TVYouTube video by Managing Madrid 111
Reposted by Gabriel LezraFreedom of the Press Foundation @freedom.press · 28/09/2026🔔 Can the judiciary oversee Paramount's self-appointed editorial board? Hear from journalists who saw how these boards work (or don't), with @marielgarza.bsky.social, @bgrueskin.bsky.social, @sulliview.bsky.social, and @dicktofel.bsky.social. 🗓️ Oct. 5, 1 pm ET RSVP: freedom.press/editorial-bo... 25631
Gabriel Lezra @gabelezra.bsky.social · 23/09/2026We’ve been saying for months that Paramount’s promise to front load the $6 billion in “synergies” would require nearly immediate mass layoffs; the report they paid for, which was covered uncritically by many in the media, said the merger would generate jobs. Huh. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 000
Gabriel Lezra @gabelezra.bsky.social · 23/09/2026Reupping my @contrariannews.org piece about the Paramount merger's impact on how we watch sports--and the continued enshittification of everything, particularly the things we enjoy. www.contrariannews.org/p/sports-fan...contrariannews.orgSports Fans Can’t Boycott. Paramount Is Counting on It.I learned as a kid what it costs to watch soccer in America. The Paramount-Warner Bros. merger will teach every fan the same lesson. 020
Reposted by Gabriel LezraBrendan Benedict @brendanbenedict.bsky.social · 23/09/2026Not a done deal. Spread the word. 03222
Reposted by Gabriel LezraAlvaro M. Bedoya @bedoyausa.bsky.social · 23/09/2026mythbusting the Paramount settlement en español 0256
Reposted by Gabriel LezraMayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani @mayor.nyc.gov · 22/09/2026America is free only when the media is competitive, independent, and accountable to the people. apnews.com/article/warn...apnews.comStates settle lawsuit over Paramount-Warner merger, clearing key hurdle for $81 billion dealTwelve states and Hollywood writers challenging Paramount’s buyout of Warner Bros. Discovery have agreed to settle their lawsuits against the mega merger. 211101272132
Gabriel Lezra @gabelezra.bsky.social · 22/09/20261936. FDR excoriates oligarchs and their financial monopolies, reckless banking, and class antagonism. Our government was a "mere appendage to their own affairs." He refused to bend the knee; and they hated him. His response? "They are unanimous in their hate for me—and I welcome their hatred." 031
Reposted by Gabriel LezraJessica J. González @jgo4justice.bsky.social · 21/09/2026Here's the deal. We're still going to be there in front of Paramount tomorrow to rally for free speech and real, structural media reform so that we don't end up here again with big media billionaires bullying and buying off our elected officials. 11714
Reposted by Gabriel LezraMark Ruffalo @markruffalo.bsky.social · 22/09/2026I so appreciate you and your commitment to seventh generation. You are a valiant, valiant warrior for the people. 532350
Reposted by Gabriel LezraCraig Aaron @notaaroncraig.bsky.social · 22/09/2026Variety reports that a bunch of corporate lawyers are making "guilt donations" for working to seal the Paramount deal on Yom Kippur. I didn't work today. But I have a better idea: Gratitude donations to the groups that have been fighting so hard to #BlockTheMerger See the 🧵 below for links 47235
Gabriel Lezra @gabelezra.bsky.social · 22/09/2026Like many in the @managingmadrid.bsky.social community, I watched Real Madrid beat Inter Milan in the Champions League recently. On Paramount+. I have no interest in Paramount+. It carries nothing else I want. I subscribed, as it's the only place to watch Madrid in the UCL. In @contrariannews.org 👇contrariannews.orgSports Fans Can’t Boycott. Paramount Is Counting on It.I learned as a kid what it costs to watch soccer in America. The Paramount-Warner Bros. merger will teach every fan the same lesson. 141
Gabriel Lezra @gabelezra.bsky.social · 22/09/2026When we choose our leaders we grant them a sacred charge: to stand for us. It is their duty to listen to us, respect us, and fight for us--even when the power of organized capital in the richest country in history stands against us. Failing to uphold that charge is a betrayal of democracy's covenant 074
Reposted by Gabriel LezraThe Contrarian @contrariannews.org · 20/09/2026David Ellison is threatening to move Paramount Skydance out of California to bully state Attorney General Rob Bonta into ending his challenge of Paramount’s $111 billion purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery. But Ellison’s threat is empty. Let’s start with the illogic of the threat:contrariannews.orgAGs Must Not Cave to Paramount’s Empty Threat to Leave CaliforniaNo company should be allowed to bully a state into abandoning its job of protecting consumers. 926190
Gabriel Lezra @gabelezra.bsky.social · 21/09/2026Read this. The economics of Paramount’s nonsense threat to leave California make no sense. It’s a paper tiger and people are buying it. Yet another oligarch attempt to buy a fake narrative. 032
Reposted by Gabriel LezraJessica J. González @jgo4justice.bsky.social · 21/09/2026In LA? Come join us on Tuesday morning at 10am and boo Paramount for trying to bully the AGs into their crummy deal. www.mobilize.us/notabovethel...mobilize.usBlock the Merger: Bonta Don't Settle with Ellison's Paramount! · Not Above the LawJoin us to rally outside Paramount against the billionaire Ellison’s proposed Paramount WB mega merger! We need Attorney General Rob Bonta to stand strong against a Paramount-Warner Brothers Merger.... 054
Reposted by Gabriel LezraJessica J. González @jgo4justice.bsky.social · 21/09/2026In NYC? Come join us and clap @newyorkstateag.bsky.social into work tomorrow morning at 9am for standing strong for workers, consumers and free speech! www.mobilize.us/notabovethel...mobilize.usBlock the Merger: Don't Settle with Paramount! · Not Above the LawRally outside of Attorney General Letitia James office to thank her and support her continuing to stand for free media! We need Attorney General Rob Bonta and other Attorneys General to stand up aga... 163
Reposted by Gabriel LezraJessica J. González @jgo4justice.bsky.social · 21/09/2026Last minute protest outside AG Bonta’s Oakland office tonight when folks caught wind that he’s wavering on his promise to protect consumers and workers. #BlocktheMerger #NoConcessions 12214
Gabriel Lezra @gabelezra.bsky.social · 20/09/2026AGs: don’t let oligarchs distract you from a simple reality: the people stand with you. Your fight is theirs: for the workers whose jobs this will eliminate, for the communities losing money, for the stories and representation we will lose, for the free press, and for democracy. #BlockTheMerger 01610
Reposted by Gabriel LezraElizabeth Warren @warren.senate.gov · 19/09/2026As Trump tries to ban CNN from the White House, it would be a massive mistake to cave on the Paramount merger. The last thing we need is another Trump-controlled media conglomerate abusing its power to stomp out competition. This is a dangerous merger. variety.com/2026/film/ne...variety.comParamount and California AG Bonta Reportedly in ‘Advanced Talks’ to Settle Antitrust SuitParamount Skydance is in "advanced talks" with California Attorney General Rob Bonta to settle the 12-state antitrust suit that's holding up its takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery, the WSJ reported. 903024944
Reposted by Gabriel LezraFreedom of the Press Foundation @freedom.press · 19/09/2026Normally you'd think the first person to condemn Trump kicking CNN out of the White House would be the person trying to buy it. Has anyone heard from David Ellison?apnews.comTrump targets more news outlets, saying he will ban CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White HousePresident Donald Trump says he is barring CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House due to what he called unfavorable coverage, and threatens that more such prohibitions of media outlets could fol... 1119667
Reposted by Gabriel LezraW. Kamau Bell @wkamaubell.bsky.social · 20/09/2026Oakland! If you believe that it is wrong for a handful of billionaires to own the media then come out to this rally tomorrow (Sunday 9/20). We need Attorney General Rob Bonta to stand strong against a Paramount-WB merger. 5pm at 1515 Clay St, Oakland, CA 94612. www.mobilize.us/notabovethel...mobilize.usBlock the Merger: Don't Settle with Paramount! · Not Above the LawJoin us to rally outside of the California Attorney General's Oakland office! We need Attorney General Rob Bonta to stand strong against a Paramount-Warner Brothers Merger. A core principle behind a... 317264
Reposted by Gabriel LezraNorm Eisen @normeisen.bsky.social · 19/09/2026We say no no no 1000x no to the Ellisons' pressure tactics. We support the AG's and unions pushing for real structural remedies not ephemeral behavioral ones democracydefendersaction.orgBlock the Merger Coalition Statement on Reports of Ellison’s Settlement SqueezeNews reports indicate state Attorneys General are in negotiation talks in their lawsuit to block the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger. The merger is a threat to workers, journalists, consumers,... 15938342
Gabriel Lezra @gabelezra.bsky.social · 19/09/2026Makan Delrahim, one of Paramount's main lawyers pushing a settlement with behavioral remedies...had a lot to say about them as DOJ antitrust chief. Back then, they were "the wolf of regulation dressed in the sheep's clothing of a behavioral decree." Thread: www.justice.gov/archives/opa...justice.gov 14219
Gabriel Lezra @gabelezra.bsky.social · 17/09/2026Many media outlets are uncritically reporting on a "study" that says that Paramount leaving CA would cost thousands of jobs (and that the merger itself would create them). This is a report that Paramount PAID FOR--astroturf economics. Don't be fooled by this advocacy masquerading as economics. 131
Gabriel Lezra @gabelezra.bsky.social · 14/09/2026Remember that when someone tells you who they are, believe them. One of the heartbreaking likely futures here isn’t just that they’ll shelve projects that are made and canceled or stopped; it’s the new, beautiful stories that will never be written, never be made: www.esgdive.com/news/paramou...esgdive.comParamount promises to abstain from DEI programs to secure Skydance mergerThe FCC hinging its approval of the merger on Paramount decommitting from DEI is the latest example of public-sector agendas affecting private-sector talent strategy. 031
Reposted by Gabriel LezraJessica J. González @jgo4justice.bsky.social · 13/09/2026Here’s how you can take action if you’ve simply had enough of spoiled oligarchs holding our communities hostage to their greed and need for domination: www.freepress.net/get-involved....freepress.netTell State Attorneys General: No Concessions on the Paramount/WBD MergerUrge state attorneys general to protect workers and consumers and block the Paramount Skydance-Warner Bros. Discovery merger. 02311
Reposted by Gabriel LezraJessica J. González @jgo4justice.bsky.social · 13/09/2026Ellison to California: Give me what I want, or I’ll shutter a historic studio and take away your jobs. Anyone else tired of billionaire oligarchs breaking all the rules and holding our communities hostage to their selfish whims? F this. #BlocktheMerger #NoConcessions deadline.com/2026/09/para...deadline.comHuge Job Losses And Economic Pain If Paramount Exits L.A., Report SaysNearly 60,000 L.A. jobs could be lost if David Ellison carries through on a threat to move Paramount out of California amid his antitrust battle. 2324082
Reposted by Gabriel LezraFree Press @freepress.bsky.social · 10/09/2026Paramount's takeover of WBD is a mega-merger that sabotages free expression and gives Trump's billionaire friends even more control over information access. Tell state AGs to stand firm. #NoConcessions SIGN:freepress.netTell State Attorneys General: No Concessions on the Paramount/WBD MergerUrge state attorneys general to protect workers and consumers and block the Paramount Skydance-Warner Bros. Discovery merger. 0810
Gabriel Lezra @gabelezra.bsky.social · 10/09/2026Had a great time joining @npr.org’s On Point to talk about my beloved Corporate Transparency Act and the future of the fight against dirty money. Check it out on your local station or listen here: www.wbur.org/onpoint/2026...wbur.orgDid the Treasury just make it easier to launder money?The Treasury Department recently eliminated a rule that required American companies to identify their owners. The rule was intended to prevent money laundering. What’s driving the decision to drop it? 001
Reposted by Gabriel LezraMark Ruffalo @markruffalo.bsky.social · 10/09/2026For anyone wondering about the cozy relationship the Ellisons have with the President and his family and how that relationship is driving and economically profiting from this merger. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...theguardian.comJared Kushner – and three Arab monarchies – are at the heart of the Paramount-WBD bid | Mohamad BazziThe president’s son-in-law is once again at the center of an international business deal that will require administration approval 10532331514
Gabriel Lezra @gabelezra.bsky.social · 04/09/2026The next saga in a story originally broken by Matt Sledge @theintercept.com. theintercept.com/2026/08/21/p...theintercept.comThis Mysterious “Astroturf” Group Popped Up to Defend the Paramount MergerIn text messages, the newly formed “Neighbors for Strong Communities” boosted reported threats by CEO David Ellison to move Paramount out of California. 001
Gabriel Lezra @gabelezra.bsky.social · 04/09/2026WILD: the astroturf group supporting Paramount, “Neighbors for Strong Communities” is directing people to use an AI tool to write to AG Bonta. The issue? The tool is pre-programmed to write a story supporting the merger…even when you oppose it @contrariannews.org open.substack.com/pub/contrari...open.substack.comI Typed “Block the Merger.” AI Revised it to “Drop Your Opposition.”An AI assisted generator dramatically altered my statement before my own eyes. 121
Gabriel Lezra @gabelezra.bsky.social · 31/08/2026Why we're fighting for #NoConcessions in the Paramount/WBD merger fight. Worth watching the whole video--then sign our petition here: noparamountconcessions.com#petition youtube.com/watch?si=vfw4sCnxHVwQAQyJ&v=_MwW7r1BCBA&feature=youtu.beyoutube.comFormer FTC Commissioner Alvaro Bedoya explains what “making a deal” actually meansYouTube video by Free Press 000
Reposted by Gabriel LezraMark Ruffalo @markruffalo.bsky.social · 21/08/2026docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F... Thank you SAGAftra for taking a step to block the merger, now it’s time to stand strong against making concessions which are always unenforceable. Members please sign! And Share. #SAGAftra #BlockTheMerger #NoConcessionsdocs.google.comSAG-AFTRA National Leadership: Say “No” to Paramount’s False Promises and Commit to Fully Opposing the MergerOn July 25th, the SAG-AFTRA National Board adopted a resolution that purported to publicly oppose the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger. But if you read the whole statement, it’s plain to us that, as writ... 225669
Gabriel Lezra @gabelezra.bsky.social · 29/08/2026The astroturfed smears against @markruffalo.bsky.social are clear attempts to undermine the fight to block the merger. Mark is fighting for workers, for an independent press; for our ability to tell stories that move people to see each other with humanity and empathy. #StandWithMark #BlockTheMerger 100
Reposted by Gabriel LezraFree Press @freepress.bsky.social · 27/08/2026Block the merger. No concessions. Free Press' @jgo4justice.bsky.social explains how any unenforceable concessions the Ellisons propose are a losing proposition last week with @democracynow.org. Tell state AGs: No concessions on the Paramount/WBD merger! SIGN: www.freepress.net/get-involved... 02415
Gabriel Lezra @gabelezra.bsky.social · 28/08/2026Paramount has been hammering on this antisemitism smear on merger opponents for months. The recent attacks on @markruffalo.bsky.social are just the latest in part of that dishonest, astroturfing campaign. Thread: 133
Gabriel Lezra @gabelezra.bsky.social · 27/08/2026I am once again reminding you that the coordinated campaign against @markruffalo.bsky.social is part of a strategy to distract us from the many, many harms this merger will inflict on absolutely everyone who does not have a financial stake in the deal. 062
Gabriel Lezra @gabelezra.bsky.social · 27/08/2026This is 1000% correct. This is an unabashed astroturfing campaign to generate press for a merger without any natural constituency and any public support. 000
Gabriel Lezra @gabelezra.bsky.social · 27/08/2026For more on the Paramount-WBD impact on Latinos—and everyone—check this out from @contrariannews.org: www.contrariannews.org/p/coffee-wit...contrariannews.orgCoffee with Contrarians ft. Juan Proaño, CEO of LULACDolly Parton’s life and legacy, real life impacts of the Paramount/Warner Bros. merger, and March on Washington preview 031
Gabriel Lezra @gabelezra.bsky.social · 26/08/2026Paramount's CLO appallingly smears @markruffalo.bsky.social (on LinkedIn of all places?). Shameful stuff from the central lawyer in Paramount's disastrous attempt to acquire Warner Bros Discovery. 100
Gabriel Lezra @gabelezra.bsky.social · 26/08/2026Gracias a @lulacorg.bsky.social por destacar cómo la consolidación va a ser un desastre para las familias latinoamericanas en los EEUU. La fusión Paramount-WBD eliminaría miles de empleos, particularmente en California, donde los latinos representan un 40% de la población. #BlockTheMerger 121
Reposted by Gabriel LezraNorm Eisen @normeisen.bsky.social · 24/08/2026BREAKING: Latino community is rising up against the Paramount-Warners merger because it will kill jobs & content for Latinos--& all Americans Kudos @lulacorg.bsky.social & Juan Proano for standing with AG Bonta & 11 other AGs demanding structural remedies @megjames.bsky.social @latimes.com scoop👇latimes.comProminent Latino group blasts Paramount-Warner mergerThe group urged California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta to continue his fight to block David Ellison's $111-billion deal, saying it would have a "devastating and unacceptable impact on Latinos." 0443129
Reposted by Gabriel LezraSeth Stern @seth-stern.bsky.social · 20/08/2026The Ellisons wanted to convince America that they won't launder government propaganda and push their dystopian surveillance agenda if allowed to expand their media empire by taking over Warner Bros. So to prove it they apparently hired...Flock Safety's astroturfing firm. 012550
Reposted by Gabriel LezraMark Ruffalo @markruffalo.bsky.social · 20/08/2026www.thenation.com/article/soci... “This consolidation, unprecedented in Hollywood, would irreparably reshape the media industry by combining multiple massive studios underneath one roof, placing the power to shape culture and Hollywood in the hands of an unprecedented few.”thenation.comThe Hollywood GerrymanderThe proposed Paramount/Warner Bros. merger does not just represent media monopoly—it is another form of gerrymandering, of rigging the rules to limit who has power. 731674653