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Justice Forward VA

@justicefwdva.bsky.social
1.1K followers 246 following 250 posts

Founded by public defenders. Promoting criminal justice reform in Virginia by drafting & lobbying for humane, evidence-informed legislation, and educating & mobilizing advocates for action.

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Justice Forward VA @justicefwdva.bsky.social · 10h
*SINGING* AND ANOTHER ONE BITES, & another one bites, & another one bites the dust: HENRICO, VA is ending its use of Flock ALPRs effective immediately! “Ending this contract is the right thing to do for our residents and community.” Next up, ban ALL ALPRs regardless of vendor! #VALeg
Text: Henrico Police Division ends Flock Safety camera use, cites concerns over potential data misuse HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) - The Henrico County Police Division will stop using Flock Safety cameras effective immediately, citing concerns about potential data misuse.
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Justice Forward VA @justicefwdva.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
In an insult to the community harmed by dangerous AI ALPR mass surveillance cameras, James City Council is seeking an alternative dangerous AI ALPR mass surveillance camera vendor….
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Justice Forward VA @justicefwdva.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
BIG & BREAKING: After a long, difficult wait, automatic criminal record sealing begins TODAY in VA!This requires no work by the person whose record is being sealed. Is my record getting auto sealed? Head to Justice Forward VA Foundation for details: www.justiceforwardvafoundation.org/expungements...
Automatic sealing requires no work by the person whose record is being sealed. When automatic sealing begins, the Virginia State Police will send lists of eligible records to the courts, who will seal these records from public view. There are only a few types of records that will be sealed automatically, and all of them are misdemeanor convictions:

Misdemeanor larceny, § 18.2-96, or concealment, § 18.2-103

Three types of trespass: § 18.2-119, § 18.2-120 or § 18.2-134

Misdemeanor possession with the intent to distribute marijuana, § 18.2-248.1

Disorderly conduct, § 18.2-415
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The Tennessee Holler @thetnholler.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
🤯 NEW: Gov. Bill Lee’s death row team has botched a second death row execution in less than five months! This is unprecedented. This is the state’s first attempted execution of a woman in at least 200 years.
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minty tear gas 🏳️‍⚧️ @nihilamacabre.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
It's not enough to cancel a Flock contract. It's not enough to cancel an Axon contract. This is the way.
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Andrew Guthrie Ferguson @profferguson.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
So if you are wondering about AI license plate cameras and real-time crime centers and your car snitching on you, it’s time to read “Your Data Will Be Used Against You.” Perfect for book clubs to debate why it was necessary to buy a smart toothbrush.
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Justice Forward VA @justicefwdva.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
GUESS WHO’S BACK? Our Founder @bradleyrhaywood.bsky.social will step into the role of Interim Exec. Director as we prepare for the 2027 session. He’s led the charge to ban racist pretext stops, probation and jury sentencing reforms, and other historic CJR in VA. Let’s go! #VALeg
Image: picture of Brad Haywood and Justice Forward Virginia board leadership. Text: Guess Who’s Back?
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Justice Forward VA @justicefwdva.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
BIG & BREAKING: The Fairfax County, Virginia School Board voted UNANIMOUSLY to prohibit the installation, purchase, or use of ALPR mass surveillance cameras on school property. The ban applies to ALL license plate readers made by any manufacturer. #VALeg
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Jenn @jennburrill.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Gun owners should be paying attention to how police use gunfire microphones in conjunction with license plate cameras... "Bundling these together risks turning lawful gun owners into criminal suspects based only on proximity" ✏️ @reason.com
reason.com
Flock’s gunfire alerts raise a new Fourth Amendment question
Gun owners should be paying attention to how police use gunfire microphones in conjunction with license plate cameras.
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The Associated Press @apnews.com · 23/09/2026
A 36-year-old Costa Rican man whose family says he complained of not receiving proper care for his diabetes is the third detainee in less than six months to die at a U.S.
bit.ly
Costa Rican man complained of lack of care for diabetes before his death in ICE custody, family says
A 36-year-old Costa Rican man whose family says he complained of not receiving proper care for his diabetes is the third detainee in less than six months to die at a U.S.
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Justice Forward VA @justicefwdva.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
BIG & BREAKING: Harrisonburg, VA City Council voted UNANIMOUSLY to pass an ordinance to BAN ALL stationary ALPRs—the first locality in the state to prohibit the mass surveillance cameras!!! Salute to the incredible community of people at Deflock Hburg who made this happen! #VALeg
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Justice Forward VA @justicefwdva.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
NO ALPRs: Look past the noise from proponents of Al surveillance cameras like Flock, Axon, & Motorola, and learn the truth about how dangerous ALPRs in Virginia violate your privacy, civil liberties, and democratic freedoms. Tonight at 7PM. Register here: bit.ly/DFSep22
Flyer Alt text: DEFLOCK Alexandria, Fairfax, Arlington, and GMU VIRTUAL PRESENTATION RSVP bit.ly/DFSep22
"THE ROAD TO MASS SURVEILLANCE"
Look past the noise from proponents of Al
ALPR surveillance cameras like Flock, Axon, and Motorola, and learn the truth from experts about how dangerous Al ALPR surveillance cameras in Virginia violate your privacy, civil liberties, and democratic freedoms.
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 22 7-8:30PM
Presenter: Dr. Steven Keener of
Justice Forward Virginia Foundation and The Center for Crime, Equity and Justice Research and Policy.
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Justice Forward VA @justicefwdva.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
WILD TIMES: This week Fairfax County, Virginia announced a performative pause of any future expansion of AI ALPR surveillance. Meaning, the inaction does NOT PAUSE ANY of the 85+ Flock AI cameras already installed. Now they’re looking at new vendors. Tell them NO ALPRs: bit.ly/DFLetter
bit.ly
Board of Supervisors Email
Automated license plate readers like Flock and Axon are violating our constitutional right to privacy, endangering immigrants, and hurting vulnerable communities by using AI surveillance cameras to sp...
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Justice Forward VA @justicefwdva.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
ALEXANDRIA: Dem leaders representing Alx allow harmful AI cameras to surveil their constituents. Show up to Burke Library—Monday, 9/14 from 5:30-7PM—for free pizza & an info session. Learn about dangerous ALPRs with special guest expert Dr. Steven Keener. actionnetwork.org/events/deflo...
Image: Event Flyer with eyes watching. Text: DEFLOCK ALX
COMMUNITY MEETING
Free Pizza & Drinks!
Monday, September 14 5:30-7pm
Burke Library | 4701 Seminary Rd
We demand Alexandria end all contracts with Flock and other automatic license plate reader companies! Join us to get involved and end mass surveillance in our city!
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DeFlock Redmond @deflock-redmond.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Victory in #Albany, CA! 🏆 Albany City Council recently reviewed proposals from six other #ALPR vendors. Tonight they voted 4-0 (Vice Mayor abstained) against a new contract with #Motorola to replace #Flock! The current Flock contract ends on Friday. NoALPRs.com 🚫 #deflock #surveillance
albanyscanner.com
Flock is out: Albany rejects license plate cameras
The new contract would have reduced the numbers of ALPR cameras in Albany. The existing contract with Flock Safety ends Friday.
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Council on Criminal Justice @counciloncj.org · 08/09/2026
CCJ's Mid-Year 2026 report found that the homicide rate fell 18% in the first half of 2026 compared to the same period last year. That’s down 51% from a recent peak at mid-year 2022, and it puts the national homicide rate on track for another historic low: counciloncj.org/crime-trends...
counciloncj.org
Crime Trends in U.S. Cities: Mid-Year 2026 Update - Council on Criminal Justice
Examining changes in 13 offenses across a sample of 36 large U.S. cities, CCJ's mid-year analysis shows crime has continued to fall in the first half of 2026, with homicide likely dropping to another ...
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Justice Forward VA @justicefwdva.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Campbell County, Virginia and others cancel ALPRs. “As the constitutionally elected Sheriff I have a responsibility not only to protect the safety of our citizens, but also to listen when the people we serve raise concerns about their privacy and civil liberties.” www.wdbj7.com/2026/09/02/c...
wdbj7.com
Campbell and Appomattox counties, Wytheville PD cut ties with Flock cameras
Two more counties and a town have joined a line of Virginia municipalities ceasing use of Flock license plate cameras.
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Justice Forward VA @justicefwdva.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
“As Sheriff, my responsibility goes beyond using tools that help us solve crimes. The use of ALPRs raises important & evolving questions about privacy, data collection, information sharing, and constitutional rights of citizens who have not been accused of a crime.” www.wdbj7.com/2026/09/01/w...
wdbj7.com
Wythe County ends use of Flock cameras
Wythe County Sheriff Anthony Cline announced Tuesday, September 1 the end of the county's Flock camera program.
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DeFlock Redmond @deflock-redmond.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
"After considering the ongoing public discussion surrounding this technology, listening to our residents, and recognizing the importance of maintaining public trust, I made the decision to terminate our existing contract." - Easton Police Chief Keith Boone.
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Justice Forward VA @justicefwdva.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
“Maintaining public trust requires more than determining whether a program can legally be operated,” the sheriff’s office said. “It also requires us to continually consider whether its continued use is consistent with the expectations of the community we serve.” www.wsls.com/news/local/2...
wsls.com
Giles County Sheriff’s Office to end its use of Flock Safety cameras on Oct. 16
The Giles County Sheriff’s Office will end its agreement with Flock Safety, citing public concerns about data integrity as a factor in the decision.
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Justice Forward VA @justicefwdva.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
Full house in Fairfax! People all over instinctively recognize that automatic license plate readers (ALPRs) put their safety at risk and threaten privacy, civil liberties, & democratic freedoms. Thanks Deflock Fairfaxfor inviting us to help support your community today. #VALeg
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Joshua B. Hoe @joshuabhoe.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Powerful article about community, organizing, and resistance in the face of a fascist government from @melissagiragrant.com newrepublic.com/article/2142...
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Bill K - NO DEATH PENALTY @really-mad.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
It is sad, yes, but we have to roll the bells THEEE times today. Ask your local churches to join us. DM me for information on how to join the campaign! religionnews.com/2026/08/13/w...
religionnews.com
With three prisoners scheduled for execution, southern churches toll their bells
(RNS) — Faith-based anti-death penalty activists have used the bell-tolling tactic throughout the country in various waves.
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Roanoke Indivisible ❌👑 @roanokeindivisible.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Two ways for you to get involved with ending mass surveillance in Roanoke: 📚 Community Info Session, Sat Aug 15, 12-2pm, South County Library. Food provided! www.mobilize.us/roanokeindiv... 📢 Show up and say NO – Rally at the Municipal Building, Mon Aug 17, 6-7pm
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Shomari Stone @shomaristone.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
JUST IN : A woman’s dramatic interaction with ICE agents in Northern Virginia is going viral. It’s raising a lot of questions. An agent is seen on video pointing a gun at the woman’s face. @Fox5dc Homa Bash spoke with the woman and is live in Falls Church with the video and details.
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NPR @npr.org · 08/08/2026
Drug addiction groups are reeling after Trump officials said federal grants cannot be used to hand out test strips to drug users. The strips help users check street drugs for dangerous adulterants.
n.pr
Federal funds can't be used to give test strips to drug users, raising overdose fears
Drug addiction groups are reeling after Trump officials said federal grants cannot be used to hand out test strips to drug users. The strips help users check street drugs for dangerous adulterants.
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Justice Forward VA @justicefwdva.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
“Pretty much everybody uses that computer system” improperly in the department, said one police chief about the data collected by ALPRs.
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Justice Forward VA @justicefwdva.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
ARL & ALX: Profs & Pints is hosting our very own Dr. Steven Keener this Sunday night at Highline RxR! “The Road to Mass Surveillance” lecture outlines the threats automatic license plate readers (ALPRs) pose to our freedoms and safety. For tickets click here: events.ticketleap.com/tickets/prof...
Image: Profs and Pints event flyer. Text: Profs and Pints Northern Virginia
The Road to Mass Surveillance on the proliferation of automated license plate readers and the threats that they pose to our freedoms, with Steven Keener, a leading researcher on such devices as an assistant professor of criminology and director of the Center for Crime, Equity, and Justice Research and Policy at Christopher Newport University.
SUN., AUG. 2ND 6 P.M.
Advance tickets: $13.50
Door: $17, or $15 w/ student ID
Highline RxR
2010 Crystal Drive
Arlington, VA 22202
www.profsandpints.com
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Rob Poggenklass @rpogge.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
Some personal news: after 3 1/2 years, I’m moving on from @justicefwdva.bsky.social. Doing criminal legal reform with these public defenders has been enormously rewarding. I’m grateful to @bradleyrhaywood.bsky.social and others for the chance. The org will continue its essential work. 1/3
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Justice Forward VA @justicefwdva.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Harrisonburg is leading the charge to end mass surveillance in localities in VA! Community members earned a historic victory landing the state’s first resolution banning the use of ALPRs. Contract cancelled, cameras dark by 7/31, no future ALPRs without a vote! Incredible win!
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Justice Forward VA @justicefwdva.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
HAPPENING NOW: Harrisonburg, City Council will vote on a resolution to ban the use of automatic license plate readers (ALPRs) in the “Friendly City”. The policy is the result of community efforts to end the use of mass surveillance technology in Hburg. harrisonburg-va.granicus.com/player/event...
harrisonburg-va.granicus.com
City Council on 2026-07-28 7:00 PM
Live and Recorded Public meetings of City Council on 2026-07-28 7:00 PM for The City of Harrisonburg, VA
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Irene Shin @ireneforva.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
Join me for my annual Build Your Own Bill Workshop, a 2-part series that teaches you how to take an idea and turn it into law. 🗓️ Part 1: Mon, Aug 31, 6:30pm-8:30pm
 🗓️ Part 2: Tues, Oct 13, 6:30pm-8:30pm RSVP+bring a bill idea or curiosity about issues you care about: bit.ly/BYOB2026
Delegate Shin's 5th Annual Build Your Own Bill 

BYOB Part 1: Mon, Aug 31st 6:30pm-8:30pm
BYOB Part 2: Tue, Oct 13th 6:30pm-8:30pm

Join Delegate Shin for two interactive workshops where participants will learn about the legislative process and how to draft and successfully pass their own legislative ideas.
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Justice Forward VA @justicefwdva.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
ICYMI HISTORIC: For the first time in the state’s history, Virginia now allows misdemeanor or low-level felony convictions to be sealed! 2.5 million people in VA have a criminal record. These records have devastating consequences well after convictions and time served. #VALeg
Text: The record sealing law passed by the General Assembly in 2021 and then substantially amended in 2025 will take effect after a long, difficult wait. The newly enacted clean slate law allows a person with a misdemeanor or low-level felony conviction to have their record sealed from public view. Some of this record sealing will happen automatically.
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NACDL @nacdl.org · 16/07/2026
A Kentucky city is tearing out its surveillance cameras. Two weeks ago, @NACDL.org helped win a Supreme Court ruling that pulling people's digital location data is a search under the Fourth Amendment. Newport read that decision and pulled the plug. 🧵
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Dani Welch 🎃 @daniwelch.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
The immigration system in the United States is fucking monstrous.
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Jason Koebler @jasonkoebler.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
New: The LAPD regularly pulls over innocent people because their license plates have been put on a license plate reader hotlist. In a two-month period, it "investigated" 161 innocent people whose cars were improperly put on Flock or Motorola hotlists: www.404media.co/lapd-regular...
404media.co
LAPD Regularly Pulled Over Innocent People Because License Plate Readers Flagged Their Cars As Stolen
The Los Angeles Police Department let its Flock contract expire over the weekend in part because it was regularly "investigating" and surveilling innocent people.
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Kevin Collier @kevincollier.bsky.social · 11/07/2026
LAPD becomes by far the biggest law enforcement office to quit Flock.
abc7.com
LAPD ending deal with company operating license plate-reading cameras
The LAPD is ending its agreement with Flock Safety, a company that operates surveillance cameras throughout the city.
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DeFlock Redmond @deflock-redmond.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
"By flooding the public conversation with hyper-specific, emotionally charged success stories, the goal is to proactively smother any dissent and normalize dragnet #surveillance before regular citizens realize what their towns have signed up for." #deflock #alpr #flock
augustafreepress.com
Flock's business strategy: Getting us to volun-tell on ourselves
Flock Safety is quietly building the most pervasive node-to-node mass surveillance network ever unleashed on the American public.
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Justice Forward VA @justicefwdva.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
BREAKING: Roanoke city council voted unanimously this afternoon to repeal the April ordinance. City Manager Valmarie Turner said that she anticipates all 41 Flock Raven gunshot detector devices will be removed by the end of the week. cardinalnews.org/2026/07/06/a...
cardinalnews.org
After complaints and mistakes, Roanoke City Council votes to discontinue gunshot audio devices
The city manager said all the devices installed should be removed by the end of the week.
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AFRICAN & BLACK HISTORY @africanarchives.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
Honoring all those enslaved people that built the U.S Capitol.
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Justice Forward VA @justicefwdva.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
HISTORIC: For the first time in the state's history, Virginia will allow criminal records to be sealed beginning July 1, 2026. The newly enacted law allows a person with a misdemeanor or low-level felony to have their record sealed. Determine eligibility by visiting: justiceforwardvafoundation.org
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Justice Forward VA @justicefwdva.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Thank you @nacdl.org and federal defenders in Virginia!
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Kelly Orians @yoyokellyo.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
It’s very sad to leave UVa Law, our home for the last 4 years; & also very exciting to join a new community-in a tenure track position! My UVa law students helped 18 people get home, expunged 100s of records, taught classes in prison, restored civil rights, & along the way made me a better lawyer.
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Goad (Legal Expert) @goad.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
Virginia Citizens Defense League newsletter comes out against FLOCK Safety and calls for a ban in Chesterfield County of FLOCK cameras. VCDL is the largest advocate group for gun rights in Virginia.
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Phil Lewis @phillewis.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
I curated a (mostly) exhaustive list of Juneteenth celebrations across the country. Chances are there’s one near you!
whatimreading.net
Here’s a (mostly) exhaustive list of Juneteenth celebrations across the U.S.
Juneteenth marks the day when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation. I curated a list of events and one may be near you!
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Brad Haywood @bradleyrhaywood.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
Worth noting: the only dissent in this case was from Clarence Thomas. Hopefully our governor keeps this in mind before she hands her veto pen to the Va. Assoc. of Commonwealth’s Attorneys again next year.
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Rob Poggenklass @rpogge.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
In a concurring opinion today, Justice Gorsuch specifically mentions the governor's recent veto of a @justicefwdva.bsky.social / @salimforva.bsky.social bill to ban 4th Amendment plea waivers. Gorsuch suggests 4A waivers may be unconstitutional, an argument VA's public defenders have made for years.
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Andrew Guthrie Ferguson @profferguson.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Thank you to @boltsmag.org and @nobleingram.bsky.social and @taniel.bsky.social for featuring “Your Data Will Be Used Against You.” Q&A on police surveillance — one of the most important issues of our day. boltsmag.org/everything-e...
boltsmag.org
“Everything, Everywhere, All at Once Surveillance”: Your Questions Answered - Bolts
Technology that tracks personal information, including one’s location, interests, and online behaviors, has become commonplace. It’s as ubiquitous as the GPS in a car or a home security camera. But......
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Justice Forward VA @justicefwdva.bsky.social · 07/06/2026
VA’s relationship with capital punishment spanned over 4 centuries before it was abolished. We celebrated 5yrs since the state became the first in the South to end it, with some of the wonderful people at Virginians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty who worked in anonymity advocating against it.
A group photo of several of the members of Virginians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty,  in fellowship celebrating five years since Virginia abolished capital punishment.
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Jack Jenkins @jackjenkins.me · 04/06/2026
For comparison: Faith leaders' account of the recent incident where DHS fired pepper balls at the feet of demonstrators (including Sen. Andy Kim) vs. DHS' account of the same event.
(RNS) — Moments before Department of Homeland Security agents fired a hail of pepper balls at the feet of demonstrators outside the Delaney Hall detention center in Newark, New Jersey, last Monday (May 25), faith leaders say they were frantically working to calm things down.

Kathy O’Leary, coordinator of the Catholic group Pax Christi New Jersey, said she was helping to push the crowd back. Rabbi Rachel Kahn-Troster, vice president of the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility, said she and a Christian pastor had placed themselves between agents and demonstrators, raising their hands aloft. And the Rev. Robin Tanner, a Unitarian Universalist minister in Summit, New Jersey, said she was conversing with DHS agents as she stood beside U.S. Sen. Andy Kim, who had come to visit Delaney amid reports of a hunger and labor strike staged by detainees alleging inhumane conditions inside. 

Then, unexpectedly, DHS agents unleashed the volley of pepper balls. All three faith leaders — along with Kim — were exposed, some left coughing and sputtering as bystanders rushed to help.


“We got hit with the same pepper spray,” said Tanner. “(Kim) got his in his eyes, and I got mine up my nose.”A DHS spokesperson said in a statement to RNS that the agents used the “minimum amount of force necessary” against “rioters” who “obstructed law enforcement from exiting the ICE facility,” but demonstrators allege the incident is one of many cases of law enforcement using unnecessary force outside Delaney Hall in the last two weeks. During that period, one religious organizer interviewed estimated that at least a dozen clergy and other faith leaders have been hit with nonlethal projectiles or exposed to pepper balls, pepper spray and other crowd-control measures deployed by DHS agents and state police outside the facility. RNS was unable to independently verify that number but spoke with four faith-led advocates who said they have experienced such measures in that time frame.
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