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Melissa S. Williams

@melissa1008.bsky.social
444 followers 358 following 34 posts

Professor of Political Science, University of Toronto

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Melissa S. Williams @melissa1008.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
The Department of Political Science is searching for a tenure track position (Assistant Professor) in Indigenous Politics, and the ad is now live: jobs.utoronto.ca/job/Toronto-... Please share widely! And please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions.
jobs.utoronto.ca
Assistant Professor - Indigenous Politics
Assistant Professor - Indigenous Politics
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Deva Woodly @devawo.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
An interesting piece out from @democratictheory.bsky.social. One of the things Mamdani’s campaign & admin does that is replicable & good for democracy beyond policy is to broaden opportunities for civic connection & tell increasingly layered stories of peoplehood w/ “the people” being New Yorkers.
cambridge.org
Mamdani’s Mending Story: Rescaling Democratic Peoplehood in an Age of Interregnum | Democratic Theory | Cambridge Core
Mamdani’s Mending Story: Rescaling Democratic Peoplehood in an Age of Interregnum
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Middle East Studies Association of North America (MESA) @mesa1966.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
New searchable timeline to track academic freedom cases in higher education in North America. Search by a university, system, state or institution type. afi.mesana.org/timeline/
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Melissa S. Williams @melissa1008.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
Mutual Aid for Tiffany api.chuffed.org/project/1562...
api.chuffed.org
Mutual Aid for Tiffany
Our colleague, friend, and justice-devoted loved one Tiffany is facing significant financial burdens as she defends herself against potential punitive disciplinary actions from the University of Calif...
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Cambridge University Press Political Science & IR @cambup-polsci.cambridge.org · 08/12/2025
Make sure you are up to date with the latest content from Democratic Theory by registering for email alerts here - cup.org/3KFE9hH
Logo for "Democratic Theory" next to text stating "Sign up for new content alerts," featuring a graphic with colorful arrows intertwined.
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The Downballot @the-downballot.com · 29/04/2026
NEW: Now that the Supreme Court has rendered the last remaining pillar of the VRA toothless, Republicans in eight states are free to gerrymander more than a dozen congressional districts that had been designed to remedy discrimination against Black and Latino voters. We catalog them all here -->
the-downballot.com
With the VRA gutted, the GOP could target over a dozen Black and Latino House districts
The assault would be devastating for minority voting rights—and for Democrats
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Ashton Pittman @ashtonpittman.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
A white Mississippi state leader is calling for the elimination of the state’s only majority-Black U.S. House district after the U.S. Supreme Court diminished the Voting Rights Act. "Mississippi might no longer have a district drawn to protect Bennie Thompson," State Auditor Shad White said.
mississippifreepress.org
Mississippi Official Calls to Axe Its Only Majority Black House District After Voting Ruling
A white Mississippi state leader called to eliminate of the state’s only majority-Black congressional district after a landmark voting rights ruling.
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jamelle @jamellebouie.net · 29/04/2026
The court has simply recreated the pre-Brown world in allowing racial discrimination across a broad number fields as long as it is “facially neutral,” gutting the Reconstruction Amendments in the process.
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Democracy Docket @democracydocket.com · 29/04/2026
NEW: Exclusive research by Democracy Docket finds that the Supreme Court's ruling this morning gutting the Voting Rights Act will derail at least 28 pro-voting lawsuits. The legal challenges aim to stop states from drawing electoral maps that dilute minority voting power.
democracydocket.com
Supreme Court ruling derails 28 lawsuits defending minority voting rights, Democracy Docket research finds
The legal cases are primarily concentrated in the South, where America’s legacy of racial discrimination still casts the longest shadow over voting rights.
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Deva Woodly @devawo.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
We can be glib, but the fact is the Supreme Court destroyed the America the Civil Rights Movement built today. And I have no confidence whatsoever that the Dems will react w/ urgency to curb the return of Jim Crow voting. It is a dark day. And requires serious reflection on what is to be done.
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jamelle @jamellebouie.net · 29/04/2026
It is just pure sophistry to insist that it is not racial gerrymandering when race tracks partisanship. Absolutely insulting in its reasoning.
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Jake Grumbach @jakemgrumbach.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
Given the argument that ended the VRA, I think it’s time liberals did some self reflection about the now decades long obsession with partisan polarization as the problem, as opposed to authoritarianism, extremism, oligarchy, and racism
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Abraham Singer @abesinger.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
Very pleased that this special issue festschrift for Joe Carens is now out in CRISPP. Featuring @simonechambers.bsky.social @abizadeh.bsky.social, @melissa1008.bsky.social, Sarah Song, Jim Johnson, Rainer Baubock, Courtney Jung, Tom Malleson, Kiran Banerjee, me, and Joe Carens. Quite proud of this!
tandfonline.com
Critical Review of International Social and Political Philosophy
Title: The Political Thought of Joseph Carens Editors: Kiran Banerjee; Abraham Singer; Melissa S. Williams. Volume 29, Issue 3 of Critical Review of International Social and Political Philosophy
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Brendan Nyhan @brendannyhan.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
"the decline in [academic freedom in] the United States has been more rapid and pronounced, particularly in the last year. It has deteriorated by 50% from 2015 to 2025 and is now evaluated as moderate autonomy by country experts" academic-freedom-index.net/research/Aca...
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Matt Novak @paleofuture.bsky.social · 26/01/2026
CNN calling Tom Homan "well respected" and "not as hardline as Bovino" is an interesting choice. The dude took a $50,000 bribe in a fucking Cava bag and says all the same fascist shit as Bovino and Noem.
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Jon Cooper @joncooper-us.bsky.social · 25/01/2026
Protesters in Los Angeles projected an anti-ICE video onto the Twin Towers, an ICE-linked detention facility where the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department actively collaborates with ICE for deportation screenings.
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Archon Fung @politicsprof.bsky.social · 25/01/2026
Thank you, President Roth. No official at my university (Harvard) can make a statement like yours as an official because our institutional voice policy forbids it. That’s too bad, because the successful defense of democracy just might require leaders of its institutions to speak up and defend it.
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Ana Marie Cox @anamariecox.com · 25/01/2026
The majority of organizing happening in Minnesota isn’t just peaceful, it’s INVISIBLE. Moms showing up who won’t be interviewed on TV, people whose ICE patrols don’t turn into viral video. The grocery runs, the donations, the people filming bc they happen to be there. Please remember this.
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King Algamemnon @adamrothman.bsky.social · 24/01/2026
If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you can possibly imagine
Wall with posters that say "learn all history"
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Jay Kirell @jasonkirell.bsky.social · 23/01/2026
Two women trained as first responders were abducted by three ICE agents. One of the agents starts seizing. The other two don’t know what to do. The women jump into action and save the agent’s life, only to be re-handcuffed and processed. www.startribune.com/detained-by-...
startribune.com
Detained by ICE, two women became first responders during agent’s seizure
The women say they guided agents through the emergency, later raising concerns about medical protocols, weapons safety and accountability.
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Chris Murphy @chrismurphyct.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
I spent the morning at the San Antonio immigration court. It’s out of control. Crawling with ICE - arresting legal immigrants showing up for court appearances. I asked one officer who they are prioritizing. His answer: everyone. I need to share with you what I saw.
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Melissa Stewart @melissastewart.bsky.social · 20/01/2026
A YouTube link for those looking for it. No words. youtu.be/btqHDhO4h10?...
youtu.be
Mark Carney's full speech at the World Economic Forum
YouTube video by National Post
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Melissa S. Williams @melissa1008.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
Carney’s speech in Davos today was sober, honest, and bracing. I will suggest to my students (who are reading “Politics as a Vocation”) that it is worth reading through the lens of Max Weber’s ethic of responsibility.
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AAUP @aaup.org · 15/01/2026
Check out this report documenting censorship in higher education in the US. It chronicles record-breaking numbers of state bills that directly or indirectly censor classroom speech and an unprecedented federal campaign to exert ideological control over research, teaching, and campus life.
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50501: The People’s Movement ❌👑 @50501movement.bsky.social · 15/01/2026
More information from the guy whose car had smoke grenades and other stuff thrown in it. The baby's heart stopped and EMS was called to the scene. Yeah, ICE may have almost killed a 6 month old baby yesterday
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PBS News @pbsnews.org · 12/01/2026
Tonight marked the last broadcast of PBS News Weekend for the foreseeable future. As the show signs off the air, anchor John Yang looks back at some of our top stories and highlights over the years. to.pbs.org/4pxYe7W
to.pbs.org
Highlights from PBS News Weekend as show goes off the air
This Sunday is the final broadcast of PBS News Weekend, at least for the foreseeable future. PBS cancelled the show due to the loss of federal funding for public media. As our team signs off the air, anchor John Yang looks back at some of our top storie...
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Jacob T. Levy @jacobtlevy.bsky.social · 12/01/2026
How it’s going
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Indivisible ❌👑 @indivisible.org · 09/01/2026
Across the country, Americans are honoring Renee Nicole Good and mourning all the lives ICE has taken and destroyed. Hundreds of marches and vigils are planned this weekend. Please join us to say ICE Out For Good: www.mobilize.us?tag_ids=2913...
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Rick Hasen @rickhasen.bsky.social · 24/10/2025
Test run for 2026. Here's what I wrote in the NY Times about the federal government potentially interfering with the 2026 elections and what we need to do about it. www.nytimes.com/2025/08/20/o...
In the end, the American people also have a key role to play in pushing back against Mr. Trump’s meddling. People will need the courage to go vote even in American cities that may have federal agents swarming around them. “Voter protection” in recent decades has not meant protection from government-led violence and intimidation, but it may come down to that. Democrats, Republicans and other members of the public should monitor voting procedures, as allowed by state law, to make sure that state and county election officials stand up to federal pressure and do the right thing as they conduct elections and tabulate ballots. Local civic and business leaders need to back our election administrators, who may find themselves subjected to pressures to bend or break the rules. All of this organizing needs to happen now, not next November. To keep us from sliding further into autocracy, it is civil society we must make great again.
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Denise Wheeler @denisedwheeler.bsky.social · 23/10/2025
🧵Let's talk about the obvious: Where in the fuck did all the historic artwork and priceless furnishings go, including the gold leaf Steinway piano that was presented to FDR from the Steinway family? Did Trump steal all this when he demolished the East Wing? Why aren't Dems demanding to know?
Gold leaf Steinway piano in East Wing of White House
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Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 29/09/2025
Pritzker: "People of Illinois, we need your help. Get our your cell phones, record and narrate what you see. Put it on social media. Peacefully ask for badge numbers and identification. Speak up for your neighbors. We need to let the world know that this is happening and that we won't stand for it."
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Olúfẹ́mi O. Táíwò @olufemiotaiwo.bsky.social · 30/09/2025
I fully understand how difficult it is to remain focused on any one particular atrocity but this really ought to be a serious scandal and people need to pay heavy prices for this
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Connor Ewing @cmewing.bsky.social · 29/09/2025
I was assured these interactions would be “brief” and easily resolved.
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Kai Ryssdal @kairyssdal.bsky.social · 25/09/2025
Yes
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Andrew Stroehlein @andrewstroehlein.bsky.social · 26/09/2025
Read this. Seriously, read it. The Trump regime is declaring open season on its critics - NGOs, philanthropists, activists. They will be harassed, arrested, jailed. The silencing effect on others who might speak out will be huge. This is authoritarianism. www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
whitehouse.gov
Countering Domestic Terrorism and Organized Political Violence
NATIONAL SECURITY PRESIDENTIAL MEMORANDUM/NSPM-7 MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE                THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
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Jan-Werner Mueller @jwmueller-pu.bsky.social · 28/09/2025
Bernard Harcourt with a helpful analysis of different conceptual frameworks and theoretical models trying to make sense of what is happening in the US:
bernardharcourt.substack.com
Twilight of American Democracy
Mapping A Democratic Breakdown in the United States
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Rafi @rafil.bsky.social · 28/09/2025
I have approximately zero following on this app, sharing in the hopes it can get in front of the right person. A man I went to college with’s wife was kidnapped by ICE at a green card hearing, and he’s trying to find a reporter who will speak to him about the situation
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eileen chengyin chow @chowleen.bsky.social · 27/09/2025
The South Korean Ministry of Defense has awarded medals of merit to 11 officers for disobeying direct orders of superiors during the martial law fiasco, orders that they deemed to be contrary to the constitution and endangerment to democracy. www.chosun.com/english/nati...
chosun.com
National Defense Ministry Honors 11 Soldiers for Refusing Illegal Orders
National Defense Ministry Honors 11 Soldiers for Refusing Illegal Orders Honored for rejecting illegal orders during martial law, Marine death probe
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Cas Mudde @casmudde.bsky.social · 27/09/2025
I feel like this needs to be said, as I don’t feel many Americans get this: THIS IS NOT NORMAL!!! No, not even for authoritarian leaders in nominally democratic regimes. In Hungary, Poland, even Turkey*, authoritarian leaders do/did not regularly send the military into its peaceful cities!
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Radley Balko @radleybalko.bsky.social · 27/09/2025
Sure seems like the president just instructed the military to use lethal force against US citizens.
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Andrew Lawrence @ndrew.bsky.social · 27/09/2025
the president just said the military should start shooting american civilians if they want to
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Melissa S. Williams @melissa1008.bsky.social · 27/09/2025
Who are the political scientists talking most insightfully about Israel/Palestine?
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Timothy Snyder @timothysnyder.bsky.social · 25/09/2025
This is, without any exaggeration, exactly how Putin and Orbán proceeded — using antisemitism to discredit the idea of civil society and political opposition, and as an excuse to undo the rule of law. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/25/u...
nytimes.com
Justice Dept. Official Pushes Prosecutors to Investigate George Soros’s Foundation
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Beth Popp Berman @epopppp.bsky.social · 18/09/2025
You know things are rough when the AAUP's advice on how to use social media is just "set all your accounts to private."
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Michael S Roth @msroth.bsky.social · 15/09/2025
Judith Butler:"It is important to refuse the notion that this is just how things are..invoking a feckless realpolitik that justifies complicity with a brutal & rising authoritarianism. It is time to resist the injustice that now threatens to be normalized" www.chronicle.com/article/when...
chronicle.com
Opinion | When Universities Become Informants
A practice from the McCarthy era makes an ugly return.
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Erin J. Wamsley 🧠📈😴 @wamsleylab.bsky.social · 16/09/2025
Here's a partial list of university faculty who have been fired or suspended this week. 🧵 How are free speech and academic freedom doing at your university? #academicsky #edusky #aaup #freespeech 1/x 1. A tenured Professor at Florida Atlantic:
palmbeachpost.com
FAU professor put on leave after social media comments about Charlie Kirk assassination
FAU President Adam Hasner released a statement Saturday on X, saying he became aware of repeated comments made online by the professor.
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Jacob T. Levy @jacobtlevy.bsky.social · 17/09/2025
new from @emmettmacfarlane.com emmettmacfarlane.substack.com/p/u-of-t-pro...
emmettmacfarlane.substack.com
U of T prof's tweet, assumed by some to refer to Charlie Kirk killing, was bad, but so is the University's reaction
[Note: a commenter has pointed to this PressProgress report suggesting that the media’s coverage of this story, including the CBC story linked below, may be in fundamental error, as the tweet in quest...
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Emmett Macfarlane 🇨🇦 @emmettmacfarlane.com · 13/09/2025
Post now updated with a note at the top, and with a slightly changed headline, because apparently almost every media outlet also may have gotten the story wrong.
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Thor Benson @thorbenson.bsky.social · 15/09/2025
Yeah, you can call it fascism
Stephen Miller fascismJD Vance fascism
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