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Sarah

@spressto.bsky.social
705 followers 947 following 120 posts

Organizer for Democracy Book Club, a monthly book club IRL and virtual where people can learn, build community, and act together across the country. First book: On Tyranny. www.democracybookclub.org <-- join the club

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Sarah @spressto.bsky.social · 13/10/2026
Beautifully said.
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Kevin M. Kruse @kevinmkruse.bsky.social · 11/10/2026
Democrats who don't do everything they can to hold Republicans accountable will be driven out of office by the base. Democrats who don't do everything they can to rein in the reckless power of billionaires will likewise be driven out of office by the base.
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Sarah @spressto.bsky.social · 12/10/2026
Well said.
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Sarah @spressto.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
I agree he can be better there. Religious doctrine is badly flawed, but at least he’s enforcing the good parts. It does seem like there is some LGBT progress, although I am not as close to it. www.newwaysministry.org/2026/08/24/p...
newwaysministry.org
Pope Leo's Bishop Appointments Show an Openness to LGBTQ+ Ministry - New Ways Ministry
2016 appointments indicate a hopeful trend.
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Sarah @spressto.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Love the Chicago Pope.
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Brigid Keely She/Her @brigid.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
There's some really loud Catholics who've been against the death penalty for decades for just this reason. It's nice to see that getting more coverage. Also nice to see inhumane treatment of immigrants getting attention.
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Sarah @spressto.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Such a true message. My heart breaks for the Somalians, the Haitians, and every other population getting scapegoated and attacked by forces who want to divide us.
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Nephele Tempest @nepheletempest.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Banned Books Week nepheletempest.substack.com/p/banned-boo...
nepheletempest.substack.com
Banned Books Week
Or: How the Death of Reading Is, in Part, a Hatchet Job
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Sarah @spressto.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
I am not sure I believe that power inherently corrupts, vs a self selection bias of those who take it. Not sure how to prove my counter theory though.
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Robert Loerzel @robertloerzel.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Chicago started burning on October 8, 1871. Here is a Chicago magazine story I wrote five years ago, for the 150th anniversary:
web.archive.org
The Great Chicago Fire, As Told By Those Who Lived Through It
As the city marks the 150th anniversary of the defining event, ROBERT LOERZEL mines the archival record to offer a compelling portrait of what it was like to live through those disastrous days.
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Sarah @spressto.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
This is fantastic! I'll share it with my local book club members as well.
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Lauren @grobielauren.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
@spressto.bsky.social If you have supporters in/around Chicago, Milwaukee, or the other location. www.berniesbookbank.org
berniesbookbank.org
Home - Bernie‘s Book Bank
Transforming children's stories with free books. Children are empowered to explore new ideas, gain knowledge, strengthen reading skills.
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Sarah @spressto.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
This sounds fantastic.
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Sarah @spressto.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Of course. Thank you! I sent you an email, would love to engage your team if we can. Happy Saturday!
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Sarah @spressto.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
I think much of the world is really sleeping on the dangers of Elon-AI treated as an oracle for decision making.
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Sarah @spressto.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Awesome - I'm excited for their feedback! (Sharing why people don't want to join is equally helpful).
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Sarah @spressto.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
My heart literally stopped when I saw your name, good to meet you Not the CEO ALex Karp :). Your counterpart will be feature soon in one of my @democracybookclub.bsky.social monthly reads.
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Sarah @spressto.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Yes, love it. So slim and trim and yet packs an intellectual punch. Hope you are able to join @democracybookclub.bsky.social (either IRL or virtual clubs we're setting up + community iPhone app) to share your thoughts!
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Sarah @spressto.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Good addition!
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Sarah @spressto.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
For me it's #19, 100%. It's a powerful reinforcement in the dangers of trading liberty for safety.
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Democracy Book Club @democracybookclub.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Our Democracy Book Club choice for October, On Tyranny, outlines 20 lessons from the twentieth century on how to spot and combat authoritarianism. Which one most resonates with you? #booksky
Twenty Lessons from The Twentieth Century are found in the book On Tyranny.
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Sarah @spressto.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
For me, the most unsettling one from @timothysnyder.bsky.social is number 19, "Be calm when the unthinkable arrives". The Reichstag Fire and how it was used by Hitler to eradicate civil liberties is a lesson for authoritarians of what to do and the rest of us for what to fight. What about you?
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Sarah @spressto.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Awesome!! We just sent welcome notes to everyone who signed up yesterday, let me know if you got it (it's a new email and tech can be tricky) and how we can help. I'm so excited!
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Sarah @spressto.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
I always thought I was a fan of science fiction and fantasy, but learned after college from the sections of a used bookstore in Oregon that it is actually "paranormal romance" that catches my eye. I like the Romantasy rebranding!
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Sarah @spressto.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Yay! Excited for you to be involved!
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Sarah @spressto.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
How old are they now? You should sign up for the book club and they should too :)
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Sarah @spressto.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Ah, curses. #booksky, not booktok! #BOOKSKY :)
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Sarah @spressto.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
I am reading it now too! And yay, welcome!
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Sarah @spressto.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
And @democracybookclub.bsky.social has launched! On Tyranny is this month, with The Nerd Reich by @gilduran.com, Ordinary People, Extraordinary Times @skyeperryman.bsky.social and @hcrichardson.bsky.social on the docket for future months. Anyone want to be a book club lead? Let me know. #booktok
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nate @zzstoatzz.io · 28/09/2026
come say hi !! :) all welcome, no qualifications necessary! if you’ve ever wished the internet were better, you’re in good company
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Sarah @spressto.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
I'm going to Chicago's September AT Proto meetup. Join me to chat about open source technology and drink beer in Logan Square with good people. #chicago
atmo.rsvp
at://chicago - September 2026
Converge back at Life on Marz Community Club. Open to lightning talks, but we are more focused on conversations. Happy hour drink specials for the event, courtesy of Marz. We welcome folks from all kinds of backgrounds including artists, journalists, publishers, creators, academic researchers, end-users, and developers. **Remember to export/add it to your calendar, as we do not send event reminders / notifications** ## What Casual get together and discussion, followed by a DJ set. Many drink options to chose from for whatever preference. Lightning Talks include: - Introducing Corkboard.at by @ntm.bsky.social - Your talk here! Currently there are no plans to stream or record lightning talks on stream.place this month, but may set up something ## When The evening of Wednesday, September 30, 2026. Tentative schedule: | Time | Description | |-------|-------------------------------| | 5-6:30PM | Arrive, socialize, happy hour | | 6:30-7PM | Lightning talks | | 8-?PM | DJ Set from Joshua Iz | ## Where Life on Marz Community Club (2 minute walk / 300 ft north from the Western & Milwaukee Blue Line station, next to Margie's Candies) 1950 N Western Avenue, Chicago, Il, 60647 #ATProto #meetup #tech #dweb #bluesky
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Sarah @spressto.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Halfway through The Nerd Reich by @gilduran.com. The fact that there's a book I can point others to when trying to explain the tech right's systematic destruction of our democracy vs sounding like a crackpot is such a gift. Hopefully using it for my coming-soon book club as well. #booksky
bookshop.org
The Nerd Reich: Silicon Valley Fascism and the War on Democracy
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “This transfixing debut from journalist Durán investigates the antidemocratic ideologies espoused by tech billionaires linked to the second Trump administration...It’s an o...
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Sarah @spressto.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
I would not assume it's a failure to see vs willful disregard / intentional deception by the entire corporate media apparatus minus the Guardian. The rest of the population though, definitely failed to see. I am so thankful for your book so I can point to it instead of sounding like a crackpot.
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Sarah @spressto.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Any Chicago Blueskyers want to get together to see this documentary in a few weeks? Say aye or send a DM if so! www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/dig...
hollywoodreporter.com
The Major Social Media Platforms Are All Rejecting Paid Ads for Alex Gibney’s ‘Musk’ (Exclusive)
YouTube, TikTok and Meta have all turned down the trailer for the Oct. 9 doc, citing “political” content. X won't even take Bleecker Street's calls. The distributor is appealing.
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Sarah @spressto.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
I'm hosting a Chicago virtual phone banking session this Friday, Sept. 25 from noon to 1:30 p.m. CT. It's a way to show we are united in support of our Haitian neighbors and connect with others who care about this issue. Know people who'd be interested? Tag them! Register here: bit.ly/4jhwchw
TPS for Haiti National Days of Action September 24th-27th
Chicago
Virtual Phone Banking
Friday, September 25 from 12-1:30pm CT. 

Call senators, and urge them to support S.4814 and restore temporary protected status for Haitians.
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Sarah @spressto.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Hope you otherwise enjoyed your time in our fair city! :)
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Sarah @spressto.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
I have read that! A fun one for sure.
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Sarah @spressto.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Purchased and excited to read!
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Resistbot Organizing @organizers.resist.bot · 11/08/2026
🖋️ “Restore TPS and Stop Targeting Springfield's Haitian Community” hit 25 signers!
resist.bot
Restore TPS and Stop Targeting Springfield's Haitian Community
Text SIGN PYEYZQ to 50409 to send this to your officials.
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Sarah @spressto.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
It’s awful. More people need to know and speak out, they want everyone to disappear quietly and prove how easy it is.
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Sarah @spressto.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
Thank you for sharing about this. Communities of faith are doing more than most to stand against this inhumane, deadly expulsion of people here legally and separation from their children. It’s heartbreaking. We as a people need to show this is not what the people want.
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Gabe Ortíz @tusk81.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
“‘They don’t want another Minneapolis … but they’d love for all the Haitians to be deported in secret,’ Sister Wittberg said. ‘I don’t know that we can do anything but witness that this is not a Christian thing to do.’”
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Sarah @spressto.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
This is such an odd defense of him. He is not trying. Either you are unaware of the specific situation of the Haitians this week or you don't care. If unaware, read up. If don't care, don't pretend that you do with some sort of odd "ffs". I have nothing to add.
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Sarah @spressto.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
You think that's Mandami trying to protect the Haitians? It doesn't even mention the word Haitians. The difference between now this is being covered in the US vs the Guardian is stunning incl politicians. It's disturbing. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
theguardian.com
Haitians face arrest and deportation after US removes TPS protections
DHS secretary Markwayne Mullin says ‘We’re going after them right now’ despite threat of violence in home country
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Senator Ed Markey @markey.senate.gov · 06/08/2026
Ending Temporary Protected Status for Haitians is cruel and wrong. Haiti remains gripped by violence and instability, and the Trump administration is now turning its back on families who have built their lives here and contribute to our communities. We must protect TPS.
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Robert Reich @rbreich.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
300,000 Haitians legally living in the U.S. have officially lost their Temporary Protected Status this week. ICE is reportedly planning to target Haitian communities and fast-track deportations to Haiti, which is controlled by violent gangs and deep in crisis. Trump’s cruelty knows no bounds.
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Make the Road NY @maketheroadny.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
“You have a lot of TPS holders who substantially contributed to the economy, especially in NY, and we have a large concentration of Haitians now who can’t go to work, who are afraid to bring their kids to school, and who are afraid to just live life,” said Assemblymember Rodneyse Hermelyn.
brooklynpaper.com
Nurses, pols say end of TPS protections for Haitians could cause healthcare crisis • Brooklyn Paper
TPS is a humanitarian program that allows immigrants from designated countries to live and work in the United States, and Haitians first received TPS under
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Sarah @spressto.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
This is so important...
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Sarah @spressto.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
300,000 Haitian legal individuals and families overnight became criminals, unable to work, likely expelled from this country to gang violence. Senate bill can save them. Why. Are. Our. Democratic. Leaders. Silent?? @rokhanna.bsky.social @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social @abdulelsayed.bsky.social?
theguardian.com
Haitians face arrest and deportation after US removes TPS protections
DHS secretary Markwayne Mullin says ‘We’re going after them right now’ despite threat of violence in home country
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Sarah @spressto.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
Talk about the New York legal Haitians being arrested and expelled to gang violence from your city as we speak or admit you care about fun photo ops more than human life. I want to believe you are what they say. Show up. www.forever-wars.com/the-end-of-t...
forever-wars.com
The End of TPS for Haitians Is A Moment of Truth for Zohran Mamdani
Will 'municipal socialism' stand by as ICE snatches, cages and deports tens of thousands of New Yorkers? Or will it resist?
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