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Christopher Whitaker

@civicwhitaker.com

1.3K followers 1.3K following 810 posts

Civic Technologist | Executive Director, Alliance of Civic Technologists | Army Veteran | Alumni of Code for America, Defense Digital Service and USDS #civictech #chicago Really doesn’t like bullies Signal: civicwhitaker.53

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Christopher Whitaker @civicwhitaker.com · Nov 10

#Introductions

Hi, I'm Christopher Whitaker & I'm a civic technologist w/ a hybrid background as a product manager & bureaucrat. I currently serve as director of the Alliance of Civic Technologists - a network of local #civictech volunteer groups. www.civictechnologists.org

Army vet / #chicago

Home

ACT is a decentralized network of civic tech volunteer organizations.

www.civictechnologists.org

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Christopher Whitaker @civicwhitaker.com · 1d

Not the biggest thing on fire right now, but it irritates me to no end that they fired some of the most talented designer this country has a replaced them with ....this gizmodo.com/trumprx-is-a...

TrumpRx Is a Narcissistic, AI-Generated Nightmare

AI art really has become the aesthetic of grifters and fascists.

gizmodo.com

Reposted by Christopher Whitaker

@NewsJennifer (Jennifer Schulze) @newsjennifer.bsky.social · 1d

Looks like ICE again has a big, hot mess on its hands. This time with the arrest of a Chicago TV station employee.
Witnesses say Debbie Brockman was just standing nearby when ICE roared up. She was later released from custody without charge....now this:

Jacqueline Sweet @jsweetli.bsky.social · 1d

Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino said today that Brockman has “charges pending.” He also posted a photo of her in the ICE minivan after she was detained.

I asked how she wasn’t charged right away if she assaulted officers and what the charges will be but he hasn’t replied.

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Mike Fragassi @refrag.bsky.social · 1d

Short thread about how DHS, ICE, and cops in general just freely lie.

First, the lie:

CJ Ciaramella @cjciaramella.bsky.social · 2d

UPDATE: In emailed statement to me / @reason.com, DHS alleges that WGN-TV producer Debbie Brockman "threw objects at Border Patrol’s car and she was placed under arrest for assault on a federal law enforcement officer."

Screencap of email from DHS public affairs: Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin:

“U.S. Border Patrol was conducting immigration enforcement operations and when several violent agitators used their vehicles to block in agents in an effort to impede and assault federal officers. In fear of public safety and of law enforcement, officers used their service vehicle to strike a suspect’s vehicle and create an opening. As agents were driving, Deborah Brockman, a U.S. citizen, threw objects at Border Patrol’s car and she was placed under arrest for assault on a federal law enforcement officer.

“This incident is not isolated and reflects a growing and dangerous trend of illegal aliens violently resisting arrest and agitators and criminals ramming cars into our law enforcement officers. These attacks highlight the dangers our law enforcement officers face daily—all while receiving no pay thanks to the Democrats’ government shutdown.”

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National Security Counselors 🕵 @nationalsecuritylaw.org · 1d

IF YOU HAVE A CLEARANCE CALL A NATSEC LAWYER BEFORE YOU CALL THE TIP LINE

My info is in my profile. Or call @bradmossesq.bsky.social if you can't reach me.

Oversight Dems @oversightdemocrats.house.gov · 2d

TO ALL FEDERAL WORKERS: if you were illegally fired today and have information of wrongdoing or abuse of power by the Trump Administration, our whistleblower tip line is open.

We want to hear from you. All whistleblowers are federally protected.

Report Potential Wrongdoing Under the Trump Administration

Whistleblowers play a vital role in helping Congress conduct our constitutionally mandated oversight responsibilities. If you have knowledge of corporate or government corruption and abuses of power; insights into the crimes of Jeffrey Epstein and his associates; or information regarding potential wrongdoing or waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer dollars, your disclosure can make a difference.

oversightdemocrats.house.gov

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The Century Foundation @tcfdotorg.bsky.social · 2d

When ICE agents released tear gas outside her elementary school, @ctulocal1.bsky.social member Maria Heavener had a plan in place to protect her students and limit their exposure to outside agitators.

For more protocols, check out our back-to-school checklist: tcf.org/content/comm...

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Jim Daley @jimdaleywrites.bsky.social · 1d

As evening fell on the site of an ICE abduction at Lincoln and Foster, a lone protester held a vigil.

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Harebrained @harebrained.bsky.social · 2d

Preorder now! $8 per screenprinted shirt is going to the ICIRR (Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights)

www.harebraineddesign.com

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Christopher Whitaker @civicwhitaker.com · 2d

Look, if I see a squad of masked guys in full battle rattle with the same weapons I used in Iraq pulling random people off the street my demeanor is gonna change ok?

thematthill.bsky.social @thematthill.bsky.social · 4d

Wow. Greg Bovino admits on camera that his agents can detain people if you look scared, change your demeanor, or grip a steering wheel too tight.

As his unmasked agents walk around with large guns to scare you, they may arrest you just for that — even if you're a U.S. citizen.

Reposted by Christopher Whitaker

Lynda Lopez @lyndab08.bsky.social · 2d

I passed by Funston Elementary in Logan Square, across the street from where people were tear gassed last week. And every corner around the school has an adult keeping watch for dismissal time. 🥹 Times feel bleak but also always reminders all the things people do to help.

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Sam Brunson @smbrnsn.bsky.social · 2d

Just got this text from my daughter’s school.

On the one hand, his for her school.

On the other, fuck ICE.

LANETHS-Safety is number one priority; we were notified there may be ICE activity in the area. If students would like to remain in the building to wait for safe ride or bus, they are welcome.

Adults will be near the bus stops in case there is a need for support.

Txt STOP to cancel

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Slackermom @slackermom.bsky.social · 2d

Was just at a neighborhood school at dismissal. Hundreds of people with whistles surrounding the school and stationed down every block making sure ICE doesn’t snatch anyone. The same is happening at all the schools around here. I love my neighborhood and I love Chicago.

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The People's Fabric @peoplesfabric.com · 2d

Based on all the social media reports, today may have been the busiest Friday for ICE activity that we’ve seen since this surge started.

With hundreds of police now protecting ICE’s facility for them, presumably ICE is able to deploy more agents to snatch people.

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ProPublica @propublica.org · 2d

Federal workers: If you were impacted by the Trump administration's just-announced mass layoffs, our reporters are here to listen.

We understand you may be taking a risk in contacting us, and we take your privacy seriously.

Here's how to get in touch securely 👇

How to Contact ProPublica or Send a Tip Securely — ProPublica

Our job is to hold people and institutions accountable. To do that, we need evidence.

propublica.org

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amanda moore 🐢 @noturtlesoup17.bsky.social · 2d

Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin have arrived at the Broadview ICE facility.

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Monica Maalouf, MD @maaloufmd.bsky.social · 2d

So this IL Hospital Association memo describes an incident where ICE detained a US citizen, gave them HEART PROBLEMS, took them to a hospital where the fought with medical personnel, then left when they realized they detained a CITIZEN.

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Dave Byrnes @djbyrnes1.bsky.social · 2d

That's two Chicago journalists feds have arrested (that I know of) in the last few weeks.

We're less than 24 hours out from federal judge Sara Ellis entering a restraining order that was supposed to protect journalists, among others, from abuse by federal agents.

Jim Daley @jimdaleywrites.bsky.social · 2d

I'm at the scene where ICE abducted multiple people from Lincoln and Foster this morning.

A WGN producer was among the people taken, allegedly because she was among a group of bystanders who tried to intervene. ICE agents hit this car while making their getaway.

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Marisa Kabas @marisakabas.bsky.social · 2d

EXCLUSIVE — DHS Acting General Counsel sent out a memo Wednesday to all Federal Protective Service staff (the sub-agency that guards federal buildings) letting officers know they could take any action necessary "in the vicinity" federal property to protect themselves.

The Handbasket reports:

DHS top lawyer says 'no legal barrier' to actions officers can take to defend federal property

In a memo obtained exclusively by The Handbasket, Federal Protective Service (FPS) officers were given free rein.

www.thehandbasket.co

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Mezentine @mezentine.bsky.social · 2d

This is rapidly becoming everyone’s problem. For many people ICE in Chicago remains kind of an abstraction, but they are coming for your block.

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Mike Fragassi @refrag.bsky.social · 2d

Also, call ICIRR (Illinois Coalition for Immigrant & Refugee Rights) at their hotline to report sightings.

1-855-HELP-MY-FAMILY
(1-855-435-7693)

They can take calls in English, Spanish, Korean and Polish.

www.icirr.org/fsn

Family Support Network & Hotline | ICIRR

www.icirr.org

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Dave Byrnes @djbyrnes1.bsky.social · 3d

Judge Perry says she will issue an oral ruling now and a formal ruling tomorrow.

Perry says the state's temporary restraining order against national guard deployment will be granted, "in part," with a fuller ruling to follow tomorrow.

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Heather Cherone @heathercherone.bsky.social · 3d

Perry is back on the bench.

Heather Cherone @heathercherone.bsky.social · 3d

As we wait for Judge April Perry to rule, here's my full story from this morning's extraordinary hearing, for @wttw.bsky.social:

Federal Judge Appears Skeptical of Reasoning Behind National Guard Deployment in Illinois During Ongoing Hearing

Lawyers for the Department of Justice told U.S. District Court Judge April Perry the president deployed the National Guard because “levels of violence against federal law enforcement executing their l...

news.wttw.com

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Lynda Lopez @lyndab08.bsky.social · 3d

There’s a viral video reposted by a lot of news people nationally about an abduction at West Loop Elementary School, but there is no school with that name. The video seems to be of ICE detaining people near UIC yesterday. Details matter. We need to try to get them right before sharing.

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Em, spookily 👻 @lefttheprairie.bsky.social · 3d

City Bureau has an amazingly comprehensive guide to fighting ICE www.citybureau.org/newswire/202...

How Chicagoans Can Get Help and Help Others During ICE Raids — City Bureau

Local community groups are providing hotlines, trainings, legal support, community canvassing and other resources to keep people informed.

www.citybureau.org

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Jon Seidel @jonseidel.bsky.social · 3d

Good morning. U.S. District Judge April Perry just took the bench for oral arguments in Illinois v. Trump, over the deployment of the National Guard.

Jon Seidel @jonseidel.bsky.social · 3d

Ok, I'm in my seat and waiting as they fill up the gallery of Judge Perry's courtroom. Stay tuned.

Jon Seidel @jonseidel.bsky.social · 3d

Standing by this morning, waiting for Judge Perry’s courtroom to open for arguments today in Illinois v Trump.

Doors should open in 30 minutes or so.

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Christopher Whitaker @civicwhitaker.com · 3d