Dr. Samantha Hancox-Li
@sjshancoxli.liberalcurrents.com
associate editor at liberal currents. neonliberal. she/her.
Reposted by Dr. Samantha Hancox-Li
audrey was curious about how the stories about the Portland ICE occupation compared to reality. once she got to know the people on the ground, she was determined to stick with them. what she saw, felt and learned over the last four months is summarized here:
www.liberalcurrents.com/what-its-rea...
www.liberalcurrents.com/what-its-rea...
What It's Really Like: A First-Hand Account of the Portland ICE Facility Occupation
In Portland, members of the community have been standing up to ICE for most of Trump's second term so far.
www.liberalcurrents.com
February 4, 2026 at 7:00 PM
audrey was curious about how the stories about the Portland ICE occupation compared to reality. once she got to know the people on the ground, she was determined to stick with them. what she saw, felt and learned over the last four months is summarized here:
www.liberalcurrents.com/what-its-rea...
www.liberalcurrents.com/what-its-rea...
Reposted by Dr. Samantha Hancox-Li
What really got to me in this essay, other than the horrible particulars and the inspiring details about the community response, was when she first looked into the protests, on October first, and learned it had already been going for 119 days
audrey was curious about how the stories about the Portland ICE occupation compared to reality. once she got to know the people on the ground, she was determined to stick with them. what she saw, felt and learned over the last four months is summarized here:
www.liberalcurrents.com/what-its-rea...
www.liberalcurrents.com/what-its-rea...
What It's Really Like: A First-Hand Account of the Portland ICE Facility Occupation
In Portland, members of the community have been standing up to ICE for most of Trump's second term so far.
www.liberalcurrents.com
February 4, 2026 at 7:03 PM
What really got to me in this essay, other than the horrible particulars and the inspiring details about the community response, was when she first looked into the protests, on October first, and learned it had already been going for 119 days
Reposted by Dr. Samantha Hancox-Li
Somewhat ironically, this is a problem that both some leftist and populist-rightist movements share: their ideology *requires* them to believe that they are the authentic voice of The People and so they are ideologically constrained from recognizing that their ideas are not, in fact, popular.
My read is that American leftism specifically has been unwilling to reckon directly with its unpopularity and instead falls into a cargo cult form of Leninism, preoccupied with building a “pure” vanguard to lead the inevitable awakening of the proletariat.
I find the @whstancil.bsky.social backlash strangely fascinating.
At its core it seems to be a desperate effort by folks further to the left to avoid having a liberal (with communication skills) become the face of their movement.
But, to be honest, winning was always going to require that.
At its core it seems to be a desperate effort by folks further to the left to avoid having a liberal (with communication skills) become the face of their movement.
But, to be honest, winning was always going to require that.
February 4, 2026 at 7:10 PM
Somewhat ironically, this is a problem that both some leftist and populist-rightist movements share: their ideology *requires* them to believe that they are the authentic voice of The People and so they are ideologically constrained from recognizing that their ideas are not, in fact, popular.
Reposted by Dr. Samantha Hancox-Li
he's still losing ground
Quinnipiac poll | 1/29-2/2 RV
President Trump approval
Disapprove 56% (+2)
Approve 37% (-3)
poll.qu.edu/poll-release...
President Trump approval
Disapprove 56% (+2)
Approve 37% (-3)
poll.qu.edu/poll-release...
February 4, 2026 at 7:13 PM
he's still losing ground
Reposted by Dr. Samantha Hancox-Li
Great thread on a misreading of the foundations of US power that you can find as much among more "edgy" European as American elites
Sacking The Washington Post probably has Bezos high-fiving his yachted authoritarian friends, all thinking they’re noble Centurions putting a knife into some loudmouth Senator under cover of darkness and saving Rome in the process.
They fail to appreciate that they actually wrecked an aqueduct.
They fail to appreciate that they actually wrecked an aqueduct.
February 4, 2026 at 6:12 PM
Great thread on a misreading of the foundations of US power that you can find as much among more "edgy" European as American elites
Reposted by Dr. Samantha Hancox-Li
It needs to be made very clear to businesses what the consequences will be if they support or enable Trumps federal paramilitary forces.
A Minneapolis City Council committee delayed action Tuesday on renewing liquor licenses for two Minneapolis hotels that have housed federal immigration officers.
Minneapolis Council committee delays liquor licenses for 2 hotels over hosting federal agents
The City Council will hold a public hearing on the liquor licenses for the Canopy by Hilton in the Mill District and Depot Renaissance Hotel.
www.startribune.com
February 4, 2026 at 2:26 AM
It needs to be made very clear to businesses what the consequences will be if they support or enable Trumps federal paramilitary forces.
in order to save this country we are probably going to have to do things that make rich men sad 😔
February 4, 2026 at 7:08 PM
in order to save this country we are probably going to have to do things that make rich men sad 😔
Reposted by Dr. Samantha Hancox-Li
May 8 & 9, come join us to talk about how liberalism can help people pursue the good life.
Feat @jamellebouie.net @hollybfletcher.bsky.social @sarahposner.bsky.social @sjshancoxli.liberalcurrents.com @shortle.bsky.social & more!
Tickets are free:
www.pulaskiinstitution.org/events/for-g...
Feat @jamellebouie.net @hollybfletcher.bsky.social @sarahposner.bsky.social @sjshancoxli.liberalcurrents.com @shortle.bsky.social & more!
Tickets are free:
www.pulaskiinstitution.org/events/for-g...
For Good Conference — The Pulaski Institution
The For Good Conference is a weekend dedicated to the intersection of liberalism and what it means to live a good life. Speakers and panelists will discuss questions around public ethics, religion, c...
www.pulaskiinstitution.org
February 4, 2026 at 6:25 PM
May 8 & 9, come join us to talk about how liberalism can help people pursue the good life.
Feat @jamellebouie.net @hollybfletcher.bsky.social @sarahposner.bsky.social @sjshancoxli.liberalcurrents.com @shortle.bsky.social & more!
Tickets are free:
www.pulaskiinstitution.org/events/for-g...
Feat @jamellebouie.net @hollybfletcher.bsky.social @sarahposner.bsky.social @sjshancoxli.liberalcurrents.com @shortle.bsky.social & more!
Tickets are free:
www.pulaskiinstitution.org/events/for-g...
Reposted by Dr. Samantha Hancox-Li
In my opinion these people are the real heroes of the resistance to ICE. There’s no credit, no one can talk about their work (because they directly contact vulnerable families). It’s expensive and dreary and neverending. ICE follows them around. But they refuse to abandon their neighbors
This is what one afternoon drop looks like for one (1) Minneapolis mutual aid distributor (read: random mom who wants to help families at her kids’ schools)
February 4, 2026 at 5:26 PM
In my opinion these people are the real heroes of the resistance to ICE. There’s no credit, no one can talk about their work (because they directly contact vulnerable families). It’s expensive and dreary and neverending. ICE follows them around. But they refuse to abandon their neighbors
Reposted by Dr. Samantha Hancox-Li
“If I am killed doing this, throw my body at the White House, martyr the shit out of me & raise hell. Do not be sad. Do not think I would do anything differently. I would do it over & over again — this is too important to sit down & shut up and not do anything.” www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
Pursued by federal agents, suburban ICE observers remain resolved
After a frightening pursuit by federal agents, suburban ICE observers say fear hasn’t stopped them from protecting their communities.
www.mprnews.org
February 4, 2026 at 3:45 PM
“If I am killed doing this, throw my body at the White House, martyr the shit out of me & raise hell. Do not be sad. Do not think I would do anything differently. I would do it over & over again — this is too important to sit down & shut up and not do anything.” www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
Reposted by Dr. Samantha Hancox-Li
Consider Target - they thought they were making a good business decision by axing all the Pride merch, getting rid of all the "woke" signifiers. But it turns out the market actually really likes that stuff and gets mad when you make a big deal of tossing it.
February 4, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Consider Target - they thought they were making a good business decision by axing all the Pride merch, getting rid of all the "woke" signifiers. But it turns out the market actually really likes that stuff and gets mad when you make a big deal of tossing it.
Reposted by Dr. Samantha Hancox-Li
People keep saying Bezos wrecked the Post on purpose but he could have just done that if he wanted to, no need to drag it out for years. I think he and his fellow traveler billionaires have thoroughly cooked their worldview and honestly believe there is a vast, silent, ignored right wing audience
February 4, 2026 at 4:30 PM
People keep saying Bezos wrecked the Post on purpose but he could have just done that if he wanted to, no need to drag it out for years. I think he and his fellow traveler billionaires have thoroughly cooked their worldview and honestly believe there is a vast, silent, ignored right wing audience
Reposted by Dr. Samantha Hancox-Li
But whoever we get MUST tap into that rage and hatred before it turns into exhaustion and channel it into a reconstructive project or this only ends the bad way.
February 4, 2026 at 3:29 PM
But whoever we get MUST tap into that rage and hatred before it turns into exhaustion and channel it into a reconstructive project or this only ends the bad way.
Reposted by Dr. Samantha Hancox-Li
Reposted by Dr. Samantha Hancox-Li
MacKenzie Scott should publicly offer to buy Washington Post
February 4, 2026 at 3:24 PM
MacKenzie Scott should publicly offer to buy Washington Post
Reposted by Dr. Samantha Hancox-Li
Ya that's a good strategy bsky.app/profile/lxtr...
How about "Do good things and then cut really slick tiktok/reels/yt short videos bragging about them"
February 4, 2026 at 4:49 AM
Ya that's a good strategy bsky.app/profile/lxtr...
Reposted by Dr. Samantha Hancox-Li
There is no return to normalcy, but the beginning of a generational project to rebuild the United States into something else and ideally better.
In any other version of this, the detention centers become death camps and we find out just how hot the American Years of Lead will be.
In any other version of this, the detention centers become death camps and we find out just how hot the American Years of Lead will be.
February 4, 2026 at 3:26 PM
There is no return to normalcy, but the beginning of a generational project to rebuild the United States into something else and ideally better.
In any other version of this, the detention centers become death camps and we find out just how hot the American Years of Lead will be.
In any other version of this, the detention centers become death camps and we find out just how hot the American Years of Lead will be.
Reposted by Dr. Samantha Hancox-Li
For all the “drawdown” talk ICE continues to be all over Minneapolis. Feels endless
February 4, 2026 at 3:24 PM
For all the “drawdown” talk ICE continues to be all over Minneapolis. Feels endless
Reposted by Dr. Samantha Hancox-Li
So don't buy a gun. You're not going to out-shoot BORTAC. You're not going to out-opsec the FBI. You're not facing a civilian paramilitary that operates at arm's length from the government. Armed insurgency is not a winning strategy for us.
Resistance is.
Elections are the people, speaking.
Resistance is.
Elections are the people, speaking.
the bolsheviks have remained a touchstone for a hundred years, because they were leftists, and they won.
how did they achieve this?
www.liberalcurrents.com/from-powerle...
how did they achieve this?
www.liberalcurrents.com/from-powerle...
From Powerlessness to Power
We will not achieve any of our ultimate goals without exercising state power, and the most effective way to take state power is through nonviolent but confrontational resistance.
www.liberalcurrents.com
February 4, 2026 at 3:01 AM
So don't buy a gun. You're not going to out-shoot BORTAC. You're not going to out-opsec the FBI. You're not facing a civilian paramilitary that operates at arm's length from the government. Armed insurgency is not a winning strategy for us.
Resistance is.
Elections are the people, speaking.
Resistance is.
Elections are the people, speaking.
Reposted by Dr. Samantha Hancox-Li
The Religious Right was worried about the gays meanwhile their leaders are pedophile rapists and their representatives having drug fueled orgies.
February 4, 2026 at 2:21 AM
The Religious Right was worried about the gays meanwhile their leaders are pedophile rapists and their representatives having drug fueled orgies.
Reposted by Dr. Samantha Hancox-Li
This is unreal. An AUSA talking like that in open court is about as close as you can come to a total breakdown. Never heard of anything like it.
February 3, 2026 at 8:46 PM
This is unreal. An AUSA talking like that in open court is about as close as you can come to a total breakdown. Never heard of anything like it.
Reposted by Dr. Samantha Hancox-Li
The scariest part of last year was the bit between the death of Charlie Kirk on 9/11's Eve and the October shutdown. That three week period in September was one of the scariest times in my life.
February 4, 2026 at 1:52 AM
The scariest part of last year was the bit between the death of Charlie Kirk on 9/11's Eve and the October shutdown. That three week period in September was one of the scariest times in my life.
Reposted by Dr. Samantha Hancox-Li
“Ordinary, salt of the earth people would never tolerate a sexual abuser in their midst. Now time to take a big sip of coffee and respond to this group text with my old fraternity brothers.”
February 4, 2026 at 1:53 AM
“Ordinary, salt of the earth people would never tolerate a sexual abuser in their midst. Now time to take a big sip of coffee and respond to this group text with my old fraternity brothers.”
Reposted by Dr. Samantha Hancox-Li
This indifference or enthusiasm for sexual violence is a cultural pathology born of misogyny, not a peculiar or unique degeneracy of the rich. You know people who have responded to rape like that.
February 4, 2026 at 1:52 AM
This indifference or enthusiasm for sexual violence is a cultural pathology born of misogyny, not a peculiar or unique degeneracy of the rich. You know people who have responded to rape like that.
Reposted by Dr. Samantha Hancox-Li
I understand the reasons why it’s more jarring and consequential to see it happen among billionaires, but the kind of shrugging disinterest or impishly approving encouragement of sexual abuse among Epstein’s circle is the same dynamic that happens in less powerful milieus.
February 4, 2026 at 1:52 AM
I understand the reasons why it’s more jarring and consequential to see it happen among billionaires, but the kind of shrugging disinterest or impishly approving encouragement of sexual abuse among Epstein’s circle is the same dynamic that happens in less powerful milieus.