Erica Hellerstein
@ehellerstein.bsky.social
Global human rights journalist | IWMF Ukraine fellow | Senior immigration & labor reporter | I cover tech, labor, memory, migration |
Prev @codastory.bsky.social & many more past lives. www.ericahellerstein.com
Prev @codastory.bsky.social & many more past lives. www.ericahellerstein.com
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Music Cures: The Healing Power of the Accordion After a Shooting - Latino USA
We travel to Half Moon Bay, where an unconventional music program is helping farmworkers victims of a shooting heal from their deepest wounds through the keys and wails of the accordion.
www.latinousa.org
Thrilled to share the long-awaited collab btw @eltimpano.bsky.social + Latino USA! I spent months reporting on an accordion class helping the farmworker survivors of the Half Moon Bay shooting heal from their trauma. It's a piece abt grief, love, healing & culture.
www.latinousa.org/2025/10/03/m...
www.latinousa.org/2025/10/03/m...
Reposted by Erica Hellerstein
After one of the worst acts of racial terror in our history, *we erased it.*
We didn't teach it.
We didn't take anyone to trial.
Police records disappeared.
So did newspaper archives.
The silence continued until 2020, when people, you could say, woke up.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/u...
We didn't teach it.
We didn't take anyone to trial.
Police records disappeared.
So did newspaper archives.
The silence continued until 2020, when people, you could say, woke up.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/u...
November 25, 2025 at 3:21 AM
After one of the worst acts of racial terror in our history, *we erased it.*
We didn't teach it.
We didn't take anyone to trial.
Police records disappeared.
So did newspaper archives.
The silence continued until 2020, when people, you could say, woke up.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/u...
We didn't teach it.
We didn't take anyone to trial.
Police records disappeared.
So did newspaper archives.
The silence continued until 2020, when people, you could say, woke up.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/u...
Reposted by Erica Hellerstein
Players are roleplaying in Fortnite to teach each other their rights when encountering ICE officials
“I would slip [the warrant] under the door, but there’s no space under the door,” the agent says.
The civilian pauses. “Well. Sounds like a personal problem.”
www.404media.co/ice-defense-...
“I would slip [the warrant] under the door, but there’s no space under the door,” the agent says.
The civilian pauses. “Well. Sounds like a personal problem.”
www.404media.co/ice-defense-...
Inside an ICE Defense Training on Fortnite
A group of immigrant rights organizers are helping people use Fortnite to practice what to do if they encounter ICE agents in the wild.
www.404media.co
November 24, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Players are roleplaying in Fortnite to teach each other their rights when encountering ICE officials
“I would slip [the warrant] under the door, but there’s no space under the door,” the agent says.
The civilian pauses. “Well. Sounds like a personal problem.”
www.404media.co/ice-defense-...
“I would slip [the warrant] under the door, but there’s no space under the door,” the agent says.
The civilian pauses. “Well. Sounds like a personal problem.”
www.404media.co/ice-defense-...
Reposted by Erica Hellerstein
If DIY tech becomes standard in conflicts, future wars may shift from traditional armies to tech-savvy civilians, altering global security dynamics. #futurism
Looking for a weekend listen? Don't miss my report from Ukraine about the DIY tech nerds on the frontlines of the battlefield. They're transforming this war, and maybe even the future of conflict -- with major implications for the rest of the world.
www.kqed.org/news/1206467...
www.kqed.org/news/1206467...
Meet Ukraine’s ‘Geeks of War’ | KQED
The Ukraine-Russia war has been called the most technologically advanced war in history. Ukrainian citizens receive notifications about incoming missile and drone attacks through apps on their phones;...
www.kqed.org
November 23, 2025 at 4:55 AM
If DIY tech becomes standard in conflicts, future wars may shift from traditional armies to tech-savvy civilians, altering global security dynamics. #futurism
Looking for a weekend listen? Don't miss my report from Ukraine about the DIY tech nerds on the frontlines of the battlefield. They're transforming this war, and maybe even the future of conflict -- with major implications for the rest of the world.
www.kqed.org/news/1206467...
www.kqed.org/news/1206467...
Meet Ukraine’s ‘Geeks of War’ | KQED
The Ukraine-Russia war has been called the most technologically advanced war in history. Ukrainian citizens receive notifications about incoming missile and drone attacks through apps on their phones;...
www.kqed.org
November 22, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Looking for a weekend listen? Don't miss my report from Ukraine about the DIY tech nerds on the frontlines of the battlefield. They're transforming this war, and maybe even the future of conflict -- with major implications for the rest of the world.
www.kqed.org/news/1206467...
www.kqed.org/news/1206467...
Reposted by Erica Hellerstein
My brilliant former colleague doing brilliant things ✨
In June, I went to Ukraine to work on a project abt my family's roots. But somewhere along the way, I fell into a rabbit hole about something else: The army of engineers, hackers & meme warriors fueling Ukraine's resistance against Russia. So I made a podcast about it:
www.kqed.org/news/1206467...
www.kqed.org/news/1206467...
Meet Ukraine’s ‘Geeks of War’ | KQED
The Ukraine-Russia war has been called the most technologically advanced war in history. Ukrainian citizens receive notifications about incoming missile and drone attacks through apps on their phones;...
www.kqed.org
November 21, 2025 at 3:42 PM
My brilliant former colleague doing brilliant things ✨
Reposted by Erica Hellerstein
Super proud of my friend @ehellerstein.bsky.social for writing/producing her first podcast episode and causally hitting out of the park.
Listen for a story of Ukraine's DIY tech nerds on the front lines of the Ukrainian-Russian war:
Listen for a story of Ukraine's DIY tech nerds on the front lines of the Ukrainian-Russian war:
Meet Ukraine’s ‘Geeks of War’ | KQED
The Ukraine-Russia war has been called the most technologically advanced war in history. Ukrainian citizens receive notifications about incoming missile and drone attacks through apps on their phones;...
www.kqed.org
November 21, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Super proud of my friend @ehellerstein.bsky.social for writing/producing her first podcast episode and causally hitting out of the park.
Listen for a story of Ukraine's DIY tech nerds on the front lines of the Ukrainian-Russian war:
Listen for a story of Ukraine's DIY tech nerds on the front lines of the Ukrainian-Russian war:
In June, I went to Ukraine to work on a project abt my family's roots. But somewhere along the way, I fell into a rabbit hole about something else: The army of engineers, hackers & meme warriors fueling Ukraine's resistance against Russia. So I made a podcast about it:
www.kqed.org/news/1206467...
www.kqed.org/news/1206467...
Meet Ukraine’s ‘Geeks of War’ | KQED
The Ukraine-Russia war has been called the most technologically advanced war in history. Ukrainian citizens receive notifications about incoming missile and drone attacks through apps on their phones;...
www.kqed.org
November 20, 2025 at 11:40 PM
In June, I went to Ukraine to work on a project abt my family's roots. But somewhere along the way, I fell into a rabbit hole about something else: The army of engineers, hackers & meme warriors fueling Ukraine's resistance against Russia. So I made a podcast about it:
www.kqed.org/news/1206467...
www.kqed.org/news/1206467...
Reposted by Erica Hellerstein
This is the first time there has been an effort to publish a dictionary of the Mississippi Choctaw language and dialect.
The only dictionaries available in the past have been Oklahoma Choctaw.
And the Trump administration terminated the grant.
www.mississippifreepress.org/mississippi-...
The only dictionaries available in the past have been Oklahoma Choctaw.
And the Trump administration terminated the grant.
www.mississippifreepress.org/mississippi-...
Mississippi Choctaw Dictionary Project Helps Preserve Language
The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians’ Choctaw Dictionary Project is designed to help teach the language and encourage more daily use.
www.mississippifreepress.org
November 17, 2025 at 7:05 PM
This is the first time there has been an effort to publish a dictionary of the Mississippi Choctaw language and dialect.
The only dictionaries available in the past have been Oklahoma Choctaw.
And the Trump administration terminated the grant.
www.mississippifreepress.org/mississippi-...
The only dictionaries available in the past have been Oklahoma Choctaw.
And the Trump administration terminated the grant.
www.mississippifreepress.org/mississippi-...
Reposted by Erica Hellerstein
As I sometimes like to mention, s the only reason you know who Jeffrey Epstein is (that is, if you weren't one of his friends/clients/beneficiaries) is because Ms Brown, below, broke the story of his sweetheart deal to get out of the 2008 trafficking charges.
BREAKING: (Gift) New Epstein emails reveal that Epstein claimed he had kompromat on President Trump. www.miamiherald.com/news/politic...
New Epstein emails claim Trump ‘spent hours’ with victim
Democrats on the House Oversight say the emails provide evidence of a cover-up by the White House
www.miamiherald.com
November 12, 2025 at 5:35 PM
As I sometimes like to mention, s the only reason you know who Jeffrey Epstein is (that is, if you weren't one of his friends/clients/beneficiaries) is because Ms Brown, below, broke the story of his sweetheart deal to get out of the 2008 trafficking charges.
Reposted by Erica Hellerstein
The most horrifying AI slop of ICE raids you can possibly imagine is wildly viral on Facebook, collectively totaling tens of millions of views from a single account. First spotted by @chadloder.bsky.social
www.404media.co/ai-generated...
www.404media.co/ai-generated...
AI-Generated Videos of ICE Raids Are Wildly Viral on Facebook
An account is spamming horrific, dehumanizing videos of immigration enforcement because the Facebook algorithm is rewarding them for it.
www.404media.co
November 12, 2025 at 5:51 PM
The most horrifying AI slop of ICE raids you can possibly imagine is wildly viral on Facebook, collectively totaling tens of millions of views from a single account. First spotted by @chadloder.bsky.social
www.404media.co/ai-generated...
www.404media.co/ai-generated...
Reposted by Erica Hellerstein
From @vanessalop.bsky.social: He worked hard to give me a home. ICE took his: How I lost my father to deportation
chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/2...
chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/2...
He worked hard to give me a home. ICE took his: How I lost my father to deportation
Deportation has taken away the father I once knew and given me back a person I no longer recognize.
chicago.suntimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:53 PM
From @vanessalop.bsky.social: He worked hard to give me a home. ICE took his: How I lost my father to deportation
chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/2...
chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/2...
Reposted by Erica Hellerstein
In today's Weekly Dispatch, @ehellerstein.bsky.social reflects on how the Fruitvale Día de los Muertos festival brought together thousands to honor their loved ones and celebrate heritage and culture—even amid fears of immigration enforcement.
www.eltimpano.org/newsletter/w...
www.eltimpano.org/newsletter/w...
What Oakland’s Día de los Muertos taught us this year
Local journalism needs your support This week kicks off our end-of-year fund drive and we need YOU to help us start strong. Join our community of donors to power the journalism you and thousands of Ba...
www.eltimpano.org
November 8, 2025 at 12:51 AM
In today's Weekly Dispatch, @ehellerstein.bsky.social reflects on how the Fruitvale Día de los Muertos festival brought together thousands to honor their loved ones and celebrate heritage and culture—even amid fears of immigration enforcement.
www.eltimpano.org/newsletter/w...
www.eltimpano.org/newsletter/w...
Reposted by Erica Hellerstein
New: The FBI is quietly urging ICE agents to properly ID themselves in the field.
In a bulletin to law enforcement last month, it warned of criminals posing as ICE to rob, rape, kidnap—a problem it says now demands national coordination to confront.
By me & @carolinehaskins.bsky.social:
In a bulletin to law enforcement last month, it warned of criminals posing as ICE to rob, rape, kidnap—a problem it says now demands national coordination to confront.
By me & @carolinehaskins.bsky.social:
FBI Warns of Criminals Posing as ICE, Urges Agents to ID Themselves
In a bulletin to law enforcement agencies, the FBI said criminal impersonators are exploiting ICE’s image and urged nationwide coordination to distinguish real operations from fakes.
www.wired.com
November 4, 2025 at 7:34 PM
New: The FBI is quietly urging ICE agents to properly ID themselves in the field.
In a bulletin to law enforcement last month, it warned of criminals posing as ICE to rob, rape, kidnap—a problem it says now demands national coordination to confront.
By me & @carolinehaskins.bsky.social:
In a bulletin to law enforcement last month, it warned of criminals posing as ICE to rob, rape, kidnap—a problem it says now demands national coordination to confront.
By me & @carolinehaskins.bsky.social:
Reposted by Erica Hellerstein
In this week's Weekly Dispatch, @ehellerstein.bsky.social shares a postmortem on last week’s events—not only on what unfolded, but on what local orgs learned during what became, in effect, a dress rehearsal for the immigration crackdown that may still come.
www.eltimpano.org/newsletter/s...
www.eltimpano.org/newsletter/s...
Stress testing the Bay Area’s immigration support networks
Not yet subscribed? Click here to sign up for our weekly emails. The Weekly Dispatch Community-powered immigration news from the Bay Area. Welcome to El Tímpano’s Weekly Dispatch. I’m Erica Hellerste...
www.eltimpano.org
October 31, 2025 at 8:51 PM
In this week's Weekly Dispatch, @ehellerstein.bsky.social shares a postmortem on last week’s events—not only on what unfolded, but on what local orgs learned during what became, in effect, a dress rehearsal for the immigration crackdown that may still come.
www.eltimpano.org/newsletter/s...
www.eltimpano.org/newsletter/s...
Reposted by Erica Hellerstein
Two months ago, U.S. Border Patrol posted a hype video, featuring the “banned” version of Michael Jackson’s 1995 song “They Don’t Care About Us,” including its infamous antisemitic slurs.
While Border Patrol remained silent, antisemitic accounts on Twitter celebrated the government’s post.
While Border Patrol remained silent, antisemitic accounts on Twitter celebrated the government’s post.
Border Patrol won’t say why it used a Michael Jackson song with antisemitic lyrics
The video was live on Facebook and Instagram for two months.
www.motherjones.com
October 16, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Two months ago, U.S. Border Patrol posted a hype video, featuring the “banned” version of Michael Jackson’s 1995 song “They Don’t Care About Us,” including its infamous antisemitic slurs.
While Border Patrol remained silent, antisemitic accounts on Twitter celebrated the government’s post.
While Border Patrol remained silent, antisemitic accounts on Twitter celebrated the government’s post.
Loving ML's immigration reporting in general, but this one hit me hard bc it is the exact story of my family. Also from present-day Ukraine, immigrated to the US just before a 1920 pogrom wiped out their town, & the remaining Jews were later killed in the Holocaust
missionlocal.org/2025/10/the-...
missionlocal.org/2025/10/the-...
October 20, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Loving ML's immigration reporting in general, but this one hit me hard bc it is the exact story of my family. Also from present-day Ukraine, immigrated to the US just before a 1920 pogrom wiped out their town, & the remaining Jews were later killed in the Holocaust
missionlocal.org/2025/10/the-...
missionlocal.org/2025/10/the-...
Reposted by Erica Hellerstein
A dinosaur talking with an NPR producer.
October 18, 2025 at 5:16 PM
A dinosaur talking with an NPR producer.
New - Fraudsters are posing as immigration attorneys & staging fake virtual court hearings to steal from ppl seeking legal help.
Scammers advertise on TikTok to appear legit—stealing real lawyers’ names & bar numbers. Victims have lost thousands & risk deportation
www.eltimpano.org/newsletter/h...
Scammers advertise on TikTok to appear legit—stealing real lawyers’ names & bar numbers. Victims have lost thousands & risk deportation
www.eltimpano.org/newsletter/h...
How fraudsters are preying on immigrants seeking legal support
Not yet subscribed? Click here to sign up for our weekly emails. The Weekly Dispatch Community-powered immigration news from the Bay Area. Welcome to El Tímpano’s Weekly Dispatch. I’m Erica Hellerste...
www.eltimpano.org
October 17, 2025 at 6:34 PM
New - Fraudsters are posing as immigration attorneys & staging fake virtual court hearings to steal from ppl seeking legal help.
Scammers advertise on TikTok to appear legit—stealing real lawyers’ names & bar numbers. Victims have lost thousands & risk deportation
www.eltimpano.org/newsletter/h...
Scammers advertise on TikTok to appear legit—stealing real lawyers’ names & bar numbers. Victims have lost thousands & risk deportation
www.eltimpano.org/newsletter/h...
Reposted by Erica Hellerstein
In today's Weekly Dispatch, @ehellerstein.bsky.social reports on the rise in scams targeting immigrants seeking legal help—where fraudsters pose as legitimate attorneys, make false promises and charge for services that may never be delivered.
www.eltimpano.org/newsletter/h...
www.eltimpano.org/newsletter/h...
How fraudsters are preying on immigrants seeking legal support
Not yet subscribed? Click here to sign up for our weekly emails. The Weekly Dispatch Community-powered immigration news from the Bay Area. Welcome to El Tímpano’s Weekly Dispatch. I’m Erica Hellerste...
www.eltimpano.org
October 17, 2025 at 5:07 PM
In today's Weekly Dispatch, @ehellerstein.bsky.social reports on the rise in scams targeting immigrants seeking legal help—where fraudsters pose as legitimate attorneys, make false promises and charge for services that may never be delivered.
www.eltimpano.org/newsletter/h...
www.eltimpano.org/newsletter/h...
ICYMI: This week's newsletter is all about @eltimpano.bsky.social's collab with Latino USA. It's the story of Pedro, a farmworker who survived Half Moon Bay's mass shooting. He lost his brother in the attack and was shot 5 times. Then he discovered the accordion.
www.eltimpano.org/newsletter/w...
www.eltimpano.org/newsletter/w...
When culture cures: the healing power of music for trauma
Not yet subscribed? Click here to sign up for our weekly emails. The Weekly Dispatch Community-powered immigration news from the Bay Area. Welcome to El Tímpano’s Weekly Dispatch. I’m Erica Hellerste...
www.eltimpano.org
October 10, 2025 at 5:33 PM
ICYMI: This week's newsletter is all about @eltimpano.bsky.social's collab with Latino USA. It's the story of Pedro, a farmworker who survived Half Moon Bay's mass shooting. He lost his brother in the attack and was shot 5 times. Then he discovered the accordion.
www.eltimpano.org/newsletter/w...
www.eltimpano.org/newsletter/w...
I've been doing longform writing for so long, it was a fun experience to take myself out of my comfort zone with a longform radio piece. I'm excited about the next edition of E's radio - a longform podcast about my reporting in Ukraine. Hopefully out next month!
www.latinousa.org/2025/10/03/m...
www.latinousa.org/2025/10/03/m...
Music Cures: The Healing Power of the Accordion After a Shooting - Latino USA
We travel to Half Moon Bay, where an unconventional music program is helping farmworkers victims of a shooting heal from their deepest wounds through the keys and wails of the accordion.
www.latinousa.org
October 7, 2025 at 5:31 PM
I've been doing longform writing for so long, it was a fun experience to take myself out of my comfort zone with a longform radio piece. I'm excited about the next edition of E's radio - a longform podcast about my reporting in Ukraine. Hopefully out next month!
www.latinousa.org/2025/10/03/m...
www.latinousa.org/2025/10/03/m...
Thrilled to share the long-awaited collab btw @eltimpano.bsky.social + Latino USA! I spent months reporting on an accordion class helping the farmworker survivors of the Half Moon Bay shooting heal from their trauma. It's a piece abt grief, love, healing & culture.
www.latinousa.org/2025/10/03/m...
www.latinousa.org/2025/10/03/m...
Music Cures: The Healing Power of the Accordion After a Shooting - Latino USA
We travel to Half Moon Bay, where an unconventional music program is helping farmworkers victims of a shooting heal from their deepest wounds through the keys and wails of the accordion.
www.latinousa.org
October 5, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Thrilled to share the long-awaited collab btw @eltimpano.bsky.social + Latino USA! I spent months reporting on an accordion class helping the farmworker survivors of the Half Moon Bay shooting heal from their trauma. It's a piece abt grief, love, healing & culture.
www.latinousa.org/2025/10/03/m...
www.latinousa.org/2025/10/03/m...
Reposted by Erica Hellerstein
Now available in your podcast feeds — @ehellerstein.bsky.social's Latino USA episode on an unconventional music program in Half Moon Bay that's helping farmworkers heal from trauma through the accordion.
Ep will also air live on @kqednews.kqed.org tonight at 6 pm!
www.latinousa.org/2025/10/03/m...
Ep will also air live on @kqednews.kqed.org tonight at 6 pm!
www.latinousa.org/2025/10/03/m...
Music Cures: The Healing Power of the Accordion After a Shooting - Latino USA
We travel to Half Moon Bay, where an unconventional music program is helping farmworkers victims of a shooting heal from their deepest wounds through the keys and wails of the accordion.
www.latinousa.org
October 5, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Now available in your podcast feeds — @ehellerstein.bsky.social's Latino USA episode on an unconventional music program in Half Moon Bay that's helping farmworkers heal from trauma through the accordion.
Ep will also air live on @kqednews.kqed.org tonight at 6 pm!
www.latinousa.org/2025/10/03/m...
Ep will also air live on @kqednews.kqed.org tonight at 6 pm!
www.latinousa.org/2025/10/03/m...
After a recent SCOUTS ruling lifting limits on ICE sweeps in LA & ongoing raids, Gov. Newsom signed a suite of bills to strengthen immigrant protections. Bay Area leaders also unveiled a new regional effort to financially support immigrants impacted by enforcement:
www.eltimpano.org/newsletter/a...
www.eltimpano.org/newsletter/a...
After raids and court rulings, California doubles down on immigrant protections
Not yet subscribed? Click here to sign up for our weekly emails. The Weekly Dispatch Community-powered immigration news from the Bay Area. Welcome to El Tímpano’s Weekly Dispatch. I’m Erica Hellerste...
www.eltimpano.org
September 26, 2025 at 6:34 PM
After a recent SCOUTS ruling lifting limits on ICE sweeps in LA & ongoing raids, Gov. Newsom signed a suite of bills to strengthen immigrant protections. Bay Area leaders also unveiled a new regional effort to financially support immigrants impacted by enforcement:
www.eltimpano.org/newsletter/a...
www.eltimpano.org/newsletter/a...
Reposted by Erica Hellerstein
In today's Weekly Dispatch, @ehellerstein.bsky.social reports on how increased immigration enforcement is preventing immigrant families from accessing necessary health care, triggering delays, mental health crises, and worsened outcomes. 👇
www.eltimpano.org/newsletter/h...
www.eltimpano.org/newsletter/h...
Health care in the shadow of ICE
Not yet subscribed? Click here to sign up for our weekly emails. The Weekly Dispatch Community-powered immigration news from the Bay Area. Welcome to El Tímpano’s Weekly Dispatch. I’m Erica Hellerste...
www.eltimpano.org
September 19, 2025 at 10:53 PM
In today's Weekly Dispatch, @ehellerstein.bsky.social reports on how increased immigration enforcement is preventing immigrant families from accessing necessary health care, triggering delays, mental health crises, and worsened outcomes. 👇
www.eltimpano.org/newsletter/h...
www.eltimpano.org/newsletter/h...