Elsa Hiltner
@elsahiltner.bsky.social
She/her. Activist for pay equity in the arts. Co-founder of @onourteam.bsky.social Views are all mine, as some require us to say.
Pinned
Elsa Hiltner
@elsahiltner.bsky.social
· Feb 21
Is Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events on the ropes?
The department has lost about a quarter of its staff in the last year. Other signs point to problems at DCASE, which helps drives crucial economic activity for the city.
chicago.suntimes.com
My OpEd is out in the Sun-Times. I had a lot to say in 650 words, and there is so much more to be said. I hope others pick up the threads and start pulling.
Because DCASE is so important.
chicago.suntimes.com/other-views/...
Because DCASE is so important.
chicago.suntimes.com/other-views/...
Reposted by Elsa Hiltner
The cartoon that appeared this week on the front page of France’s most influential national newspaper, Le Monde
Brilliant work by the cartoonist, Guffo.
Brilliant work by the cartoonist, Guffo.
February 6, 2026 at 10:43 PM
The cartoon that appeared this week on the front page of France’s most influential national newspaper, Le Monde
Brilliant work by the cartoonist, Guffo.
Brilliant work by the cartoonist, Guffo.
Reposted by Elsa Hiltner
I wrote about the Epstein files (gift link) www.theverge.com/tech/874721/...
How the men in the Epstein files defeated #MeToo
The emails show the “anti-woke” crusaders are afraid of accountability.
www.theverge.com
February 6, 2026 at 3:09 PM
I wrote about the Epstein files (gift link) www.theverge.com/tech/874721/...
I'm actually not a lawyer.
Without naming your job, tell me something you say over and over again at work.
„Open the file on your device and mark it up. Gove it a try.“
„Open the file on your device and mark it up. Gove it a try.“
Without naming your job, tell me something you say over and over again at work.
"Our music is by The Triangles."
"Our music is by The Triangles."
February 7, 2026 at 7:16 PM
I'm actually not a lawyer.
Reposted by Elsa Hiltner
our government used a Blackhawk helicopter in a major American city, detained children and zip-tied U.S. citizens all to target... squatters
and the alleged Tren de Aragua presence? "It was a brutal lie against the American public."
www.propublica.org/article/chic...
and the alleged Tren de Aragua presence? "It was a brutal lie against the American public."
www.propublica.org/article/chic...
The Real Story Behind the Midnight Immigration Raid on a Chicago Apartment Building
The Trump administration has claimed the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua had taken over the building. But new documents make no mention of the gang and reveal federal agents had information about “ille...
www.propublica.org
February 4, 2026 at 11:46 PM
our government used a Blackhawk helicopter in a major American city, detained children and zip-tied U.S. citizens all to target... squatters
and the alleged Tren de Aragua presence? "It was a brutal lie against the American public."
www.propublica.org/article/chic...
and the alleged Tren de Aragua presence? "It was a brutal lie against the American public."
www.propublica.org/article/chic...
This is delightful. 1952 slalom? Yes please.
Olympic Figure Skating on the Criterion Channel ⛸️ Now playing: Watch our 100 Years of Olympic Films collection – spanning 53 movies and 41 editions of the Games!
February 4, 2026 at 4:45 AM
This is delightful. 1952 slalom? Yes please.
Reposted by Elsa Hiltner
Do you live in Cook County's 1st subcircuit (the purple area on this map)? @injusticewatch.org reporter @kellygarcia.bsky.social is moderating a virtual judicial candidate forum tonight from 6-8pm! Hosted by ACS Chicago Chapter. Register for free here: getinvolved.acslaw.org/component/ev...
February 2, 2026 at 6:46 PM
Do you live in Cook County's 1st subcircuit (the purple area on this map)? @injusticewatch.org reporter @kellygarcia.bsky.social is moderating a virtual judicial candidate forum tonight from 6-8pm! Hosted by ACS Chicago Chapter. Register for free here: getinvolved.acslaw.org/component/ev...
Reposted by Elsa Hiltner
It sure seems like the world would be a better place if we could make disgrace stick to at least one powerful person.
February 2, 2026 at 1:18 PM
It sure seems like the world would be a better place if we could make disgrace stick to at least one powerful person.
This formula is familiar to everyone in the Chicago theatre scene...
Trump: "I have determined that the fastest way to bring The Trump Kennedy Center to the highest level of Success, Beauty, and Grandeur, is to cease Entertainment Operations for an approximately two year period of time, with a scheduled Grand Reopening that will rival and surpass anything."
February 2, 2026 at 12:09 AM
This formula is familiar to everyone in the Chicago theatre scene...
Reposted by Elsa Hiltner
Audre Lorde, in a 1989 commencement address, said, "Remember this, despair is a tool of your enemies. That rumor, 'You can’t fight City Hall,' is circulated by City Hall. Facing the realities of our lives gives us the motivation for action, it gives us the power to change. You are not powerless."
February 1, 2026 at 12:54 AM
Audre Lorde, in a 1989 commencement address, said, "Remember this, despair is a tool of your enemies. That rumor, 'You can’t fight City Hall,' is circulated by City Hall. Facing the realities of our lives gives us the motivation for action, it gives us the power to change. You are not powerless."
Reposted by Elsa Hiltner
This article is terrific. Timely, informative, important and succinct.
NEW: When can states prosecute federal agents? While it may not be easy, especially if federal officials impede an investigation, states have more power than people may realize. @aliciabannon.bsky.social breaks down the tools states have to hold federal officials accountable:
When Can States Prosecute Federal Agents?
Federal precedent permits such prosecutions in limited circumstances, but the legal bar remains high.
statecourtreport.org
January 31, 2026 at 5:19 PM
This article is terrific. Timely, informative, important and succinct.
Reposted by Elsa Hiltner
"It was laughable, if there was something to laugh about," said one of the nurses. "There was no way this person ran headfirst into a wall."
ICE claims a man shattered his skull running into wall; Minneapolis hospital staff reject account
"It was laughable, if there was something to laugh about," said one of the nurses. "There was no way this person ran headfirst into a wall."
www.wmur.com
January 31, 2026 at 11:40 AM
"It was laughable, if there was something to laugh about," said one of the nurses. "There was no way this person ran headfirst into a wall."
Reposted by Elsa Hiltner
Journalists Georgia Fort and Don Lemon have been arrested separately for covering what’s happening in Minnesota. We must stand up for all protesters and journalists.
January 30, 2026 at 2:11 PM
Journalists Georgia Fort and Don Lemon have been arrested separately for covering what’s happening in Minnesota. We must stand up for all protesters and journalists.
Hey Chicago. I've planned this program with LCA and @icirr.bsky.social on ICE Actions at Arts Venues - Feb 9 at 6:30pm on Zoom OR in-person in Chicago.
Register for free and spread the word: law-arts.org/event/ice-ac...
Register for free and spread the word: law-arts.org/event/ice-ac...
ICE Actions at Arts Venues: Train the Trainer Event - Lawyers for the Creative Arts
In this program, we will provide specific best practices advice in responding to visits from ICE at your venue, including:
law-arts.org
January 28, 2026 at 3:54 PM
Hey Chicago. I've planned this program with LCA and @icirr.bsky.social on ICE Actions at Arts Venues - Feb 9 at 6:30pm on Zoom OR in-person in Chicago.
Register for free and spread the word: law-arts.org/event/ice-ac...
Register for free and spread the word: law-arts.org/event/ice-ac...
Reposted by Elsa Hiltner
Just saw this, and it makes me wonder how you think you should still be in the United States Senate — let alone a Democrat — if you’re going to follow up the first two paragraphs with the third.
This is a dead child, and your response sounds like Al Gore talking about Reinventing Government.
This is a dead child, and your response sounds like Al Gore talking about Reinventing Government.
Anadith Danay Reyes Álvarez died in government custody.
She had sickle cell and congenital heart disease but couldn’t access timely and adequate medical care.
We need to reform immigration detention.
She had sickle cell and congenital heart disease but couldn’t access timely and adequate medical care.
We need to reform immigration detention.
January 28, 2026 at 6:44 AM
Just saw this, and it makes me wonder how you think you should still be in the United States Senate — let alone a Democrat — if you’re going to follow up the first two paragraphs with the third.
This is a dead child, and your response sounds like Al Gore talking about Reinventing Government.
This is a dead child, and your response sounds like Al Gore talking about Reinventing Government.
Reposted by Elsa Hiltner
I wrote about my childhood friend Alexi Pretti. Please read it and share it and remember him as a human being. @theverge.com
I grew up with Alex Pretti
The kind-hearted ICU nurse shot by ICE agents was my childhood best friend.
www.theverge.com
January 27, 2026 at 4:45 PM
I wrote about my childhood friend Alexi Pretti. Please read it and share it and remember him as a human being. @theverge.com
Reposted by Elsa Hiltner
brass solidarity band performing “stand by me” in the streets of whittier next to alex pretti’s memorial. the crowd started chanting “the people united will never be defeated” so they incorporated it into the song. i love minneapolis
January 27, 2026 at 12:22 AM
brass solidarity band performing “stand by me” in the streets of whittier next to alex pretti’s memorial. the crowd started chanting “the people united will never be defeated” so they incorporated it into the song. i love minneapolis
Reposted by Elsa Hiltner
The people of Minnesota did that. Not Schumer and Jeffries, not Walz and Frey, not the standard-bearers of decorum. The People.
January 27, 2026 at 12:42 AM
The people of Minnesota did that. Not Schumer and Jeffries, not Walz and Frey, not the standard-bearers of decorum. The People.
Reposted by Elsa Hiltner
This article / presentation is profoundly moving -- particularly at this moment in time. On art. And principles. And betrayal.
Gift article.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Gift article.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Face to Face With History’s Most Dangerous Painter (Gift Article)
Jacques-Louis David, artist and politician of the French Revolution, has beguiled our critic Jason Farago for years — and scared him, too. Let him show you why.
www.nytimes.com
January 26, 2026 at 4:31 PM
This article / presentation is profoundly moving -- particularly at this moment in time. On art. And principles. And betrayal.
Gift article.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Gift article.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Reposted by Elsa Hiltner
I do think that a possibly underrated dynamic in The Horrors is that the Right as it has reconstituted itself under Trump legitimately can’t understand sincere moral or physical courage
January 26, 2026 at 2:13 AM
I do think that a possibly underrated dynamic in The Horrors is that the Right as it has reconstituted itself under Trump legitimately can’t understand sincere moral or physical courage
Actively *doing* hope is how we will win.
January 25, 2026 at 4:05 AM
Actively *doing* hope is how we will win.
Reposted by Elsa Hiltner
I think a lot of us get hope wrong. Hope, I do not believe, is an emotion. In fact, hope makes space for lots of emotions to exist alongside it. You can DO hope scared, angry, sad etc...
Hope doesn't find us. We make hope through action and struggle. It's a practice of living and is re-made daily.
Hope doesn't find us. We make hope through action and struggle. It's a practice of living and is re-made daily.
January 25, 2026 at 2:05 AM
I think a lot of us get hope wrong. Hope, I do not believe, is an emotion. In fact, hope makes space for lots of emotions to exist alongside it. You can DO hope scared, angry, sad etc...
Hope doesn't find us. We make hope through action and struggle. It's a practice of living and is re-made daily.
Hope doesn't find us. We make hope through action and struggle. It's a practice of living and is re-made daily.
Reposted by Elsa Hiltner
Toni Preckwinkle has called for the abolition of ICE.
January 25, 2026 at 12:40 AM
Toni Preckwinkle has called for the abolition of ICE.
Reposted by Elsa Hiltner
People are being executed in the street over a problem that straight up does not exist and both parties are complicit in the lie
January 24, 2026 at 5:49 PM
People are being executed in the street over a problem that straight up does not exist and both parties are complicit in the lie
Reposted by Elsa Hiltner
I mean there are hundreds of people on the planet if you really think about it
January 24, 2026 at 2:27 AM
I mean there are hundreds of people on the planet if you really think about it
When this many people come out in -9 degrees, you know we are going to win.
It’s -9 degrees. Downtown Minneapolis is packed for the anti-ICE rally and the crowd keeps growing
January 23, 2026 at 8:45 PM
When this many people come out in -9 degrees, you know we are going to win.