Thomas Birmingham
@thomasbirm.bsky.social
Y23, He/Him | Someone once said I’m naturally anti-dogmatic. Housing is a human right. Currently @thenation.com. Previously @inthesetimesmag.bsky.social and more!
BREAKING: Hundreds of tenants across four states are waging the first campaign in recent memory to bargain with a shared private equity landlord across state lines
For @inthesetimes.com, this is the Tenant Union Federation’s effort to win a historic interstate lease inthesetimes.com/article/priv...
For @inthesetimes.com, this is the Tenant Union Federation’s effort to win a historic interstate lease inthesetimes.com/article/priv...
Have Private Equity Landlords Met Their Match?
A new campaign from the Tenant Union Federation is uniting hundreds of tenants in four states to take on the mega-corporation that owns their homes.
inthesetimes.com
September 9, 2025 at 6:36 PM
BREAKING: Hundreds of tenants across four states are waging the first campaign in recent memory to bargain with a shared private equity landlord across state lines
For @inthesetimes.com, this is the Tenant Union Federation’s effort to win a historic interstate lease inthesetimes.com/article/priv...
For @inthesetimes.com, this is the Tenant Union Federation’s effort to win a historic interstate lease inthesetimes.com/article/priv...
Reposted by Thomas Birmingham
A new campaign from the Tenant Union Federation is uniting hundreds of tenants in four states to take on the mega-corporation that owns their homes. New report from @thomasbirm.bsky.social @inthesetimes.com on how tenant unions are taking on private equity landlords.
Have Private Equity Landlords Met Their Match?
A new campaign from the Tenant Union Federation is uniting hundreds of tenants in four states to take on the mega-corporation that owns their homes.
inthesetimes.com
September 9, 2025 at 6:30 PM
A new campaign from the Tenant Union Federation is uniting hundreds of tenants in four states to take on the mega-corporation that owns their homes. New report from @thomasbirm.bsky.social @inthesetimes.com on how tenant unions are taking on private equity landlords.
Reposted by Thomas Birmingham
In NY, homeowners are 2x as likely to vote as tenants. Unless there are pro-tenant policies on the ballot, that is, like a rent freeze.
In the mayoral race @tenantbloc.bsky.social tried to awaken the untapped potential of tenants as a political bloc. Read @thomasbirm.bsky.social on this strategy ⬇️
In the mayoral race @tenantbloc.bsky.social tried to awaken the untapped potential of tenants as a political bloc. Read @thomasbirm.bsky.social on this strategy ⬇️
Will NYC's Long-Suffering Tenants Carry Zohran Mamdani to Victory?
A close look inside the campaign that has helped turn New York City renters into a force to be reckoned with.
inthesetimes.com
June 24, 2025 at 1:35 PM
In NY, homeowners are 2x as likely to vote as tenants. Unless there are pro-tenant policies on the ballot, that is, like a rent freeze.
In the mayoral race @tenantbloc.bsky.social tried to awaken the untapped potential of tenants as a political bloc. Read @thomasbirm.bsky.social on this strategy ⬇️
In the mayoral race @tenantbloc.bsky.social tried to awaken the untapped potential of tenants as a political bloc. Read @thomasbirm.bsky.social on this strategy ⬇️
NEW: Since February, I've followed @tenantbloc.bsky.social's campaign to win a rent freeze in NYC. Now, Zohran Mamdani is on the verge of a victory that would deliver one.
Here's a first look into how organizers brought over 20,000 tenants into Mamdani's coalition. inthesetimes.com/article/zohr...
Here's a first look into how organizers brought over 20,000 tenants into Mamdani's coalition. inthesetimes.com/article/zohr...
Will NYC's Long-Suffering Tenants Carry Zohran Mamdani to Victory?
A close look inside the campaign that has helped turn New York City renters into a force to be reckoned with.
inthesetimes.com
June 21, 2025 at 11:00 PM
NEW: Since February, I've followed @tenantbloc.bsky.social's campaign to win a rent freeze in NYC. Now, Zohran Mamdani is on the verge of a victory that would deliver one.
Here's a first look into how organizers brought over 20,000 tenants into Mamdani's coalition. inthesetimes.com/article/zohr...
Here's a first look into how organizers brought over 20,000 tenants into Mamdani's coalition. inthesetimes.com/article/zohr...
Reposted by Thomas Birmingham
"These are the moments where we need to turn to our coalitions. We need to have as much communication and joint organizing as possible." Marissa Nuncio, director of the Garment Worker Center in Los Angeles, speaking with @thomasbirm.bsky.social
“Our Biggest Fear”: A Garment Worker Organizer on the ICE Raid That Set Off Mass Protest
“They're picking up folks who were literally just going about making their daily bread and terrorizing them in their place of work," says Marissa Nuncio, director of the Garment Worker Center in Los A...
inthesetimes.com
June 11, 2025 at 9:20 PM
"These are the moments where we need to turn to our coalitions. We need to have as much communication and joint organizing as possible." Marissa Nuncio, director of the Garment Worker Center in Los Angeles, speaking with @thomasbirm.bsky.social
Reposted by Thomas Birmingham
@thomasbirm.bsky.social spoke with Marissa Nuncio of the Garment Worker Center in LA.
They discuss the ICE raids—at which two dozen garment workers were abducted—that sparked city-wide protests and how labor can respond to Trump's assault on migrant workers: inthesetimes.com/article/ice-...
They discuss the ICE raids—at which two dozen garment workers were abducted—that sparked city-wide protests and how labor can respond to Trump's assault on migrant workers: inthesetimes.com/article/ice-...
“Our Biggest Fear”: A Garment Worker Organizer on the ICE Raid That Set Off Mass Protest
“They're picking up folks who were literally just going about making their daily bread and terrorizing them in their place of work," says Marissa Nuncio, director of the Garment Worker Center in Los A...
inthesetimes.com
June 11, 2025 at 9:31 PM
@thomasbirm.bsky.social spoke with Marissa Nuncio of the Garment Worker Center in LA.
They discuss the ICE raids—at which two dozen garment workers were abducted—that sparked city-wide protests and how labor can respond to Trump's assault on migrant workers: inthesetimes.com/article/ice-...
They discuss the ICE raids—at which two dozen garment workers were abducted—that sparked city-wide protests and how labor can respond to Trump's assault on migrant workers: inthesetimes.com/article/ice-...
I got to speak with Marissa Nuncio at the Garment Worker Center in LA for @inthesetimes.com.
We discuss the ICE raids—at which two dozen garment workers were abducted—that sparked city-wide protests, and how labor can respond to Trump's assault on migrant workers: inthesetimes.com/article/ice-...
We discuss the ICE raids—at which two dozen garment workers were abducted—that sparked city-wide protests, and how labor can respond to Trump's assault on migrant workers: inthesetimes.com/article/ice-...
“Our Biggest Fear”: A Garment Worker Organizer on the ICE Raid That Set Off Mass Protest
“They're picking up folks who were literally just going about making their daily bread and terrorizing them in their place of work," says Marissa Nuncio, director of the Garment Worker Center in Los A...
inthesetimes.com
June 11, 2025 at 9:33 PM
I got to speak with Marissa Nuncio at the Garment Worker Center in LA for @inthesetimes.com.
We discuss the ICE raids—at which two dozen garment workers were abducted—that sparked city-wide protests, and how labor can respond to Trump's assault on migrant workers: inthesetimes.com/article/ice-...
We discuss the ICE raids—at which two dozen garment workers were abducted—that sparked city-wide protests, and how labor can respond to Trump's assault on migrant workers: inthesetimes.com/article/ice-...
Reposted by Thomas Birmingham
Congratulations to @thomasbirm.bsky.social, a named a Livingston finalist for his groundbreaking investigation of a mold crisis in New Haven, CT, fueled by landlord neglect.
Read his reporting here: inthesetimes.com/article/mold...
Read his reporting here: inthesetimes.com/article/mold...
🌟 The 2025 Livingston Award Finalists for National Reporting!
These exceptional journalists under 35 are telling stories that challenge assumptions and deepen our understanding of the nation.
Read their work here: loom.ly/LAVASEQ
#JournalismExcellence
These exceptional journalists under 35 are telling stories that challenge assumptions and deepen our understanding of the nation.
Read their work here: loom.ly/LAVASEQ
#JournalismExcellence
April 24, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Congratulations to @thomasbirm.bsky.social, a named a Livingston finalist for his groundbreaking investigation of a mold crisis in New Haven, CT, fueled by landlord neglect.
Read his reporting here: inthesetimes.com/article/mold...
Read his reporting here: inthesetimes.com/article/mold...
I'm so, so honored to be named a 2025 Livingston Award finalist for “As Corporate Landlords Spread, a Mold Epidemic Takes Root” in @inthesetimes.com.
I spent 6+ months on this investigation, interviewing New Haven tenants who developed respiratory conditions thanks to landlord neglect. Read below!
I spent 6+ months on this investigation, interviewing New Haven tenants who developed respiratory conditions thanks to landlord neglect. Read below!
🌟 The 2025 Livingston Award Finalists for National Reporting!
These exceptional journalists under 35 are telling stories that challenge assumptions and deepen our understanding of the nation.
Read their work here: loom.ly/LAVASEQ
#JournalismExcellence
These exceptional journalists under 35 are telling stories that challenge assumptions and deepen our understanding of the nation.
Read their work here: loom.ly/LAVASEQ
#JournalismExcellence
April 24, 2025 at 5:19 PM
I'm so, so honored to be named a 2025 Livingston Award finalist for “As Corporate Landlords Spread, a Mold Epidemic Takes Root” in @inthesetimes.com.
I spent 6+ months on this investigation, interviewing New Haven tenants who developed respiratory conditions thanks to landlord neglect. Read below!
I spent 6+ months on this investigation, interviewing New Haven tenants who developed respiratory conditions thanks to landlord neglect. Read below!
As someone who was there, the Jewish student the YDN quoted as saying he was “blocked from walking through Yale’s campus”was:
- Attempting to forcefully move into the circle of students while filming them
- Was the first to inform admin the encampment was being built
- Is a frequent Fox News guest
- Attempting to forcefully move into the circle of students while filming them
- Was the first to inform admin the encampment was being built
- Is a frequent Fox News guest
April 23, 2025 at 10:13 PM
As someone who was there, the Jewish student the YDN quoted as saying he was “blocked from walking through Yale’s campus”was:
- Attempting to forcefully move into the circle of students while filming them
- Was the first to inform admin the encampment was being built
- Is a frequent Fox News guest
- Attempting to forcefully move into the circle of students while filming them
- Was the first to inform admin the encampment was being built
- Is a frequent Fox News guest
BREAKING: Yalies4Palestine, Yale’s chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine, was deregistered as an official student org at 3 PM today by Yale admin.
The move comes after 200 students built a new encampment last night, an action the group says they were unaffiliated with. 🧵
The move comes after 200 students built a new encampment last night, an action the group says they were unaffiliated with. 🧵
April 23, 2025 at 8:24 PM
BREAKING: Yalies4Palestine, Yale’s chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine, was deregistered as an official student org at 3 PM today by Yale admin.
The move comes after 200 students built a new encampment last night, an action the group says they were unaffiliated with. 🧵
The move comes after 200 students built a new encampment last night, an action the group says they were unaffiliated with. 🧵
BREAKING: Under threat of imminent arrests, organizers have instructed the newly constructed Gaza solidarity encampment at Yale to disperse for the night.
They instructed protestors to reconvene tomorrow, when war-criminal Itamar Ben-Gvir will be addressing a Yale society. 🧵
They instructed protestors to reconvene tomorrow, when war-criminal Itamar Ben-Gvir will be addressing a Yale society. 🧵
April 23, 2025 at 3:41 AM
BREAKING: Under threat of imminent arrests, organizers have instructed the newly constructed Gaza solidarity encampment at Yale to disperse for the night.
They instructed protestors to reconvene tomorrow, when war-criminal Itamar Ben-Gvir will be addressing a Yale society. 🧵
They instructed protestors to reconvene tomorrow, when war-criminal Itamar Ben-Gvir will be addressing a Yale society. 🧵
BREAKING: A new Gaza solidarity encampment is being built at Yale, one year after dozens were arrested here. They demand immediate divestment from Israeli weapons manufacturing.
Despite the Trump admin abducting activists like Mahmoud Khalil nationwide, hundreds of are here anyway.
FREE PALESTINE!
Despite the Trump admin abducting activists like Mahmoud Khalil nationwide, hundreds of are here anyway.
FREE PALESTINE!
April 23, 2025 at 1:07 AM
BREAKING: A new Gaza solidarity encampment is being built at Yale, one year after dozens were arrested here. They demand immediate divestment from Israeli weapons manufacturing.
Despite the Trump admin abducting activists like Mahmoud Khalil nationwide, hundreds of are here anyway.
FREE PALESTINE!
Despite the Trump admin abducting activists like Mahmoud Khalil nationwide, hundreds of are here anyway.
FREE PALESTINE!
BREAKING: I’ve confirmed that public housing authorities (PHAs) have been told that Trump’s funding freeze has been RESCINDED.
Also received word from multiple PHAs that February Section 8 payments will go out as planned.
See the email that went out today from HUD below:
Also received word from multiple PHAs that February Section 8 payments will go out as planned.
See the email that went out today from HUD below:
January 29, 2025 at 10:58 PM
BREAKING: I’ve confirmed that public housing authorities (PHAs) have been told that Trump’s funding freeze has been RESCINDED.
Also received word from multiple PHAs that February Section 8 payments will go out as planned.
See the email that went out today from HUD below:
Also received word from multiple PHAs that February Section 8 payments will go out as planned.
See the email that went out today from HUD below:
Reposted by Thomas Birmingham
NEW: My staff has confirmed reports that Medicaid portals are down in all 50 states following last night's federal funding freeze. This is a blatant attempt to rip away health care from millions of Americans overnight and will get people killed.
Illinois shut out of Medicaid after Trump administration halts federal grants and loans chicago.suntimes.com/politics/don...
Illinois shut out of Medicaid after Trump administration halts federal grants and loans
The Trump administration's federal freeze has shut Illinois out of Medicaid, according to Gov. JB. Pritzker's office. The government-funded health insurance program covered about 3.9 million people in...
chicago.suntimes.com
January 28, 2025 at 6:13 PM
NEW: My staff has confirmed reports that Medicaid portals are down in all 50 states following last night's federal funding freeze. This is a blatant attempt to rip away health care from millions of Americans overnight and will get people killed.
Reposted by Thomas Birmingham
"54 people died while experiencing homelessness in Rhode Island last year...When the polar vortex arrived, it exacerbated the already dire conditions for homeless residents throughout the state."
Great reporting in @thenation.com from @thomasbirm.bsky.social.
Great reporting in @thenation.com from @thomasbirm.bsky.social.
“If Not for This, I’d Be Freezing to Death”: The Fight in Providence to Open a Temporary Shelter
How a pair of Providence city councilors bucked the mayor—and the trend of homelessness criminalization nationwide—to open an emergency shelter.
www.thenation.com
January 28, 2025 at 3:51 PM
"54 people died while experiencing homelessness in Rhode Island last year...When the polar vortex arrived, it exacerbated the already dire conditions for homeless residents throughout the state."
Great reporting in @thenation.com from @thomasbirm.bsky.social.
Great reporting in @thenation.com from @thomasbirm.bsky.social.
New from me @inthesetimesmag!
In October, I published a feature on the massive and underreported epidemic of hazardous mold exposure in low-income housing, focusing on New Haven.
Less than two months later, the city held a hearing to begin addressing the crisis.
inthesetimes.com/article/mold...
In October, I published a feature on the massive and underreported epidemic of hazardous mold exposure in low-income housing, focusing on New Haven.
Less than two months later, the city held a hearing to begin addressing the crisis.
inthesetimes.com/article/mold...
As Corporate Landlords Spread, a Mold Epidemic Takes Root
Chronic mold has become an epidemic as severe as lead paint, but neither cities nor landlords are taking responsibility.
inthesetimes.com
January 27, 2025 at 3:10 PM
New from me @inthesetimesmag!
In October, I published a feature on the massive and underreported epidemic of hazardous mold exposure in low-income housing, focusing on New Haven.
Less than two months later, the city held a hearing to begin addressing the crisis.
inthesetimes.com/article/mold...
In October, I published a feature on the massive and underreported epidemic of hazardous mold exposure in low-income housing, focusing on New Haven.
Less than two months later, the city held a hearing to begin addressing the crisis.
inthesetimes.com/article/mold...
Reposted by Thomas Birmingham
Less than two months after a @thomasbirm.bsky.social
investigation @inthesetimesmag.bsky.social on the nation’s unrecognized mold health care crisis, one city at its center shows signs of taking action. inthesetimes.com/article/mold...
investigation @inthesetimesmag.bsky.social on the nation’s unrecognized mold health care crisis, one city at its center shows signs of taking action. inthesetimes.com/article/mold...
Hearing: New Haven Testifies On Its Mold Crisis
Less than two months after an In These Times investigation on the nation’s unrecognized mold health care crisis, one city at its center shows signs of taking action.
inthesetimes.com
January 27, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Less than two months after a @thomasbirm.bsky.social
investigation @inthesetimesmag.bsky.social on the nation’s unrecognized mold health care crisis, one city at its center shows signs of taking action. inthesetimes.com/article/mold...
investigation @inthesetimesmag.bsky.social on the nation’s unrecognized mold health care crisis, one city at its center shows signs of taking action. inthesetimes.com/article/mold...
In case you need good news:
This month, two Providence city councilmen turned City Hall into an emergency shelter, saving homeless residents from sub-20 temperatures.
Their refusal to abandon their neighbors is becoming a statewide reckoning (for @thenation.com)
www.thenation.com/article/soci...
This month, two Providence city councilmen turned City Hall into an emergency shelter, saving homeless residents from sub-20 temperatures.
Their refusal to abandon their neighbors is becoming a statewide reckoning (for @thenation.com)
www.thenation.com/article/soci...
The Fight Just to Open a Temporary Shelter Amid Frigid Temperatures
How a pair of Providence city councilors bucked the mayor—and the trend of homelessness criminalization nationwide—to open an emergency shelter.
www.thenation.com
January 24, 2025 at 4:01 PM
In case you need good news:
This month, two Providence city councilmen turned City Hall into an emergency shelter, saving homeless residents from sub-20 temperatures.
Their refusal to abandon their neighbors is becoming a statewide reckoning (for @thenation.com)
www.thenation.com/article/soci...
This month, two Providence city councilmen turned City Hall into an emergency shelter, saving homeless residents from sub-20 temperatures.
Their refusal to abandon their neighbors is becoming a statewide reckoning (for @thenation.com)
www.thenation.com/article/soci...
NOW: Displaced tenants from Concord Hills Apartments in Hartford, backed by Connecticut Tenants Union, have traveled all the way to Manhattan to their landlord Greyhill Group’s office to protest their negligence.
Tenants were displaced by a fire in August. They are still waiting for repairs.
Tenants were displaced by a fire in August. They are still waiting for repairs.
December 11, 2024 at 4:36 PM
NOW: Displaced tenants from Concord Hills Apartments in Hartford, backed by Connecticut Tenants Union, have traveled all the way to Manhattan to their landlord Greyhill Group’s office to protest their negligence.
Tenants were displaced by a fire in August. They are still waiting for repairs.
Tenants were displaced by a fire in August. They are still waiting for repairs.
BREAKING: Yale student body has voted OVERWHELMINGLY in favor of divesting the university’s holdings in weapons manufactures, including “those arming Israel”
Of 3,338 students, over 76% voted in favor of divestment.
The Yale Daily News reports unprecedented engagement in the vote.
Of 3,338 students, over 76% voted in favor of divestment.
The Yale Daily News reports unprecedented engagement in the vote.
December 8, 2024 at 10:29 PM
BREAKING: Yale student body has voted OVERWHELMINGLY in favor of divesting the university’s holdings in weapons manufactures, including “those arming Israel”
Of 3,338 students, over 76% voted in favor of divestment.
The Yale Daily News reports unprecedented engagement in the vote.
Of 3,338 students, over 76% voted in favor of divestment.
The Yale Daily News reports unprecedented engagement in the vote.
My latest for @thenation.com: I spoke with three local organizers with the new Tenant Union Federation.
Each is low-income and elderly or disabled.
Their stories show how TUF is transforming the most marginalized tenants into a political class to be reckoned with.
www.thenation.com?post_type=ar...
Each is low-income and elderly or disabled.
Their stories show how TUF is transforming the most marginalized tenants into a political class to be reckoned with.
www.thenation.com?post_type=ar...
In the US, Tenants Are Usually on Their Own. Can a New National Tenant Union Change That?
The Tenant Union Federation aims to organize tenants to improve living conditions and transform the housing market, with the aim of turning renters into a powerful political class.
www.thenation.com
December 4, 2024 at 4:19 PM
My latest for @thenation.com: I spoke with three local organizers with the new Tenant Union Federation.
Each is low-income and elderly or disabled.
Their stories show how TUF is transforming the most marginalized tenants into a political class to be reckoned with.
www.thenation.com?post_type=ar...
Each is low-income and elderly or disabled.
Their stories show how TUF is transforming the most marginalized tenants into a political class to be reckoned with.
www.thenation.com?post_type=ar...
Reposted by Thomas Birmingham
"Israeli forces injured one of the only journalists left in north Gaza on Tuesday in an airstrike, after the military publicly threatened the Al Jazeera reporter with assassination in October."
Israel Targets, Injures One of the Only Journalists Left in North Gaza in Strike
Al Jazeera reporter Hossam Shabat had just arrived at a house that had been bombed when Israel struck it again.
truthout.org
November 20, 2024 at 8:02 PM
"Israeli forces injured one of the only journalists left in north Gaza on Tuesday in an airstrike, after the military publicly threatened the Al Jazeera reporter with assassination in October."
Honored to be sprinkled in with this amazing crew ✊
Here's 50 storytellers and comrades we think are worth a follow go.bsky.app/5RpSsNS ... will share more soon too
November 15, 2024 at 2:39 PM
Honored to be sprinkled in with this amazing crew ✊
Reposted by Thomas Birmingham
Here's 50 storytellers and comrades we think are worth a follow go.bsky.app/5RpSsNS ... will share more soon too
November 15, 2024 at 2:37 AM
Here's 50 storytellers and comrades we think are worth a follow go.bsky.app/5RpSsNS ... will share more soon too