Merryl Gross
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merrylgross.bsky.social
Merryl Gross
@merrylgross.bsky.social
25 followers 32 following 47 posts
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merrylgross.bsky.social
I got a letter last week saying that Target would soon be closing my credit account because of inactivity. And now I see some news reporting that the Target boycott is over. Connected?

#Target, you're *based* in Minneapolis. First they came for your DEI programs...
www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
Boycott of Target over DEI cuts still active, local organizers say
Organizers of the efforts to boycott Target Corporation say the boycott that began in in February 2025 has not ended.
www.mprnews.org
March 12, 2026 at 1:55 AM
Reposted by Merryl Gross
carlquintanilla.bsky.social
> @governor.ny.gov
February 4, 2026 at 11:13 AM
Reposted by Merryl Gross
ryankturnbull.bsky.social
I think its very interesting that so many people can admire the peaceful tactics of civil disobedience in historical conflicts but then turn around and label people engaging in those exact same tactics today as "rioters, insurgents, and terrorists." Very interesting.
January 27, 2026 at 8:35 PM
Reposted by Merryl Gross
npr.org
The issue around the word "Epstein" comes as users experience outages and functionality problems since the popular video app was recently sold to a group of mostly U.S. investors, including Trump ally Larry Ellison. n.pr/4agbaLo
TikTok is investigating why some users can't write 'Epstein' in messages
The issue around the word "Epstein" comes as users experience outages and functionality problems since the popular video app was recently sold to a group of mostly U.S. investors, including Trump ally Larry Ellison.
n.pr
January 27, 2026 at 9:12 PM
Reposted by Merryl Gross
warren.senate.gov
This should be a bigger story:

White collar criminals are running free so that Donald Trump can pursue his cruel immigration agenda.

Trump is reassigning federal law enforcement officers who go after rich criminals to ICE.

I’m calling for an investigation.
January 27, 2026 at 10:42 PM
Reposted by Merryl Gross
rbreich.bsky.social
Remember: If we allow ourselves to fall into fatalism, or wallow in disappointment, or become resigned to what is rather than what should be, we will lose the long game.

The greatest enemy of positive social change is cynicism about what can be changed.
January 26, 2026 at 8:30 PM
merrylgross.bsky.social
It's time to learn about what to do when ICE comes to my town. :-( mobilize.us/s/rf2jP7
Eyes on ICE: Document and Record · No Kings
On Saturday, federal agents horrifically shot and killed 37-year-old Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse who cared for veterans, in the Eat Street neighborhood of south Minneapolis after brutally beating him in...
mobilize.us
January 26, 2026 at 9:06 PM
Reposted by Merryl Gross
npr.org
The Trump administration has ordered work stoppages and layoffs and has tried cutting off funding to effectively dismantle the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
1 year into Trump's new term, an agency that protects your finances is 'hanging by a thread'
The Trump administration has ordered work stoppages and layoffs and has tried cutting off funding to effectively dismantle the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
n.pr
January 24, 2026 at 10:07 PM
Reposted by Merryl Gross
whipkclark.bsky.social
We’ve all seen the horrifying video. ICE committed another murder in broad daylight — and Republicans continue to lie.

Kristi Noem must be removed. These illegitimate agents need to leave Minnesota and should be prosecuted.

Democrats will demand justice and accountability for Alex Pretti.
January 24, 2026 at 10:36 PM
Reposted by Merryl Gross
reichlinmelnick.bsky.social
You have to read this. Firsthand affidavit from one of the women who was there and recording the video. She talks about how Alex Pretti was directing traffic when she arrived. She watched him be killed in front of her. She's afraid to go home, worried she'll be arrested.
1. I am a resident of the Whittier neighborhood of Minneapolis, Minnesota. I am over 18 years of age. I am a children's entertainer who specializes in face painting. 2. On Saturday, January 24, 2026, at about 8:50 am, I was getting ready to go to work when I heard whistles outside. I knew the whistles meant that ICE agents were in the area, so I decided to check it out on my way to work. I've been involved in observing in my community because it is so important to document what ICE is doing to my neighbors. Connecting to your local community and knowing who your neighbors are is something I profoundly value. 3. I drove to Nicollet Ave. and 26th where I could hear the whistles coming from. I turned south onto Nicollet. There were already several ICE agents there and they'd set up a sort of vehicle convoy on Nicollet and 28th. There were also about 15 observers there, recording and observing ICE. 4. I saw ICE agents surrounding cars and punching car windows. I also saw them stopping vehicles further down Nicollet, so I backed up because I didn't feel safe continuing on. 5. I noticed a man sort of acting to help traffic move more smoothly. He helped me find a place to park. I got out with my whistle and my camera. I went over to him and said something like, "I'm going to film and use my whistle." 6. It seemed like most ICE activity was happening a little farther down the street from us, near 27th. Someone was being thrown to the ground. 7. I started recording. There was an agent by a car across the street. Two observers were a few feet away from the agent, blowing their whistles. One was wearing a backpack. 8. I and the man who was observing and helping direct traffic were standing in the street. There was a phone in the man's hand recording a video. 9. An agent approached and asked us to back up, so I moved slowly back onto the sidewalk. 10. The man stayed in the street, filming as the other observers I mentioned earlier were being forced backward by another ICE agent threatening them with pepper spray. The man went closer to support them as they got threatened, just with his camera out. I didn't see him reach for or hold a gun. 11. Then the ICE agent shoved one of the other observers to the ground. Then he started pepper spraying all three of them directly in the face and all over. The man with the phone put his hands above his head and the agent sprayed him again and pushed him. 12. Then the man tried to help up the woman the ICE agent had shoved to the ground. The ICE agents just kept spraying. More agents came over and grabbed the man who was still trying to help the woman get up. All three of the observers looked to have been badly affected by the pepper spray. I could feel the pepper spray in my eyes. 13. The agents pulled the man on the ground. I didn't see him touch any of them-he wasn't even turned toward them. It didn't look like he was trying to resist, just trying to help the woman up. I didn't see him with a gun. They threw him to the ground. Four or five agents had him on the ground and they just started shooting him. They shot him so many times. 14.1 don't know why they shot him. He was only helping. I was five feet from him and they just shot him. 15. The video I recorded of what happened accurately depicts the events leading up to the agents shooting him and several minutes afterwards. The video is attached as Exhibit 1. 16. I have read the statement from DHS about what happened and it is wrong. The man did not approach the agents with a gun. He approached them with a camera. He was just trying to help a woman get up and they took him to the ground. 17. I feel afraid. Only hours have passed since they shot a man right in front me and I don't feel like I can go home because I heard agents were looking for me. I don't know what the agents will do when they find me. I do know that they're not telling the truth about what happened. I've heard that other witnesses might have been arrested and taken to the Whipple Building. 18. I am disgusted and gutted at how they are treating my neighbors and my state. I keep alternating between crying and feeling determined it is important to remember the value of documenting injustice. We show up for the people who need us to bear witness, because it can't just be one group of people bearing the brunt of their tyranny. This is a struggle to protect our freedom and democracy, those things are on the line. He lost his life for those values. I declare under penalty of perjury that everything I have stated in this document is true and correct. Dated and signed on Jan 24, 2026 in Hennepin County, State of Minnesota.
January 25, 2026 at 1:15 AM
Reposted by Merryl Gross
warren.senate.gov
Today should be the 53rd anniversary of the right to abortion in America.

Instead, Donald Trump's Supreme Court justices overturned Roe v. Wade, and reproductive rights are under attack across the country.

We're fighting back.
DONALD TRUMP SAID HE WOULD LEAVE ABORTION TO THE STATES HERE’S 5 WAYS HE’S ATTACKED ABORTION RIGHTS NATIONWIDE 1. BANNED VETERANS WHO WERE VICTIMS OF RAPE OR INCEST FROM GETTING ABORTIONS AT THE VA 2. USED JUNK SCIENCE TO RE-EVALUATE ABORTION PILL SAFETY 3. DEFUNDED PLANNED PARENTHOOD 4. DROPPED A LAWSUIT THAT’D PROTECT EMERGENCY ABORTION CARE AND WITHDREW EMERGENCY ABORTION CARE GUIDANCE 5. ALLOWED VIOLENCE AGAINST ABORTION CLINICS BUT WE’RE FIGHTING BACK 5 WAYS WE’VE FOUGHT BACK 1. AFTER TRUMP DEFUNDED THEM, PLANNED PARENTHOOD HEALTH CENTERS PROVIDED 100,000+ FREE VISITS TO MEDICAID PATIENTS 2. 11 STATES FILLED FUNDING GAPS TO COVER REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH PROVIDERS 3. DEMOCRATS IN CONGRESS FOUGHT TO REMOVE LANGUAGE THAT WOULD’VE CREATED A BACKDOOR ABORTION BAN THROUGH THE ACA 4. STATES STRENGTHENED LAWS THAT PROTECT ABORTION PROVIDERS FROM PROSECUTION 5. ADVOCATES & PROVIDERS SUCCESSFULLY REVERSED AN ABORTION BAN IN WYOMING
January 22, 2026 at 10:54 PM
Reposted by Merryl Gross
altnps.bsky.social
This is a list of businesses across Minnesota that are closing tomorrow in solidarity with the economic shutdown. Huge thanks to every one of them for stepping up. If your business is also closing, drop it below.
List of Minnesota businesses closing for Jan. 23 anti-ICE strike
First announced by faith leaders and unions on Jan. 13, Minnesota businesses have begun announcing plans to join the action.
bringmethenews.com
January 22, 2026 at 1:51 PM
Reposted by Merryl Gross
altnps.bsky.social
✊
January 23, 2026 at 12:14 AM
Reposted by Merryl Gross
thewatchdogco.bsky.social
100 cosponsors and 30k letters sent to Congress for impeaching Noem in a week is something special.

But we aren’t even close to the finish line, so let’s keep pushing!
Tell Congress: Impeach DHS Secretary Kristi Noem
Contact Congress today!
actionnetwork.org
January 23, 2026 at 1:53 AM
Reposted by Merryl Gross
akchikky.bsky.social
bsky.app/profile/akch...
akchikky.bsky.social AkLuvr @akchikky.bsky.social · Jan 18
It is time.
Please join in solidarity.
Help make this work.

Join us in this general strike- January 23rd

And thank you for sharing this post.
January 21, 2026 at 6:10 PM
Reposted by Merryl Gross
humanconsequences.com
We all have a right to be angry at GOP voters -- that almost goes without saying. But I still maintain a special reserve of vitriol for people who can't be bothered to vote at all. They, by themselves, could have prevented this. They, by themselves, can stop this whenever they want to.
January 21, 2026 at 7:00 AM
Reposted by Merryl Gross
npr.org
The Trump administration has ordered work stoppages and layoffs and has tried cutting off funding to effectively dismantle the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
1 year into Trump's new term, an agency that protects your finances is 'hanging by a thread'
The Trump administration has ordered work stoppages and layoffs and has tried cutting off funding to effectively dismantle the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
n.pr
January 21, 2026 at 5:46 PM
Reposted by Merryl Gross
ashleyzacharias.bsky.social
NATO was created after WWII to block Russian aggression in Europe.
Every Russian leader in the past 75 years has tried to destroy NATO.
Putin is finally succeeding by making Trump his bitch.
As a bonus Trump is bankrupting America.
Putin is laughing his ass off.
January 21, 2026 at 10:05 AM
Reposted by Merryl Gross
altnps.bsky.social
Call to Action: This Friday, Minnesota is being called to stand together in real, visible solidarity. Labor unions, faith leaders, and community organizers are urging people across the state to plan ahead and take part in a Minnesota Economic Blackout do not work, do not attend school, and do not
January 21, 2026 at 2:09 AM
Reposted by Merryl Gross
nbedera.bsky.social
For @msnownews.bsky.social, I wrote an article about how ICE Watch is grounded in sociological theories of violence prevention.

The reality is that most men will only commit public violence in extremely specific scenarios and ICE Watch disrupts the conditions necessary for escalation.
Opinion | I'm a Minneapolis sociologist who studies violence. Here's how ICE observers are helping.
Research into how violence occurs shows that disapproval from the people around you can help reduce it.
www.ms.now
January 16, 2026 at 6:55 PM
merrylgross.bsky.social
My FB feed is full of mainstream news accounts reporting that the asshole who shot Renee Good has internal bleeding. (What, he's been diagnosed with an ulcer?) The little I dared click on report that this info is coming from the badministration.
WTF? It might be time for me to drop FB.
January 15, 2026 at 12:03 AM
merrylgross.bsky.social
Support your public radio stations.
npr.org NPR @npr.org · Aug 1
The NPR Network is extraordinarily grateful to have you and this community by our side as we prepare for the road ahead.

If you’ve already donated — thank you! Here are a few of our favorite comments from generous supporters like you.

If you haven’t given yet, get started here: n.pr/458sOhq
"The key word is PUBLIC. There is something for everyone." - Genora E., Calhoun, GA "We have no local newspaper. We need access to credible current news! Thank you for your work." - Katherine V., Frankfort, IL "National news, local news and alerts, classical music! Jazz! Tiny Desk Concerts! Fresh Air! Happy memories of listening since 1980." - Anne M., Daphne, AK "We have lived in rural areas where we did not have reception without subscribing to cable to satellite. Radio was our culture and news lifeline, and nothing beats OUR public broadcasting system." - Joe K., Raleigh, MS
August 1, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Reposted by Merryl Gross
warren.senate.gov
Instead of helping people get good jobs, Donald Trump just fired the statistician who reported bad jobs data that the wanna-be king doesn't like.
Donald J. Trump Truth Social Post on 08.01.25 02:09 PM EST: I was just informed that our Country’s “Jobs Numbers” are being produced by a Biden Appointee, Dr. Erika McEntarfer, the Commissioner of Labor Statistics, who faked the Jobs Numbers before the Election to try and boost Kamala’s chances of Victory. This is the same Bureau of Labor Statistics that overstated the Jobs Growth in March 2024 by approximately 818,000 and, then again, right before the 2024 Presidential Election, in August and September, by 112,000. These were Records — No one can be that wrong? We need accurate Jobs Numbers. I have directed my Team to fire this Biden Political Appointee, IMMEDIATELY. She will be replaced with someone much more competent and qualified. Important numbers like this must be fair and accurate, they can’t be manipulated for political purposes. McEntarfer said there were only 73,000 Jobs added (a shock!) but, more importantly, that a major mistake was made by them, 258,000 Jobs downward, in the prior two months. Similar things happened in the first part of the year, always to the negative. The Economy is BOOMING under “TRUMP” despite a Fed that also plays games, this time with Interest Rates, where they lowered them twice, and substantially, just before the Presidential Election, I assume in the hopes of getting “Kamala” elected – How did that work out? Jerome “Too Late” Powell should also be put “out to pasture.” Thank you for your attention to this matter!
August 1, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Reposted by Merryl Gross
carlquintanilla.bsky.social
“.. the mere fact that someone who worked for Mr. Trump thought it might be a good idea to display his boss’s likeness on his lapel, no matter how briefly, is notable.”

@nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/22/s...
April 26, 2025 at 8:57 PM