JT Cestkowski
@jtcestkowski
Reporter for Status Coup News covering corruption, workers’ struggles, corporate power, grassroots movements. Independent, on-the-ground accountability journalism.
Hello from Abdul El-Sayed’s watch party in Detroit! Polls are closed in Michigan and I will be live on Status Coup going over results.
" They need to remember they work for us!" Warren, Michigan, resident Susie admitted she doesn't pay daily attention to politics, but she knows that her politicians bow to big money donors over backing people like her.
Susie from Warren, Michigan, says she doesn't believe conservative smears against socialized medicine because she has seen it work for her family, who live in Canada.
Susie is 68 years old with 23 grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She says she can't afford to ignore politics or policies like Medicare for All because, otherwise, healthcare costs in the face of Medicare cuts will drive her and other seniors to bankruptcy.
"I feel caged." Susie is a 68-year-old Warren, Michigan, resident who needs knee and hip surgeries. She doubts she can afford it because of cuts to Medicare. That's why Abdul El-Sayed's support of Medicare for All resonates with her. She showed up tonight at an El-Sayed canvas.
Tonight, Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, running for Senate in Michigan, told press he wished the media reported reality rather than narratives. The next question: a media narrative about a "battle for the soul of the Democratic Party" rather than struggles facing working-class Michiganders.
Protesters demanding justice for Corey Ruiz have left Madison’s State Street after denying entry to businesses for a couple of hours and are marching back up towards the Capitol.
“Say his name! Corey!” A young girl leads protesters occupying Madison’s State Street in chants.
Protesters have blocked the front entrance to a popular college bar in Madison as a way to cause financial pain and pressure Madison leaders to act on Corey Ruiz’s execution.
HAPPENING NOW Thousands of protesters are occupying Madison’s State Street and vowing to shut down businesses as a way to demand justice for Corey Ruiz.
“They want you to feel that!” A protester against Corey Ruiz’s execution says voting is not a useless tactic change, but also that voting alone will not deliver the future they want to see.
I am live in Madison, WI, as demonstrations against Corey Ruiz’s execution by police enter their fourth night.
A march that led from Corey Ruiz’s memorial to the police offices in downtown Madison is now heading back to the memorial. Demonstrators occupied streets for three hours.
The fist from Minneapolis’ George Floyd Square is now in Madison at the spot where police killed Corey Ruiz.
There is a lot more media out here today. And in two days, most of it will be gone.
Here are the scenes today at the memorial for Corey Ruiz in Madison, WI. The mood is a mix between celebration of life and solemn remembrance. I’ll be going live in a few minutes for Status Coup News covering a vigil.
HAPPENING NOW Hundreds are in the streets right now in Madison, WI, after police earlier today shot and killed a Black man. The demonstrations have taken over the city’s downtown.
Ford is rehiring 300 quality assurance workers it tried to replace with AI. Rather than increasing efficiency, the company issued more recalls last year than any other automaker. BUT it's only rehiring workers so it can train up the AI. The assault on working people continues...
MAGA world is taking the possibility of an establishment GOP revolt over the Iran Deal seriously, whether there is actual support for impeaching Trump or not.
Protesters outside of Delaney Hall ICE prison camp are praying for children being held in ICE custody. @statuscoupnews.bsky.news
RIGHT NOW At a vigil for the prisoners inside the Delaney Hall ICE prison camp, the protesters express resolve to stay out here until the facility is shut down. I’m live now for @statuscoupnews.bsky.social
A drone was hovering over protesters outside Delaney Hall ICE prison camp. As soon as protesters pointed it out, it retreated inside the camp.
ICYMI: Delaney Hall Hunger and Labor Strike Day 15 Last night, DHS and police made arrests, journalist @jpotg.bsky.social was hit by a car, and police were not letting protesters and press with backpacks or respirators near Delaney Hall. 📹Jon Farina for @statuscoupnews.bsky.social
As cars accelerated out of Delaney Hall and through the crowd of protesters, a car hit a journalist. Protesters tried to get the cars to stop so the injured person could get help, but the cars just kept going. 📹Jon Farina for @statuscoupnews.bsky.social
BREAKING DHS agents got physical and took two more people protesting outside of Delaney Hall. Police and federal agents appeared to be coordinating how they responded to protesters. 📹Jon Farina for @statuscoupnews.bsky.social
Word is circulating among protesters outside Delaney Hall that police are not allowing anyone with a mask or backpack to approach the prison camp. Many protesters (and press!) have been wearing respirators and bringing other supplies to defend themselves from ICE agents.
“We need more people in the streets.” A Delaney Hall protester imagines how different the world would be if the people who show up to No Kings protests also demonstrated at ICE prisons. Video by Jon Farina for @statuscoupnews.bsky.social
