@oconnell@federate.social
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oconnell

@oconnell@federate.social

Former Digital Editor at the Texas Observer, looking for work. GLAAD Media Award and National Magazine Award-nominated editor and journalist. Friend to cats.

This is my serious work account. Follow my personal account https://kolektiva.social/@kitoconnell

This profile is from a federated server and may be incomplete. Browse more on the original instance.

oconnell, to Palestine
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“What I saw was students linking arms, hugging each other while being brutalized by the police. I think the only violence we saw that day was from the police.”

I spoke with two anti-Zionist Jewish supporters of the pro-Palestine protests at , including one who got arrested on April 29. Read it from Deceleration here:
https://deceleration.news/2024/05/15/texas-troopers-were-real-agitators-university-of-texas-austin/

@palestine

oconnell, to Palestine
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I interviewed two anti-Zionist Jews about their perspective on the protests for , one a current grad student at , and the other an alumni. Both were present at the big protest at April 29, and one was arrested—but only one would have been classified as an "outsider," even though they both have deep ties to the school.

I've got their story coming out later this week at Decelerate.news.

oconnell, to austin
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“We can't just give people e-bikes. It has to be supported with a broader set of infrastructure and associated policies to make cycling safe.”

'Pretty remarkable': UBC study finds e-bike rebates led to decreased car use
https://bc.ctvnews.ca/pretty-remarkable-ubc-study-finds-e-bike-rebates-led-to-decreased-car-use-1.6876226

FYI, has a $600 rebate for buyers.

oconnell, to Texas
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I interviewed Dr Heyman just a couple of days ago. This is a big shock to hear.

University of professor fired, arrested after pro-Palestine campus protest
https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/ut-professor-fired-arrested-after-pro-palestine-campus-protest/

oconnell,
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The American Statesman did a better job of describing the circumstances which led to Dr. Rich Heyman's arrest, including giving his side of the story thru his lawyer. Heyman claims he was shoved by a cop and grabbed the police bicycle to steady himself. https://www.statesman.com/story/news/crime/2024/05/10/professor-richard-heyman-ut-austin-pro-palestine-protest-arrested-fired-interfering-police/73639778007/

oconnell, to Texas
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Very severe weather heading through tonight. The worst is south of . Meteorologist telling folks to take shelter in San Marcos (south of Austin). https://www.kxan.com/weather/forecast/todays-forecast/

oconnell, to austin
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I got to visit University Baptist Church today, which has served as a police-free sanctuary to students involved in Student Spring. They can rest, get simple medical care, supplies and snacks and are even cooked dinner each night. I'm not religious but it's moving to see a church upholding the tradition of being a place of refuge for victims of state violence.

oconnell, to Texas
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"Residents of and Pennsylvania, the top two gas-producing states, saw their natural gas bills increase by 50 and 51 percent between 2016 and 2023, respectively."

Natural Gas Is a Climate Scam — and Consumers Are Paying for It | Truthout
https://truthout.org/articles/natural-gas-is-a-climate-scam-and-consumers-are-paying-for-it/

oconnell, to Palestine
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"I’m having a nightmare, can you please wake me up? I’m dreaming that they fooled the Jewish people to do the bidding of western imperialism. To feed their tech, their , their bank accounts, their global death squads for the expansion of empire."

An activist I interviewed today, a alum, shared this powerful piece with me:

Kaddish for the Soul of Judaism: in | by Amanda Gelender 🔮 | Medium
https://agelender.medium.com/kaddish-for-the-soul-of-judaism-genocide-in-palestine-1248d7ff2611

oconnell, to BadInternetBills
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At the April 29 protest at , I witnessed the police wheeling a zip-tied arrestee in a office chair. The police apparently smacked his head while dragging him out of the encampment:

University protests: I was at the University of Texas when something heavy hit the library window. It had begun.
https://slate.com/human-interest/2024/04/protests-columbia-ut-texas-austin-student-arrest.html

oconnell, to austin
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The millionaire population in #Austin jumped 110% in the last 10 years https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/millionaires-living-in-austin-texas/269-0ffeb39b-eb00-42e1-a9e7-2b6f9c38ad5b

#gentrification #inequality #Texas #news #politics #USpol #poverty

oconnell, to Palestine
@oconnell@federate.social avatar

On the campus, activists hold up names of students and educators killed in Gaza, along with facts about the damage war has done to education.

oconnell,
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The scene right now. Students, staff and activists chanting, the sun is beating down on the South Lawn of as police drag people out of the middle.

oconnell,
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I'd guess roughly a dozen arrests so far but it's been hard to keep an exact count.

oconnell,
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Street medics are carrying people out of the circle as they drop from dehydration. They are being iced down as an ambulance called. Dehydration becoming a serious issue here.

oconnell,
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A group of protesters attempted to block the arrest vans from leaving campus but were forced back onto the sidewalk by police.

oconnell,
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Activists are now blocking in a van full of arrestees chanting "let them go!"

oconnell,
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"Hands off our students!" pepper spray just deployed

oconnell,
@oconnell@federate.social avatar

People are yelling in pain as they get maced police are setting off flash bangs

oconnell,
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Tensions high. Protesters are facing off with APD and troopers a chanting "off our campus!" Some victims of police violence were brought to a nearby church for medical care.

oconnell,
@oconnell@federate.social avatar

Protesters followed police off campus chanting and confronting them. Students chanting "fuck you fascists!" at the departing cops.

oconnell,
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Things have calmed down again at . A few dozen students have gathered on the South Lawn again and are talking and sharing snacks water Gatorade and solidarity. Probably dozens of arrests earlier?

oconnell,
@oconnell@federate.social avatar

Word is there were at least 65 arrests today at the campus. Jail support called for tonight at the Travis County Jail.

oconnell,
@oconnell@federate.social avatar

There is a bail fund set up. Venmo @psc_atx (verified with a trusted source).

oconnell,
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I've left campus and returned home for the night but word is they are trying to get tents up again tonight at .

oconnell,
@oconnell@federate.social avatar

Update via Tony Plohetski of the American Statesman. Over 100 arrests already today and charges may be much more serious this time for some.

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