@oconnell@federate.social
@oconnell@federate.social avatar

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

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oconnell, to austin
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People have packed #Austin City Council chambers today for the council meeting, speaking in favor of the #Palestine Ceasefire Resolution and on a variety of community development and rezoning topics.

#Texas #news #politics #USpol #ceasefire #activism

oconnell,
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Open comment section has begun. Lots of people speaking on but also some supporters of Israel present. Tension has already built in the audience with mayor having to tell folks to settle down.

oconnell,
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The second speaker is a queer Jewish nonbinary person who was arrested at , who says their faith requires them to stand for freedom and liberation wherever it is needed.
"I refuse to stand by as a genocide is committed in my name."

oconnell, to ai
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"It’s telling that the #AI advisory council is composed entirely of businesspeople and entrepreneurs, not ethicists or anyone with an academic or deep research background..."

Meta’s new AI council is composed entirely of white men
https://techcrunch.com/2024/05/22/metas-new-ai-council-is-comprised-entirely-of-white-men/

#tech #news #politics #Meta #Facebook #gender

oconnell, to politics
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The governor didn’t offer much of a rationale in granting clemency to Daniel Perry, who killed a Black Lives Matter protester in 2020, but apparently the enemy of his enemy is his friend.

Why Did Greg Abbott Pardon a Racist Murderer?
https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/greg-abbott-daniel-perry-pardon/

#GregAbbott #politics #USpol #Texas #BlackLivesMatter #GunViolence #news

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 #UTAustin, 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 #Austin #Texas #activism #protest #FreeSpeech @palestine

oconnell, to Palestine
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I interviewed two anti-Zionist Jews about their perspective on the protests for #Palestine, one a current grad student at #UTAustin, 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.

#news #politics #protest #FreePalestine #FreeSpeeech #religion #USpol #Texas #Austin

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

#Palestine #UTAustin #Austin #police

oconnell,
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The #Austin 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/

#UTAustin #Palestine #politics #USpol #protest #FreeSpeech #police

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, #Austin has a $600 rebate for #ebike buyers. #Texas

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 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 #fascism, their bank accounts, their global death squads for the expansion of empire."

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

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

#religion #war

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 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 BadInternetBills
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At the April 29 protest at #UTAustin, 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

#activism #Palestine #Texas

oconnell, to austin
@oconnell@federate.social avatar

The millionaire population in 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

oconnell, to Palestine
@oconnell@federate.social avatar

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

#Palestine #Austin #activism

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,
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Protesters followed police off campus chanting and confronting them. Students chanting "fuck you fascists!" at the departing cops. #ftp #Palestine #Texas #UTAustin #Austin

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,
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Here is the official dispersal order issued to students on the South Lawn of #UTAustin.

#Palestine #Austin #Texas

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

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

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

#UTAustin #Texas #Austin #Palestine

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