Valerie Taylor

Slavery exhibit returns to Philadelphia's Independence Mall after Trump administration ordered its removal Workers on Thursday began restoring an exhibit on the lives of the nine people once enslaved at the former President's House in Philadelphia amid a contentious legal fight between the city and the Tru...

Workers on Thursday began restoring an exhibit on the lives of the nine people once enslaved at the former President's House in Philadelphia amid a contentious legal fight between the city and the Trump administration. https://to.pbs.org/3Os84LS

A win! A federal judge has instructed the Interior Department to restore signage and video exhibits at George Washington’s former Philadelphia residence that explain his ownership of enslaved people.

Judge orders restoration of Philadelphia slavery exhibits Cynthia Rufe, a George W. Bush appointee, compared the administration’s effort to remove the panels to Orwell’s “1984.”

JUST IN: Judge Cynthia Rufe (GWBush) invokes Orwell's dystopian "1984" as she bars Trump admin from memory holing slavery exhibits at Washington's Philly home. w/@kyledcheney
www.politico.com/news/2026/02...

Judge Orders Trump Administration to Restore Displays About Slavery at Washington’s House The judge said the government did not have the power to erase or alter historical truths after the administration took down displays about slavery at the President’s House Site in Philadelphia.

The Trump administration has been ordered to temporarily restore displays about George Washington’s ownership of enslaved people at a monument on the site of his former house in Philadelphia, after a judge said that the government did not have the power to erase or alter historical truths.

🧵 At some point we need t take a step back and ask how these acts of blatant censorship are functioning or what larger project of the Trump administration's they are intended to advance. Let's be clear. We know the Trump administration cannot erase history. That's not what this is about.

Two circle logos as a header, one teal and yellow for the Providence Streets Coalition, and one blue and black featuring a transit bus and Save RIPTA PROVIDENCE STREETS COALITION & SAVE RIPTA STATEMENT ON THE RESIGNATION OF RIDOT DIRECTOR PETER ALVITI, JR. FEB. 4, 2026 For over a decade, Rhode Island taxpayers have forked over billions of dollars to an unaccountable DOT that has not produced adequate results for drivers, failed to meet our emissions reductions goals, and consistently rejected dignity, safety, and convenience for people who cannot or do not drive. On far too many occasions, Director Alviti refused to prioritize the interests of public transit users and people walking and biking in Rhode Island. The Providence Streets Coalition and Save RIPTA welcome new leadership at RIDOT that will have a multimodal, 21st century approach to transportation, respect and communicate with all residents, and center safety and transparency. This will require not only change at the very top, but throughout the Department. Today's announcement comes on Rosa Parks' birthday — known now nationally as Transit Equity Day — a reminder that the deep disparities in transportation are not the responsibility of a single person, but have been baked into the system for generations. We will continue to work with our coalition partners and passionate supporters to advocate for a brighter future and look forward to leadership at RIDOT who can be a true partner in that fight. It should be easy, safe, affordable, and enjoyable to get around Rhode Island. ###

STATEMENT ON RESIGNATION OF PETER ALVITI

The Providence Streets Coalition and Save RIPTA welcome new leadership at RIDOT that will have a multimodal, 21st century approach to transportation, respect and communicate with all residents, and center safety and transparency.

In full: tr.ee/Ia-k-7a9zt

Your Complete Guide to the 2026 Winter Olympics From medals to mascots, schedules to slopes—here’s everything you need to know to be ready for the 2026 Winter Olympic Games.

From medals to mascots, schedules to slopes—here’s everything you need to know to be ready for the 2026 Winter Olympic Games. www.wired.com/story/winter...

Municipalities point to Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RI DEM). RIDOT points to municipalities or RI DEM. RI DEM says it doesn’t plow state bike paths. The result?? Bike infrastructure is often left unplowed and untreated for days after it snows. Let them eat cake? 😭

Large brick wall with a tiny white signat the base of the wall that says "Slavery was real"

"Slavery was real"

Tiny sign at the base of a brick wall that, until yesterday, held panels about the people enslaved by George Washington.

Presidents House, Philadelphia.

Rama Duwaji, New York City's next First Lady, on the joys of riding a Citi Bike:

7 Brown University shooting victims released from hospital Seven of the nine patients who were treated for gunshot injuries after the deadly shooting at Brown University have been discharged from Rhode Island Hospital.

UPDATE: Seven of the nine patients treated for gunshot injuries after the deadly shooting at Brown University have now been discharged from Rhode Island Hospital.
https://www.wpri.com/news/7-brown-university-shooting-victims-released-from-hospital/

The older, pre-Musk Twitter, while not perfect, would have been a useful place to be during and after the Brown shooting.

Now, it's place sowing confusion, conspiracy, misinformation, and harm. It has been wrung of its value and decency.

MAGAZINER: How many veterans have you deported?

NOEM: We haven't deported veterans

MAGAZINER: We are now joined on Zoom by a combat veteran you deported to Korea

For now, suffice it to say how depressing it is that the federal government is putting its authority behind this incorrect, decontextualized, and frankly boring vision of history at the same time that it is cutting funding for the NEH and attacking the Smithsonian's independence.

Because of ICE, the Deportation Defense Network of RI demands widespread, easy access to virtual court hearings, conferences, and trials During the press conference, it was learned that ICE had taken a Superior Court intern into custody without just cause...

Because of ICE, the Deportation Defense Network of RI demands widespread, easy access to virtual court hearings, conferences, and trials

During the press conference, it was learned that ICE had taken a Superior Court intern into custody without just cause...

A Twitter account called Ivanka News tweets an AI image of a young woman wearing Muslim garb. The woman is holding a sign that says "I came here illegally. Should I be deported?" Ivanka News writes: What is your response to this person ?? In the "About this account" tab, it appears the account is based in Nigeria

An account called MAGA scope writes: Who, in your view is the great enemy of the United States? Communism, Islam, Democratic Party, or Satan? The account is based in Nigeria.

An account called MAGA Nadine writes: You go to work and find this. What would you do? The attached pic is an AI image that shows a microwave. The microwave has a sign that says "For religious reasons, this microwave is now making halal food only." The account is based in Morocco.

An account called America First posts an AI image of Tulsi Gabbard. They wrote: How would you rate your trust in Tulsi Gabbard on a scale of 1-10?

Twitter pays people based on engagement (views, retweets, comments, etc). It appears that many MAGA accounts are based abroad and they use AI technology to generate low-effort rage bait.

My guess is that this will get worse as AI tech improves. For instance, fake videos of minorities doing crime.

We are amazed by the resistance in Charlotte, NC. The Trump administration named the operation there “Charlotte’s Web,” and people have been mobilizing fast. Students, especially, have become the heart of the resistance. This was

Remember: There is nothing natural or inevitable about extreme inequality; it’s the result of an economic system that values wealth and power over human dignity and justice.

It doesn't have to be this way.

1/ The US Government has quietly removed a memorial to Black soldiers who died in World War II from the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten, South Limburg. The move follows a complaint from the right-wing Heritage Foundation to the American Battle Monuments Commission. ⬇️

Congratulations @jilld.bsky.social on this well earned victory! We look forward to working with you on the Providence City Council!

The days are getting shorter, but there's still plenty of time to enjoy the views from our Providence Bay Center open to the public from sunrise to sunset! Enjoy the grounds daily, including the public fishing pier, walking trails, picnic tables, and Adirondack chairs during daylight hours.

@pvdcitycouncil.bsky.social President Rachel Miller congratulates @jilld.bsky.social on her Ward 2 Democratic primary win, saying, "Jill’s support of rent stabilization stood out, and Ward 2 voters rewarded her commitment to addressing the housing crisis with a clear victory."

Helen Anthony says: “I am proud to endorse Jill Davidson. I know what it takes to be an effective advocate, and Jill has exactly the experience and dedication we need.” To see why Helen and others in our city support my run for Providence City Council, visit www.jilldavidsonri.com/wedo

Are you already in touch with PrYSM?

Yet Trump ignored every step, acting unilaterally through executive order, bypassing oversight, and ordering demolition as if he were a monarch. The result: the people’s house, altered without the people’s consent.

We’ve received a lot of questions about Trump’s demolition of the White House East Wing.

Here’s how the process is supposed to work:

Less popular than litter. Less popular than pollution. Less popular than acid rain…

Okay. New count: Approximately 15k. Largest protest in recent Rhode Island history, if not ever.

Representative David Morales leads the crowd in chanting, “Say it loud, say it clear, immigrants are welcome here!”

The mere mention of ICE generates “boos” from the crowd.

“We are here to reject all forms of fascism, including ICE,” says Morales.