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This is Defector, a new sports blog and media company. We made this place together, we own it together, we run it together. Without access, without favor, without discretion, and without interference.

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Defector

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<div class="p-rich_text_section">Tom Scocca is the editor of <a href="http://indignity.net">Indignity</a>, a subscription-supported newsletter of news, essays, and commentary.</div>
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Tom Scocca

New York City police arrested dozens of Pro-Palestinian protesters on Columbia University on Wednesday evening after they took over part of a central library in New York, USA on May 7, 2025.

Columbia Gaza protest arrests May 7

Margin Of Error

Teachable Moment

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Patrick Redford

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 28: U.S. President Donald Trump (C) and Vice President JD Vance (R) meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (L) in the Oval Office at the White House on February 28, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump and Zelensky are meeting today to negotiate a preliminary agreement on sharing Ukraine’s mineral resources that Trump says will allow America to recoup aid provided to Kyiv while supporting Ukraine’s economy. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

President Trump Hosts Ukrainian President Zelensky At The White House

Politics

JD Vance Screamed Out Of Planned Ski Vacation In Vermont

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Chris Kluwe Arrested At City Council Meeting For Calling Out Garish MAGA Plaque

<p>Heather Chen is a former Defector intern and the managing editor at the <em>Columbia Daily Spectator</em>. She loves hockey, photography, and the good ol’ state of Michigan.</p>


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Heather Wei-Xi Chen

A photo of the west side of the South Lawn in front of Columbia University's Butler Library at the Morningside campus. This picture, taken right before sunset, depicts an encampment set up by protestors on a lawn with turf and a big event tent. Students are scattered throughout, and there are multiple banners and signs depicting pro-Palestine statements.

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Why Did I Sleep On The Turf?

Counter protesters attack pro-Palestinian protesters at a pro-Palestinian encampment set up on the campus of the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) as clashes erupt, in Los Angeles on May 1, 2024. Clashes broke out on May 1, 2024 around pro-Palestinian demonstrations at the University of California, Los Angeles, as universities around the United States struggle to contain similar protests on dozens of campuses. (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT / AFP)

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UCLA Chooses Violence Over Divestment

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Samer Kalaf

The Gaza Solidarity Encampment at Columbia University.

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The Crackdown Explains The Protest

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Lauren Theisen

2023 PEN America Literary Gala – Inside

Arts And Culture

PEN America Chooses The Most Cowardly Words

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<div>Casey Taylor is a writer living and working in Pittsburgh. He is currently writing a book for St. Martin&#8217;s Press about cannabis religions, Haile Selassie I, and the Cold War in the Caribbean. He also writes a free newsletter called <a href="https://weedchurch.substack.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://weedchurch.substack.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1709306863919000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1mVH2xiID6S0zvlyj6yHco">Weed Church</a> covering foolish spiritual things that occur to him. His work has appeared in The New Republic, WIRED, New York Magazine, and a sports blog he can’t currently recall the name of. You can <a href="mailto:caseyt7@gmail.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">email</a> him if you’d like.</div>
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Casey Taylor

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 27: A person holds a sign during a vigil for U.S. Airman Aaron Bushnell at the US Army Recruiting Office in Times Square on February 27, 2024 in New York City. Bushnell died after setting himself on fire outside the Israeli Embassy in Washington, DC on Sunday. In a video that was posted to a social media account showing the act, he stated that would “no longer be complicit in genocide," before pouring an unknown liquid over himself and igniting it while yelling “Free Palestine” repeatedly. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

Vigil Held For U.S. Airman Aaron Bushnell Who Died After Setting Himself On Fire In Protest Of Israeli’s Actions In Gaza

Why Did Aaron Bushnell Burn?

<p><span style="font-weight: 400">Dennis Young is the news editor at Front Office Sports.</span></p>


Dennis Young

Marathon running holding a Palestinian flag

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Olympics

How Four Marathoners Organized A Ceasefire Protest From Across The Country

<p>Nicholas Russell is a writer from Las Vegas.</p>


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Nicholas Russell

Thousands of pro-Palestinian protestors gather as they demonstrate against Israeli war on Gaza calling for a ceasefire at Sergelstorg Square in Stockholm, Sweden, October 22, 2023.

Pro-Palestinian demonstration in Sweden

What Happens After The Rally Ends?

<p>Micah Herskind is an organizer, policy advocate, and writer based in Atlanta, GA.</p>


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Micah Herskind

Environmental activists hold a rally and a march through the Atlanta Forest, a preserved forest Atlanta that is scheduled to be developed as a police training center, March 4, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. Intent upon stopping the building of what they have called cop city, the environmentalists were evicted from the forest in January, resulting in the killing by police of Manuel Teran, a young activist and medic.

Environmental Activists Reoccupy Atlanta Forest

Policing

The Stop Cop City Indictment Is An Act Of Desperation

<p>Staff Writer</p>
<p>Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.09</p>


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Chris Thompson

A protester explodes a bag of orange powder atop a billiard table.

Life's Rich Pageant

Terrible Scenes At The Crucible As Snooker Championship Match Abandoned Due To Rude Powdering

DALLAS, TEXAS - MARCH 22: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks reacts after a call in the second half against the Golden State Warriors at American Airlines Center on March 22, 2023 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Heitman/Getty Images)

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Mark Cuban Files Futile Protest Over Weird Call In Mavericks Loss

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Laura Wagner

Toronto FC v CF Montreal: 2021 Canadian Championship Final

Soccer

Head Of Canada Soccer Forced Out Following Player Protests, No-Confidence Letter

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Israel Daramola

ATLANTA, USA - JANUARY 21: Firefighters work to extinguish a fire after an Atlanta police vehicle was set on fire during a "Stop cop city" protest in Atlanta, Georgia, United States on January 21, 2023. Multiple buildings were vandalized and an Atlanta police vehicle was set on fire as multiple arrests were made. (Photo by Benjamin Hendren/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Stop cop city protest in Atlanta

Cop City Is A Step Toward Cop Nation

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Journalismism

Axios To Staff: Our Values Are Cynically Engineered And Incoherent

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - APRIL 16: A activist chains herself to the goal during the first half of Game One of the Western Conference First Round between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Minnesota Timberwolves on April 16, 2022.

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ESPN Wanted No Part Of The Latest NBA Playoff Protest

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Ziptie Guy Is Man Of The Match

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Kelsey McKinney

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NWSL

Spirit Fans Are Going To Be Heard One Way Or Another

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Ray Ratto

Fans Respond To News Of Football Super League

The Super League Protests Showed American Fans What’s Worth Getting Mad About

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Barry Petchesky

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - SEPTEMBER 10: Players from the Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans unite in a moment of silence before the start of a game at Arrowhead Stadium on September 10, 2020 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Houston Texans v Kansas City Chiefs

The NFL Is America, Just Not The Way It Wants To Pretend

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Chiefs Fans Greet Plea For Racial Equality With Boos

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