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Justin Brake

@justinbrake

He/him. Journalist. Settler. Future ancestor. Born 338 ppm. EIC @independentnl.bsky.social 🫐

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13.02.2024
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Latest posts by Justin Brake @justinbrake

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International Women’s Day is not a celebration – The Independent How do we build a fighting feminist movement?

"In today’s world of far-right conservative men waging war on women and other gender minorities, and with the past century’s human rights gains rapidly unraveling, there should be no illusions that we have time or cause to celebrate anything." #IWD2026
theindependent.ca/commentary/t...

06.03.2026 17:52 πŸ‘ 5 πŸ” 5 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
On the left: a photo of men in carts being pulled by horses. The image is awash in a dusty, warm-coloured lighting. On the right: text that reads β€œThe most accurately predicted genocide in history. There was satellite imagery, survivor testimony, and mass graves. Still, the world looked away from Sudan”

On the left: a photo of men in carts being pulled by horses. The image is awash in a dusty, warm-coloured lighting. On the right: text that reads β€œThe most accurately predicted genocide in history. There was satellite imagery, survivor testimony, and mass graves. Still, the world looked away from Sudan”

With the sky warmed by the setting sun, the scene at the refugee camp Michelle Shephard visits in AdrΓ©, Chad appears almost bucolic. But just five kilometres away, the war in Sudan rages on, forcing thousands into life-threatening displacement. https://thewalrus.ca/sudan-genocide/

04.03.2026 13:01 πŸ‘ 14 πŸ” 6 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 1
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Who Bombed Girls’ School in Iran? Reporter Nilo Tabrizy on What We Know About Massacre, 175 Killed After a strike on a girls’ elementary school in Minab, Iran, killed at least 175 people, nearly all young schoolchildren, online reports spread disinformation about the attack, including claims that t...

"These deaths happened," says investigative journalist Nilo Tabrizy. "They’re important for us to investigate, and all of us should be interrogating what happened." #Iran
www.democracynow.org/2026/3/4/nil...

04.03.2026 16:57 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

"History is consistent: sustainable freedom is built by people who organize, strike, write, teach, and resistβ€”not by foreign jets, sanctions regimes, or crowns," writes Sima Atri.

"Iranians deserve more than a choice between destruction and dictatorship."

04.03.2026 12:54 πŸ‘ 14 πŸ” 7 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

The Tony Wakeham government quietly placed an asterisk next to its promise, β€˜For all of us’

03.03.2026 20:51 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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PC's minimum wage increase 'far from a living wage,' says NDP leader – The Independent NDP Leader Jim Dinn is calling on the PCs to legislate wage increases

N.L. NDP Leader Jim Dinn is calling on Progressive Conservative government to legislate wage increases #nlpoli
theindependent.ca/news/lji/pcs...

02.03.2026 18:08 πŸ‘ 6 πŸ” 5 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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Canada needs an independent podcast community.

It's Day 15 of our Winter 2026 fundraising campaign help us reach our goal of 50 new Harbinger supporters.

Challenge right-wing and corporate media - support socially and politically progressive Canadian podcasts at

harbingermedianetwork.com/join/ πŸ”ΆοΈ

25.02.2026 17:03 πŸ‘ 7 πŸ” 5 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Join our team! The Indy has a small, dedicated team of volunteers who selflessly make our work possible.

If you have time (5-10 hours/month), skills and a burning desire to see independent journalism flourish in Newfoundland & Labrador, apply to join our Board of Directors!

19.02.2026 18:24 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 4 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Why These Iranian-Canadians Strongly Oppose U.S.-Israeli Aggression β€œThis war is a war of power, a war of resource and land grab, and it is nothing about democracy.”

β€œThis war is a war of power, a war of resource and land grab, and it is nothing about democracy.”

'Why These Iranian-Canadians Strongly Oppose U.S.-Israeli Aggression' from @readthemaple.com
#cdnpoli
www.readthemaple.com/why-these-ir...

02.03.2026 14:52 πŸ‘ 25 πŸ” 11 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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Returning home brings mixed feelings for Ukrainians living in Newfoundland – The Independent A recent visit home by a Ukrainian refugee living in St. John’s underscores the joys of her homeland amid the harsh reality of the ongoing war

Today marks the 4th anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Since then, many Ukrainians have made NL home.

Some, like Katarina Gavrilyuk & her family, have returned to Ukraine to visit family and friends.

πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦ Read our Nov. 2025 story about that journey:
theindependent.ca/news/lji/ret...

24.02.2026 14:21 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Slowly killing research at Memorial University – The Independent A university is not its buildings, and it doesn’t exist to serve private-sector interests. It is about the pursuit of knowledge.

"Each cut sends the same message, never stated outright but unmistakable: research not directly tied to immediate economic outcomes is dispensable."

Read MUNL Philosophy Professor Sean McGrath's new op-ed in our 'State of the University' series πŸ‘‡
theindependent.ca/commentary/c...

24.02.2026 12:21 πŸ‘ 6 πŸ” 4 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Join our team! The Indy has a small, dedicated team of volunteers who selflessly make our work possible.

If you have time (5-10 hours/month), skills and a burning desire to see independent journalism flourish in Newfoundland & Labrador, apply to join our Board of Directors!

19.02.2026 18:24 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 4 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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PCs under fire for β€˜disappointing’ treatment of Black History MonthΒ  – The Independent Celebrated Black community leader and anti-racism advocate target of racist comments after speaking out online

A St. John’s woman is speaking out after facing online backlash and racism for criticizing the provincial government’s lacklustre acknowledgement of #BlackHistoryMonth.
#nlpoli #BHM2026
theindependent.ca/news/lji/pcs...

17.02.2026 13:50 πŸ‘ 12 πŸ” 6 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1
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The Woman Alex Pretti Was Killed Trying to Defend Is an EMT. Federal Agents Stopped Her From Giving First Aid. One of the women Alex Pretti was killed trying to defend is an EMT. Federal agents stopped her from giving him first aid.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: β€œI was literally begging the agent who was holding me back to let me do CPR,” she told The Intercept.

13.02.2026 15:25 πŸ‘ 4367 πŸ” 2011 πŸ’¬ 54 πŸ“Œ 108

Sorry not yesterday, on Tuesday

06.02.2026 22:19 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Yes, he testified yesterday

06.02.2026 22:18 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Fun (?) fact: Justin was the subject of another major media freedom case in Canada in recent years for his coverage for @independentnl.bsky.social of Indigenous opposition to Muskrat Falls development in Labrador. He won, so why do police continue to arrest journalists? rrj.ca/charged-jour...

06.02.2026 21:13 πŸ‘ 20 πŸ” 9 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 1
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Quick update on the latter half of this week's proceedings from the BC Supreme Court in the Narwhal/Amber Bracken v. RCMP #pressfreedom trial in Vancouver.

Stay tuned, there's lots more to come!

06.02.2026 20:52 πŸ‘ 11 πŸ” 4 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 1
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The Narwhal and Amber Bracken’s case against the RCMP, explained. Reporter Justin Brake breaks down what’s at stake for press freedom in @The Narwhal’s historic trial against the RCMP, and everything ... TikTok video by Ricochet Media

"The final fight for #pressfreedom begins here."

The latest from @justinbrake.bsky.social covering @thenarwhal.ca and @amberbracken.bsky.social’s case against the RCMP.

What’s at stake, what could happen next, and what has led to this moment?

Follow us on TikTok!

www.tiktok.com/@ricochetmed...

06.02.2026 16:56 πŸ‘ 19 πŸ” 13 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0
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UPDATE: The Independent & @cajournalists.bsky.social submitted an application to the BC Supreme Court to obtain exhibits submitted by The Narwhal / Amber Bracken and the Crown / RCMP in the #pressfreedom case underway in Vancouver.

Justice Diane MacDonald granted our request. #cdnmedia

06.02.2026 00:43 πŸ‘ 10 πŸ” 5 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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EXPLAINER: The significance of The Narwhal & Amber Bracken v. Attorney General of Canada et al. press freedom case.

05.02.2026 04:32 πŸ‘ 18 πŸ” 11 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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Goodbye Washington Post, Hello State Propaganda Neoliberalism has done what capitalist ideologues feared for decades

NEW: With the gutting of The Washington Post, we've entered a major change in the news media landscape. Large outlets are either die slowly or are funded explicitly to propagandize from the right. Despite fear mongering about a "free press" dying only in dictatorships, the culprits are capitalists.

04.02.2026 19:54 πŸ‘ 27 πŸ” 12 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1

My Feb. 3 update on the Narwhal v. RCMP #pressfreedom case in Vancouver. On Tuesday, and for the rest of this week, the court will be hearing from RCMP officers involved in the raid of the tiny house at Coyote Camp in unceded Wet'suwet'en territory. #cdnmedia

04.02.2026 17:53 πŸ‘ 10 πŸ” 7 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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The Canadian Library Challenges Database | Centre for Free Expression The CFE-CFLA/FCAB Canadian Library Challenges Database provides access to challenges libraries have faced to items in their collection, and to displays, programs, room usage, and computer access.

Did you know that there's a database of banned books across Canada?

If you've heard of a ban, the @cfetmu.bsky.social encourage all libraries (public, school, academic, and government) in Canada to add it to this online resource by completing a simple form:

cfe.torontomu.ca/databases/ca...

03.02.2026 21:59 πŸ‘ 9 πŸ” 7 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1
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Newsletter – The Independent

Sign up for The Independent's free newsletter here: theindependent.ca/newsletter/

03.02.2026 19:01 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

I'll be in Vancouver all week reporting on this landmark case for #pressfreedom in Canada.

Sign up for @independentnl.bsky.social & @ricochetmedia.bsky.social's free newsletters and be notified when we publish articles about the case.

03.02.2026 02:55 πŸ‘ 21 πŸ” 10 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 1
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Carol Linnitt, co-founder and editor-in-chief, provides an update on The Narwhal’s court case against the RCMP. Amber Bracken finished cross-examination late Jan. 28. It took more than 12 hours.

To learn more about the trial visit www.thenarwhal.ca/press-freedom

29.01.2026 15:14 πŸ‘ 174 πŸ” 65 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 11
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Muslim community commemorates 9th anniversary of Quebec City Mosque shooting – The Independent Anti-hate advocates say there's still work to be done to combat Islamophobia in the province

Akinturk says she's glad extreme cases of Islamophobia are not common in NL. But when attacks happen in other parts of the country, it becomes a painful reminder that Islamophobia is real and must be addressed, she says.

Read more πŸ‘‡
theindependent.ca/news/lji/mus...

29.01.2026 14:30 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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An LNG future for Fermeuse?Β  – The Independent Proposal for massive liquefied natural gas hub exhumed on Newfoundland’s Southern Shore

Where did this LNG announcement come from and what does it mean for the future of Fermeuse and Newfoundland's Southern Shore? #LNG #Fermeuse #nlpoli

Read the full analysis from Eric Devine, Grace Fitzpatrick, Seamus MacKenzie & Angela Carter πŸ‘‡
theindependent.ca/commentary/a...

27.01.2026 15:45 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1
'Imagine if we could do more': Justin Brake
'Imagine if we could do more': Justin Brake YouTube video by The Independent NL

At @independentnl.bsky.social, we take our name seriously.

Wr have big plans for 2026, but we need your support!

Sign up here: theindependent.ca/support-us/

youtu.be/Kh_zBMVqQtg?...

24.01.2026 19:26 πŸ‘ 5 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0