Activist Class

Who really funds the Seattle Police Department? In this episode we delve deep into the heart of Seattle's policing landscape, reflecting on the aftermath of the defund police movement that shook the city during 2020. We'll explore the complexities surrounding the movement, its impact on the community, and the aftermath of a now inflated police budget that includes cutting-edge police technology proposed for SeattlePD. Get an exclusive sneak peek into the latest Seattle Police gossip, including the secret world of a Seattle police officer who finds solace in writing murder mysteries. We then discuss the pivotal role of the Seattle Foundation in the city's policing universe, especially its involvement with the Seattle Police Department during 2020. Explore why targeting this influential institution was crucial for activists, and how their efforts continue to shape the discourse around police reform and police abolition. Class is in session. Guest: Justin from DivestSPD

In the heart of the neoliberal capital, Seattle, The Activist Class takes a closer look at the recent PR nightmare that the Seattle Police Department has found itself embroiled in. First, we delve into a leaked body cam video that sent shockwaves through the country. The footage captures the Vice President of Seattle's Police Union laughing callously in the aftermath of a tragic incident involving a South Asian woman named Jaahnavi Kandula, who was fatally struck by a police cruiser.  We then turn our attention to a contentious Drug Bill passed by the City Council that threatens to revive the War on Drugs. This legislation will re-criminalize public drug use, setting the stage for a troubling sequel to an already disastrous policy. Lastly, we bring you exclusive audio evidence, via THE STRANGER, of an off-duty Seattle police officer using racial slurs to verbally harass his Chinese neighbor. Class is in Session 

Three years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and 2020's nationwide movement to defund police, Activist Class is back. The same notorious rabble-rousers you know and love return to host Seattle's most important support-group — oops, I mean podcast. We're joined by Howard Greenwich from Puget Sound Sage, to talk about the recent wildfires in Maui and the PNW, our local homelessness emergency, and the ways disaster-capitalists exacerbate the crises they exploit. Later were joined by Real Change's Guy Oron, for our newest hyper-local news segment, Gossip Guy. All that and so much more. Class is (back) in session.

Following two months of protest, Seattle is positioned to become one of the first major US cities to substantially defund their police. We sit down with activists from Decriminalize Seattle to learn about what’s led up to the city’s historic votes to defund SPD in the remaining 2020 budget, what protestors need to know about the upcoming 2021 budget, and how we plan to reinvest in Black communities and truer forms of public health and safety.Interested in learning more about Decrim’s four point plan and participatory budgeting? Confused about what’s been cut so far and what happens next? Class is in session.

Seattle Activists breakdown the days following the murder of George Floyd and discuss what's next following the Mayor's emergency press conference. We share first hand experiences with the police escalations, the fight to defund police by 50%, the ban of chemical warfare, and creation of Capitol Hill Organized Protests (CHOP). Having a hard time deciphering what's actually happening while reading the news? Class is in session.

Best Selling Author Ijeoma Oluo joins the Activist Class to talk about the financial pressures increasing for those in the arts - especially for artists of color, the widespread cancellation of group events and  disproportionate impact on the Seattle arts community - especially those who rely on gigs to pay their bills, baking croissants during quarantine, and her new book! Class is in Session!

We are joined by Prison Abolition Activist JM Wong and Washington State Inmate and Black Prisoners Caucus member Kimonti Carter, who is calling from Stafford Creek Corrections Facility. We talk about the lawsuit against the Department of Corrections, living conditions inside of Stafford Creek Corrections Facility during a health crisis, and Gov. Inslee's response to protest at Monroe Correctional Complex.  

This week on Activist Class we sit down with WA State Dreamers and activists Alejandra Perez and Daniela Murguia to discuss what Undocumented Americans going through during this national pandemic, lack of resources in Seattle's public school system for communities of color, and play Zaddy, Daddy, Father with the Kardashian men. Class is in session! 

This week on Activist Class we sit down with freshman King County Councilmember Girmay Zahilay to discuss his experience going from campaign mode to being a part of a county council that was ground zero for a global pandemic, the lack of accessibility to resources for immigrant communities and businesses, the Covid19 outbreak in county jails and what we should do about it, and Zaddy, Daddy, Father with his favorite Michaels. Class is in session.

Restaurants have been hit hard by the economic fallout of the COVID19 crisis. Staff in the industry were the first to experience massive layoffs due to new social distancing rules and government mandated closures. Chef/Owner Melissa Miranda of Musang joins Activist Class to talk about converting her popular Seattle Filipino restaurant into a free food program.With over 100 Seattle restaurants coming together to form Seattle Restaurants United, will the government provide enough bailout money to keep these Seattle staples alive? What do restaurant workers and owners need to get back on their feet? How could this permanently change the way restaurants do business? 

Coronavirus Covid-19 is not only a Pandemic public health crisis, but a global financial disaster. Seattle organizers were able to pass a temporary hold on evictions for residential and commercial properties but will that be enough to help the working class survive this pandemic? Nearly half of all Americans live pay check to pay check. Almost 40% of American adults aren’t able to cover a $400 emergency. Time is running out for many families and individuals across Seattle.Councilmember Kshama Sawant calls in (social distancing!) to break down what the city needs to do right now to protect our vulnerable and what the rest of us can do in quarantine to strengthen the movement.Class is in session!

Coronavirus Covid-19 has reached Pandemic level as Seattle, the epicenter for the virus, becomes the first U.S. city to shut down. This morning, Gov. Jay Inslee announced a ban on gatherings/events of more than 250 people in King, Snohomish and Pierce Counties in an effort to try to contain the coronavirus outbreak at a news conference.But why is the state still refusing to properly protect people in prisons, homeless communities, and communities of color? Covid19 Mutual Aid Organizers and Public Healthcare Workers JM & Lizzie join us to talk about how Disaster Capitalism has outsourced our ability to build community and compassion. They break down how regressive taxes and neoliberal policies affect us when a crisis hits and how Covid-19 is revealing our broken public health systems and workers protections.Class is in session.

The Activist Class sit down with formal mayoral candidate, attorney, and activist Nikkita Oliver to break down her experience growing up in Indiana, learn which Disney Zaddy she loves the most, the 8 year battle to stop the youth jail and what we can do about it now, and how she's digesting the presidential race.  Class is in session!  

The Activist Class is joined this week by prison abolitionist/reproductive justice advocate/tax the rich specialist Jackie Vaughn & her beautiful baby!- Are communities of color being left out of the tax conversations?- What can we do about the new youth jail set to open this week? - Zaddy, Daddy, or Father with Dow Constantine..is he "evil hot" or just evil? Class is in session!

Newly elected Councilmember Varisha Khan is Washington State's first elected Muslim Woman! She joins us to talk about running as a 24 year old against a 12 year incumbent, being down 600 votes after the first ballot drop, and which Full House Daddy is the real Zaddy. Class is in session!

Season 2 of the Activist Class is here! We sit down with former Seattle Council candidate and Bernie Sanders WA State Field Director Shaun Scoot to go over his transition from running for office in Seattle District 4 to being part of one of the most polarizing presidential campaigns in American history. We also discuss his obsession with Seahawks QB Russel Wilson and if he considers Russ a Zaddy, Daddy, or Father. Class is BACK IN SESSION! 

Welcome to the Activist Class Black Friday Special! We sit down with Seattle's newly re-elected Socialist Councilmember Kshama Sawant to break down her experience growing up in Mumbai India and learn which Game of Thrones character she identifies with the most, how she went from a PhD in Economics to becoming the face of Socialist Alternative, what it's like battling the richest man in the world Jeff Bezos, and how she navigates the Socialist movement as a woman of color.   

Now that the local elections are over, we break down something we should've addressed from the beginning..who the hell we are! Get to know Spekulation, Myra, Aretha, Chrissy, and Dae on this week's episode of Activist Class. What radicalized us? Where do we come from? Are we just emo? Do we all just have daddy issues? Class is in session. 

Aretha, Chrissy, Myra, Dae, and Spek are joined by political consultant Riall Johnson to discuss Kshama Sawant’s big win over Amazon and if this is now the most progressive city council in the nation.How will this hyper-local election effect the national political landscape?Does this increase our chances on taxing the rich? And why do progressive orgs keep screwing over candidates of color? Class is in session.

What did we learn from the first two ballot drops? Can socialism defeat Amazons money bomb? Does Kshama Sawant have a chance? What is ballot chasing and what can we do to help? What do we do when electoral politics aren’t enough? Class is in session.

Why is Seattle's Right coopting movement language? Is Jim Pugel a Zaddy, Daddy, or Father? Where are we at with Affirmative Action (i-1000) in WA state and how did we get here? How does the model minority myth fuel anti-blackness? Class is in session.

Why are Progressive Democrats quick to condemn Amazon’s influence but not willing to risk their own by endorsing the very candidates Amazon’s trying to keep out of office? Can the richest company on earth really buy America’s democracy? How are pro business PACs in Seattle spending Amazon's $1.45M money bomb? Class is in session. 

Before getting into districts 4-6 in the Seattle City Council races, The Activist Class talks #trailorgate. The class then discusses what it will take for DSA candidate Shaun Scott to upset Amazon backed candidate Alex Pedersen. Will Seattle see a majority progressive city council? Or will Amazon be able to spend enough money to stay tax free? Class is in session. 

The Activist Class shares notes on the Seattle City Council races in districts 1-3. Can we trust Lisa Herbold? Is Tammy Morales progressive enough for the left? Can Egan Orion really dethrone Kshama Sawant? Class is in session.