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News and analysis from the front lines of the global struggle for social and economic justice.

People's Republic


    • Jun 14, 2021 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 55m AVG DURATION
    • 246 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from People's Republic

    COVID lies, retaliation, and the fight for safe schools!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2021 73:20


    We are joined for this episode by Rachell Tucker, an elementary school teacher in San Antonio who has been fighting for safe schools and transparency in San Antonio. Rachell documented extensive lies by the school district around COVID, as well as a year-long campaign of retaliation against her, before the school district terminated her contract in May. We talk about what she faced, how the school district pushed through in-person learning against all guidelines, and what it will take for communities to win safe, transparent public schools.Read more about her story and the struggle against unsafe schools here:https://www.liberationnews.org/san-antonio-teacher-fighting-retaliation-after-speaking-out-against-unsafe-schools/https://www.liberationnews.org/texas-schools-are-peddling-lies-to-normalize-covid-at-the-expense-of-communities/

    The fight for public utilities begins!

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2021 55:46


    This week, we cover the beginning of a statewide campaign against privatization and fossil fuels as activists from across the state bring the struggle to ERCOT's doorstep.

    Venezuela lights the way!

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2021 56:04


    This week, we speak with Jovanni Reyes and Monisha Rios, veteran anti-war organizers, about the hybrid warfare the U.S. is waging against Venezuela, the democratic elections of 2020, and the precedents that Venezuela is setting in the face of U.S. imperialism.

    Why are Austin schools forcing teachers back into classrooms?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 29, 2021 55:55


    We are once again joined by Ken Zarifis, president of Education Austin, to discuss the situation with Austin ISD attempting to send teachers back into unsafe classrooms.

    China, China, China: the obsessive refrain of the U.S. ruling class

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2021 55:04


    For the show today, we are joined by Ken Hammond, professor of history at New Mexico State University. We discuss the latest news around China and outline what to expect from the incoming Biden administration, which has already announced its plans to continue Trump's aggression against China.

    Teachers fight back against unsafe reopenings, school district lies

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 8, 2021 53:25


    For our first episode in the New Year, we discuss the impending danger to the public as school districts force unsafe "reopenings" to schools. Despite the obvious scientific proof that schools and children are carriers of COVID, districts continue to distort figures and lie about the nature of its spread. We spend the entire hour talking with teachers to get the facts straight and discuss what teachers, students, and parents can do to protect their communities. We are joined for the full hour by Rachell Tucker and Zac Vecellio.

    Gloria La Riva speaks in Dallas

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2020 55:59


    Gloria La Riva, presidential candidate for the Party for Socialism and Liberation, speaks on a range of political issues in Dallas on Monday, October 26.

    Gloria La Riva speaks in Dallas

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2020 55:59


    Gloria La Riva, presidential candidate for the Party for Socialism and Liberation, speaks on a range of political issues in Dallas on Monday, October 26.

    Democracy for Whom?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 6, 2020 55:54


    On November 1, Austin organizers held a community webinar titled "Democracy for Whom?" First, Izzy lays out a history of voter suppression by various names in Texas. Later, we hear from Luis, who breaks down the myths of capitalist democracy and compares this to socialist democratic systems in the Paris Commune, USSR, and Cuba.

    Democracy for Whom?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 6, 2020 55:54


    On November 1, Austin organizers held a community webinar titled "Democracy for Whom?" First, Izzy lays out a history of voter suppression by various names in Texas. Later, we hear from Luis, who breaks down the myths of capitalist democracy and compares this to socialist democratic systems in the Paris Commune, USSR, and Cuba.

    The legacy of the Chinese Revolution

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2020 55:59


    October 1 is National Day, the commemoration of the establishment of the People's Republic of China after the defeat of colonialism in that country. We talk with Sheila Xiao of the Party for Socialism and Liberation about the conditions that China endured under colonialism, the progressive legacy of the Chinese Revolution, and the role of China in today's multipolar world.Later, we rebroadcast a segment from Breakthrough News covering the first presidential debate, which took place on Tuesday, September 29.

    The legacy of the Chinese Revolution

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2020 55:59


    October 1 is National Day, the commemoration of the establishment of the People's Republic of China after the defeat of colonialism in that country. We talk with Sheila Xiao of the Party for Socialism and Liberation about the conditions that China endured under colonialism, the progressive legacy of the Chinese Revolution, and the role of China in today's multipolar world.Later, we rebroadcast a segment from Breakthrough News covering the first presidential debate, which took place on Tuesday, September 29.

    Denver's political prisoners and a tribute to Kevin Zeese

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2020 56:26


    We begin this episode with an announcement about a horrifying roundup of anti-racist activists by Denver-area police departments. As of the time of this recording, five organizers in Denver were being held without bond, having been snatched from their homes, parking lots, while driving, and around the city for protests held earlier this summer. They have since been released on bond, but are still facing the ludicrous charge of "kidnapping." The Party for Socialism and Liberation is demanding that that all charges be dropped.We later talk with Houston-area organizer Caleb Granger about environmental racism, abdication of responsibility for civic preparedness, and disaster capitalism following the hurricane that hit Louisiana earlier this month.Finally, we are re-airing an interview with the late Kevin Zeese, co-founder of Popular Resistance, who passed away suddenly September 6. We talked with Zeese last year about the Embassy Protection Collective, which stood in defiance of Trump's coup and assault on the Venezuelan embassy in DC.

    Denver's political prisoners and a tribute to Kevin Zeese

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2020 56:26


    We begin this episode with an announcement about a horrifying roundup of anti-racist activists by Denver-area police departments. As of the time of this recording, five organizers in Denver were being held without bond, having been snatched from their homes, parking lots, while driving, and around the city for protests held earlier this summer. They have since been released on bond, but are still facing the ludicrous charge of "kidnapping." The Party for Socialism and Liberation is demanding that that all charges be dropped.We later talk with Houston-area organizer Caleb Granger about environmental racism, abdication of responsibility for civic preparedness, and disaster capitalism following the hurricane that hit Louisiana earlier this month.Finally, we are re-airing an interview with the late Kevin Zeese, co-founder of Popular Resistance, who passed away suddenly September 6. We talked with Zeese last year about the Embassy Protection Collective, which stood in defiance of Trump's coup and assault on the Venezuelan embassy in DC.

    Teachers, children as guinea pigs in "reopening" farce

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2020 57:32


    We begin this episode by talking with Luke Amphlett, a teacher and union representative at Burbank High School in San Antonio, who faced retaliation for speaking up about unsafe working conditions in schools.Later, we are joined by Sarah Jalandoon, the co-coordinator for Malaya Movement Texas, about the continued state-sponsored violence in the Philippines and the Pentagon's role in enabling this violence.

    Teachers, children as guinea pigs in "reopening" farce

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2020 57:32


    We begin this episode by talking with Luke Amphlett, a teacher and union representative at Burbank High School in San Antonio, who faced retaliation for speaking up about unsafe working conditions in schools.Later, we are joined by Sarah Jalandoon, the co-coordinator for Malaya Movement Texas, about the continued state-sponsored violence in the Philippines and the Pentagon's role in enabling this violence.

    Police attack protesters at Black Lives Matter Plaza

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2020 56:27


    We begin this episode by talking with Wyatt Reed, an independent journalist and the producer of By Any Means Necessary on Radio Sputnik. We discuss the brutal police crackdowns on medics and journalists at Black Lives Matter Plaza in Washington, DC.Later, we continue our discussion on the growing U.S. aggression against China. Ken Hammond, Professor of History and editor of the Journal of Chinese History, joins the show to analyze the University of North Texas' hostility against Chinese scholars.

    Police attack protesters at Black Lives Matter Plaza

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2020 56:27


    We begin this episode by talking with Wyatt Reed, an independent journalist and the producer of By Any Means Necessary on Radio Sputnik. We discuss the brutal police crackdowns on medics and journalists at Black Lives Matter Plaza in Washington, DC.Later, we continue our discussion on the growing U.S. aggression against China. Ken Hammond, Professor of History and editor of the Journal of Chinese History, joins the show to analyze the University of North Texas' hostility against Chinese scholars.

    Kenosha's cops acting like military occupiers

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2020 55:53


    For our first segment, we are joined by Lilith McKenzie and Will Arment, journalists for Liberation News. We discuss their reporting from the scene of Kenosha protests following the police shooting of Jacob Blake. Laura Nadine of the Party for Socialism and Liberation also contributed to their article, "On the ground with Kenosha protesters: 'We want justice.'"https://www.liberationnews.org/on-the-ground-with-kenosha-protesters-we-want-justice/Later, we are joined by Chris Garaffa for Tech for the People, a monthly look at the latest tech news from a working-class perspective. We discuss Palantir's full embrace of the military-industrial complex, a journalist's burying of vital information on facial recognition, Amazon seemingly going full Pinkerton with job applications, and what you can do to keep your Venmo transactions safe from prying eyes.

    Kenosha's cops acting like military occupiers

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2020 55:53


    For our first segment, we are joined by Lilith McKenzie and Will Arment, journalists for Liberation News. We discuss their reporting from the scene of Kenosha protests following the police shooting of Jacob Blake. Laura Nadine of the Party for Socialism and Liberation also contributed to their article, "On the ground with Kenosha protesters: 'We want justice.'"https://www.liberationnews.org/on-the-ground-with-kenosha-protesters-we-want-justice/Later, we are joined by Chris Garaffa for Tech for the People, a monthly look at the latest tech news from a working-class perspective. We discuss Palantir's full embrace of the military-industrial complex, a journalist's burying of vital information on facial recognition, Amazon seemingly going full Pinkerton with job applications, and what you can do to keep your Venmo transactions safe from prying eyes.

    "You can't reform imperialism!": Black August lessons for today

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2020 56:09


    We conclude our month-long study of Black August with a conversation about the contemporary movement for Black liberation. We break down reformist trends within the U.S. today and look at what radical alternatives younger generations could be engaging with. We are joined by Jacquie Luqman, co-host of By Any Means Necessary and co-editor in chief of Luqman Nation.

    "You can't reform imperialism!": Black August lessons for today

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2020 56:09


    We conclude our month-long study of Black August with a conversation about the contemporary movement for Black liberation. We break down reformist trends within the U.S. today and look at what radical alternatives younger generations could be engaging with. We are joined by Jacquie Luqman, co-host of By Any Means Necessary and co-editor in chief of Luqman Nation.

    Rewriting resistance: how Black rebellion shapes world events

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2020 56:25


    This week, we continue our commemoration of Black August with Dr. Gerald Horne, professor of history and author of over 40 books, including The Counter-Revolution of 1776. We start by discussing Dr. Horne's latest book, The Dawning of the Apocalypse: The Roots of Slavery, White Supremacy, Settler Colonialism, and Capitalism in the Long Sixteenth Century. We also cover a basic history of Black resistance to U.S. capitalism and the racialized forms that class relations in the U.S. have taken.Later, we are joined by Dr. Ken Hammond, Ken Hammond, professor of history at New Mexico State University and Associate Editor of the Journal of Chinese History. We break down U.S. aggression against China and the media's contradictory portrayal of right-wing billionaire Jimmy Lai as a "pro-democracy tycoon."

    Rewriting resistance: how Black rebellion shapes world events

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2020 56:25


    This week, we continue our commemoration of Black August with Dr. Gerald Horne, professor of history and author of over 40 books, including The Counter-Revolution of 1776. We start by discussing Dr. Horne's latest book, The Dawning of the Apocalypse: The Roots of Slavery, White Supremacy, Settler Colonialism, and Capitalism in the Long Sixteenth Century. We also cover a basic history of Black resistance to U.S. capitalism and the racialized forms that class relations in the U.S. have taken.Later, we are joined by Dr. Ken Hammond, Ken Hammond, professor of history at New Mexico State University and Associate Editor of the Journal of Chinese History. We break down U.S. aggression against China and the media's contradictory portrayal of right-wing billionaire Jimmy Lai as a "pro-democracy tycoon."

    Economics of evil: the roots of mass incarceration

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2020 55:53


    We continue our commemoration of Black August by speaking with Eugene Puryear, author of Shackled and Chained: Mass Incarceration in Capitalist America, as well as the host of Breakthrough News. We discuss the roots of the mass incarceration system known today as the "prison-industrial complex."Then, we return with our monthly segment Tech for the People with Chris Garaffa. We talk about what a "stingray" is, third-party data collection through apps, Twitter censorship, and the Trump administration's hypocritical, racist plan for a "clean" internet.

    Economics of evil: the roots of mass incarceration

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2020 55:53


    We continue our commemoration of Black August by speaking with Eugene Puryear, author of Shackled and Chained: Mass Incarceration in Capitalist America, as well as the host of Breakthrough News. We discuss the roots of the mass incarceration system known today as the "prison-industrial complex."Then, we return with our monthly segment Tech for the People with Chris Garaffa. We talk about what a "stingray" is, third-party data collection through apps, Twitter censorship, and the Trump administration's hypocritical, racist plan for a "clean" internet.

    What is Black August?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 7, 2020 56:17


    This week, we begin our commemoration of Black August, a month of study and training against U.S. imperialism and mass incarceration. For the first segment, we talk with Joe Tache,an organizer with the Party for Socialism and Liberation based in Boston. We discuss Tache's article, "Study, fast, train, fight: The roots of Black August."https://liberationschool.org/study-fast-train-fight-the-roots-of-black-august/Later, we are joined by Lillian House of the Denver Liberation Center to discuss the latest in Aurora's spirited resistance to police repression and right-wing attacks.

    What is Black August?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 7, 2020 56:17


    This week, we begin our commemoration of Black August, a month of study and training against U.S. imperialism and mass incarceration. For the first segment, we talk with Joe Tache,an organizer with the Party for Socialism and Liberation based in Boston. We discuss Tache's article, "Study, fast, train, fight: The roots of Black August."https://liberationschool.org/study-fast-train-fight-the-roots-of-black-august/Later, we are joined by Lillian House of the Denver Liberation Center to discuss the latest in Aurora's spirited resistance to police repression and right-wing attacks.

    School districts threaten communities with "reopening" farce

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 19, 2020 56:56


    This week, we dedicate the full hour to education issues. We are joined by Ken Zarifis, president of Education Austin, to discuss Austin ISD's threats to reopen schools while COVID infections are at record highs. We also talk about the failures of two-party politics, teachers' union engagement with the Black Lives Matter movement, and why unions are the surest long-term investment for workers.

    School districts threaten communities with "reopening" farce

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 19, 2020 56:56


    This week, we dedicate the full hour to education issues. We are joined by Ken Zarifis, president of Education Austin, to discuss Austin ISD's threats to reopen schools while COVID infections are at record highs. We also talk about the failures of two-party politics, teachers' union engagement with the Black Lives Matter movement, and why unions are the surest long-term investment for workers.

    Rebellion report: Atlanta, Denver/Aurora

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 4, 2020 56:04


    We continue our coverage of the nationwide rebellion against police violence. Monica Johnson joins us from Atlanta, Georgia, to discuss the community's response to the killing of Rayshard Brooks. Then, we hear from Eliza Lucero in Denver on the state of affairs after police violently attacked a peaceful musical protest for Elijah McClain.These interviews were conducted shortly before the occupation of the space outside an Aurora Police Department precinct. This is a breaking story as of publication time. We will follow up with organizers on future episodes.

    Rebellion report: Atlanta, Denver/Aurora

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 4, 2020 56:04


    We continue our coverage of the nationwide rebellion against police violence. Monica Johnson joins us from Atlanta, Georgia, to discuss the community's response to the killing of Rayshard Brooks. Then, we hear from Eliza Lucero in Denver on the state of affairs after police violently attacked a peaceful musical protest for Elijah McClain.These interviews were conducted shortly before the occupation of the space outside an Aurora Police Department precinct. This is a breaking story as of publication time. We will follow up with organizers on future episodes.

    All West Coast ports shut down for Juneteenth protest

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 28, 2020 55:43


    This week, we dedicate most of the hour to a discussion with Clarence Thomas, a retired worker with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union. Thomas talks about the Juneteenth work stoppage that shut down all 29 ports on the West Coast in solidarity with, and as a part of, the growing movement for Black lives.For the last segment, we hear the sound and fury from a protest in Philadelphia on June 6. Puryear spoke before a crowd of 100,000 people about the nature of the now-global uprisings against police brutality.

    All West Coast ports shut down for Juneteenth protest

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 28, 2020 55:43


    This week, we dedicate most of the hour to a discussion with Clarence Thomas, a retired worker with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union. Thomas talks about the Juneteenth work stoppage that shut down all 29 ports on the West Coast in solidarity with, and as a part of, the growing movement for Black lives.For the last segment, we hear the sound and fury from a protest in Philadelphia on June 6. Puryear spoke before a crowd of 100,000 people about the nature of the now-global uprisings against police brutality.

    The Reawakening, a project of Del Valle Blast

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 22, 2020 57:15


    This week, we air the debut episode of The Reawakening, a podcast project of the Del Valle Blast featuring host Richard Franklin. Del Valle is a food desert and unincorporated area outside of Austin that suffers from a severe lack of resources. Richard interviews Brianna Griffith and Tina Byram about the issues that Del Valle faces.

    The Reawakening, a project of Del Valle Blast

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 21, 2020 57:15


    This week, we air the debut episode of The Reawakening, a podcast project of the Del Valle Blast featuring host Richard Franklin. Del Valle is a food desert and unincorporated area outside of Austin that suffers from a severe lack of resources. Richard interviews Brianna Griffith and Tina Byram about the issues that Del Valle faces.

    Rebellion report: Dallas

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 13, 2020 55:22


    We continue our coverage of the nationwide rebellion by turning to the social, political, and economic conditions facing Dallas leading up to the uprising there. We hear first from Marissa Rodriguez, an organizer with the Dallas/Fort Worth branch of the Party for Socialism and Liberation.Brianna then briefly discusses her own experience with the Austin uprisings before turning back to Dallas. We are then joined by Dariel Hernandez and Cooper Feste, two more organizers with the Dallas/Fort Worth branch of the PSL, to discuss their article "Pandemic reveals worker exploitation in Texas meatpacking industry."https://www.liberationnews.org/pandemic-reveals-worker-exploitation-in-texas-meatpacking-industry/

    Rebellion report: Dallas

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 13, 2020 55:22


    We continue our coverage of the nationwide rebellion by turning to the social, political, and economic conditions facing Dallas leading up to the uprising there. We hear first from Marissa Rodriguez, an organizer with the Dallas/Fort Worth branch of the Party for Socialism and Liberation.Brianna then briefly discusses her own experience with the Austin uprisings before turning back to Dallas. We are then joined by Dariel Hernandez and Cooper Feste, two more organizers with the Dallas/Fort Worth branch of the PSL, to discuss their article "Pandemic reveals worker exploitation in Texas meatpacking industry."https://www.liberationnews.org/pandemic-reveals-worker-exploitation-in-texas-meatpacking-industry/

    Rebellion report: Houston and San Antonio

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 7, 2020 55:58


    We begin our coverage of the nationwide rebellions of hundreds of thousands (likely millions) against police brutality. We are starting with voices from Texas cities to get a sense of this movement in areas outside of traditional "protest" strongholds. Brianna Griffith has also been on the ground, both as an organizer and a journalist, in protests in Austin.First, we hear from Mike Zendejas, an organizer in Houston, about the 60,000+ people who have risen up against police terror in that city.For the second half, we hear from Jake and Rachell Tucker about the burgeoning protest movement in San Antonio. Despite its conservative reputation as "Military City USA," San Antonio's City Council and police forces are creating the conditions for historic rebellions against state repression.

    Rebellion report: Houston and San Antonio

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 6, 2020 55:58


    We begin our coverage of the nationwide rebellions of hundreds of thousands (likely millions) against police brutality. We are starting with voices from Texas cities to get a sense of this movement in areas outside of traditional "protest" strongholds. Brianna Griffith has also been on the ground, both as an organizer and a journalist, in protests in Austin.First, we hear from Mike Zendejas, an organizer in Houston, about the 60,000+ people who have risen up against police terror in that city.For the second half, we hear from Jake and Rachell Tucker about the burgeoning protest movement in San Antonio. Despite its conservative reputation as "Military City USA," San Antonio's City Council and police forces are creating the conditions for historic rebellions against state repression.

    Austin media's sexism; China's social and geopolitical realities

    Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2020 56:01


    In the weeks after COVID-19, a couple in Del Valle, TX struggled to pay rent. They were both employed in carpentry, worked at the same business, and were tenants on the same lease. A reporter for the Austin American-Statesman implied the man was the sole breadwinner and leaseholder, while mentioning the woman only once: as a "live-in girlfriend." This reinforces sexist stereotypes about societal roles and completely erases the role of women in blue-collar professions. We speak with Sage Westbrook, a carpenter and one of the tenants in the story, to correct the record about her work. We also talk about the struggles women face in male-dominated blue-collar professions.Later, we speak with Walter Smolarek, an editor of Liberation News. We discuss the geopolitical realities obscured by U.S. fearmongering and posit a different thesis: that the United States, not China, is the primary threat to global stability.

    Austin media's sexism; China's social and geopolitical realities

    Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2020 56:01


    In the weeks after COVID-19, a couple in Del Valle, TX struggled to pay rent. They were both employed in carpentry, worked at the same business, and were tenants on the same lease. A reporter for the Austin American-Statesman implied the man was the sole breadwinner and leaseholder, while mentioning the woman only once: as a "live-in girlfriend." This reinforces sexist stereotypes about societal roles and completely erases the role of women in blue-collar professions. We speak with Sage Westbrook, a carpenter and one of the tenants in the story, to correct the record about her work. We also talk about the struggles women face in male-dominated blue-collar professions.Later, we speak with Walter Smolarek, an editor of Liberation News. We discuss the geopolitical realities obscured by U.S. fearmongering and posit a different thesis: that the United States, not China, is the primary threat to global stability.

    Venezuela's Bay of Pigs: American mercenaries captured

    Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2020 56:01


    American mercenaries were captured in Venezuela trying to overthrow the government in a Bay of Pigs-style operation. They were quickly apprehended even as seemingly pre-scheduled Tweets about the operation continued to be published. We talk with Jovanni Reyes, an organizer with About Face, about the forces behind the assault.Then, we have our segment Union News with Ken Zarifis, where we discuss the latest developments from Education Austin. If teachers and AISD employees are essential workers during COVID - which they absolutely are - then they deserve to be paid like essential workers. A petition can be found to support AISD employees here:https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/support-aisd-teachers-and-school-employeesWe conclude with Tech for the People with Chris Garaffa, where we discuss the latest tech news from a working-class perspective. We discuss companies' and governments' use of COVID-19 fears as a pretense to implement dangerous surveillance technologies. While tracing COVID-19 points of contact is important, the tracking technology being implemented has implications far beyond the pandemic.

    Venezuela's Bay of Pigs: American mercenaries captured

    Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2020 56:01


    American mercenaries were captured in Venezuela trying to overthrow the government in a Bay of Pigs-style operation. They were quickly apprehended even as seemingly pre-scheduled Tweets about the operation continued to be published. We talk with Jovanni Reyes, an organizer with About Face, about the forces behind the assault.Then, we have our segment Union News with Ken Zarifis, where we discuss the latest developments from Education Austin. If teachers and AISD employees are essential workers during COVID - which they absolutely are - then they deserve to be paid like essential workers. A petition can be found to support AISD employees here:https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/support-aisd-teachers-and-school-employeesWe conclude with Tech for the People with Chris Garaffa, where we discuss the latest tech news from a working-class perspective. We discuss companies' and governments' use of COVID-19 fears as a pretense to implement dangerous surveillance technologies. While tracing COVID-19 points of contact is important, the tracking technology being implemented has implications far beyond the pandemic.

    May Day struggles: #CancelTheRents, #JusticeForMikeRamos, and #FreeThemAll!

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2020 56:00


    We celebrate May Day by highlight three ongoing struggles by working and oppressed people. First, we speak with Ryan Hamby, an organizer with the Denver branch of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, about the nationwide protests demanding to #CancelTheRent.Then, we examine Austin PD's shooting of Mike Ramos while his hands were in the air on April 24. The shooting happened just days after a damning report showing systemic racism, sexism, bigotry, and a culture of retaliation across all of APD. Chris Harris, an organizer with HomesNotHandcuffs, joins the conversation.Finally, we hear about the ongoing struggle to free ICE detainees from detention centers across the state of Texas. We speak with Rafael Aguilar with Never Again Action, a Jewish political action organization seeking to prevent genocide from happening in the U.S.A Gofundme for the family of Mike Ramos can be found at https://www.gofundme.com/f/justice-for-mike-ramos.

    May Day struggles: #CancelTheRents, #JusticeForMikeRamos, and #FreeThemAll!

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2020 56:00


    We celebrate May Day by highlight three ongoing struggles by working and oppressed people. First, we speak with Ryan Hamby, an organizer with the Denver branch of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, about the nationwide protests demanding to #CancelTheRent.Then, we examine Austin PD's shooting of Mike Ramos while his hands were in the air on April 24. The shooting happened just days after a damning report showing systemic racism, sexism, bigotry, and a culture of retaliation across all of APD. Chris Harris, an organizer with HomesNotHandcuffs, joins the conversation.Finally, we hear about the ongoing struggle to free ICE detainees from detention centers across the state of Texas. We speak with Rafael Aguilar with Never Again Action, a Jewish political action organization seeking to prevent genocide from happening in the U.S.A Gofundme for the family of Mike Ramos can be found at https://www.gofundme.com/f/justice-for-mike-ramos.

    The mask is off: COVID and disaster profiteering

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 22, 2020 57:14


    We speak with Austin DSA organizer Marina Roberts about her article in the Austin Chronicle, "Capitalism Has Failed Americans in This Crisis." We also discuss the latest wave of anti-government protests and the latest reports of Austin's police racism.Later we hear from Richard Franklin, the president of Youth Unlimited and former Del Valle School Board member, about Del Valle's fight for community health services.

    The mask is off: COVID and disaster profiteering

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2020 57:14


    We speak with Austin DSA organizer Marina Roberts about her article in the Austin Chronicle, "Capitalism Has Failed Americans in This Crisis." We also discuss the latest wave of anti-government protests and the latest reports of Austin's police racism.Later we hear from Richard Franklin, the president of Youth Unlimited and former Del Valle School Board member, about Del Valle's fight for community health services.

    Behind U.S. media's Trumpian obsession with China

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2020 45:34


    We speak public health policy, geopolitics, media bias, and China with K.J. Noh. K.J. is a peace activist and scholar on the geopolitics of the Asian continent who writes for Counterpunch and Dissident Voice. He is special correspondent for KPFA Flashpoints on the “Pivot to Asia,” the Koreas, and the Pacific. He has recently authored "Yellow-caking an epidemic: New York Times spreads the virus of hatred, again."We highly recommend this article:https://mronline.org/2020/03/05/yellow-caking-an-epidemic/

    Behind U.S. media's Trumpian obsession with China

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2020 45:34


    We speak public health policy, geopolitics, media bias, and China with K.J. Noh. K.J. is a peace activist and scholar on the geopolitics of the Asian continent who writes for Counterpunch and Dissident Voice. He is special correspondent for KPFA Flashpoints on the “Pivot to Asia,” the Koreas, and the Pacific. He has recently authored "Yellow-caking an epidemic: New York Times spreads the virus of hatred, again."We highly recommend this article:https://mronline.org/2020/03/05/yellow-caking-an-epidemic/

    The CIA keeps building things they can't control

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2020 59:32


    We begin this episode with Union News with Ken Zarifis. We discuss the mass resignations of special education professionals within Austin ISD, while the district spends $53 million on a new headquarters.Then, we continue with Environmental Justice with Marissa Rodriguez. Marissa talks about the January explosion in Houston that left several people dead, the effects of environmental deregulation, and the Pentagon as a weapon of ecological destruction.Finally, we have Tech for the People with Chris Garaffa. We cover tech ground including the botched Iowa caucus app, the prosecution of Joshua Shulte around Vault 7, Clearview AI's legal troubles for scraping billions of pictures for law enforcement, and newly revealed information that the CIA had secretly owned an encryption company that it used to listen in on world affairs for decades.

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