Uprise Radio

It's NAIDOC Week and this week we tell about the NAIDOC Events throughout the week and play some freestyles from 3CR's 2022 Beyond the Bars program. We also play Aunty Barbara Flick's speeck from the Blak Sovereign Movement Press Conference at Parliament. Always Was. Always Will Be. Aboriginal Land

2023 Radiothon Special! Bringing the stories from Uprise Radio's Radiothon fundraiser at Hardout, reflecting on the year that's been and wax lyrical about how bloody good 3CR is! We hear an exclusive, previoulsy unreleased track from local band Standing Circle, and a special mention from Naarm-based MC Tumi the Be! And we draw the Radiothon raffle live on air!Plus, hear Noongar Woman and Member of the Blak Sovereign Movement Marianne Mackay and her speech from the BSM Press Conference in Canberra. 

Australia is facing a full-blown housing emergency. House prices have been increasing faster than wages for decades, meaning that for many people, the prospect of ever owning a home is now vanishingly remote.James chats with James Plested of Red Flag about the housing crisis and Socialists solutions. 

Mercedes and James speak to Omar Jabing of Free Palestine Mebourne about the commemoration of 75 years of Al Nakba. We speak about how Israel capitalises on the sale of weapons off the backs of Palestinian people, the ever-increasing illegal occupation and theft of land, the surveillance and censorship by Israel and the powerful ongoing resistance by Palestinian people.  

Hear the speeches from May Day for Freedom and Liberation! Featuring: Uncle Robbie ThorpeKeiran Stewart-Assheton, President of the Black Peoples UnionTaslima Akhter, President of Bangladesh Garment Workers Solidarity 

Mercedes speaks with Keiran Stewart-Assheton, President of the Black Peoples Union about the Voice, the BPU's position that "we deserve better than just a Voice", and why it's imperative to listen to grassroots First Nations voices.We also chat with Abbas Saeidavi of Voice of Revolution Iran - Melb about the recently released Manifesto for Minimum Demands by Independent Trade & Civil Organisations in Iran, the the upcoming May Day for Freedom and Liberation rally and how you can show up on the streets in solidarity.

James caught up with US radical singer-songwriter David Rovics to chat about his upcoming David Rovics - Songs of Social Significance tour, among other things. Plus, Mercedes gives a brief run down of the last couple of weeks in politics, and upcoming solidarity events.

Mercedes and James discuss the announcement of $368 billion AUKUS budget. We talk about the war machine, the military enroachment on students and workers and how we as activists might respond. 

This episode of Uprise Radio features a short history of anti-arms fair protests from Iain McIntyre. And...We are joined by anti-military activist, researcher and host of A Friday Rave, Jacob Grech, to discuss the Stop Aidex '91 and APDSE campaigns in more detail, as well the importance of diversity of tactics of resistance in a rapidly shifting political, social and increasingly securitised landscape.As the military industrial complex continues in its attempts to infiltrate all aspects of the public sphere and incessantly beats the drums of war, resistance is paramount.

Uprise Radio are joined by Ben Eltham, President of the Monash Branch of the NTEU for a lively discussion on widespread casualisation, bureaucratic sleight of hand and wage theft in the tertiary education sector.

This week, Uprise Radio took to the streets. This episode will feature speeches from the 2022 Nakba Commemoration and vigil for Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, who was murdered by Israeli occupying forces while covering a raid on Jenin Refugee Camp in the occupied West Bank.Listen to Palestinian activists tell the stories of their homeland and of their resistance to violent settler-colonialism from 1948 until now.From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.Content warning:This episode includes stories of military and police brutality, settler-colonial violence and murder.For First Nations listeners, this episode mentions the names of people who have died. 

Live and loud from the Abolition Block Party at MIDA Detention Centre. Plus, James and Mercedes discuss the upcoming election, concerns, hopes and everything in between. 

Mercedes talks with Leandra, a Southern Arrernte woman living on Widjabul-Wia-bul country at Terania Creek. Leandra shares her experience of the disaster, the community response and the total lack of state support.  The floods are discussed within the broader context of climate collapse, what lessons can be learnt from such disasters and how communities can prepare as they become more frequent and intense. 

On today's show we talk all things parenting with Melbourne comedian Rose Callahan, whose new show Young Dumb and Full fo Mum premieres on Monday April 4th at the Butterfly Club, South Melbourne. Part of the returning Melbounre International Comedy Festival. Rose became a parent during lockdown and we talk all those baby goodies - names, sex and gender, partners, grandparents, filth and feaces. Tickets on sale now. 

Today talk to Costas Laoutides, professor of international relations at Deakin and expert in secessionist struggles in post-soviet states. Much of Putins justification for this war in Ukraine rests on the supposed cause of the Donbas separatists so we chat with Costas about the voracity of those claims; the further breakdown of multilateralism and the hypocracy of Israel's offer to mediate the parties.

Uprise Radio is joined by Sam Floreani, Program Lead at Digital Rights Watch, to discuss surveillance capitalism, misinformation and alternative approaches to internet harm reduction that don't include censorship or encroachment on our privacy.Sam talks us through the scope and over-arching findings in the soon-to-be-released Digital Rights Watch 2021 Retrospective. The report will be launched online this Thursday the 3rd of March at DWR's event ‘The State of Digital Rights' at 1pm. Be sure to get along to find out more and to hear from the great line-up of speakers.

Timothy Lynch, Great Power Commentator, Professor of International Politics and Associate Dean of Arts at University of Melbourne joins Uprise Radio to unpack the situation on the Russia Ukraine border. With increased militarism globally, a less formidable USA confronts an old adversary in Russia. What is a leftist response to this unfolding crisis? What role does the USA play in global security? What is driving Russian expansion? We tackle all these questions and more in a wide ranging conversation. 

James, Jackson and Mercedes return for 2022 speaking about upcoming Invasion Day activities and 50 years of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy. Music by King Stingray and Ciggie Witch. 

For our second episode of a 2-part series on prison abolition, we are joined by sara, a campaigner for Homes not Prisons. The Victorian Government has allocated almost $189 million to upgrade the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre in Ravenhall. Changes tyo the Bail Act has resulted in an increase in people being held on remand, people which in the DPFC make up a majority of the incarcerated persons.  

The first in a two part special on Australia's growing Prison Industrial Complex. Did you know that NSW and VIC are commiting billions of dollars to expand prison units and beds, while nearly every catagory of violent crime has decreased since 2000?Tonight we are joined by Sydney based anti-prison activist and writer Paul Gregoire to discuss the government's addiction to prison spending. We also touch on why alternarives to prison are so rarely considered, despite report after expert report showing how ineffective they are. Image by @laurachowfun

This week we have a chat and reflect on time spent in lockdown and our excitement and concerns as we begin to move out if it. Plus we bring some of our favourite tracks that have got us through.  Song list:Star Wars Imperial March (Techno Club mix)- Beaten Track(He'll Never Be An) Ol' Man River- TISMWarning- Shy FX feat. Gappy Ranks (Bou Remix)Greenhouse Holiday- No Fixed AddressHard Drive- Evan Dando

This episode on Uprise Radio we are joined by Dr Emma Shortis and Prof. Clinton Fernandes to discuss the offensive capabilites of nuclear submarines, the geostrategic implications of AUKUS and the ever-increasing drums of war. Why does Australia continually throw it's weight behind a belligerant US, and is a future war in the Pacific inevitable? 

While men's sport has been near-cannonised during Covid as essential for the community's wellbeing, and heaven and earth moved to ensure it continues, the already chronically-underfunded field of women's sport has languished with little public backlash. Today on Uprise Radio we speak to jounrlist Marnie Vinall about the unique vulnerabilities of women's sport and the unique challenges facing female athletes during this global pandemic. 

Columnist for The Monthly Rachel Withers joins Uprise Radio to discuss Scott Morrison's appearance at last week's National Women's Safety Summit - where he gave the keynote speech. Despite his crafted rhetoric, Morrison's government have continually failed women in policy and personally, with numberous government figures accused of gross improprieties and archaic sexism. Rachel Withers has written award-winning coverage of women's issues and the federal government.

This week we continue our discussion on the IPCC Report #6. We are joined by Gooreng Gooreng man, Yellong Bulla to chat about Indigneous fire management, the importance of centring First Nations voices in climate change adaptation and mitigation, overcoming the "doomer narrative" of climate crisis, sovereignty and land back. Always was. Always will be, Aboriginal Land.

Uprise Radio is joined by legendary Friends of the Earth campaign coordinator Cam Walker to discuss the release of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's 6th Assessment Report, released August 8th 2021. While wildfires rage in Greece, Turkey and the North American drought worsens, Australia's political leadership remains obstinantly wed to fossil fuel producers and climate denialists. Cam talks about the report's strengths and weaknesses and campaigning opportunites in the lead up to the looming federal election.

There is a tendency in the mainstream progressive press to paint the anti-lockdown protestors as conspiratorial, uneducated, anti-science, selfish bogans - and some of those in attendance may fit the bill perfectly. But it is also important to remember that people are protesting due to some catastrophic policy failures - many of which result from various governments treating this health crisis as a security threat. 

We are joined by conceptual artist, theorist and spokesperson for the Nicholas Building Association, Dario Vacirca, to hear about the campaign to Save the Nicholas Building from sale and potential development, and to ensure that it remains a space for artists, galleries, art-adjacent businesses and the creative soul of the CBD. Presented by James Brennan, Jackson McInerney and Mercedes Zanker with special guest, Dario Vacirca

Mercedes brings a report from the Coronial Inquest into the death of Raymond Noel during a police "intercept" in 2017. We hear music from Ziggy Ramo and discuss the merits of American comedian Bo Burnham's pandemic-themed Netlfix special Inside. 

Uprise Radio are happily joined by their new co-host Mercedes and discuss the plans and upcoming actions of the Save Fawkner Outdoor Pool Committee - who are opposing unjust council planning in Melburne's oft-looked-over North. 

Jackson and James are joined by formers guests for the 3CR Radiothon show, rasing money for another year on the air! 

James and Jackson are joined by two high school educators, who have been doing some ongoing work with teenagers about respectful relationships. This has become a hot button issue in many high-school with many young people inspired by the actions of Grace Tane and Brittany Higgens, and many others who have shared their stories via social media as part of the Me Too and March4Justice events. The shameful accusations levelled at Cristian Porter and  his shameless response, alongside the sexist bumbling of scotty from marketing has highlighted the the inadequacy of political leaders to change their own workplace cultures, let alone provide any justice to women who experience sexual violence. Schools are more than ever being asked to educate children on these matters - but are they getting the support they need from Government?

James is joined by Free Palestine activists and organisers to discuss the compelted and planned protests in Melbourne in response to a fresh wave of violence by Isreali armed forces in May 2021.  

James and Jackson are joined by Patrick Gordan from the Renters and Housing Union of Victoria, who discusses the imapct on renters of ther ecently cancelled hosuing suppprts during Covid 19. With an end to mortgage freezes and rent increase moratoriums - how are the precariusly housed going to cope in a still drastically Covid-effected economy. patrick gives some good tips to keep ahead of rapacious landlords and real estate agents. 

With Scotty from Marketing recently annoucing a commission into the terrible mental health of soldiers, and new Minister for Defence Peter Dutton complainging the defence forces have come to be too "woke" Jackson and James analyse the defence industry and it's inevitable outcomes. 

Jackson and James speak with Brad Homeward, XR activist, organsier and spokesperson about the recent Spring Rebellion, and the challegnes facing popular organising during a pandemic. 

James reviews two new releases - Nomadland and Judas and the Black Messiah, while Jackson speaks with John Simons about a broad-based coalition between Vic Socialists, Gereens, Extinction Rebellion and Bike West to improve bike safety in the city of Maribyrnong. 

Jackson and James travelled to Bendigo to speak with John Shipton, father of Julian Assange and Jacob Grech, anti-war activist and presenter of 3CR's A Friday Rave. Jacob and John are on a East Coast Tour in support of Julian - The Hoem Run for Julian, gathering community support for his safe passage home. Assange has been in poltical isolation, and more recently prison, for his journalism, which highlighted war crimes and corruption among the world's most powerful nations. 

Covid 19 has proven that many jobs can be done remotes - but this dopens't always mean that they should be. Call Centres in Melbourne are quickly realisign they can save squillions on inner-city rents and have their workers (often casual and with minimal security) cover the over-heads of a working office. Jackson and James chat with a call centre worker and an Organiser from Untied Workers Union about who is benefiting from the new wave of "Enforced Flexibility". 

After the realese of the Australian Labor Party's damning report into their own catastrophic failure in the 2020 Federal Election, Jackson and James are joined by Harry Stratton, a lawyer, anti-corruption activist and ALP analyst from Sydney to ask - what would affective federal Labor leadership look like, and why can't anyone in the party find it? 

On Inauguration Day in the United States, Jackson and James are joined by author and historian Dennis Glover to reflect on Trump's legacy and whether his poltical relevance will continue - particulalry on the far right. Dennis discusses the parallels between Donald and another vitriolic nationalist narcissist named Adolf, as well as Dennis' new novel Factory 19 - which highlights the 'lost working class' in which Trump and other populists have found such fertile poltical ground. 

With Black Lives Matter making terrific ground in 2020 and another Invasion Day looming, James and Jackson are joined by Pay the rent Campaigner Jess Morrison about the Pay the Rent movement, and why it is different from other indigenous fund-raising initiatives. With special audio from Uncle Gary Foley. 

Regular guest Jacob Grech joins James and Jackson to discuss the findings of teh Brereton Report, which investigates accusations of war crimes by Australian SAS personel in Afghanistan during the obscure and long running conflict. Already one of America's and Australia's most unjustifiable wars, the revelations have shocked even mainstream Australia. 

James and Jackson look at recent developments in Venzuella, Eduador and Bolivia with former host of Stick Together on 3CR Denis Rogityuk, who has spent the last few years following campaigns in South America as a journalist for Jacobin and the Chilean paper El Ciudadano and as a communications advisor to former Ecuadorian president Rafeal Correa.

Uprise Radio is joined by regular US poltical commentators, comedian Melissa McGlensy and Jacobin editor Daniel Lopez to digenst the fall-out on Biden v Trump - still to close to call as we went to air. 

After her commanding electoral victory, James and Jackson cast the microscope over our near neighbour and their exciting young leader Jacinda Adern - is she the darling of the liberal left that progressive Australia years for? Or just another marketing exercise? 

Jackson and James talk about 2 films The Social Dilemma & The Great Hack. The Social Dilemma was released on Netflix Australia in August as is a documentary aimed at late high school which attempts to explain the economic underpinnings of free internet services like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Google. In explaining how these products make huge sums of money by making human behaviour the product to sell, The Social Dilemma touches lightly on the role this enormous market is playing to undermine democracy and human agency. The Great Hack (released last year) deals more closely with the political impacts of this technology and the economic logic it supports - exposing the role data analytics firm Cambridge Analytica played in manipulating voters via Facebook during the Brexit referendum and the 2016 US Presidential Election. 

Today on Uprise Radio we are talking about local council elections and the Victorian Socialists expanded plans - the youngish party is running council candidates in 5 electorates across Melbourne, giving people in Hume, Maribyrnong, Darebin, Moreland and Melbourne City a chance to put an anti-capitalist presence into their local council machinery. Local councils are often characterized as the petty, grasping cousins of Oz' large political family - filled with puppet candidates driven by developers and single issue obsessives. Yet the local council also shapes a community's values and can project and protect citizen's aspirations towards economic justice, access to amenities and a vibrant community life. More recently we have seen small communities activate through councils to provide subsidised clean energy, transport and even broadband.  We are joined today by two Victorian Socialist candidates - Liz Walsh is running in Maribyrnong and Daniel Taylor is running in Moreland. Voting will be done via post and closes Friday 23rd of October.    

Comediene Melissa McGlency and Jacobin's Daniel Lopez return to Uprise Radio to discuss the looming US Election. With James and Jackson they try to paint a rosy picutre of Trump v Biden and search for optimism in a poltical landscape blighted by proto-fascists and milqutoaste centrists. The fail fairly spectaculalry to get excited. 

Jackson and James welcome Sarah Ward (Yana Alana, Queen Kong) and Mitch Jones (Captain Ruin, Autocannibal, Caravan of Dooom) to the show to talk about the role of art-making in a critical, empathetic society. Covid has seen the arts landscape radically altered and Sarah and Mitch reflect on ways and means of making meaningful, emancipatory art that is accesible to all, often with little government assistance. The imapct of capitalism on arts practice is explored, from alienation, hyperindidualism, mental health and the self as product. Proscriptions are made for "poetic terrorism": a spontaneous arts practice embedded in community, accesible to all, which detonates holes in the grey veneer of capitalist realism. Featuring music by Justin Townes Earle and Mike Noga. 

James is joined by Liz Ross to discuss a lifetime of activism, from worker's rights to gay liberation in Australia. Liz' new book follows the struggles of workers to resist the introduction of ALP's Prices and Income Accord of 1983, from conception through its phases of implementation. Liz tells a story of class collaborationsim, wealth transfer, and worker's being short changed. through the Accords, Labor facilitated a transition from worker's gains in the 60s and 70 to neoliberalism by the 1990s.