Ep. 47: The Rent is Too Damn High Rally and Other Stories

We interview Tristen and Eli from We the People Michigan about their work to overturn legislation in Michigan that prohibits cities from enacting rent control policy. We talk about their strategies and progress, how it links into the broader fight for tenant's rights, and their participation in a coalition rallying at the capitol on September 5th.

 

Me and Norah give our analysis on the Republican Primary debate. The reactionary trainwreck of a conversation leaves us with some keen observations about what they did and didn't talk about, their proposed shotgun marriage of faux populism and neoliberal economics, doubling down on xenophobia, and where future fascists might pivot on the issue of climate change.

 

We give you some important updates on organized labor, with some victories coming down from the National Labor Relations Board and our comrades at University of Michigan. The UAW is poised to go on strike and we talk about the contrast between more establishment union leadership and a rapidly radicalizing rank-and-file.

 

We close with some distressing updates about the state of anti-trans bigotry at the legislative and terroristic level.

 

0:00- 33:00: Interview w/ "We the People Michigan" Organizers Tristen & Eli on The Rent is Too Damn High Rally

 

33:00- 1:03:00: Republican Primary Debate

 

1:03:00- 1:15:15 Updates on Organized Labor

 

1:15:16- 1:27:00 Anti-Trans Bigotry in the Legislatures and in the Streets

 

SOURCES/ FURTHER READING

We The People Michigan
https://wethepeoplemi.org/

 

The Rent is Too Damn High Mobilization
https://www.facebook.com/events/1252244062344305

 

‘Rent is Too Damn High’ coalition calls Sept. 5 rally at Michigan Capitol 
https://peoplesworld.org/article/rent-is-too-damn-high-coalition-calls-sept-5-rally-at-michigan-capitol/

 

Greater Kalamazoo Renters Union Resource Guide
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tQGfQ_T-quoEkubBe34CJeNWc1jVZ067ONHwMT668Yw/

 

Republican presidential debate—the ugly face of American fascism
https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2023/08/25/aysw-a25.html

 

Union-Busting Bosses Handed Major Loss in New Labor Board Decision
https://truthout.org/articles/union-busting-bosses-handed-major-loss-in-new-labor-board-decision/

 

Graduate students settle strike at University of Michigan 
https://www.bridgemi.com/talent-education/graduate-students-settle-strike-university-michigan

 

US autoworkers vote by 97 percent for strike authorization, expressing overwhelming determination to reverse UAW-backed concessions
https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2023/08/26/qarz-a26.html

 

Hot Union Summer Continues With the Nation's Only Unionized Strip Club
https://www.them.us/story/star-garden-topless-dive-bar-unionized

 

Police Have “Strong Leads” Into the Mass Shooting at a Minneapolis Queer Punk House
https://www.them.us/story/nudieland-minneapolis-pink-house-shooting-what-we-know

 

Man who fatally shot woman for having a Pride flag is a far-right religious zealot and son of a cop
https://www.vpsreports.com/post/man-who-fatally-shot-woman-for-having-a-pride-flag-is-a-far-right-religious-zealot-and-son-of-a-cop

 

In Brazil, Using Homophobic Slurs Is Now Punishable By Prison
https://www.them.us/story/brazil-homophobic-hate-speech-punishable-crime

 

Gary Younge on Jacksonville Shooting & Why America’s Gun Problem “Makes Its Racism More Lethal”
https://www.democracynow.org/2023/8/28/gary_younge_jacksonville