Media Cyphers Kalamazoo

Ep. 49: Calling Out Some B.S. in Progressive Media, Liberal Politicians Throw Abortion & Trans Rights Under the Bus, and More

We begin our show by turning our critical lens towards alternative media that have made some big missteps, looking at how some reactionary ideas have bled into some high-profile lefty outlets.

In the wake of the recent allegations against Russell Brand the World Socialist Web Site quickly published an op-ed coming to their defense. It is part of a larger and bizarre pattern of the WSWS that sees it go from Leon Trotsky to Ben Shapiro at the speed of light when it comes to anything even tangentially related to #MeToo. We ask why an ostensibly Socialist website feels compelled to devote resources to defending bourgeois celebrities from, particularly in Brand's case, very credible allegations.

We then talk about popular lefty YouTuber Jimmy Dore's recent interview with racial justice scholar and presidential candidate Dr. Cornel West. Met with the opportunity to interview such a legendary figure Dore took the opportunity to try and convert West to class reductionism.

From news media to the world of politics we look at a member of the Michigan house who is hamstringing expanding access to abortion resources in the state, and the governor of California who has recently thrown trans people under the bus.

We talk about an article from the Smithsonian that codifies and boosts some critical history about the Nazi oppression of trans people and close our show talking about (now former) Fox News owner Rupert Murdoch's surprise retirement.

 

0:00- 30:20 Russell Brand, WSWS, Jimmy Dore, and Calling Out Reactionary B.S. in Left-Wing Media

 

30:20- 58:00 "Don't Trust the Liberals" Dems in Michigan and California Throw Abortion & Trans Right Under the Bus

 

58:00- 1:04:50 Smithsonian Article Highlights Oppression of Trans People in Nazi Germany

 

1:04:50- 11:11:20 Rupert Murdoch Retires

 

SOURCES/ FURTHER READING

WSWS Coming to the Defense of Bourgeois Predator Russell Brand
https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2023/09/21/ygvq-s21.html

 

Jimmy Dore Abuses Cornel West For Caring About Black People
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCxgSXJhxwg

 

Meet the Democrat blocking Michigan abortion bills. She says she’s not alone
https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-government/meet-democrat-blocking-michigan-abortion-bills-she-says-shes-not-alone

 

“A stunning betrayal” Gavin Newsom vetoes bill protecting trans kids in California
https://www.vpsreports.com/post/a-stunning-betrayal-gavin-newsom-vetoes-bill-protecting-trans-kids

 

Anti-Trans Canadian March Outnumbered By Huge Trans Rights Crowds, Teachers Unions
https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/anti-trans-canadian-march-outnumbered

 

New Research Reveals How the Nazis Targeted Transgender People
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/new-research-reveals-how-the-nazis-targeted-transgender-people-180982931/

 

As Rupert Murdoch Resigns from His Right-Wing Media Empire, Will His Son Lachlan Be Even More Extreme?
https://www.democracynow.org/2023/9/22/rupert_murdoch

 

Ep. 48: 9/11 @ 22, Cop City Activists Handed RICO Charges, Transphobic Lawsuit in Vicksburg, and More

We begin our show with reflections on the 22nd anniversary of 9/11. What legacies has America left in the world in the wake of the War on Terror, the media lies that have created a culture of distrust around the media (for both good and ill), the militarization of police, and the legacy of Islamophobia that has become one of America's grossest exports.

 

We then look at the RICO charges brought against the Cop City activists in Atlanta, which essentially seeks to criminalize dissent and activities like "mutual aid" and "handing out flyers." We look at its chilling effect on free speech, the bipartisan complicity of the charges, and what it means for activists broadly.

 

We look at a story that examines the implications of surveillance capitalism in your car, and talk about a recent transphobic lawsuit filed against Vicksburg schools that essentially argues that allowing trans students to use the bathroom is a violation against CIS students. A former (very reactionary) candidate for attorney general is involved and we talk about their role in the suit.

 

We then look at the sentencing handed down for leaders of the Proud Boys, and ask how justice differs based on race and whether insurrections occurred at the capitol or in the streets of Kalamazoo.

 

We close out the show playing back a recording of speakers from The Rent is Too Damn High rally that recently took place in Lansing.

 

0:00- 33:00 Reflections on 9/11

 

33:00- 49:00 RICO Charges Brought Against Cop City Activists

 

49:20- 59:00 Surveillance Capitalism in Your Car

 

59:00- 1:08:10 Transphobic Lawsuit Filed Against Vicksburg Schools

 

1:08:10- 1:16:00 Stand Back and Stand By for Proud Boy Sentencing

 

1:16:25- 1:40:00 Speakers from the Rent Is Too Damn High Rally

 

SOURCES/ FURTHER READING

 

“A Political Prosecution”: 61 Cop City Opponents Hit with RICO Charges by Georgia’s Republican AG
https://www.democracynow.org/2023/9/6/stop_cop_city_rico_charges

 

Cop City Indictments Threaten Press Freedom Too
https://theintercept.com/2023/09/11/cop-city-indictments-protest-press-freedom

 

It’s Official: Cars Are the Worst Product Category We Have Ever Reviewed for Privacy
https://foundation.mozilla.org/en/privacynotincluded/articles/its-official-cars-are-the-worst-product-category-we-have-ever-reviewed-for-privacy/

 

Students sue Michigan school district for allowing transgender kids in girls’ bathrooms
https://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/2023/08/students-sue-michigan-school-district-for-allowing-all-genders-in-girls-restrooms.html

 

Two ex-Proud Boys leaders get long sentences in Jan. 6 Capitol attack
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/former-organizer-for-far-right-proud-boys-sentenced-to-17-years-for-plot-to-keep-trump-in-power

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

 

Ep. 46: Hip-Hop Politics, Michigan GOP Responds to Indictments, AI Policing in Detroit, and More

We open the show talking about the Michigan GOP's response to the indictments against local politicians and officials for participating in Donald Trump's false elector scheme. While hemming and hawing about potential violence and civil war, we look at the privilege at play and why the MAGA right is so shocked to be seeing the consequences of their own actions- and how both their propaganda playbook and "false neutrality" skews the very obvious (i.e., if you try to overthrow the government, there will likely be consequences).

 

We talk about the viral brawl on the Montgomery* docks, when some petit-bougeois racists picked a fight with a city boat captain and got more than they bargained for. 

 

We talk about the 50th anniversary of hip-hop and the impact it has had on our own political development as well as American culture more broadly.

 

Facial recognition technology falsely accused a pregnant woman in Detroit- we talk about the systemic racism baked into AI algorithms and why we should worry more about AI perpetuating current injustices than Skynet putting us all in The Matrix.

 

We look at an article that focuses on the way reactionaries cherry pick and try to downplay scientific evidence when it doesn't confirm their own biases- in this case a study on the rate of regret for people who transition.

 

We close by talking about how voters rejected a proposal to make ballot initiatives more difficult to appear on the ballot in the state of Ohio- and how that relates to abortion, trans rights, and capitalism.

 

*In several instances Andy referred to the Montgomery brawl as having taken place in Birmingham. It was, in fact, in Montgomery.

 

"The Kākoʻo Maui Fund is providing resources that can be deployed quickly and efficiently to support recovery efforts on Maui. CNHA is working in close collaboration with state and county leaders, nonprofit organizations, and community members to get an understanding of the quickly evolving priorities. Funding will support evolving needs, including shelter, food, financial assistance, and other services as identified by our partners doing critical work to support Maui."

https://www.memberplanet.com/campaign/cnhamembers/kakoomaui

 

01:15- 29:00  Michigan GOP Response to Indictments

 

29:00- 40:30 Boatside Brawl in Montgomery

 

40:30- 59:30 The 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop

 

59:30- 1:15:10 Facial Recognition AI Falsely Accuses Pregnant Woman in Detroit

 

1:15:10- 1:20:00 The Science Is In and TERFs Aren't Happy

 

1:20:00- 1:26:23 Ohio Voters Hold the Line on Ballot Initiatives

 

SOURCES/ FURTHER READING

 

‘They’re Going to Shoot Someone’: Michigan Republicans Warn of Civil War at Pool Party Fundraiser for Fake Electors
https://themessenger.com/politics/michigan-republicans-fake-electors-civil-war-dana-nessel-matt-maddock

 

A White Mob Attacked a Black Riverboat Captain. This Time, His Life Mattered.
https://truthout.org/articles/a-white-mob-attacked-a-black-riverboat-captain-this-time-his-life-mattered/

 

Fight the Power: How Hip Hop Changed the World
https://www.pbs.org/show/fight-power-how-hip-hop-changed-world/

 

Meet Porcha Woodruff, Detroit Woman Jailed While 8 Months Pregnant After False AI Facial Recognition
https://www.democracynow.org/2023/8/9/porcha_woodruff_false_facial_recognition_arrest

 

Conservatives Are Now Blaming Science For Low Trans Regret Rates
https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/conservatives-are-now-blaming-science

 

Nina Turner: Ohio Voters Have Rejected GOP Power Grab In Victory for Democracy & Abortion Access
https://www.democracynow.org/2023/8/9/ohio_abortion_constitution_restriction_nina_turner

 

Republicans Are Making It Harder to Pass Citizen-Led Ballot Measures on Abortion
https://truthout.org/articles/republicans-are-making-it-harder-to-pass-citizen-led-ballot-measures-on-abortion/

 

FBI & Colorado Springs Police Sued for Targeting & Spying on Racial Justice Protesters
https://www.democracynow.org/2023/8/3/blm_protests_fbi_infiltration_entrapment

 

“War Zone”: Native Hawaiian Scholar Says Colonialism Set Stage for Destruction as Death Toll Soars
https://www.democracynow.org/2023/8/14/maui_wildfire_kaleikoa_kaeo

 

BOOK CLUB#3: The Many Worlds of American (and Michigan) Communism

We talk with Dr. Joshua Morris about their recent book "The Many Worlds of American Communism," a sprawling and essential historical text that looks at the history of both grassroots and political institutions of the communist and pan-Socialist left from the early 20th century through the post-war years and McCarthyism.

 

We unearth lost grassroots histories, closely examine the victories and contradictions of American communism, chart the party and the American left's decline through both its internal contradictions and the onslaught of anti-communism and McCarthyism, and spend some time talking about some important organizing and events that are Pure Michigan.

 

SOURCES/ FURTHER READING

 

The Many Worlds of American Communism
By Dr. Joshua Morris

https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781793631961/The-Many-Worlds-of-American-Communism

 

Ideas They Cannot Jail
The Autobiography of Eugene Dennis
General Secretary of the Communist Party of the United States

https://archive.org/details/ideastheycannotj0000euge/page/n3/mode/2up

 

Communist Councilman from Harlem
Autobiographical Notes Written in a Federal Penitentiary
By Benjamin J. Davis

https://www.amazon.com/Communist-Councilman-Harlem-Autobiographical-Penitentiary/dp/0717806804

 

Trotskyists on Trial
Free Speech and Political Persecution Since the Age of FDR
By Donna T. Haverty-Stacke

https://nyupress.org/9781479851942/trotskyists-on-trial/

 

The Narrative of Hosea Hudson
His Life as a Negro Communist in the South
By Nell Irvin Painter

https://archive.org/details/narrativeofhosea0000huds

 

Red Feminism
American Communism and the Making of Women's Liberation
By Kate Weigand

https://press.jhu.edu/books/title/2245/red-feminism

 

Joy in the Struggle
My Life and Love
By Beatrice Lumpkin

https://www.intpubnyc.com/browse/joy-in-the-struggle/

 

Ep. 45: NOW Kalamazoo’s Ben Lando on KPS Survey, Mental Health in Kzoo, and More

We are joined by Ben Lando, a reporter with NowKalamazoo, to discuss his recent articles detailing the concerns of KPS workers in a survey they conducted, as well as looking at burnout of local mental health workers and other associated issues.

 

SOURCES

KPS educators and administration at odds on solving teacher shortage

https://nowkalamazoo.com/2023/07/kps-educators-and-administration-at-odds-on-solving-teacher-shortage/

 

The people helping you avoid burnout are burnt out. That’s not good for anyone.

https://nowkalamazoo.com/2023/07/the-people-helping-you-avoid-burnout-are-burnt-out-thats-not-good-for-anyone/

 

 

Ep. 44: Houseless Residents Ticketed by KDPS, Ottawa Becomes ”Constitutional” County, Fascism in the U.S. and Ukraine, and More

We begin with a round-up of local stories affecting the city of Kalamazoo and the state of Michigan- how new enforcement of ordinances is putting pressure on houseless residents, how young people in Kalamazoo are responding to the climate crisis, legal fallout for individuals who pushed the "Stop the Steal" narrative in 2020, and more.

Norah then joins the conversation to look at how Ottawa has voted to become a "constitutional" county. We look at the movement behind this vote and how it often uses the fig-leaf of the constitution to grow a broader right-wing anti-government coalition and ask, constitutional rights for whom, exactly?

As commissioners in Ottawa crow about the tyrannical government we look at the tyrannical government in action and the violations of human rights occurring in ICE detention centers.

We talk about an important story from The Nation that sketches out how the Western Media has largely used their platform to rehabilitate the Neo-Nazi Azov Battalion in Ukraine- even many outlets that had highlighted their fascist bonafides over the course of the last decade. We talk about what this means from a media scrutiny lens and the deeper implications for U.S. imperialism.

We close out with a brief discussion about several bills that could further censor and deter freedom of movement on the internet.

01:30- 10:00 KDPS Ticketing of Houseless Residents Escalates

10:10- 16:25 Megan Maddock Resigns From KPS Board

17:15- 23:30 Local Climate March in Kzoo

23:35- 27:50 WWMT Frames UPS Strike as Hurting Local Businesses
28:10- 37:30 False Trump Electors Face Felony Charges in Michigan

38:40- 51:10 Ottawa Becomes "Constitutional" County
51:20- 1:05:20 Humans Rights Abuses on Immigrants by ICE
1:05:30- 1:26:30 The Whitewashing of the Neo-Nazi Azov Battalion by Western Media
1:26:40- 1:31:30 Internet Censorship and Control

 

SOURCES/ FURTHER READING

More homeless people ticketed in parks as Kalamazoo ramps up enforcement
https://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/2023/07/more-homeless-people-ticketed-in-parks-as-kalamazoo-ramps-up-enforcement.html

 

Kalamazoo school board member resigns; 2nd departure in 6 weeks
https://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/2023/07/kalamazoo-school-board-member-resigns-2nd-departure-in-6-weeks.html

 

‘Right now’: masked marchers demand climate crisis action
https://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/2023/07/right-now-masked-marchers-demand-climate-crisis-action.html

 

Potential UPS strike threatens small businesses in Kalamazoo 
https://wwmt.com/news/local/ups-union-workers-strike-delaying-package-deliveries-new-contract-agreement-lanas-boutique-industry-employees

 

16 false Trump electors face felony charges in Michigan
https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/michigan/2023/07/18/michigan-donald-trump-fake-electors-charged-felonies-attorney-general-dana-nessel/70427042007/

 

Ottawa County becomes ‘constitutional county’
https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2023/05/ottawa-county-becomes-constitutional-county.html

 

Chicago police officers investigated for abusing migrant youth forced to sleep in police stations
https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2023/07/15/dhir-j15.html

 

“Immensely Invisible”: Immigrant Women in ICE Jails Face Sexual Abuse Despite Reforms, Report Reveals
https://www.democracynow.org/2023/7/21/maria_hinojosa_immensely_invisible_ice_detention

 

DOJ Threatens to Sue Texas Gov. Abbott for Installing Barrels Wrapped in Razor Wire in Rio Grande
https://www.democracynow.org/2023/7/24/texas_border_abbott

 

The Western Media Is Whitewashing the Azov Battalion
https://www.thenation.com/article/world/azov-battalion-neo-nazi/

 

You Can Help Stop These Bad Internet Bills
https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2023/07/you-can-help-stop-these-bad-internet-bills

 

Background Music by Quantum Fleek

Ep. 43: Pollution in Kzoo, Strike Updates, Student Debt, Transphobia in Michigan, and More

On today's program we begin with a couple of important articles that provide serious analysis to issues around the state.

NowKalamazoo recently published a special report on the challenges facing Kalamazoo teachers in our school system. LeftVoice provides us with a critical update on the striking grad students at the University of Michigan, and looks at how the administration is engaging in some deceptive propaganda around the concept of a 'living wage.'

We are joined by our co-hosts Lawrence and Norah and talk about some important local environmental issues. Last week there was a massive dumping of duplicitous doo-doo into the Kalamazoo River, and the lawsuit against Graphic Packaging for polluting the Northside neighborhood will be moving forward.

Pivoting to national news we look at the big story around SAG-AFTRA joining the writer's guild in one of the most monumental strike actions in the entertainment industry in 60 years. We talk about the conditions that lead to the strike, break down the reductive propaganda about the actor's union being an exclusive providence for residents of the Hollywood hills, and how the larger points around AI factor into broader worker's struggles.

The Biden administration has unveiled its newest student debt relief plan. While maneuvering around the legal hurdles imposed by the Supreme Court, it is another exercise in lowered expectations addressing a problem that is unique to American capitalism.

We close the show by looking at transphobia in Traverse City and Hamtramck. The Traverse City story highlights the aftermath of the disastrous Supreme Court decision, and in Hamtramck we talk about how municipalities can weaponize the decision- and how the Hamtramck city council is making a fundamental error in the necessity of solidarity (the same people who are coming after the LGBTQ+ community are similarly prejudiced against the all-Muslim city council).

We then talk about the transphobic rhetoric coming from progressive news outlet "The Young Turks"- where they lost their way and how it emboldens transphobes on the right.

01:30- 13:20 NowKalamazoo Article Highlights Struggles of KPS Teachers

13:21- 26:00 Update on Grad Student Strike at University of Michigan

27:55- 34:50 A Crappy Week For the Kalamazoo River

34:50- 49:30 Graphic Packaging Lawsuit Moves Forward

49:30- 54:20 A Brief Discussion on Billionaires and Submarines

54:30- 1:14:20 Lights! Camera! Strike Action! Writers & Actors Unite

1:14:50- 1:30:00 Student Debt- Biden's New Plan and Neoliberalism in Action
--1:30:00- Student Debt and the Supreme Court

1:32:00- 1:50:20 Transphobia in Michigan and "The Young Terfs"

 

SOURCES/ FURTHER READING

 

KPS educators and administration at odds on solving teacher shortage

https://nowkalamazoo.com/2023/07/kps-educators-and-administration-at-odds-on-solving-teacher-shortage

 

The University of Michigan Exploits Graduate Workers, Refuses to Pay a Living Wage

https://www.leftvoice.org/the-university-of-michigan-exploits-graduate-workers-refuses-to-pay-a-living-wage

 

No-contact order for Kalamazoo river lifted after wastewater discharge

https://www.mlive.com/news/2023/07/no-contact-order-for-kalamazoo-river-lifted-after-wastewater-discharge.html

 

Federal judge rules lawsuit against Graphic Packaging can move forward

https://wwmt.com/news/local/graphic-packaging-international-kalamazoo-lawsuit-northside-air-quality-gas-emission-michigan-health-study

 

Thousands of actors join picket lines in Los Angeles and New York

https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2023/07/15/jslr-j15.html

 

How Biden's latest student loan forgiveness differs from debt relief blocked by Supreme Court

https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/biden-student-loan-forgiveness-different-student-debt-relief-supreme-court/

 

A Michigan Hair Salon Is Refusing Trans Clients, Citing Pronouns and Pedophiles

https://www.them.us/story/michigan-hair-salon-refusing-trans-clients

 

Detroit-area human relations commissioners ousted after flying LGBTQ+ flag in violation of new ban

https://wwmt.com/news/state/hamtramck-lgbtq-flag-ban-human-relations-commissioners-russ-gordon-catrina-stackpoole-public-violation

 

 

 

Ep. 42: Anti-Homeless Ordinances in Kzoo & Michigan, Rittenhouse in Grand Haven, and More

We begin today's show by paying respects to a member of Kalamazoo's activist community who tragically passed away last month. Boudicca Marie was a prolific volunteer, medic, and friend to many. We honor their memory and talk about what social justice issues were close to their heart.

 

We then look at a spate of anti-homeless ordinances that have been popping up across the state- from here in Kalamazoo to Hillsdale and Grand Rapids. We talk about how NIMBYism filters into public policy and the real solutions that need to be looked at to address houselessness in our communities.

 

The far-right PAC "Grand New Party" is bringing the notorious fascist murderer Kyle Rittenhouse to Michigan for a fundraiser event in Grand Haven. We deep dive into exactly who Grand New Party is as a political PAC and the incendiary rhetoric and propaganda they push.

 

We share a piece from The Intercept detailing the way the FBI hired out private companies to spy on Black Lives Matter organizers on social media.

 

We then ask the question, what to a Socialist is the Fourth of July?

 

02:30- 7:50 R.I.P. Boudicca

09:30- 22:20 Anti-Homeless Ordinances in Kzoo & Michigan

24:20- 1:01:30 Brunch with a Murderer: Far-Right Michigan PAC Fundraises With Kyle Rittenhouse

1:02:50- 1:06:00 Ann Arbor to Launch Universal Basic Income Pilot

1:06:10- 1:14:30 FBI Surveils Black Lives Matter Activists on Social Media

1:14:40- 1:19:20 What to a Socialist is the Fourth of July?

 

SOURCES

 

Cities call it public safety, but new rules put Michigan’s homeless in the crosshairs

https://www.mlive.com/politics/2023/07/cities-call-it-public-safety-but-new-rules-put-michigans-homeless-in-the-crosshairs.html

 

Michigan lawmaker launches 'Grand New Party' PAC, says GOP was 'too passive'

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/michigan/2022/11/14/state-lawmaker-starts-grand-new-party-pac-says-gop-too-passive/69647049007/

 

Ann Arbor is launching a guaranteed income program. What that means

https://www.bridgemi.com/business-watch/ann-arbor-launching-guaranteed-income-program-what-means

 

FBI Hired Social Media Surveillance Firm That Labeled Black Lives Matter Organizers “Threat Actors”

https://theintercept.com/2023/07/06/fbi-social-media-surveillance-zerofox/

 

Recorded live on 89.1 WIDR July 11th, 2023

Background music by Quantum Fleek

Ep. 41: Drag the Fash- Reactionairies Threaten to Disrupt Local Drag Events

In this episode we talk about the attempted disruption of two separate drag events in the Kalamazoo area by fascist elements- how the community responded, what happened at the site, the role of a firmly mask-off Kalamazoo GOP spreading anti-LGBTQ propaganda, the response from local media, and more.

 

In our second part we update you on the latest in Ottawa County where the commission is moving forward to make Ottawa a "constitutional county." A piece from the Holland Sentinel sheds light on what this all means and the extremist ideology behind it.

 

0:30- 34:00 Drag The Fash- Reactionaries Mobilize Against Local Drag Events

34:40- Ottawa Impact Update

 

SOURCES

 

Is Ottawa County becoming a 'blueprint for America'? What happens next? (hollandsentinel.com)