Laura Flanders and Friends: Solutions-Focused Progressive Perspectives on Politics, News, and Culture

Laura Flanders, Curious Communications

Uncensored history meets bold voices with Laura Flanders, award winning journalist and author. The show explores actionable models for creating a better world by reporting on the people and movements driving systemic change. We spotlight the solutions of tomorrow, today. The show airs on PBS stations in over 300 US markets, and airs on 60+ community radio stations via PRX Exchange and Pacifica, and is available on YouTube and here as a podcast. Subscribers receive lots of video and audio web exclusives in addition to the weekly episode. Recent field reports and specials include: Jimmy Carter; 60th Anniversary of Selma Bloody Sunday March; Bernie Sanders' Fighting Oligarchy; Labor Movement vs. Fascism: Worker Organizers & Teachers Under Attack; And interviewee highlights include Award Winning Actor, Director, Writer, Liev Schreiber on his documentary "Meeting Zelensky"; Award winning journalists Maria Hinojosa (Award Winning Suave Podcast and host of Latino USA) & Chenjerai Kumanyika (Award Winning Podcast Series Empire City) on Forced Removals, Foreign Detention, the War on Education & Free Speech; Democracy & Capitalism: A Failed Experiment? with Bloomberg Economist & host of Truponomics, Stephanie Flanders; Masha Gessen & Jason Stanley on fascism then and now; Naomi Klein & Astra Taylor on the arc of history and “End Times Fascism”; Congressman Jamie Raskin on Donald Trump, Elon Musk, DOGE, and congressional oversight of the executive branch."

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Nov 4, 2024 • 4min

Bad Surprises, Good Surprises: Reflections on the Trump Rally in New York City | Commentary

LAURA FLANDERS - COMMENTARY And one of those came to mind was in 1999, when V, then known as Eve Ensler of Vagina Monologues and V-Day and One Billion Rising fame, filled that 18,000 seat stadium, with women and their allies pledging themselves to stop violence against women and girls, to stop gender-based violence in our lifetime. Improbable? Unlikely? Unpredictable? You bet. They laced the whole place with red caution tape that read “rape-free zone.” Was it surprising? Yes, but it happened all the same, albeit with less media coverage. Other things have happened in the last few years that should surprise us and remind us of what we can accomplish when we decide to. We invested trillions of dollars in infrastructure rebuilding and creation of new jobs. We saw millions of people brought out of poverty thanks to an increase in the child tax credit. We saw pharmaceutical prices brought down. We saw investments in industries that will help reduce climate change. And we saw a pandemic stopped in its tracks, largely, by the very speedy creation of a vaccine. In our lifetime, too, I was reminded this past weekend at Madison Square Garden that we were celebrating the 100th anniversary of a public transportation system. The New York City subway, again the product of commitment, investment of public dollars for the public good. A surprise, perhaps, that we could ever accomplish such things. But we have. And we can do it again. So surprises, bad? Sure. Possible. Surprises, good? I'm putting my belief and confidence there. I think more good surprises are in store for us if we simply put our minds to it and maybe invest, invest a bit of our effort and our cash. Till the next time, I encourage you to spend the week as you will, but stay kind and stay curious. And join me back here next time when we convene a special all-star panel to reflect on Election Day. You can find all the information at our website. And don't forget, every week the podcast subscribers, the people that subscribe to our free podcasts receive the uncut version of every conversation. And believe you me. Much of the conversation that I'd love to bring to you ends up on the cutting room floor. So subscribe to the podcast. Subscribe to our channel right here on YouTube. And if you haven't told your friends about us, write a review or share with your pals. It's how we get out the word about this show. This show is made possible by you! To become a sustaining member go to https://LauraFlanders.org/donate Thank you for your continued support! Laura Flanders and Friends Crew: Laura Flanders-Executive Producer, Writer; Sabrina Artel-Supervising Producer; Jeremiah Cothren-Senior Producer; Veronica Delgado-Video Editor, Janet Hernandez-Communications Director; Jeannie Hopper-Audio Director, Podcast & Radio Producer, Audio Editor, Sound Design, Narrator; Sarah Miller-Development Director, Nat Needham-Editor, Graphic Design emeritus; David Neuman-Senior Video Editor, and Rory O’Conner-Senior Consulting Producer. FOLLOW Laura Flanders and FriendsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraflandersandfriends/Blueky: https://bsky.app/profile/lfandfriends.bsky.socialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LauraFlandersAndFriends/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lauraflandersandfriendsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFLRxVeYcB1H7DbuYZQG-lgLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lauraflandersandfriendsPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/lauraflandersandfriendsACCESSIBILITY - The broadcast edition of this episode is available with closed captioned by clicking here for our YouTube Channel

Nov 1, 2024 • 46min

Full Conversation- Another January 6 Insurrection?: 'War Game' Film Asks if We’re Ready

Full Description: What if January 6 happened again? Are we prepared for another post-election insurrection? “War Game” is a riveting political thriller that tackles this question head-on in what Rolling Stone calls, “the scariest documentary you’ll see this year.” “War Game” features a cast of senior officials war-gaming a constitutional crisis, including former North Dakota Senator Heidi Heitkamp, playing a senior advisor to a newly elected President, Retired US Army Lieutenant General Jeffrey Buchanan and Janessa Goldbeck, a Marine Corps veteran and the CEO of Vet Voice Foundation. This time on Laura Flanders & Friends, Laura’s joined by Goldbeck who also produced the war game that is at the center of the film as well as the film’s directors, Tony Gerber and Jesse Moss, both of whom are award-winning filmmakers. Together they discuss why many Americans — disproportionately military veterans — have joined domestic extremist groups, and what can be done. What reforms to the Insurrection Act are necessary at this moment? All that, plus a commentary from Laura on Donald Trump’s appearance at New York’s Madison Square Garden.“. . . Domestic extremist groups, particularly on the far Right, have been targeting veterans and military family members for recruitment . . . We've seen veterans and active duty military disproportionately represented in places like the January 6 insurrection in 2021, where one in five of the people who were charged in the insurrection were actually military veterans.” - Janessa Goldbeck“The notion that democracy is this sort of idyllic perfect thing that was once great and will be great again is a complete fabrication. Democracy has always been flawed, it's always been in process . . . There's got to be certain issues that we can all agree on, like the peaceful transfer of power.” - Tony Gerber“[In the war game], we see a healthy politics model, people who probably disagree on a lot of things politically, but actually agree on one important thing, which is safeguarding our democracy . . . I think modeling healthy politics is really valuable today. It's hard to look around and see how people are working together across partisan divides to get work done on Capitol Hill or in state houses.” - Jesse MossGuests:• Tony Gerber: Co-Director & Writer, War Game• Janessa Goldbeck: CEO, Vet Voice Foundation; Game Producer, War Game• Jesse Moss: Co-Director, Writer & Producer, War Game Watch the broadcast episode cut for time airing on PBS stations across the country at our YouTube channel Related Laura Flanders Show Episodes:• Political Violence & MAGA Militancy: Strategies to Protect Democracy Watch / Podcast + Uncut Full Conversation• Congressman Jamie Raskin On January 6th: After a Failed Coup, a Successful One? Watch / Podcast + Uncut Full Conversation• Community Safety in a Time of Insurrection: Watch / Podcast • Graphic Artists Drawing Comix At The Margins: Nate Powell and Mohammad Saba’aneh Watch / Podcast Related Articles and Resources:• ‘War Game’ Is the Scariest Documentary You’ll See This Year, by David Fear,August 2, 2024, Rolling Stone•. The Posse Comitatus Act Explained, by Joseph Nunn, October 14, 2021, Brennan Center• Legal experts worry about presidential abuse of the Insurrection Act. Here’s Why, by Carrie Johnson, March 28, 2024, NPR-WAMU• ‘Mischief and problems’: rightwing activists ramp up drive to hand-count ballots, by Rachel Leingang, The GuardianFull Episode Notes are located HERE. They include related episodes, articles, and more. Laura Flanders and Friends Crew: Laura Flanders-Executive Producer, Writer; Sabrina Artel-Supervising Producer; Jeremiah Cothren-Senior Producer; Veronica Delgado-Video Editor, Janet Hernandez-Communications Director; Jeannie Hopper-Audio Director, Podcast & Radio Producer, Audio Editor, Sound Design, Narrator; Sarah Miller-Development Director, Nat Needham-Editor, Graphic Design emeritus; David Neuman-Senior Video Editor, and Rory O’Conner-Senior Consulting Producer. FOLLOW Laura Flanders and FriendsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraflandersandfriends/Blueky: https://bsky.app/profile/lfandfriends.bsky.socialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LauraFlandersAndFriends/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lauraflandersandfriendsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFLRxVeYcB1H7DbuYZQG-lgLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lauraflandersandfriendsPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/lauraflandersandfriendsACCESSIBILITY - The broadcast edition of this episode is available with closed captioned by clicking here for our YouTube Channel

Oct 30, 2024 • 29min

Full Conversation- From Ballots to Bodies: Abortion, Trans Rights & the Battle for Bodily Autonomy

Full Description: The 2022 Supreme Court ruling to overturn Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health dramatically changed the political scene. Still, just two years on, we are witnessing another watershed moment in the struggle for abortion rights. This Election Day, 10 states will vote on whether to enshrine abortion rights in their state constitution. Since 2022, every ballot measure to protect abortion rights has passed while every measure to restrict or weaken those rights has failed. Meanwhile, extremist Republicans are pushing for a total national abortion ban and seem to have Trump on their side. He told Fox News just days ago that a national abortion ban is “off the table,” but “we’ll see what happens.” Joining us to share what’s at stake and what can be done are Nadine Smith, the director of Equality Florida who heads the state's largest organization dedicated to ending discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Heidi L. Sieck is a Political Strategist & Founder of VOTEPROCHOICE that focuses on reproductive freedom at the state and local levels. And Renee Bracey Sherman, a reproductive justice advocate is the co-author of the just-released book, “LIBERATING ABORTION: Claiming Our History, Sharing Our Stories, and Building the Reproductive Future We Deserve.” Together they unpack how abortion, access to trans health, contraception and freedom from sterilization abuse are all part of the far Right’s agenda to control bodies. Could reproductive rights leap forward in 2024, not back? Plus a commentary from Laura.“. . . Just last month we had the Gender Liberation March in DC . . . We had a tent for banned books because as they're banning sex ed, as they're banning trans youth healthcare, trans healthcare and abortion, they're also banning books . . . It's the same people. They're just fighting about a different thing on a different day. And so when we come together, we'll be able to stand against them.” - Renee Bracey Sherman“We have to remember that this is an infrastructure investment issue . . . For decades, the money on the anti-choice side has been going to investments in these local infrastructure. We don't operate like that on the progressive and political Democratic side. Most of our investments are going into the federal infrastructure, and that is the problem.” - Heidi L. Sieck“The governor in Florida has been so extreme. He has sent investigators to people's homes for signing the petition that got the constitutional amendment on the ballot that would restore access to abortion in Florida . . . He's threatening television stations that run ads that are in support of the abortion ballot measure.” - Nadine SmithGuests:• Renee Bracey Sherman: Co-Author Liberating Abortion; Founder & Co-Executive Director, WeTestify• Heidi L. Sieck: Political Strategist & Founder, VOTEPROCHOICE• Nadine Smith: Executive Director, Equality FloridaFull Conversation Release: While our weekly shows are edited to time for broadcast on Public TV and community radio, we offer to our members and podcast subscribers the full uncut conversation. The following is from our episode "From Ballots to Bodies: Abortion, Trans Rights & the Battle for Bodily Autonomy." These audio exclusives are made possible thanks to our member supporters. Become a member at https://LauraFlanders.org/donate Watch the episode at our YouTube channelRelated Laura Flanders Show Episodes:• Democrats Stave Off Disaster, For Now? YouTube / Podcast• Post Dobbs Crisis: Visions for Abortion Access & Radical Care: YouTube / Podcast• 50 Years After Roe, Is Reporting on Abortion Still Too White?: YouTube / Podcast Related Articles and Resources:• State Laws & Policies as of October 7, 2024: State Bans on Abortion Throughout Pregnancy, By Buttmacher• Mapping Attacks on LGBTQ Rights in U.S. State Legislatures in 2024: The ACLU is tracking 530 anti-LGBTQ bills in the U.S., ACLU.org• The Maga Legal Networks That Could Topple Planned Parenthood and Gut Women's Healthcare, by Melissa Segura, October 21, 2024, The Guardian• Ron DeSantis accused of ‘intimidation campaign’ against abortion rights, by Joseph Contreras, September 29, 2024, The Guardian• Florida LGBTQ+ Rights Groups and Plaintiffs Reach Historic Settlement to Roll Back Key Discriminatory Provisions in “Don’t Say Gay” Law, Equality Florida *Recommended book:“LIBERATING ABORTION: Claiming Our History, Sharing Our Stories, and Building the Reproductive Future We Deserve” by Renee Bracey Sherman and Regina Mahone *Get the Book(*Bookshop is an online bookstore with a mission to financially support local, independent bookstores. The LF Show is an affiliate of bookshop.org and will receive a small commission if you click through and make a purchase.)Full Episode Notes are located HERE. They include related episodes, articles, and more. Laura Flanders and Friends Crew: Laura Flanders-Executive Producer, Writer; Sabrina Artel-Supervising Producer; Jeremiah Cothren-Senior Producer; Veronica Delgado-Video Editor, Janet Hernandez-Communications Director; Jeannie Hopper-Audio Director, Podcast & Radio Producer, Audio Editor, Sound Design, Narrator; Sarah Miller-Development Director, Nat Needham-Editor, Graphic Design emeritus; David Neuman-Senior Video Editor, and Rory O’Conner-Senior Consulting Producer. FOLLOW Laura Flanders and FriendsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraflandersandfriends/Blueky: https://bsky.app/profile/lfandfriends.bsky.socialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LauraFlandersAndFriends/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lauraflandersandfriendsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFLRxVeYcB1H7DbuYZQG-lgLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lauraflandersandfriendsPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/lauraflandersandfriendsACCESSIBILITY - The broadcast edition of this episode is available with closed captioned by clicking here for our YouTube Channel

Oct 16, 2024 • 30min

Abolition, Decolonization, and Immigration, Election 2024: Key Topics at the Chicago Socialism Conference

Discover how the Left is envisioning a liberated future in today's political climate at the Socialism Conference, hosted by Haymarket Books, featuring key activists and organizers from diverse backgrounds.En el Socialismo Conferencia en Chicago, Laura Flanders y activistas discuten la abolición, descolonización e inmigración con un enfoque en estrategias más allá del ciclo electoral.This show is made possible by you! To become a sustaining member go to https://LauraFlanders.org/donate Thank you for your continued support!Description: Abolition, decolonization, immigration, Palestine — how is the Left thinking about the future in this perilous political moment? Socialists and activists showed up in the thousands to this year’s Socialism Conference, a four-day event packed with discussion of today’s most pressing issues and strategies for organizing. Laura Flanders & Friends was there, in Chicago (just days after the Democratic National Convention) for a live taping with three renowned organizers: Nick Estes, a citizen of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe and author of “Our History is the Future: Standing Rock Versus the Dakota Access Pipeline, and the Long Tradition of Indigenous Resistance” and co-founder of The Red Nation, an organization dedicated to Native liberation; Rachel Herzing, an organizer, activist, and advocate fighting the violence of surveillance, policing and imprisonment and co-author of “How to Abolish Prisons: Lessons from the Movement Against Imprisonment”; and Harsha Walia, co-founder of No One Is Illegal, an anti-colonial migrant justice organization and author of the books “Undoing Border Imperialism” and “Border and Rule”. As you’ll hear, they’re not counting on politicians to step into office and grant their wishes. They’re focusing beyond the election cycle. Join us as we envision a liberated future and explore all that it takes to get there. Plus Laura’s commentary.“. . . Having Deb Haaland [serve as] the Secretary of Interior, has been good in the sense that we've gotten these really amazing reports on things that we've already known, that there was this massive systematic genocide of Native children . . . But at the same time, her department has overseen more oil and gas leases on federal lands than the Trump administration, and that's not an indictment of her as a person. That's an indictment of that department . . .” - Nick Estes“. . . We know every single fall in an election season that Black women get told we're the saviors of the entire world and everything relies on us, even though the rest of the time it's very happily that we're kind of left to die, quite literally. We are given this message on a regular basis, and I don't know what to say to people about that. The policies of the so-called United States are not life-affirming policies for Black people, for imprisoned people, and for people living as women.” - Rachel Herzing“I just think that the strongest counterforce to fascism and anti-colonialism is an organized Left. It is not a candidate . . . Sometimes I think we get fixated on what candidates will or won't do, and we don't think about the conditions that the Left can create to actually make those possibilities happen . . .” - Harsha WaliaGuests:•. Nick Estes (Lower Brule Sioux Tribe): Author, Our History is the Future: Standing Rock Versus the Dakota Access Pipeline, & The Long Tradition of Indigenous Resistance• Rachel Herzing: Co-Author, How to Abolish Prisons: Lessons from the Movement Against Imprisonment; Former Co-Director, Critical Resistance•. Harsha Walia: Author, Border and Rule & Undoing Border Imperialism; Co-Founder, No One Is Illegal Music In the Middle: Iman Hussein remix of “Diane Charlamagne” by Lefto Early Bird, released on Brownswood Recordings. And additional music included- "Steppin" by Podington Bear. Additional Credits: the crew for the socialism conference included Jordan Flaherty, Jonathan Klett, Baili Martin and Brooke Guntherie. And special thanks to Anthony Arnove and Sean Larson from Haymarket Books Laura Flanders and Friends Crew: Laura Flanders-Executive Producer, Writer; Sabrina Artel-Supervising Producer; Jeremiah Cothren-Senior Producer; Veronica Delgado-Video Editor, Janet Hernandez-Communications Director; Jeannie Hopper-Audio Director, Podcast & Radio Producer, Audio Editor, Sound Design, Narrator; Sarah Miller-Development Director, Nat Needham-Editor, Graphic Design emeritus; David Neuman-Senior Video Editor, and Rory O’Conner-Senior Consulting Producer. FOLLOW Laura Flanders and FriendsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraflandersandfriends/Blueky: https://bsky.app/profile/lfandfriends.bsky.socialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LauraFlandersAndFriends/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lauraflandersandfriendsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFLRxVeYcB1H7DbuYZQG-lgLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lauraflandersandfriendsPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/lauraflandersandfriendsACCESSIBILITY - The broadcast edition of this episode is available with closed captioned by clicking here for our YouTube Channel

Oct 11, 2024 • 60min

Full Conversation- Trump, Netanyahu & the Weaponizing of Fear One Year After October 7

While our weekly shows are edited to time for broadcast on Public TV and community radio, we offer to our members and podcast subscribers the full uncut conversation. These audio exclusives are made possible thanks to our member supporters. Become a member at https://LauraFlanders.org/donateFull Conversation from our episode "Trump, Netanyahu & the Weaponizing of Fear One Year After October 7":Israel’s far-right leaders, assisted by their allies in the U.S., have waged a year-long assault on Gaza in the name of “self-defense” after the attacks by Hamas on October 7 2023. Now Israel stands accused of genocide and war is breaking out across the region. Military conflict won’t make Jews — or any of us — more safe, so why do leaders like Benjamin Netanyahu and former U.S. president Donald Trump continue to get away with casting themselves as the “protectors” of Israel and the Jewish people? The Trump campaign is actually deeply allied with anti-semitic Christian Zionists whose investment in Israel is tied up with a belief in Biblical “End Times” when Jews convert or perish. In this report, (which was recorded before the Israeli assassination of Hezbollah leader, Hassan Nasrallah in Lebanon,) we turn to Ben Lorber, a Senior Analyst at Political Research Associates and co-author of the book “Safety Through Solidarity: A Radical Guide to Fighting Antisemitism.” Also joining us are Phyllis Bennis, Director of the New Internationalism Project and fellow at the Institute for Policy Studies in Washington D.C. and the author of several books on the United Nations and the Middle East; and Yoav Peck, an organizational psychologist, Executive Director of Solidarity of Nations and Israeli peace activist based in Jerusalem. Together we unpack the links between Christian Zionism and Jewish Zionism, look at how trauma has become a political tool, and ask, how might any of us become less vulnerable to the weaponizing of our fears, with a commentary from Laura.“Real antisemitism is on the rise, but the problem is with all the attention being put on the false claim that criticizing Israel, demanding a ceasefire, demanding an end to genocide, standing with South Africa, asking the International Court of Justice to hold Israel accountable for genocide [is antisemitic]. Those things are not antisemitic. But if you put all your focus there, you're not out there ending the kind of real antisemitism that comes from the Right.” - Phyllis Bennis“It doesn't make us any safer to empower the state, to go after protesters in this way, and as a Jew it’s, especially galling to me that it's done in the name of Jewish safety . . . Taking away people's speech rights, deporting people in the name of keeping me safe doesn't keep me safe.” - Ben Lorber“People are traumatized and retraumatized and dwelling on October 7. The media is supporting it every day . . . But October 7 is a year ago, and where we are now is a completely different place. So now we have a major educational challenge ahead of us to get people to see the link between Israel's occupation of the Palestinians and the present situation.” - Yoav PeckGuests:• Phyllis Bennis: Fellow, Institute for Policy Studies & Director, New Internationalism Project; International Advisor, Jewish Voice for Peace• Ben Lorber: Senior Research Analyst, Political Research Associates; Co-Author, Safety through Solidarity: A Radical Guide to Fighting Antisemitism• Yoav Peck: Organizational Psychologist; Executive Director, Achvat Amim/Solidarity of Nations Full Episode Notes are located HERE. They include related episodes, articles, and more. Laura Flanders and Friends Crew: Laura Flanders-Executive Producer, Writer; Sabrina Artel-Supervising Producer; Jeremiah Cothren-Senior Producer; Veronica Delgado-Video Editor, Janet Hernandez-Communications Director; Jeannie Hopper-Audio Director, Podcast & Radio Producer, Audio Editor, Sound Design, Narrator; Sarah Miller-Development Director, Nat Needham-Editor, Graphic Design emeritus; David Neuman-Senior Video Editor, and Rory O’Conner-Senior Consulting Producer. FOLLOW Laura Flanders and FriendsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraflandersandfriends/Blueky: https://bsky.app/profile/lfandfriends.bsky.socialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LauraFlandersAndFriends/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lauraflandersandfriendsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFLRxVeYcB1H7DbuYZQG-lgLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lauraflandersandfriendsPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/lauraflandersandfriendsACCESSIBILITY - The broadcast edition of this episode is available with closed captioned by clicking here for our YouTube Channel

Oct 9, 2024 • 29min

Trump, Netanyahu & the Weaponizing of Fear One Year After October 7

Fears Exploited: The Dangerous Alliances of Netanyahu and Trump with Religious Extremists. As tensions escalate further in the Middle East, it's crucial to explore the unexpected alliances driving conflicts, as **I s r a e l ’ s f a r - r i g h t l e a d e r s** are fiercely defending their military actions under the banner of "self-defense" while leaving the safety of the Jewish people in question. This show is made possible by you! To become a sustaining member go to https://LauraFlanders.org/donate Thank you for your continued support!Description: Israel’s far-right leaders, assisted by their allies in the U.S., have waged a year-long assault on Gaza in the name of “self-defense” after the attacks by Hamas on October 7 2023. Now Israel stands accused of genocide and war is breaking out across the region. Military conflict won’t make Jews — or any of us — more safe, so why do leaders like Benjamin Netanyahu and former U.S. president Donald Trump continue to get away with casting themselves as the “protectors” of Israel and the Jewish people? The Trump campaign is actually deeply allied with anti-semitic Christian Zionists whose investment in Israel is tied up with a belief in Biblical “End Times” when Jews convert or perish. In this report, (which was recorded before the Israeli assassination of Hezbollah leader, Hassan Nasrallah in Lebanon,) we turn to Ben Lorber, a Senior Analyst at Political Research Associates and co-author of the book “Safety Through Solidarity: A Radical Guide to Fighting Antisemitism.” Also joining us are Phyllis Bennis, Director of the New Internationalism Project and fellow at the Institute for Policy Studies in Washington D.C. and the author of several books on the United Nations and the Middle East; and Yoav Peck, an organizational psychologist, Executive Director of Solidarity of Nations and Israeli peace activist based in Jerusalem. Together we unpack the links between Christian Zionism and Jewish Zionism, look at how trauma has become a political tool, and ask, how might any of us become less vulnerable to the weaponizing of our fears, with a commentary from Laura.“Real antisemitism is on the rise, but the problem is with all the attention being put on the false claim that criticizing Israel, demanding a ceasefire, demanding an end to genocide, standing with South Africa, asking the International Court of Justice to hold Israel accountable for genocide [is antisemitic]. Those things are not antisemitic. But if you put all your focus there, you're not out there ending the kind of real antisemitism that comes from the Right.” - Phyllis Bennis“It doesn't make us any safer to empower the state, to go after protesters in this way, and as a Jew it’s, especially galling to me that it's done in the name of Jewish safety . . . Taking away people's speech rights, deporting people in the name of keeping me safe doesn't keep me safe.” - Ben Lorber“People are traumatized and retraumatized and dwelling on October 7. The media is supporting it every day . . . But October 7 is a year ago, and where we are now is a completely different place. So now we have a major educational challenge ahead of us to get people to see the link between Israel's occupation of the Palestinians and the present situation.” - Yoav PeckGuests:• Phyllis Bennis: Fellow, Institute for Policy Studies & Director, New Internationalism Project; International Advisor, Jewish Voice for Peace• Ben Lorber: Senior Research Analyst, Political Research Associates; Co-Author, Safety through Solidarity: A Radical Guide to Fighting Antisemitism• Yoav Peck: Organizational Psychologist; Executive Director, Achvat Amim/Solidarity of Nations Full Episode Notes are located HERE. They include related episodes, articles, and more.Music In the Middle: “Crystalized Greif” by Badawi from the album Protection released on UPA Recordings, Underground Producers Alliance. And additional music included- "Steppin" by Podington Bear. Laura Flanders and Friends Crew: Laura Flanders-Executive Producer, Writer; Sabrina Artel-Supervising Producer; Jeremiah Cothren-Senior Producer; Veronica Delgado-Video Editor, Janet Hernandez-Communications Director; Jeannie Hopper-Audio Director, Podcast & Radio Producer, Audio Editor, Sound Design, Narrator; Sarah Miller-Development Director, Nat Needham-Editor, Graphic Design emeritus; David Neuman-Senior Video Editor, and Rory O’Conner-Senior Consulting Producer. FOLLOW Laura Flanders and FriendsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraflandersandfriends/Blueky: https://bsky.app/profile/lfandfriends.bsky.socialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LauraFlandersAndFriends/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lauraflandersandfriendsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFLRxVeYcB1H7DbuYZQG-lgLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lauraflandersandfriendsPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/lauraflandersandfriendsACCESSIBILITY - The broadcast edition of this episode is available with closed captioned by clicking here for our YouTube Channel

Oct 4, 2024 • 49min

Full Conversation- Reporting on Policing at the Polls & BIPOC Voter Suppression in 2024

While our weekly shows are edited to time for broadcast on Public TV and community radio, we offer to our members and podcast subscribers the full uncut conversation. The following is from our episode Reporting on Policing at the Polls & BIPOC Voter Suppression in 2024. And was recorded on September 17th, 2024. These audio exclusives are made possible thanks to our member supporters. Become a member at https://LauraFlanders.org/donateDescription: Just this month, billionaire immigrant and Republican mega donor Elon Musk amplified a post that seemed to suggest that the system would work better if voting was restricted only to “high status men.” Voting should be simple, but we’re seeing more and more barriers — especially for BIPOC voters — this election. From purges of the rolls, to efforts to eliminate same-day voter registration, new voter-ID laws, and vigilante style “election integrity” watchdogs turning up at the polls, voters in many states and tribal nations face serious challenges they’re working hard to overcome. What’s it all mean for the candidates and, more importantly, the millions of eligible voters of color whose ability to cast their vote could ultimately decide the outcome of this election? For this episode of our monthly feature, Meet the BIPOC Press, Laura is joined by co-host Kadia Tubman of the Scripps News broadcast network, along with guests Chenjerai Kumanyika, NYU journalism professor and host of Empire City, a gripping new podcast on the origins of the NY police, and investigative journalist Christopher Lomahquahu of the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism within the Cronkite School at Arizona State University. Together we investigate who gets to vote safely, and who is being excluded from participating in democracy. Will all who want to vote be able to?“. . . Voter disenfranchisement has been so consistent that we might as well go ahead and call it a principle of American so-called democracy. Even in the constitutional convention, we know that there were efforts to make sure that not everyone can vote.” - Chenjerai Kumanyika". . . It wasn't until a hundred years ago that Native Americans were granted citizenship in this country . . . With the [groups] Western Native Voice, Arizona Native Vote, other organizations that you're finding across these different states, they understand that history but it hasn't deterred them from looking ahead as far as what they can do to activate those other voters, especially the youth . . .” - Christopher Lomahquahu (Akimel O'odham/Hopi)“Whenever I report on or hear about election integrity or election security, the phrase ‘safe and secure’ seems to tag along. It's almost like it's replacing the term free and fair elections . . .” - Kadia TubmanGuests:• Chenjerai Kumanyika: Host, Empire City & NYU Professor• Christopher Lomahquahu (Akimel O'odham/Hopi): Investigative Reporter, ASU Howard Center for Investigative Journalism• Kadia Tubman: Disinformation Correspondent, Scripps News Full Episode Notes are located HERE. They include related episodes, articles, and more. Laura Flanders and Friends Crew: Laura Flanders-Executive Producer, Writer; Sabrina Artel-Supervising Producer; Jeremiah Cothren-Senior Producer; Veronica Delgado-Video Editor, Janet Hernandez-Communications Director; Jeannie Hopper-Audio Director, Podcast & Radio Producer, Audio Editor, Sound Design, Narrator; Sarah Miller-Development Director, Nat Needham-Editor, Graphic Design emeritus; David Neuman-Senior Video Editor, and Rory O’Conner-Senior Consulting Producer. FOLLOW Laura Flanders and FriendsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraflandersandfriends/Blueky: https://bsky.app/profile/lfandfriends.bsky.socialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LauraFlandersAndFriends/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lauraflandersandfriendsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFLRxVeYcB1H7DbuYZQG-lgLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lauraflandersandfriendsPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/lauraflandersandfriendsACCESSIBILITY - The broadcast edition of this episode is available with closed captioned by clicking here for our YouTube Channel

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