

The Final Straw Radio
The Final Straw Radio
The Final Straw Radio is a weekly, anarchist show eminating from occupied Cherokee lands in so-called North Carolina and featuring the voices of folks engaged in struggles for liberation and the creation of rad culture since 2009. We're also syndicated on a few community radio stations around the U.S. We frequently also feature radio commentaries from anarchist prisoner Sean Swain and are a proud member of CZN (The Channel Zero Network) and ARN (The A-Radio Network).
Check out our past archives and ways to connect with us at https://thefinalstrawradio.noblogs.org
Check out our past archives and ways to connect with us at https://thefinalstrawradio.noblogs.org
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 6, 2025 • 51min
Learning Together From Uprisings (InterRebellium with sub.Media)
This week, we’re sharing an interview with Heatscore and Nuke of sub.Media about their new documentary series, InterRebellium. The first episode, entitled El Estallido Social about the social uprising that flared up in 2019 in lands controlled by the state of Chile featuring anarchist and Mapuche voices on the conditions in which the uprising developed, experiences of it and its aftermath. You can view the film for free at sub.Media/InterRebellium alongside materials for discussion. We also speak about the role of film and media production in radical organizing and critique and upcoming episodes of the series. Transcript PDF (Unimposed) Zine (Imposed PDF) Another recent documentary about the Estallido Social mentioned, Fell In Love With Fire Sean Swain’s video deposition: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhbAEYUUeiQ . … . .. Featured Track: Despacito (Remix) by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee (feat. Justin Bieber)

Jun 29, 2025 • 1h 20min
Christian Nationalism, Apocalyptic Visions + Child Welfare (with Talia Lavin)
This week, we’re sharing an interview with Talia Lavin, author of Culture Warlords: My Journey into the Dark Web of White Supremacy. In this chat, we speak about her more recent book, Wild Faith: How the Christian Right is Taking Over America. There’s a lot in the book, most of it pretty disturbing (especially, I’m sure, for anyone who is ex-vangelical) and there is discussion of hateful ideology and child abuse and corporal punishment, though not in lurid detail, so listener discretion is advised. We hope to cover related topics in the future. Transcript PDF (Unimposed) Zine (Imposed PDF) Links: Newsletter: https://buttondown.com/theswordandthesandwich Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taliainteralia/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/swordsjew.bsky.social . ... . .. Featured Track: Voice Of God Is Government by Bad Religion from How Could Hell Be Any Worse

Jun 25, 2025 • 1h 10min
Rapid Responses To Immigration Raids + Homeless Sweeps in So Cal
This week on the show we feature an interview with two anarchists activists in southern California about the recent resistance to Federal-led immigration raids in Los Angeles and the wider region. Both guests speak about their experiences working in rapid response structures to immigration raids, to anti-homeless sweeps and other community needs over the years and how they’ve changed as conditions and technologies have changed. We talk about inviting and engaging new activists and some strategies that showed success. Some great writings from the streets can be found at Ediciones Ineditas: https://ineditas.noblogs.org/post/2025/06/18/fuck-i-c-e-city-wide-los-angeles-goes-up/ . ... . .. Featured Track: Bella Ciao by La Plebe from Brazo En Brazo

Jun 15, 2025 • 1h 1min
Anarchism and Disability, plus A-Radio Segments
This week, we spoke with Richard Amm, a member of the Disability Action Research Kollective, or DARK, which they describe as a disabled-led group working to make disability perspectives, history, and research more accessible to a general audience. Amar and Richard speak about disability, eugenics, radical history the Corona virus and other topics. You can learn more about the project at linktr.ee/disabilityark [ 00:01:42 - 00:41:08 ] Transcript PDF (Unimposed) Zine (Imposed PDF) DARK Links Writings by the collective: https://libcom.org/tags/disability-action-research-kollective A recent article by Richard: https://www.thecommoner.org.uk/p/6056491f-e4c2-46ed-a4cc-36af23ad42db/ Notes on Mike Oliver’s contributions to The Social Model on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_model_of_disability#Mike_Oliver Then we’ll feature two segments from the May 2025 episode of BAD News: Angry Voices From Around The World, the English-language podcast of the A-Radio Network. First up, A-Radio Berlin shared a conversation about the political motivated arrests and harassment of members of the Labor Desk Confederation of Trade Unions in Azerbaijan, which is calling for international solidarity. [ 00:41:42 - 00:46:30 ] The Labor Desk Confederation of Trade Unions in Azerbaijan is calling for international solidarity following the politically motivated arrests of its chairman Afiaddin Mammadov and fellow unionists Aykhan Israfilov, Elvin Mustafayev, and Mohyaddin Orujov. These arrests are part of a systematic crackdown on independent labor organizing in Azerbaijan.. https://www.labourstartcampaigns.net/show_campaign.cgi?c=5634 Next, Črna Luknja from Ljubljana conducted an interview with OLTA (Open Leftist Assembly of Antifascist, Carinthia) from south-west of austria.They are mobilizing against the so-called “Burschentag” of the Austrian Pennaler Ring ,which is the association of the conservative fraternities.The austrian Pennaler Ring is connected with the ruling, fascist party FPÖ and extra-parliamentary extreme right. [ 00:46:30 - 00:51:12 ] https://www.instagram.com/olta_koroska/ Event page Finally, Sean Swain's segment [ 00:51:12 - end ] . ... . .. Featured Track: Daydreaming by Dark Dark Dark from Wild Go

Jun 8, 2025 • 1h 43min
A History of Anarchist Prisoner Support (with Matt Hart) + June 11, 2025
This week on the Final Straw Radio, we’re sharing an interview with Matt Hart of the Los Angeles Anarchist Black Cross chapter of the ABC Federation. We talk about the book Matt just released via PM Press, an expanded edition of Boris Yelensky’s history of anarchist prisoner support “Shadows In The Struggle For Equality”, illustrated by NO Bonzo. Matt talks about the work of the LA-ABCF, ABC’s pre-history with the Narodnik movement in mid-19th century Russia, prisoner defense under the nihilist movement, some moments in resistance and mutual aid through the following hundred and fifty years or so, some colorful moments and comrades up into the 21st century. We hope you enjoy! [ 00:01:16 - 01:19:36 ] Transcript PDF (Unimposed) Zine (Imposed PDF) Then, we’ll share a reading of the 2025 June 11th statement since this week is the day of Solidarity with Long Term Anarchist Prisoners. More info on that initiative at June11.noblogs.org [ 01:19:41 - 01:30.51 ] . ... . .. Featured Tracks: Filmmuzik by E.M.A.K from Deutsche Elektronische Musik Vienna Arcweld - Fucked Gamelon - Rigid Tracking by Set Fire To Flames from Signs Reign Rebuilder

Jun 1, 2025 • 1h 42min
Mo on Knowing Your Rights and Risks With Police
This week we spoke with Moira Meltzer-Cohen, an anarchist and lawyer with the National Lawyers Guild who practices mostly in New York City. For the hour, Mo talks about knowing ones rights and risks during interactions with law enforcement in the US during Trump 2.0, why even scofflaws should know some basic Bill of Rights trivia, info on warrants and house visits, airports and borders, and the importance of face-to-face practice with local lawyers who know the legal precedents on the ground in your jurisdiction. Transcript PDF (Unimposed) Zine (Imposed PDF) Links NLG Anti-Repression Hotline: 212.679.2811 NLG website: https://www.nlg.org/ CUNY CLEAR website: https://www.cunyclear.org/ instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cuny_clear/ LLWD episode with Mo on Federal Grand Juries Our past episodes on Grand Juries and Grand Jury Resistance Magic Words flyer to stick on the back of your door in case of police visits: https://thefinalstrawradio.noblogs.org/files/2025/05/Magic-Spell_2025.pdf Announcements June 11th, 2025 Asheville We're a week and a half out from the annual June 11th Day of Solidarity with Long Term Anarchist Prisoners. If you're in the Asheville area, Wednesday, June 11, 2025 at The Odd (1045 Haywood Rd near Firestorm in West AVL) . $10 door, opens at 7pm, music at 8pm Featuring XOR, Lo Wolf, Run Over By A Horse and Blake Hornsby with lots of free lit and prizes available including books, stickers, clothing, jewelry and more. More info on the mastodon post: https://kolektiva.social/@BlueRidgeABC/114589079620149305 Also coming soon at the BRABC website: https://brabc.noblogs.org/june-11th-2025/ Elsewhere If you're elsewhere, you can check out announced local events in your area by checking out the social media accounts for June11.Noblogs.Org, particularly their mastodon account on @june11@kolektiva.social Fire Ant Movement call to action Finally, the Fire Ant Movement released the following statement concerning June 11, 2025: "Fire ant movement defense, an organization that works to gather mass opposition to the political prosecutions of the stop cop city movement in atlanta, is calling for a “movement defense day of action” on June 11 to support stop cop city defendants and long term anarchist political prisoners. Their statement reads: This year, June 11th arrives amid growing repression: Pro-palestine protesters are facing indefinite detention in ice facilities, and in Georgia, the state continues its aggressive persecution of the stop cop city movement, with 61 activists currently facing RICO charges. In response, we call for a united front, to link the defense of the stop cop city struggle with the june 11th tradition of solidarity with long-term anarchist political prisoners. We invite people to learn about Marius Mason and other long-term anarchist prisoners, host public events, drop banners, throw fundraisers, and take action to defend our movements for total liberation.” Fire ant movement defense says that this will be the first of many movement defense days of action, drawing connections and lines of solidarity between movements fighting for liberation. You can find more information at fireantmovement.org and follow them on instagram, twitter or bluesky." They also wanted to point people to learn more at supportmariusmason.org and weelauneethefree.org . ... . .. Featured Track: Know Your Rights by The Clash from Combat Rock

May 28, 2025 • 1h 9min
An Anarchist View from Havana
We’re re-sharing an audio gift from comrades we originally shared back in 2021. We spoke with a participant in the Taller Libertario Alfredo López / ABRA in Havana, Cuba, recorded in late 2018. In this chat, the guest talks about the ABRA which is the only openly anarchist organization in Cuba at the time, about the LGBTQ movement and abortion rights which are both facing repression due to pressure from Cuban Evangelical and Catholic churches on the Cuban government, political discourse and difference, government co-optation, neoliberalism, animal rights, repression of dissent and the erasure of anarchist history. Transcription In May of 2019, the guest and his boyfriend Jimmy Roque Martinez were arrested on their way to the annual Conga Against Homophobia and Transphobia, essentially Cuba’s main Pride Parade and detained 24 hours in order to block their participation. As the guest talks about in the interview, the state-run National Center for Sex Education (CENESEX) had bowed to pressure from right wing Christian groups and canceled the event so activists were planning to hold an autonomous Conga resulting in several more arrests. A report with updates on the subject can be found at the Rosa Negra / Black Rose Federation website. You can also find an audio statement from Mario from the TLAL space on the subject in Spanish via BRRN. To learn more about ABRA, they have a website at CentroSocialABRA.Wordpress.Com as well as a fedbook page as AbraCuba and one for Taller Libertario Alfredo Lopez. ABRA is affiliated with the Federacion Anarquista de Centro America y el Caribe, or the Caribbean and Central American Anarchist Federation, which can be found in Spanish at f-anarquista-cc.blogspot.com. Check our show notes for some useful articles and a link to Frank Fernandez’s book, “Cuban Anarchism”, which you can order online or read for free online at The Anarchist Library. Another book suggestion is “Anarchist Cuba: Countercultural Politics in the Early Twentieth Century” by Kirwin Shaffer. . ... . .. Songs from this episode both performed by Eztafilokoko from Habana, Cuba (more by them at eztafilokoko.bandcamp.com): En Mi Puto Barrio [00:00:00] as background Hey Maxim [00:33:16]

May 25, 2025 • 58min
"Anarchy In The Big Easy" with Max Cafard and Vulpes
This week, we spoke with author Max Cafard and illustrator Vulpes about their new book, Anarchy in The Big Easy: A History of Revolt, Rebellion, and Resurgence. Among other topics, they discuss Cafard’s Surregionalism Manifesto, the origins and production of the book, and what the media gets right and wrong about New Orleans. The book came out from PM Press on April 15, 2025. Transcript PDF (Unimposed) Zine (Imposed PDF) . ... . .. Featured Track: Four Corners (part 2) by Lee Dorsey from Four Corners EP

May 18, 2025 • 1h 22min
The Lives and Legacy of Martin Sostre (with Garrett Felber)
This week, we’re sharing an interview with Garret Felber, author of the book A Continuous Struggle: The Revolutionary Life of Martin Sostre, out May 5 from AK Press. Garret speaks about the life of Martin Soster, famed jailhouse lawyer who successfully won cases related to the constitutional rights of prisoners, was politicized in prison by the Nation of Islam in the 1950’s, ran radical Afro-centric bookstores in Buffalo NY to radicalize the youth, embracing anarchism during his time imprisoned on a frame up during which he was a celebrated political prisoner resisting cavity searches through the courts, went on to organize after his release for tenants rights and rehabilitating disused buildings for community centers and helping run a childcare. Sostre was a mentor to Lorenzo Komb’oa-Ervin and Ashanti Alston and laid important foundations for modern Black Anarchism in the US. Transcript PDF (Unimposed) Zine (Imposed PDF) There’s a lot in here and we hope you enjoy the book and that the story inspires complex, creative and combative resistance to all forms of domination. MSI: https://www.martinsostre.com/ Study and Struggle: https://www.studyandstruggle.com/ Those Who Know Don't Say: The Nation Of Islam, the Black Freedom Movement, and the Carceral State Free the Mississippi Five: https://www.studyandstruggle.com/ms5 Free Society People's Library: https://www.instagram.com/freesocietylibrary/ Justice for Geraldine and Martin: https://www.instagram.com/justiceforgeraldineandmartin/ In the Belly: https://www.bellyzine.net/ In the Mix: https://inthemixprisonerpodcast.libsyn.com/ video of JEEP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwmELJwEsk8 Some past episodes touching on Black anarchism: Black Autonomy Reader: https://thefinalstrawradio.noblogs.org/post/2024/09/29/mutt-on-the-incomplete-black-autonomy-reader/ Ashanti Alston at ACAB2024: https://thefinalstrawradio.noblogs.org/post/2024/09/01/solidarity-spirituality-and-liberatory-promise-on-a-turtles-back-with-ashanti-omowali-alston/ Matt Meyer on Kuwasi Balagoon: https://thefinalstrawradio.noblogs.org/post/2019/06/04/free-them-all-matt-meyer-on-kuwasi-balagoon/ Lorenzo Kom'boa Ervin: https://thefinalstrawradio.noblogs.org/post/2013/04/03/memphis-organizes-against-police-and-the-kkk-a-conversation-with-lorenzo-komboa-ervin/ William C Anderson (first & second) Announcement Kevin Rashid Johnson From the SFBayView Newspaper: Rashid was “compacted” on May 1 to the Perry Correctional Institution in South Carolina, 430 Oaklawn Rd., Pelzer, SC 29669. His ID number in South Carolina is 397279. In the transit van, he was severely injured – probably a broken bone – in his left leg. He has not been given any treatment for it. He is in solitary confinement, with only a concrete slab to sleep on. He can make only one phone call per week. A comrade is helping him get onto the “GTL Getting Out” app so that he can communicate with everyone. Meanwhile, he has been on hunger strike since he got there. He lost 17 pounds during the first week. He appeals for maximum publicity and pressure. The phone numbers listed for the prison are: 864-243-4700 and 803-737-1752. Make calls and spread the word. Kevin “Rashid” Johnson, ID number 397279, must be treated humanely, given good medical care and a decent place to sleep and allowed full access to communicate with his lawyers and supporters. Tell the authorities to meet his demands so he can end his hunger strike. . ... . .. Featured Track Standing At The Crossroad by Eddie and Ernie from Lost Friends

May 11, 2025 • 1h 4min
A Red Road To The West Bank (with Clifton Ariwakhete Nicholas and Franklin Lopez)
This week, an interview with Clifton Ariwakhete Nicholas and Franklin Lopez about about the film currently in production via Amplifier Films, A Red Road To The West Bank: An Indigenous journey of resistance and solidarity. The conversation covers some about relationships between the people of occupied Palestine and Kanehsatà:ke in so-called Canada, histories of settler colonialism and resistance of it. Clifton and Franklin are attempting to raise $10000 CAD for the film. Transcript In English auf Deutsch PDF (Unimposed) Zine (Imposed PDF) Franklin also talks about his recently published kids book “The mega-adventures of Koko Sisi & Kiki Pupu” that he co-created with his son. Links: Karistatsi Onienre: The Iron Snake (film by Clifton) Elsipogtog: No Fracking Way! (film by Clifton) Trouble #1: Killing The Black Snake (narrated by Clifton) Anarcho-Indigenism: Conversations on Land and Freedom (Clifton contributed an essay) A 2011 interview with Franklin we conducted Franklin's interview with Clifton on the Mi'kmaq Warrior Society and Oka Mahmoud Darwish's poem, The Penultimate Speech of the Red Indian to the White Man . ... . .. Featured Track: L'enfant Sauvage by Gojira from L'enfant Sauvage