On this episode of Inform Your Resistance, host Koki Mendis and guest PRA Senior Research Analyst Ben Lorber pull back the curtain on the National Conservatism Conference 2022 (NatCon 3), a gathering of far-right politicians, intellectuals, and influencers with a goal to reshape the Right. Listen in as Ben gives us an on-the-ground view of the convention. With his focus on White nationalism and antisemitism, Ben provides a unique perspective on the rhetoric, atmosphere, and anti-elite sentiment that permeated the conference. Ben and Koki explore the rise of White Christian nationalism within the conservative movement and its impact on the U.S. political landscape. They unpack the agenda of figures in the National Conservatism movement: an obsession with culture war and moral order as a way to promote their vision for a Christian society–including the promotion of anti-abortion policies, bans on gay marriage, banning so called critical race theory in schools, and the enforcement of cis-heteropatriarchal gender roles. They analyze the transformation of the GOP into a movement that borrows from the economic populism of the Left, at least rhetorically, in an attempt to create a new right-wing nationalist consensus. Ben considers the presence of Orthodox Jews at NatCon3 and how their views may influence the Right's agenda. Finally, Koki asks Ben what it’s like to be there in person at a right-wing conference. EPISODE RESOURCESPart 1 of the map Ben mentions in this episode–“ A Bid For Power: Mapping The Electoral Far Right in the 2022 Elections” by Ben Lorber, Olivia Lawrence-Weilmann, Steven GardinerPart 2 of the map Ben mentions in this episode–“The Fight Ahead: How the Electoral Far Right Fared in the 2022 Midterm Elections” by Ben Lorber, Olivia Lawrence-Weilmann, Steven Gardiner“The Elite Movement Laying the Foundation for a MAGA That Will Outlast Trump and Remake America: Inside NatCon Part I” by Ben Lober“White Nationalist Ideology Shines Through at Elite MAGA Conference: Inside NatCon Part II” by Ben Lorber“The postliberal crackup: The GOP’s post-midterm civil war starts with the New Right” by Kathryn Joyce--------- EPISODE KEYWORDS ---------National Conservatism Conference, NatCon 3, Right Wing, White Nationalism, Antisemitism, Christian Nationalism, Christian Right, Conservative Movement, Politicians, Intellectuals, LGBTQ Rights, Gender Roles, Orthodox Jews, GOP, Republicans.

Uncover the disturbing realities of racial capitalism and state violence with host Koki Mendis and Saqib Bhatti, co-executive Director of the Action Center on Race and Economy (ACRE). Bhatti’s insights illuminate the distressing crossroads where austerity programs, mass incarceration, and a negligent police state meet. Throughout the conversation, Bhatti exposes the dangerous influence of corporations on public services and their contribution to the rise of a racialized policing system. We discuss ways in which over policing and mass incarceration uphold racist wealth and inequality and strategies available to us on the left to contest power and advance redistribution. We explore how austerity programs that reduce social safety nets and inflated budgets for incarceration and policing have created a relationship of criminalizing people instead of providing support and care. Technologies like ShotSpotter, which claims to  detect gunshots accurately, are not only rife with inaccuracies, but also operate on the myth that more policing leads to flourishing and safer communities.The second part of our conversation pivots to the ways rideshare giants, Uber and Lyft, have upended the taxi industry, including how these corporations avoid responsibility for drivers’ employment conditions, and the consequent fallout for the predominantly immigrant workers who previously made their living as full-time taxi drivers. We further examine the related trend of companies being bought out by private equity firms, which can lead to workers losing their pensions and benefits while shareholders profit. Bhatti provides unique insights into the ensuing destabilization and the worrying trend of private equity firms buying failing corporations and profiting from their debt. We also explore how organizing labor, renter, and debtor unions can help build worker power and solidarity across economically marginalized groups. Finally, we consider the role of non-traditional unions in amassing and aggregating collective power to fight against corporations.EPISODE RESOURCESMurdered Behind the Wheel: An Escalating Crisis for App Drivers by Gig Workers Rising, PowerSwitch Action, and Action Center on Race and the Economy“What Does It Mean to Dismantle Racial Capitalism Anyway?” by Saqib Bhatti and Bree Carlson“Remaking the Economy: Race for Profit” an NPQ webinar recording with Maximillian Alvarez, Saqib Bhatti, and Bree Carlson“Austerity Kills” a PRA webinar recording with Saqib Bhatti, Lauren Jacobs, Daniel HoSang, and Donald CohenSTOP ShotSpotter coalition to end ShotSpotter and build community-led responses to address the root causes of gun violence--------- EPISODE KEYWORDS ---------Racial Capitalism, State Violence, Austerity Programs, Mass Incarceration, Policing System, ShotSpotter, Uber, Lyft, Taxi Industry, Private Equity Firms, Anti-CRT, Critical Race Theory, Labor Unions, Renter Unions, Debtor Unions, Economic Interests, Collective Power, Wealthy Corporations.

Who are the abortion abolitionists? What drives them, and how do their tactics overlap with those of other far-right movements? Join host, Koki Mendis, and PRA Senior Research Analyst, Cloee Cooper, as we uncover the differences between the broader pro-life movement and the abortion abolitionist movement.The abortion abolitionists are a nationwide network of militant anti-abortion far-right activists who want to eradicate all abortion. They would like to see the death penalty for those involved in abortion. They draw on the militant anti-abortion movement from the 1990s that was responsible for violence against abortion clinics and providers. We discuss how the pro-life movement is more interested in working within the US legal system for reforms that further restrict access to abortion, while the abortion abolitionists want to abolish abortion in all instances.We explore the influence of Christian Reconstructionism on the anti-abortion movement, and how its vision for a theocratic society has had a significant impact on the abortion abolitionist movement today. We examine the overlap between the abortion abolitionist movement, militias, and other far-right movements, including the January 6, 2021 Capitol insurrection.We examine the broader pro-life bills that have been introduced in various states, and we compare these bills with the ones that the abolitionists are advocating for, which would criminalize anyone who has an abortion and grant legal protection to fertilized eggs. We also look at the role of Bradley Pierce, the attorney behind many of the abortion abolitionist bills, and how his Foundation to Abolish Abortion is connected to the right-wing homeschooling movement. We explore the concept of the Overton window, and how the abortion abolitionist movement is pushing for their extreme ideas to become accepted as common sense.Finally, we discuss how the abortion abolitionist movement is shifting its tactics to become more mainstream and to influence change. We assess the need to understand the strategies of the abortion abolitionist movement and to build coalitions to establish movement strategies rooted in communities and movements on the ground.EPISODE RESOURCESNo Sanctuary: Anti-Abortion “Abolitionists” Go to City Hall by Cloee Cooper and Tina VásquezHow the anti-abortion movement fed the Capitol insurrection by Tina VasquezThe anti-abortion abolitionist movement is dangerous. Here’s what you need to know by Cloee Cooper and Tina VásquezThe New Abolitionists: The Christian Anti-Abortion Movement Gaining Ground in State Legislatures by Heidi BeedleThe Army of Gideon: Anti-Abortion Activism in Wichita by Heidi BeedleConvergence of Far-Right, Anti-Democratic Factions in the Northwest Could Provide a Model for the Rest of the Nation by Frederick Clarkson and Cloee CooperThe Prochoice Religious Community May Be the Future of Reproductive Rights, Access, and Justice by Frederick ClarksonMobilizing for Reproductive Freedom in the Battle Over Bodily Autonomy by PRA featuring Adaku Utah, Cloee Cooper, Loretta Ross, and Tara Romano--------- EPISODE KEYWORDS ---------Abortion Abolitionists, Christian Right, Christian Reconstructionism, RJ Rushdoony, Capitol Insurrection, Anti-Abortion Legislation, Homeschooling Movement, Overton Window, Pro-Choice Religious Community, Movement Strategies, Collective Power for Reproductive Justice

We talk to experts about some of the most significant contemporary threats to democracy from the mainstream and Far Right so that you can inform your resistance in the fight for a just and inclusive democratic society.