MPD Unplugged
Minneapolis City Council members have said they intend to disband the Minneapolis Police Department and replace it with a community-based public safety model. On the federal level, Democrats will introduce reform legislation today that, among other things, will change the standard for use of force.We interview Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, who recently took the lead in the prosecuting cases related to George Floyd’s killing by police. We ask him why it's so difficult to prosecute officers, and what he makes of moves to disband police departments.And in headlines: India experiences its highest day of cases, unemployment numbers are better but still terrible, and former VP Joe Biden has enough delegates to win the nomination. Plus, Erin Ryan fills in for Akilah Hughes.
8 Kesä 202022min
Still Marching After All These Years
Trump’s former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis published a scathing indictment of his presidency, and he’s been backed up by Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski. Lawmakers in the Congressional Black Caucus are preparing a piece of police legislation that will aim to end racial profiling and qualified immunity.We speak with Dr. Keisha Blain, a professor of African American History at University of Pittsburgh, about how what’s happening now is an extension of the work civil rights leaders began long ago.And in headlines: Trump signs executive order to weaken environmental protections, Zoom makes users pay for end-to-end encryption, and loud blonde man Jake Paul charged with looting.
5 Kesä 202022min
No Statues For Bad Men
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has upgraded charges against George Floyd’s killer Derek Chauvin by adding a charge of second-degree felony murder. The three officers on the scene who did nothing to protect Floyd have also been charged, with offenses that include aiding and abetting second-degree murder. One full week of protests has produced immediate changes nationwide. Confederate statues and other relics to racism have come down in several states. And city council members in Minneapolis are calling to disband the city's police department.And in headlines: the NBA readies plans to resume its season, Defense Secretary Mark Esper opposes then supports using soldiers as police, and Elle Jones becomes the first black woman to be elected mayor of Ferguson.
4 Kesä 202017min
Presidential Insurrection
Trump’s threat to deploy military to states to help squash unrest would require him to use the Insurrection Act of 1807. We discuss that law’s history and whether Trump would need support from governors to invoke it. Former VP Joe Biden spoke on Monday, discussing inequality, racial injustice, and calling for unity. Biden is now proposing federal legislation to reform police, and has committed to addressing institutional racism if elected. And in headlines: Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg doubles down on allowing Trump’s terrible posts, Australia’s PM calls for an investigation into US police violence towards reporters, and Fuller House explains a distinct lack of Aunt Becky.
3 Kesä 202017min
Curfew Enthusiasm
Protests against racial violence continued in well over 100 cities, leading local officials to continue to take drastic measures like curfews and calling up the National Guard. Police in Washington, DC charged a group of peaceful protestors so that Trump could take a bad photo in front of a church. The organization Campaign Zero gathers data on policies aimed at ending police violence. We discuss the policy changes they’ve found to be successful and unsuccessful. And in headlines: the United States sends a dubious COVID-19 drug to Brazil, seven states hold their primaries today, and Trump brings big bridezilla energy to planning the RNC.Gideon & Akilah's recommendations:Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor twitter.com/KeeangaYamahttaEthel's Club instagram.com/ethelsclubRachel Cargle instagram.com/rachel.cargleWatchman (HBO)
2 Kesä 202017min
Protesting 1, 2, 3
Protests in response to the police killing of George Floyd continued throughout the weekend. There were demonstrations in over 75 American cities, leading local officials to activate the National Guard in at least 11 states, and impose curfews. At one point, Trump hid underground. Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter for his role in George Floyd's killing, but three other officers who stood by have not been charged. And in headlines: Trump says the US will stop working with the WHO, the CDC releases guidelines for how to reopen offices, and Chrissy Teigen demonstrates the ‘spite donation.’Where to Donate:Minnesota Freedom Fund: minnesotafreedomfund.org/donateBrooklyn Bail Fund: brooklynbailfund.org/donateReclaim the block: reclaimtheblock.orgBlack Visions Collective: blackvisionsmn.orgMass Defense Program: nlg.org/donate/massdefense
1 Kesä 202018min
Trump Orders You To Log Off
President Trump signed an executive order aimed at social media companies yesterday. We explain what's behind it and why legal experts don't think it's going anywhere.Varshini Prakash is the co-founder and executive director of Sunrise Movement. She's also an advocate for the Green New Deal who’s been appointed to Joe Biden’s climate change task force. We speak with her about what she’s pushing for with Biden. And in headlines: the Justice Department announced that investigating the death of George Floyd is a "top priority," NASA wants Tom Cruise in space, and Cyprus invites the world to visit for a “corona-cation.”
29 Touko 202020min
The Sisterhood Of The Traveling RNC
The planned site of the Republican National Convention this August is North Carolina, one of the states where coronavirus case numbers are currently on the rise. Governor Roy Cooper’s understandable concerns about this event going forward have led to a low-tier scramble, with Georgia and Florida offering to host. Also in Florida… key American innovation Walt Disney World has announced reopening plans for July. And the NBA might finally be making its 2019-2020 season return nearby.And in headlines: Mike Pompeo declares that Hong Kong is no longer autonomous from China, Jennifer Carrol Foy seeks to be America’s first black woman governor, and Facebook knew it’s platform turned people into maniacs.
28 Touko 202016min
