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Mar 26, 20

This Is America #111: Get Busy Living

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Welcome, to This Is America, March 26th, 2020.

On this episode, we speak with a member of the Four Thieves Vinegar Collective, a group of anarchists (read their recent text on the coronavirus here) making DIY medicine in the face of the corporate stranglehold of the pharmaceutical industry. We discuss the group’s past exploits, the growing threat of the current pandemic, and much more.

Then, with our eyes towards the upcoming rent strike on April 1st, we feature an interview with someone in Seattle, Washington, who discusses a successful rent strike from several years past and talks about what went into organizing the campaign, the risks involved, and how people can build collective power with neighbors.

We then switch to our discussion, where we talk about the ongoing economic meltdown created by the coronavirus pandemic and Trump’s recent push to return people to work which would result in massive amounts of death and continued spread of the COVID-19 virus.

All this and more, but first, let’s get to the news!

Living and Fighting

There’s a lot going on, but before we dive in, we want to remind listeners and readers that:

  • There are a lot of phone zaps being called everyday to have prisoners released from jails, detention centers and prisons. Be sure to check out the IGD Twitter account, as we will share any campaigns we come across.

  • The wildcat strike across the University of California system continues forward. Be sure to stay up with the strike as more campuses are taking part in the struggle and it is far from over.

  • Speaking of wildcat strikes, actions at work sites across the US and the world are popping up at a rapid pace as workers reject being thrown under the bus by capital in the face of the coronavirus. Check out our roundup of recent wildcat actions here. Be sure to also watch the IWW’s Twitter account, as Wobbly locals have been very active in fighting back over the last few weeks.

  • The push towards the April 1st Rent Strike is growing, both online and in the real world. In some cities, some building have already announced that they are going on strike, like Station 40 in San Francisco. In other cities, organizations such as Parkdale Organize are helping to mobilize against the payment of rent. Based on the growing buzz across social media, it’s clear that many other folks are also planning to take action as well, although currently the full scope won’t be known until the strike kicks off. We encourage folks to check out this website for more information, organizing guides, and links to local groups.

It’s Going Down

If you value IGD as a revolutionary autonomous media resource in times of crisis and have the means, please sign up to support us monthly! We need your help to reach our goal by the end of March of signing up 25 new monthly supporters! Help autonomous revolutionary media grow into 2020!

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In search of new forms of life. It's Going Down is a digital community center and media platform featuring news, opinion, podcasts, and reporting on autonomous social movements and revolt across so-called North America from an anarchist perspective.

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