This Is America #43: Managing the Disaster

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Welcome, to This Is America, November 23rd, 2018.

In this episode, we hit some of the big headlines, from the role of PG&E in the Camp Fire, Republican operatives working with Facebook against activists, and a discussion on the recent labeling of the Proud Boys as “extremists.”

But first, let’s get to the news!

Living and Fighting

• Today on Black Friday, people blockaded roads against the Line 3 pipeline.

• A banner was also dropped against Line 3.

• In Durham, NC: “Samuel Oliver-Bruno has lived in a church in Durham out of ICE’s reach for almost a year. He left the church to attend an appointment with USCIS to give his fingerprints for his petition to delay his deportation order. He was arrested at US Customs and Immigration Services in Morrisville. Protesters surrounded the vehicle holding him following his arrest.” ICE agents then proceeded to arrest around 30 protesters who attempted to block the car that he was in.

• In Seattle, neo-Nazi Patrick Little was covered in paint while he carried out a two person “It’s Okay to Be White” march that was livestreamed.
• On November 22nd, people demonstrated against ICE in Massachusetts. As the Fang Collective wrote: “This morning we demonstrated at the home of Bristol County Sheriff Thomas Hodgson. We took action in solidarity with the detainees at Hodgson’s jails who are organizing for better conditions, and to call for an end to Bristol County’s contracts with ICE.”
• On November 21st in Tucson, Arizona, protests broke out as Unicorn Riot reports: “[A] Border Patrol Agent Lonnie Swartz was declared not guilty of a lesser charge of involuntary manslaughter in the killing of 16-year-old José Antonio Elena Rodriguez. The jury will return on December 11th to decide on the higher charge of voluntary manslaughter as no decision was reached.” Autonomy Tucson wrote: “Tonight a crowd of around 100 people took the intersection of congress and broadway in the middle of downtown Tucson for around an hour. spontaneously large posters reading “José Antonio Presenté” were wheatpasted onto the pavement in the middle of the intersection.”

Murderer border patrol agent Lonnie Schwartz was acquitted of the lesser charge of involuntary manslaughter today. #joseantonioelenarodriguez was only sixteen when he put ten bullets in his back. pic.twitter.com/lfKgoTevVV

— Hannah solo (@Hannahsolo4) November 22, 2018

• John MacDonald statue in Toronto was again vandalized.

In what is quickly becoming a national sport, someone spray-painted "Fuck Ford" on the John A MacDonald statue outside Queen's Park in #Toronto. #SirJAM #fuckford #solidarity pic.twitter.com/zMquTyha3B

— North Shore Counter-Info (@nscounterinfo) November 21, 2018

• L’eau Est La Vie Camp announced: “Just days after security for #ETP sank our boats in the bayou – water protectors Cherri and Waniya were arrested for shutting down the ETP shareholders meeting in Dallas, TX. This week, Dallas County dropped their charges.”
• In Chicago the local GDC has been hard at work organizing supply runs to the caravan.

Holy crap, we are overwhelmed with the generosity at the #bridgeport drop off spot! We have diapers, first aid supplies & coats for days for the people arriving with the #MigrantCaravan. Thanks again everyone & esp @BridgeportCoff ? pic.twitter.com/SkGAMsDpQn

— General Defense Com (@chicagoGDC) November 21, 2018

• On November 20th, L’eau Est La Vie Camp reported: “On November 20th activists showed up to both Energy Transfer Partners corporate offices and Kelcy Warren’s house in Dallas to disrupt billionaire business as usual. In solidarity with the water protectors fighting the bayou bridge pipeline and water protectors around the world, protestors informed the public about ETP’s involvement in funding police brutality and the destruction of Mother Earth.”
• Disgusting far-Right lie lord and Big League Politics editor Patrick Howley lost in court against Redneck Revolt member Dwayne Dickson, as the judge threw out an assault charge. Howley attempted to corner Dwayne at his work place and record him, and was backed up by an associate of white nationalist businessman, Paul Nehlen.
• Speaking of Redneck Revolt, the LA chapter successfully mobilized to send over $300 in supplies down to the caravan.

We asked, you delivered. LAJBGC was able to send around $300 worth of supplies, non-perishables, hygiene products and shoes down to the border to aid migrants fleeing violence and encountering fascist and state resistance as we speak.

This is what mutual aid looks like. pic.twitter.com/3SSQ7kJRzy

— Los Angeles Black Coyote Collective (@LABlackCoyote) November 20, 2018

• Comrades at the Base in Brooklyn are organizing a book drive to prisoners on Rikers Island.

Book drive for Rikers Island! We're looking for books about anarchism, abolitionism, black resistance, feminism, intl revolutionary movements, & radical comic books.

Drop them by during open hours: 2:30-7 every Sat or during public events.#SendBooksThroughtheWalls #Solidarity pic.twitter.com/8UaGWbKBc1

— The Base (@TheBaseBK) November 20, 2018

• Finally in New Orleans, the local IWW and Redneck Revolt chapters came together to hold a community BBQ.

View this post on Instagram

Had a great time at the John Brown Gun Club/ IWW cook out. #neworleans #louisiana #iww #onebigunion #johnbrowngunclub #johnbrown #jbgc #redneckrevolt #midcity #cookout #solidarity

A post shared by New Orleans IWW (@new_orleans_iww) on Nov 19, 2018 at 1:57pm PST