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Aug 29, 19

This Is America #87: What We Leave Behind

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Welcome, to This Is America, August 28th, 2019.

In this episode first we speak with Smolgelgem, the hereditary chief of the Sun House of the Likhts’amisyu Clan of the Wet’suwet’en Nation. We speak about the history of resistance to colonization and resource extraction on unceded Native land in so-called British Columbia and how new generations of indigenous people are mobilizing after decades of land theft and cultural genocide to reclaim land that has been stolen from them. For more info, keep up on the land reclamation here.

Next, we speak with Brooke, who is involved in mobilizing support for African refugees who currently are leading protests in Chiapas, Mexico and clashing with State authorities in their attempt to gain asylum in the United States. We talk about how drastically policies have changed under Trump, how rebels and those involved in protest movements in Africa are being forced to flee, and much more.

We then switch to our discussion where we talk about Andy Ngo’s fall from grace, what ties the G-7, Trump, and Bolsonaro’s attack on the Amazon together, and finally an economic update on a situation that continues to worsen.

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

Living and Fighting:

Puerto Rico and Florida are under threat from a possible hurricane that could hit by the end of the week, just as it has come out that Trump has moved $155 million from FEMA to instead put towards the building of a border wall. Trump has also urged his minions to expedite the process of wall construction, which will carve through private homes, threatens natural environments, and Native land, claiming that he will “pardon” anyone who breaks the law in order to finish construction of the wall by the 2020 election.

Students in Clark County, Nevada are going viral with their calls for a mass student strike and walkout in support of teachers who are in contact negotiations. As one student stated in a video being shared on social media:

“Literally, [the district] won’t pay the teachers what the teachers earned,” student Gillian Sullivan said in a video. “Personally, I don’t think this is fair, and I’m kind of sick of our district thinking it’s OK to walk all over teachers and students all of the time. … If you’re sick of this too, and you want respect for yourself as a student but also for your teachers, please strike Sept. 5 because I’m done, and you should be, too. Teachers deserve more respect than that. And it’s disgusting.” 

Supporting clubs of rival Pacific Northwest soccer teams in Portland and Seattle teamed up several days ago to send a message to the heads of the league that they will continue to display political banners and flags at matches, giving a giant middle finger to the owners who have outlawed all “political imagery.” At a recent match in Portland, fans on both sides stayed quiet for 33 minutes, a reference to 1933, the year in which the Nazis outlawed the Iron Front paramilitary socialist anti-Nazi organization, they then proceeded to erupt in noise, singing Bella Chiao, and waving antifascist flags and banners. Members of the Seattle team also held banners reading, “Always Anti-Fascist, Always Anti-Racist, Always Seattle.” This move comes weeks after Proud Boys and militia members violently attacked soccer fans in streets of Seattle.

Meanwhile in Newark, New Jersey, people protested and tried to disrupt the MTV Video Music Awards in bring attention to the city’s water crisis, where crumbling infrastructure has leached lead into the city’s water system.

In San Francisco, California, gig economy drivers for apps Uber and Lyft protested and shut down traffic on Market Street outside of Uber’s HQ demanding a union and the corporate giant bow to workers demands.

In Appalachia, the Yellow Finch Tree sit fighting the Mountain Valley Pipeline has now been going strong for one year strong.

Lastly, a week after the one year anniversary party of the fall of the Silent Sam Confederate statue, local organizers are sounding the alarm after a series of drive by pellet gun attacks.

Solidarity: 

  • Help Wobblies in Ypsilanti open up a new social center. Info here.

  • In Lansing, Michigan, folks there are also fundraising for a social center. Donate here.

Upcoming Events:

  • August 24th-September 12th: Rainbow Ridge Direct Action Mobilization to Save the Mattole. More info.
  • August 31st: Straight Pride is Hate Pride. Stand Against White Nationalist anti-LGBTQ bigots in Boston. More info here.
  • August 31st: Benefit for Political Prisoners organized by Bakersfield Anarchist Black Cross (ABC). Show with speakers happening in Bakersfield, CA. More info.
  • August 31st: Benefit for Miguel Peralta in Los Angeles. More info.
  • September 7th: Halifax Anarchist Bookfair. More info.
  • September 7th: Running Down the Walls in Philadelphia. More info.
  • September 13: Support the Vaughn 17 in Wilmington, Delaware. More info.
  • September 14th: Counter pro-Trump neo-Nazi Rally in Dahlonega, Georgia. More info here.
  • September 18th-22nd: Symbiosis Conference in Detroit. More info.
  • September 20th: Alabama to DC: End Prison Slavery. More info.
  • September 21-22nd: Victoria Anarchist Bookfair. More info.
  • September 25th: Strike for Climate Justice in San Francisco. More info here.
  • September 27th: Extinction Rebellion mobilization in Atlanta. More info here.
  • September 28th: Toronto Anarchist Bookfair. More info.

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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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