Voices From The Front Lines Voices From The Frontlines

This Week on Voices Eric presents three great news bits on movements around the nation. 1) SF Bay View needs your help to continue the wonderful work they're carrying out in a moment of both transition, and hardship. Eric reads a great appeal from Mary Ratcliff. You can go on even before the show to support here: https://bit.ly/38SOvDD 2) In a great victory for Indigenous Land Rights, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Muscogee (Creek) nation today 5-4 rule in a significant portion of Oklahoma is indeed Indian Territory. 3) A Great Berlin Bulletin from Victor Grossman, currently in East Germany entitled BreakUps and Leaks on the breaking down of the relationship between the U.S. and Germany via the German Federal Republic. Eric and Channing put in a lot of work to making the show happen each week, but haven't had the response sought after. we really want to hear from you this week. Please email your show responses to eric@voicesfromthefrontlines and channing@thestrategycenter.org Listen to Vo

In 1949 Paul Robeson was forced to testify in front of the House Committee on Un-American Activities Committee (disgusting just by its name) but Robeson turned the tables and put them and the whole country on trial. In our present period, Robeson shows the great value of Black, pro-communist, Pan Africanist, anti-imperialists. His dignity and courage in the face of what barbarism is almost impossible to imagine. But do imagine and do tune in. In the second segment Eric and Channing reflect on the Strategy Center’s role in the united front to Defund the LA School Police Department—led by Black Lives Matter LA and Students Deserve and board member Monica Garcia—and our historic victory that cut $25 million from their budget—a 37% cut and the resignation of its police chief. We study history, we write history and we make history.

We are very enthusiastic that LAUSD School Board member Monica Garcia will introduce a motion at the 2020 Budget Vote to cut the LASPD budget by 50%—$35 million from their $67 million budget Please work with Black Lives Matter, Students Deserve, Brothers Sons Selves, Inner City Struggle, and yes, the Strategy Center To get the LAUSD tomorrow to cut $35 million from their $67 million or more budget and move those funds to Black students and schools. This is not just about cutting their budget, it is cutting their power in more than half, a massive vote of no confidence in the LASPD, a massive victory for the Black Liberation Movement, For the Black, Latinx, and third World Alliance. We want more than taking Aunt Jemima off the box. We don’t care that Amazon now says Black Lives Matter next to an ad for Amazon Prime. We want to Defund Police, Defund the LASPD now. -------------------- Here is how you can help Call in at 8:30am to make a Public Comment Call 1-669-900-6833 and enter Meeting ID 981 7435 347

In June of 2020 a group of Black and Third World revolutionaries, from Harlem, South Central, Minneapolis, Cape Town, London, Beijing, Caracas, Havana, met in Nairobi, Kenya at a clandestine strategy meeting. Already in deep dialogue, one of the delegates began cautiously, to share her dream. But as she told it to the first comrade, he said, with excitement but also a sense of self-protection to avoid being seen as delusional, that he had also had that dream. But there was a too impossible to believe outcome. Dozens, not hundreds, not thousands, but yes, dozens of people—all leading the Black and Third World resistance to the present racist onslaught—had experienced the same dream. Not sort of the same, but word by word, step by step, the same. And each time one person described a point in the plot the next person could finish the sentence. That lead to an escalation of the resistance and if it can be believed, a future belief that a collapse of the U.S. Imperialist White Settler state was possible and a revo

The Strategy Center is seizing the moment with grateful love for Black protest and the work of Black Lives Matter LA, LA Schools Students Deserve, Alliance for Educational Justice, CJSF, and others. Eric Mann, Channing Martinez, Brigette Amaya, Gionna Magdelano, Kim Rochal, Angeles and Kassandra Soriano take time to read the powerful letter just sent to LAUSD demanding No Police in LAUSD Schools. Tune in today at 3pm PST and don't forget to make a contribution to KPFK. #PoliceFreeSchools #NoPoliceinLAUSD #Defund #Decriminalize #Demilitarize #EndWarOnYouth

Eric and Channing host a conversation about the great 2020 Black led rebellions happening now nationwide. Eric speaks about the role of the Media, the Democrats, and Los Angeles Bernie Sanders Supporters in the time of mass protests and attacks on the Black community. Channing speaks about his LA CD10 electoral campaign in which one of his primary platform demands called for a 50% cut to the LAPD budget.

Eric Mann and Channing Martinez hoist a conversation with Gregory Jenkins on Climate change and COVID 19 in Africa. Gregory Jenkins is a professor of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science, Geography, and African Studies at Penn State University. Dr. Jenkins also works closely in African nations to create infrastructure to combat the effects of climate change on the African continent. The second half of the show is a rebroadcast of our 2018 tribute to the great Lorraine Hansberry. in the Clip Eric Mann praises the role to the Black Anti-Imperialist Pro Communist Pro Feminist tradition and its role in the Black Freedom Movement as we listen to a clip of Lorraine Hansberry making the decision to support the 1960's Stall In Actions. Tune in and engage! eric@voicesfromthefrontlines.com

A Compelling, Challenging, and Urgent Discussion of COVID 19 and the great challenges for social, racial, and climate justice organizers Laurie Barrett—author of the The Coming Plague: Newly Emerging Diseases in a World Out of Balance Her hair-raising, sober, and chilling assessment of the COVID 19 Virus in discussion with Anderson Cooper and Dr. Sanjay Gupta COVID 19 and the Challenge to Organizers in Black, Latino(a) and low-income communities And all racial, social, and climate justice organizers IF YOU CAN’T MAKE IT, PLEASE DOWNLOAD THE SHOW FROM OUR GREAT WEBSITE, VOICESFROMTHEFRONTLINES.COM AND REGISTER ON OUR WEBSITE, CHECK US OUT OUR PODCAST ON APPLE, SOUNDCLOUD,STICHER YOU HAVE 168 HOURS THIS WEEK AND EVERY WEEK—MAKE ONE OF YOUR BEST LISTENING TO VOICES EACH WEEK Eric’s summary of key points that will be discussed based on Laurie Barrett’s brilliant assessment This is a brand new microbe never seen on planet earth before. The U.S. death toll is 75 thousand and the world death

We hear two of Voices From the Frontlines greatest conversations with Mumia Abu Jamal about the Manticide of the youth, followed by a report by Channing Martinez from the Youth Justice Coalition (YJC) and the treatment of people in the justice system during this pandemic. Tune in to www.kpkf.org/player for full content.

Eric Mann and Channing Martinez host an organizers conversation with Gionna Magdelano, Angeles Soriano, Kassandra Soriano, students at Ouchi High School and Graduates of the Strategy Center's Transformative Organizing Summer Internship Program. Gionna, Angeles, and Kassandra lead the Taking Action Club at Ouchi High School and are Strategy Center Interns working with lead organizer Brigette Amaya. together they host a conversation on The Strategy Center’s Campaign for Urban Reconstruction--Free Public Transportation/Stop MTA Attacks on Black Passengers/No Cars in LA Learn about this organizing work at www.thestrategycenter.org Please join our movement by emailing us at info@thestrategycenter.org. Leave a phone number and we'll call you back! Listen to Voice from the Frontlines today at 3pm PST on KPFK 90.7fm OR use the button below to Stream the show live on KPFK.

The Covid-19 Virus and the Attack on Black People in Amerika The victory of Students Deserve. BLMLA, the LAUSD Board and Superintendent Austin Beutner— Agreeing on Universal Passage for all Students for All Classes and Move to Graduation The Bus Riders Union Campaign for Free Student Passes for All LAUSD Students and Free Public Transportation for All MTA Bus and Rail Riders Social connection amid Social Distancing and the Revolutionary role of parenting, grandparenting, family and Diary of a Wimpy Kid at this point in history Listen to the full show Go to www.BLMLA.org for more information on Black Lives Matter's current campaigns and work. Visit their social media profiles: Twitter: @BLMLA Instagram/Facebook: @BLMLosAngeles Go to www.thestrategycenter.org for more information on the Bus Riders Union's current campaigns and work. Visit their social media profile: Twitter/ Instagram: @Fight Soul Cities Facebook: @BusRidersUnion

Conversation with Talia Shire on her new film Working Man Talia Shire, best known for her role as Connie Corleone in the Godfather Films and Adrian Balboa in the Rocky films discusses her new film Working Man. Also starring Peter Gerrety as Allery Parker and Billy Brown as Walter Brewer Working Man is a moving film about what happens to workers when their plants close down—a never ending story under capitalism with so many different plots and endings. This is a fine film and we thank Richard Alaniz from the KPFK Film Club for making the connection with the producers. Also reach out to the Strategy Center for the story of the most successful movement against plant closings in which Voices host Eric Mann was the lead organizer—along with Pete Beltran, Mark Masaoka and Jake Flukers, the Campaign to Keep GM Van Nuys Open. This is reflected in the wonderful film Tiger by the Tail directed by Michal Goldman. Working Man will be released on May 5th to video on demand. For more information visit www.workingmanmovie.

The Covid Virus and the Attack on Black People in Amerika The victory of Students Deserve. BLMLA, the LAUSD Board and Superintendent Austin Beutner— Agreeing on Universal Passage for all Students for All Classes and Move to Graduation The Bus Riders Union Campaign for Free Student Passes for All LAUSD Students and Free Public Transportation for All MTA Bus and Rail Riders Social connection amid Social Distancing and the Revolutionary role of parenting, grandparenting, family and Diary of a Wimpy Kid at this point in history

Voices from the Frontlines:  In Conversation with Gina Womack Director of Families and Friends of Louisiana's Incarcerated Children Aired: March 31, 2020 @3pm PST Today on Voices radio Eric will be hosting a conversation with Gina Womack, Director of Families and Friends of Louisiana's  Incarcerated Children (FFLIC). Gina will speak about FFLIC's work to release all incarcerated youth in Louisiana in light of the Corona Virus Pandemic. We're working to have Voices from the Frontlines stay relevant during the COVID19 quarantine and encourage you help us builf the show. Please visit www.voicesfromthefrontlines.com to listen to all past shows. You can access the podcast of the show on Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud, Google Play, Stitcher, Tune In, and Blubrry. Eric and Channing want to hear from you, please send letters to eric@voicesfromthefrontlines.com in the next few weeks we're working to highlight the work of organizers working around issues exasperated by the COVID19 pandemic, and to bring you the latest

Eric offers a detailed review of our society as reflected by these two films. Listen to Eric and Channing talk about the film Sorry We Missed You, as they draw out the critical thought that takes place in the film, meant to make us think about our roles as consumer in this consumer culture. We also welcome back Co-Host and Producer of Voices From the Frontlines, Channing Martinez. He talk to us about his City Council campaign. Welcome back Channing!!! Read Eric's articles from CounterPunch, and take a listen to the show. https://www.counterpunch.org/2020/01/31/films-from-the-frontlines-bong-joon-hos-parasite/ https://www.counterpunch.org/2020/03/06/films-from-the-frontlines-sorry-we-missed-you-ken-loachs-stirring-exposure-of-capitalist-speed-and-consumers-greed/

Eric in conversation with Zach Norris, author of the new book We Keep Us Safe: Building Secure, Just, and Inclusive Communities, an investigation of new ideas in ending the prison system and the mass incarceration of Black and Latino people. Zach is the director of the Ella Baker Center in Oakland, a young veteran now in the larger social justice movement, and a graduate of the Labor/Community Strategy Center's National School for Strategic Organizing. We look forward to later "going to the phones" to hear the voices of our wonderful listeners who we hope are taking very good care of themselves and have our best wishes and love.

Today on Voices from the Frontlines: Conversation with Yves Piat, director and screenwriter “Nefta Football Club–nominated for best short film for Academy Award Nefta Football Club–nominated for best short film (live action) for Academy Award. Eric Mann, in-studio conversation with Yves Piat, director and writer of Nefta Football Club, nominated for Academy Award for short film, live action. In the south of Tunisia at the border with Algeria, two football fan brothers bump into a donkey lost in the middle of the desert. Strangely the animal wears headphones over its ears. The brothers journey to discover the significance of the white powder in its backpack while the donkey’s original masters desperately try to find it as well. This sets the scene for the brothers magical resolution of the mystery. This is a clever, very funny, thoughtful, film set in Tunisia, along with another nominated film, Brotherhood by Meryam Joobeur that Eric has also viewed. The Great Hope for a Free Student Pass on MTA Buses and

Eric will read sections from his essay, All Hail the Revolutionary King Martin Luther King Jr. and the Black Revolutionary Tradition Review of Parasite by Bong Joon-ho: A brilliant, terrific, pathbreaking film that raises the questions, "Who exactly is the parasite?" "Who are the parasites?" And, the hardest one of all, "How do you know that you are not a parasite????" And if time allows, "The New York Times endorsement of Elizabeth Warren and Amy Klobuchar--who gives a damn!" (and if not, you get the point already).

Today on voices: How do we build a movement against assassinations, and defending the humanity of General Quasem Soleimani. As the strongest military power in the world with virtually no history of fighting a war on its own stolen soil, the U.S. is virtually impervious to the consequences of its brutality. The assassination of Iranian General Kasem Soleimani was a terrible act of inhumanity but even Iran's measured and in fact muted response indicates a terrible reality--after the U.S. murdered General Soleimani, even if one "American" life would be lost in self-defense the U.S. would launch merciless air strikes and murder countless civilians and soldiers. The U.S. does not a viable anti-war movement and with all the self-righteousness of groups calling for "no war in Iran" Nancy Pelosi dresses up to mock Arabs and Muslims and Bernie Sanders opposition to the murder as "an assassination that violates international law" is followed by the most racist and hawkish slander of every other government in the wor

This week on Voices Radio: Eric talks about building up Voices From the Frontlines. We want feedback for the show. Email us at eric@voicesfromthefrontlines.com with ideas, comments, questions, concerns, community information, etc. We are building a community and a movement. Also, if you hear us talking about organizations that are doing great work, please contact them and tell us about it. Change happens from every angle. Become a change maker. CHALLENGE OF THE DAY: Get 5 friends to become Voices listeners, by first signing up on www.voicesfromthefrontlines.com, listen to us on Sound Cloud, Tune In, Apple Podcast, Stitcher and Google Play. Then like and follow up on Facebook and Twitter at EricMannSpeaks, and on IG, voicesfromthefrontlines. Here are the 5 asks;  Send Eric an email Get people to listen to the show, Tuesday’s from 3pm-4pm Listen to the show. Help others in the movement Listen to the podcast if you don’t listen to the show. Eric offers some really deeply rooted wisdom: The headline that the Na