Students have been protesting Biden and Netanyahu’s war on Gaza all over the City of Chicago while city, state, and Democratic Party officials worry about what it portends for the Democratic National Convention from August 19 to August 23. Comparisons to Chicago 1968 are common, and city police will be supported by Secret Service, FBI, Homeland Security, and neighboring police departments. The city has been denying all permits to protest within sight of the convention but it inadvertently granted one to the Poor People’s Army. Host and producer Ann Garrison spoke to Poor People’s Army leader Cheri Honkala.
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There has been a recent union organizing wave across the Deep South. Matt Littrell spoke with Pacifica’s Steve Zeltzer about the labor conditions that led him to become a socialist activist and union organizer at an Amazon warehouse in Kentucky.
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Next, Thomas O’Rourke interviews Garland Nixon, veteran broadcaster and current host on both Pacifica and Sputnik Radio about the 2024 election and more. Part Two of this interview will air on a future episode of Capitalism, Race, and Democracy.
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May 19 was the 99th birthday of Malcolm X, El Haj Malik El Shabazz. From the Pacifica Radio archives here’s an excerpt of his speech about African liberation struggles delivered on January 7, 1965 at the Socialist Workers party’s Militant Labor Forum in New York City. It was Malcom’s third and final speech at the forum. He was assassinated the next month, on Feb. 21st, 1965 at the Audubon Ballroom.
Muhummad Aziz and Khalil Islam, were convicted and wrongfully incarcerated for decades for his death. They were exonerated in 2021 due to the efforts of the Innocence Project, Shanies Law, and the New York County District Attorney’s Office’s Conviction Integrity Program. Aziz reportedly stated the government hid evidence that suggested he played no role in Malcolm’s death. Khalil Islam transitioned in 2009, at 74. According to the Amsterdam News, his estate and Muhummad Aziz will split a landmark settlement of 36 million dollars for their wrongful convictions. The terms of the settlement were confirmed by their attorney, David Shanies.
And that concludes today’s edition of Capitalism, Race & Democracy. We thank all of Pacifica’s sister stations and affiliates who contribute to the production of this show. Today’s program was produced by the Capitalism, Race & Democracy collective, with contributions from Steve Zeltzer, Akua Holt, Thomas O’Rourke, Polina Vasiliev, and Ann Garrison.
Thanks for listening!
Music:
What’s Beef? (People’s Remix) – G1 of Rebel Diaz
Billy Brag, “There is Power in a Union”
Archie Shepp and Art Ensemble of Chicago, Brother Malcom
