The 38,000 members of UAW 4811 at the University of California took a strike vote because of the UC Regents’ union busting and attacks on students. Pacifica’s Steve Zeltzer interviewed UAW 4811 member Peter Ross about the attacks on the encampments and what this means for all UC workers and labor as a whole.
***
Next, Black Alliance for Peace Member and Executive Editor of Black Agenda Report, Margaret Kimberly, spoke in front of the United Nations Security Council on May 20, 2024, about weapons disarmament and the Ukraine proxy war.
***
Protest is growing against US-supported royalty in Thailand. On May 14th, activist “Bung” Nettiporn died after a 100 day hunger strike while protesting for political rights, and reportedly violating a Royal Defamation law known as Article 112. 112 is seen as a political tool that allows individuals to be targeted and charged with severe penalties, including imprisonment for a term of three to fifteen years, according to reports.
Pacifica’s Steve Zeltzer interviewed labor researcher “New” who is also a volunteer at the Thai Labor Museum in Bangkok.
***
Hundreds attended the service of the U.S. Senior Airman Roger Fortson (23 yrs old), on May 17, 2024 at the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Stone Creek, GA. An Okaloosa County Sheriff’s deputy shot Fortson in his own home in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, on May 3rd, 2024, after someone from the complex called the police to report, “possible domestic violence.” At the time, Fortson was alone with his dog, while talking to his girlfriend on Facetime.
To date the caller, nor the deputy have been identified. According to reports, The officer — and not Fortson — opened fire within seconds. Supervisors say the deputy acted in self-defense. During a press conference, Fortson’s legal team, which includes Civil Rights Atty Ben Crump, reminded the press of his Second Amendment rights in a state that helped popularize “Stand Your Ground” laws after the killing of Trayvon Martin more than a decade ago.
Dr. Jamal Bryant began the eulogy of Senior Airman Roger Fortson, with a story about civil rights icon Medgar Evers’ Army service during World War II.
A sea of blue Air Commandos attended the celebration of life in support of Fortson, including Col. Patrick Dierig Commander of 1st. Special Operations Wing of Hurlburt Field, where Fortson was stationed. Dierig said he would “love to take credit for making Fortson great, but the truth is he was great before he came to us, and the Air Force merely polished a diamond that you forged.” He further stated, “Senior Airman Fortson was a man of honor, integrity, and courage.”
MaCharie Dunbar, an Air Force retiree who serves on the board of the Black Veterans Project, said, “Many of us are just saddened and angered by the continued unnecessary loss of Black lives at the hands of police, and we want to know how many times do police officers have to get it wrong before they do something collectively to get it right?” Senior Airman Roger Fortson was awarded the Air Medal with a combat device in 2023.
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, Ann Garrison, Polina Vasiliev, and Akua Holt.
Thanks for listening!
Music:
Mike Stout, “Time for a General Strike”
Rebel Diaz, “American Nightmare”
Jit Phumisak, “The Anti-imperialist March”
