kpfk Archives - LEFT COAST FORUM

How the Racial, Social, and Climate Justice Movements Can Play an Independent Role in the 2020 Presidential Election

Eric Mann • Channing Martinez • Sharon Kyle • Dick Price • Brigette Amaya

Saturday, 12 October 2019, 1 p.m.

This workshop is based on two clear political assumptions

We need a broad united front to defeat Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election

We need an independent social movement to the left of and independent of the Democratic Party to put forth a clear anti-racist, anti-imperialist, climate justice program to pressure the candidates and strengthen our own movement.

The California Democratic Primary will be held on March 3, 2020. The fight over which Democrat to support and who will be the best candidate to defeat Donald Trump is a legitimate debate. Many of us believe that Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren are the most progressive candidates, but this is NOT the subject of this panel.

The challenge is WHO ARE WE and WHAT DO WE STAND FOR.

We do not really control who the Democrats will nominate. But how do we play a role in bringing demands on the candidates in the primaries and fighting on so many issues neither party is fighting for? For example, how can we demand progress on issues like these:

Stop the US wars against Russia and China—Stop the US war against the world
Reparations for Black People for the continuing crimes of the transatlantic slave trade today
Immediate hiring of Black People for 50% of all public and private sector jobs now!
U.S. out of Venezuela, Afghanistan, Iraq and the World
Stop all US. aid to Israel, stop the Israeli blockade of Gaza; support the Palestinian resistance; Support Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions
Shut down all 800 U.S. military bases and 1,719 state prisons, 102 federal prisons, 942 juvenile correctional facilities, 3,283 local jails, and 79 Indian Country jails as well as in military prisons, immigration detention facilities, civil commitment centers.
Free the U.S. 2.3 million prisoners
U.S. must cut all greenhouse gas emissions by 50% of 1990 levels by 2025
Free public transportation and no cars in L.A.
Free, safe, and legal abortions for all women
Full rights, sovereignty and reparations for all Indigenous peoples
Open borders for all immigrants now

Channing Martinez will give one example of an independent, anti-racist, anti-imperialist, climate justice campaign in Los Angeles in the 10^th City Council District on March 3, 2020.

The panelists will address how can we bring an independent political program into the elections and whether Trump or the Democrats are elected, what is our own long-term plan for influence and power?

Eric Mann, panel chair, host, KPFK Voices from the Frontlines and panel chair, author, Playbook for Progressives: The 16 Qualities of the Successful Organizer

Channing Martinez, producer of Voices and candidate for the 10th City Council District in L.A.

Sharon Kyle, Publisher, L.A. Progressive, co-chair Left Coast Forum

Dick Price, Editor, L.A. Progressive, co-chair Left Coast Forum

Brigette Amaya, Lead Organizer Labor Community Strategy Center in L.A. high schools

Please follow and like us:

Sluggo Wasserman Explains All of U.S. History in 54 Minutes or Less

Sluggo Wasserman

Using his easy-to-grok theories of historic DNA & cycles, Harvey “Sluggo” Wasserman offers a full understanding of our national story in under a hour. That includes the current abomination in the White House, and how to pick up the pieces. There’ll then be time for questions. Harvey Wasserman’s History of the US was introduced by Howard Zinn in 1972 as among the first of a new generation of “People’s Histories.” Sluggo has co/written more than 20 books, hosts the California Solartopia Show at KPFK, has taught at numerous colleges. He’s been active in the peace, civil rights, organic food, No Nukes, environmental, election protection & other social movements. There will be no quiz after this unique performance. But most likely you’ll know a lot more than when you started.

Harvey “Sluggo” Wasserman’s radio show are Green Power & Wellness podcast at prn.fm 2-3pm Eastern time Thursdays, and California Solartopia broadcast at KPFK-Pacifica 90.7FM Los Angeles, Thursdays 6:30-7pm Pacific time.

His 20 books include SOLARTOPIA! Our Green-Powered Earth, Harvey Wasserman’s History of the US, A Glimpse of the Big Light: Losing Parents, Finding Spirit and The Life & Death Spiral of US History: From Deganawidah to the Trumpocalypse to Rebirth, all at www.solartopia.org. With Bob Fitrakis he’s co-authored six books on election protection including The Strip & Flip Disaster of America’s Stolen Elections. He’s also about solarizing LA, and would be glad to hear about your roof.

Please follow and like us:

Keynote: Sonali Kolhatkar

Saturday, 12 Ocrtober, 4 p.m.

Sonali Kolhatkar is Host and Executive Producer of the KFPK Pacifica show, Rising Up With Sonali, seen on TV and heard on radio across the US on Free Speech TV and dozens of Pacifica affiliates. She is also a weekly columnist for Truthdig.com and author of Bleeding Afghanistan: Washington, Warlords, and the Propaganda of Silence. Her columns and TV/radio show have won numerous awards including Best Election Commentary and Best TV Anchor at the Los Angeles Press Club annual awards.

Sonali has a Master of Science in Astrophysics from the University of Hawaii. Her 2014 Tedx talk was titled, My Journey from Astrophysicist to Radio Host, or How I Found Meaning in My Life. Sonali is also an artist and mother of two and lives in Pasadena.

Please follow and like us: