As COVID-19 begins to spread in the U.S. prison system, calls are growing in the New York City epicenter of the pandemic to release people from Rikers Island, the second-largest jail system in the country. At least 39 prisoners and 21 staff at Rikers Island have tested positive. Mayor Bill de Blasio said Monday the … Continued
Alarm is growing about the safety of more than 37,000 people held in immigrant detention centers and private jails that contract with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, where it is nearly impossible for them to avoid close contact to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Nearly half of those detained by ICE are accused of no … Continued
0:08 – With the shut-down of large events, newly laid off staff include stagehands, runners, concessions, security, technicians, artisans and more. Dan Ferreira is president of IATSE Local 107, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts of the United States, Its Territories and Canada. 0:15 – Free educational … Continued
As lockdowns and layoffs sweep the U.S., mutual aid groups are forming to protect and provide for the vulnerable, including the elderly, incarcerated, undocumented and unhoused. We look at the incredible community networks across the country that are coming together to protect their neighbors during the coronavirus pandemic — and how you can get involved. … Continued
The coronavirus relief package signed by President Trump Wednesday provides unemployment benefits and free coronavirus testing to millions of Americans suddenly out of a job, but guarantees paid sick leave to less than 20% of American workers. Earlier this month, Trump signed into law an $8 billion coronavirus response package and has laid out the … Continued
We speak with attorney Benjamin Crump about the water crisis in Flint, how it ties in with Covid-19 and other crisis facing our community. In the second half of the program we speak Phillip Agnew of the Dream Defenders about the coronavirus, Florida and Sen. Bernie Sanders. Photo Image: Crump on the left and Agnew … Continued
It has been seven weeks since the first case of the new coronavirus was reported in the United States. President Trump is claiming, “Anybody that needs a test gets a test,” but this is simply untrue. There have been just 11,000 tests so far throughout the United States since the coronavirus outbreak began, compared to … Continued
0:08 – Mondays with Mitch: Sanders vs. Biden debate, and COVID-19 bill passed in the House, will the Senate pass it? 0:34 – COVID-19 has now closed 85 percent of California schools. Jeff Freitas is the president of the California Federation of Teachers Brent Stephens is the Superintendent of the Berkeley Unified School District (BUSD), and … Continued
How is the disability community dealing with being among those constantly told they are the “most vulnerable?” We put this question to some of our community experts, Andrew Pulrang and Shaun Cartwright. Here’s some great links for more information about these crucial questions: Healing Justice “Coronavirus: Wisdom from a Social Justice Lens”, Creaky Joints … Continued
0:08 – Coronavirus outbreak shuts down large events, how will it impact workers? Joelle Gamble (@joelle_gamble) is an economist and organizer. She is a principal at the Reimagining Capitalism initiative at Omidyar Network and is on the Board of Directors of the Roosevelt Institute. Her latest piece in the Nation Magazine is “A Survival Guide … Continued
