UpFront

Coronavirus sweeping CA prisons: San Quentin stalls on releases, hunger strike in Corcoran, pressure on state mental health hospitals; Plus: One man’s story of being stabbed at the Million MAGA March last weekend

0:08 – Is there any relief coming? Plus: how does Trump exit.

Mitch Jeserich hosts Letters and Politics, weekdays at 10AM on KPFA.

0:33 – Trump supporters at the Million Maga March incite violence

Todd (not his real name) was assaulted and stabbed by Proud Boys at the Million Maga March in Washington DC last weekend, while marching with Black Lives Matter. 

0:47 – New deal brokered to remove Klamath Dams

Thad Greenson (@ThadeusGreenson) is the news editor of the North Coast Journal. His latest report is “New deal brokered to remove Klamath Dams.”

1:08 – So far, San Quentin releases aren’t happening – why not?

Charles Carbone is a prisoner rights attorney who represents 20 petitioners in San Quentin prison litigating for release and safety from the COVID outbreak.

1:20 – Other problems inside CDCR: guards not wearing masks

Phil Ting (@PhilTing) is State Assemblymember for the 19th District, and Chair of the Assembly Budget Committee. 

1:33 – Massive COVID outbreak at Corcoran prison in King’s County has resulted in over 500 positive cases among people incarcerated, and 50 staff. The outbreak has also prompted 3 people to go on hunger strike, now in Day 18.

Eric is an organizer with Oakland Solidarity and Abolition.

1:45 – CA state mental hospitals pressured to take people, risk COVID

Lee Romney (@leeromney) is an independent journalist and co-host of the podcast in development, November in My Soul, on mental illness, confinement and liberty in California. Her latest piece for CalMatters is “Could California’s psych hospitals be ordered to admit inmates with COVID?”