Law & Disorder

LAPD doles out death and reinstates controversial chief; Plus, State Terror Roundup and a letter from San Quentin State Prison

We start this show with our usual Thursday State Terror Roundup. Then, in the first few days of 2023, the Los Angeles Police Department murdered three people in two days: Takar Smith, Oscar Sanchez and Keenan Anderson. Takar Smith was in the middle of a mental episode when his wife called the non emergency line … Continued


Law & Disorder

Centrality of slavery in the making of American society w/ ‘genius’ Saidiya Hartman

We spend this show on the legacy of the peculiar institution of chattel slavery that have led to the social and economic structures we live in and under. We’re in conversation with Saidiya Hartman, an American writer and academic focusing on African-American studies, who just re-released her seminal 1997 book for its 25th anniversary, Scenes … Continued


Law & Disorder

Death by Prison – Examining Life Without the Possibility of Parole Sentencing

In recent decades, life imprisonment without the possibility of parole (LWOP) has developed into a distinctive penal form in the United States, one firmly entrenched in US policy-making, judicial and prosecutorial decision-making, correctional practice, and public discourse. LWOP is now a routine practice, but how it came to be so remains in question. Fifty years … Continued


Law & Disorder

Fallout in Memphis from the Tyre Nichols police killing; Plus, removing armed police from traffic enforcement in LA

We start today’s show with our weekly State Terror Roundup segment. Then, we go to Memphis, where talk with Amber Sherman about the recent police killing of Tyre Nichols, a young Black man who was pulled from his car for allegedly driving recklessly, and beaten for three full minutes by five officers. He was hospitalized … Continued


Law & Disorder

The history of American policing and its violence w/ Professor Nikki Jones

In the wake of the horrifying police killing of Tyre Nichols, we spend the hour in conversation about the history of policing with Professor Nikki Jones. Nikki Jones is Professor of African American Studies at UC-Berkeley. Her work examines the experiences of Black women, men, and youth with the criminal legal system, policing, and violence. … Continued


Law & Disorder

Newsom’s CARE Court’s constitutionality challenged by advocacy orgs; Plus, Uhuru Movement raided by the FBI

On todays show: Multiple civil rights and disability groups are challenging Governor Newsom’s CARE Courts measure, which would force some folks with mental health and substance abuse issues into facilities for treatment. We speak with Sarah Gregory, Senior Attorney at Disability Rights California, along with Nubyaan Scott, Staff Attorney in the Civil Rights Practice Group … Continued


Law & Disorder

Ending the torture of solitary confinement in CA; Plus, Moms 4 Housing

On today’s show: After failing to make it through the legislative process this past fall, California State Assemblymember Chris Holden has reintroduced the Mandela Act – a legislative act that would severely limit California’s prison system from using solitary confinement as punishment. Holden represents Southern California’s District 41. It’s worth noting that if passed, the … Continued


Law & Disorder

Atlanta’s Cop City and the grassroots fight against it; Plus, New Jersey rolls back rights of trans prisoners

Cat gives her reactions and analysis about the suspension of Oakland Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong amid scandalous non-accountability, as his community makes public their demand of reinstatement. Follow Cat Brooks on Twitter: https://twitter.com/catscommentary Then, New Jersey is rolling back rights for trans prisoners making it even more difficult for them to be incarcerated at institutions … Continued