Making Contact

Making Contact – Small Farms, Big Future

Climate change is upon us.  The world’s water supply is shrinking.  And increasingly, local, organic food is becoming more than just a fad or a luxury for wealthy foodies.  On this edition, we go to California, America’s leading producer of fruits, vegetables, and dairy, to see some examples of how the nation’s agricultural industry is … Continued


Making Contact

Making Contact – No ‘Fracking’ Way: The Perils of Natural Gas Drilling

We’ll hear excerpts from the movie Gasland, including stories from residents who say their drinking water catches on fire—one of the toxic affects of hydraulic-fracking a natural gas drilling method that uses hundreds of chemicals.  While the BP oil spill has increased calls to use natural gas as a so-called ‘clean energy’ alternative, activists are … Continued


Making Contact

Making Contact – Oscar Grant and Police Accountability

Barbara Attard, civilian oversight consultant, former San Francisco Office of Citizen Complaints investigator and former Berkeley Police Review Commission Director; Marcel Diallo, artist and victim of police harassment; Rashidah Grinage, PUEBLO Executive Director; Jason Wechter, San Francisco Office of Citizen Complaints investigator; Reginald Lyles, BART consultant and former Berkeley Police Officer; Gary Gee, BART Police … Continued


Making Contact

Making Contact – Lessons from Latin America

For decades, people have said the United States has treated Latin America as a project for exploit and economic expansion. Even do-gooders see the global south as deserving of unilateral help or charity.  But social change activists say the tables have turned.  On this edition, we'll hear from experts who say – especially in times … Continued


Making Contact

Making Contact – Crisis as Opportunity: Voices from The U.S. Social Forum

This June, thousands of grassroots activists converged on Detroit, Michigan to attend the United States Social Forum.  Participants said it wasn't a conference, but a movement building process toward ecological and economic justice.  We were at the forum and on this edition of Making Contact, we'll bring you some of the local and international voices … Continued