In an inspiring episode of Hard Knock Radio, I had the honor of hosting a profound discussion with two remarkable voices in the realms of music and activism: Minister King X and Ras Kass, alongside former prisoner turned advocate, Sitawa. Our conversation revolved around the transformative “Black Man, Rumble” project—a powerful initiative leveraging art to … Continued
We speak with Adante Pointer, the lawyer for the people about the police shooting of K’aun Green, 20, a “hero” who prevented a shooting inside the La Victoria restaurant in March before a San Jose police officer opened fire. photo: Pixabay
Over a decade ago — in response to grassroots organizing against mass incarceration and police violence — a bipartisan coalition took shape. It brought together billionaires, large liberal non-profits, universities, rightwing think tanks, and politicians from both parties. Its stated aim was to reform the bloated criminal justice system on humanitarian grounds. Kay Whitlock argues … Continued
We speak with Claude Marks about the 50th anniversary of the Attica Rebellion. Claude Marks is the Co-director of The Freedom Archives, a San Francisco-based organization. Through the website and email list-serves, Freedom Archives provide a valuable resource documenting both revolutionary struggle and police state repression. photo: Oakland Abolition and Solidarity
The members of Legal Services for Prisoners with Children (LSPC) celebrated their 40th-anniversary last week at the Scottish Rite Center in Oakland. The group provides legal advocacy and works to create policies that will positively affect those who are in prison or have recently been released from it. The panel featured Michelle Alexander, Marc Lamont … Continued
Attorney William Kunstler discusses his involvement in Attica prison inmate defense, and the similarities of Attica to the Wounded Knee occupation.
Prisons, jails, immigrant detention centers. We know them as places of unfreedom, but we don’t often think about them as places of work. Yet compulsory labor is a key part of incarceration in this country. Sociologist Erin Hatton discusses the state of coerced work in prisons, the lack of worker protections, and how work has … Continued
We speak with Cree Ray about the San Francisco Black Film Festival and the legacy of her being a third generation to run it. We also speak with film maker Ellis Sutton. And Peter Pitt Mukuria reflects on mental illness in prison. photo: Denise Jans via Unsplash
Donald Trump infamously targeted immigrants — and many rejoiced when he left office. But, as historian Elliott Young points out, the criminalization of immigrants has been a bipartisan affair, going back 140 years. He discusses the intersection of mass incarceration and the detention of immigrants. Resources: Elliott Young, Forever Prisoners: How the United States Made … Continued
We speak with advocates for incarcerated people about the impact COVID-19 is having on the prison population in Northern California.
