This Is America #77: Knoxville Abortion Doula Collective

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It's Going Down
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Welcome, to This Is America, June 7th, 2019.

In this episode, we speak with someone from the Knoxville Abortion Doula Collective about their ongoing organizing in Tennessee and beyond, the history of political and far-Right attacks on reproductive freedom and autonomy, and an analysis of the current political situation in the United States in regards to abortion access.

We then switch gears and discuss headlines as well as the implications of a recent essay that was published on It’s Going Down.

All this and more, but first, let’s get to the news!

Living and Fighting:

  • The trial against No More Deaths volunteer Dr. Scott Warren has now rested and has gone to the jury, which will continue to deliberate on a verdict on Monday of next week. No More Deaths wrote on Twitter: “The Prosecution and Defense have rested, closing arguments have ended. Now, the power shifts to the jury. We hope they see this case for what it is, a targeted attack on , and more importantly the migrants that aid is intended for. “
  • In Philly, people are staging large demonstrations against the police, after a Buzzfeed investigation found that a large segment of the police force openly promoted far-Right and violent memes and rhetoric on social media.
  • Land defenders in Northern California report: “[Humboldt Redwood Lumber] has begun logging on Long Ridge! Concerned community members stopped loggers at the front gate on Monument Ridge this morning. Private security and 10 sheriffs responded. The loggers were turned away but will doubtlessly keep trying. The forest can use your help more than ever!” Check out the upcoming mobilization to save the ancient Mattole forest for more information.

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Rainbow Ridge Direct Action Mobilization! June 12 – 19, 2019 in so-called Humboldt County RSVP to check in, get directions, and get more details on what to bring – efhum@riseup.net Logging season is upon us! Do you want to take part in the ongoing direct actions to protect the Mattole forest? With the spring rains abating, Humboldt Redwood Company has their greedy eye on the mighty trees gracing the precious ridges of the Mattole watershed. Come to base camp to train and prepare to join in backwoods action with like-minded forest rebels! There are also many roles to fill in base camp. All are welcome! Base camp will be located at an outdoor group camp. If you have specific accessibility needs, please be in contact via efhum@riseup.net . Vehicle parking is quite limited, so please be in touch to coordinate rides. As the situation escalates, forest defense in the Mattole has become a year round effort. Your involvement can make a big impact! Monetary and gear donations also help make it happen! Online Fundraiser at – http://tiny.cc/supportbasecamp RSVP to check in, get directions, and get more details on what to bring – efhum@riseup.net #savethemattolesancientforest #showupatthethrowdown #stophabitatdestruction #banglyphosate #glyphosate #roundup #extinctionrebellion #anthropocene #directaction #swarm #buzzword

A post shared by Blockade Babes (@blockade.babes) on

  • Reports of horrific conditions inside migrant detention facilities continue to hit the mainstream. In new reports of inspections, officials found nooses inside holding cells, “staff serving spoiled food and wrongly putting people in isolation. Homeland security inspectors visited four Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) centres and described “egregious violations” of standards at two of them including inadequate medical care.” To make matters worse, the government has moved to cut off English classes, legal services, and even funds for recreational equipment for detailed migrant children.
  • PRIDE events are happening across the country and in many instances, resulting in struggles between elements who want to whitewash the riotous history of PRIDE and those that want to preserve its liberatory and rebellious character. Currently in Sacramento people are calling for protests and alternative events, after PRIDE organizers agreed to allow the police the ability to march in the parade.
  • The Trump administration is joining the pushing for more penalties for those that resist pipeline expansion. According to ThinkProgress:

In April, Trump signed executive orders clearing the way for oil and gas pipelines to be built more quickly.[Now, t]he Trump administration is seeking to dramatically escalate federal penalties for pipeline protesters. Under newly proposed changes, pipeline protesters could face up to 20 years in prison for disrupting the construction of oil and gas infrastructure. The move echoes similarly harsh penalties for anti-pipeline activists being adopted in several states. Updates proposed would make interrupting pipeline construction or damaging existing pipelines a federal crime.

  • Scott Campbell writing on Twitter stated, “Attempting to appease Trump and his tariff threat, yesterday Mexico detained 400 migrants at the border with Guatemala, deploying the newly created National Guard for the first time in an operation targeting migrants. yesterday, Mexico detained two migrant rights defenders, Cristóbal Sánchez and director Irineo Mujica. Today Mexico’s Ministry of Finance froze the bank accounts of 26 people they claim are involved in the “illegal organization of migrant caravans.” Mexico has also offered to send troops to the border, and is currently “Similar to US prosecution of volunteer Scott Warren, Mexico is now seeking to criminalize those who may have provided humanitarian support to migrants with federal charges.”
  • Lastly, anarchist prisoner Sean Swain is in need of support, as he still has not received his property after being moved to a new facility. Sean is asking people to write to:

Earlena Shepherd
Interstate Compact Coordinator
ODRC
4545 Fisher Road, Suite D
Columbus, OH 43228

Upcoming Events:

  • June 9th: Running Down the Walls events are happening in Los Angeles and Oakland, California, in Chicago, Illinois, and in New York. More info here.
  • June 10-15th: Events taking place all over for the global day of solidarity with long-term anarchist prisoners on June 11th and beyond. More info on events here.
  • June 12th: Info-night in solidarity with Indonesia anarchists in Minneapolis. More info here.
  • June 12th – 19th: Save the Mattole Direct Action Convergence in Northern California. More info here.
  • June 14th-17th: Fight Toxic Prisons conference. Gainesville, Florida. More info here.
  • June 15th – 23rd: Wild Roots, Feral Futures in Southwest Colorado. More info here.
  • June 19th: Mobilize against Nationalist Solutions conference. More info here.
  • June 23rd: Running Down the Walls event in Hamilton, Ontario. More info here.
  • June 29th – 30th: Southern Regional Organizing Assembly of the IWW in Richmond, VA. More info here.
  • August 3rd-11th: Institute for Advanced Trouble Making in Worcester, MA. More info here.
  • August 16th-18th: Indigenous Anarchist Convergence in so-called Flagstaff, Arizona. More info here.
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