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Making Waves

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Convergence

Danger from the Right

Countering Active Clubs: Lessons from the Northwest Pro-Democracy Movement, with Lindsay Schubiner

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Over the past couple of decades white nationalists and authoritarians have become growing threats to democracy and peace in northwestern states like Oregon and Washington. Lindsay Schubiner of the Portland, Oregon based Western States Center joins the show to take us on a journey through history to learn not only how the situation became what it is today, but to also point out legacies and modern day efforts of resistance. Lindsay specifically gives insight on the new threats from “active clubs”, networks of local white nationalist groups that train together and often show up to target and intimidate the community. What can we learn from the pro-democracy movement in the Pacific Northwest to build a super majority and counter these active clubs around the country?

You Belong Here – Organizing White People for a Multi-Racial Democracy, with Erin Heaney

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Authoritarians and anti-democratic political elites attack democracy because a robust and equitable democracy is the ultimate regulator of wealth and power. But their bottom lines are drawn behind their own heels and in front of the toes of working families. So, how are they attempting to build a mass populist movement against democracy, popular enough to use the democratic process to take power?  By organizing down the class ladder to white workers; a move that use to legitimate their claim of being champions of "real" Americans. In this episode Executive Director of Standing Up For Racial Justice, Erin Heaney addresses the elephant in the room: how do we compete for the hearts and minds of white workers and build a counter-movement for progress and a multi-racial democracy? As executive director of the largest white anti-racist organization in the US, Erin shares the sometimes messy work of organizing in white communities that have been fed lies by authoritarian. How are race and gender weaponized to divide us, and how do we make the case that a multi-racial democracy means prosperity for everyone?

Community and Connection: The Antidotes to Authoritarianism, with Sulma Arias

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Authoritarians rely on scapegoat tactics to distract the public from root problems and isolate groups that have historically faced discrimination. Scot and Sue are joined by Sulma Arias, an immigrant herself who for decades has fought to block authoritarian policies, restore faith in democracy, and build a multi-racial majority that wins together. She reflects on her time organizing in Kansas against anti-immigrant and authoritarian politician Kris Kobach, and makes the case for how a revival of community and worker organizing is key to stopping authoritarianism.