Activist Class

Who really funds the Seattle Police Department?

In this episode we delve deep into the heart of Seattle's policing landscape, reflecting on the aftermath of the defund police movement that shook the city during 2020. We'll explore the complexities surrounding the movement, its impact on the community, and the aftermath of a now inflated police budget that includes cutting-edge police technology proposed for SeattlePD.

Get an exclusive sneak peek into the latest Seattle Police gossip, including the secret world of a Seattle police officer who finds solace in writing murder mysteries.

We then discuss the pivotal role of the Seattle Foundation in the city's policing universe, especially its involvement with the Seattle Police Department during 2020. Explore why targeting this influential institution was crucial for activists, and how their efforts continue to shape the discourse around police reform and police abolition.

Class is in session.

Guest: Justin from DivestSPD

In the heart of the neoliberal capital, Seattle, The Activist Class takes a closer look at the recent PR nightmare that the Seattle Police Department has found itself embroiled in. First, we delve into a leaked body cam video that sent shockwaves through the country. The footage captures the Vice President of Seattle's Police Union laughing callously in the aftermath of a tragic incident involving a South Asian woman named Jaahnavi Kandula, who was fatally struck by a police cruiser. 

Three years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and 2020's nationwide movement to defund police, Activist Class is back. The same notorious rabble-rousers you know and love return to host Seattle's most important support-group — oops, I mean podcast. We're joined by Howard Greenwich from Puget Sound Sage, to talk about the recent wildfires in Maui and the PNW, our local homelessness emergency, and the ways disaster-capitalists exacerbate the crises they exploit. Later were joined by Real Change's Guy Oron, for our newest hyper-local news segment, Gossip Guy. All that and so much more. Class is (back) in session.

Following two months of protest, Seattle is positioned to become one of the first major US cities to substantially defund their police. We sit down with activists from Decriminalize Seattle to learn about what’s led up to the city’s historic votes to defund SPD in the remaining 2020 budget, what protestors need to know about the upcoming 2021 budget, and how we plan to reinvest in Black communities and truer forms of public health and safety.

Interested in learning more about Decrim’s four point plan and participatory budgeting? Confused about what’s been cut so far and what happens next? Class is in session.

Seattle Activists breakdown the days following the murder of George Floyd and discuss what's next following the Mayor's emergency press conference. We share first hand experiences with the police escalations, the fight to defund police by 50%, the ban of chemical warfare, and creation of Capitol Hill Organized Protests (CHOP). Having a hard time deciphering what's actually happening while reading the news? 

Class is in session.

Best Selling Author Ijeoma Oluo joins the Activist Class to talk about the financial pressures increasing for those in the arts - especially for artists of color, the widespread cancellation of group events and  disproportionate impact on the Seattle arts community - especially those who rely on gigs to pay their bills, baking croissants during quarantine, and her new book!

Class is in Session!

We are joined by Prison Abolition Activist JM Wong and Washington State Inmate and Black Prisoners Caucus member Kimonti Carter, who is calling from Stafford Creek Corrections Facility. We talk about the lawsuit against the Department of Corrections, living conditions inside of Stafford Creek Corrections Facility during a health crisis, and Gov. Inslee's response to protest at Monroe Correctional Complex. 

This week on Activist Class we sit down with WA State Dreamers and activists Alejandra Perez and Daniela Murguia to discuss what Undocumented Americans going through during this national pandemic, lack of resources in Seattle's public school system for communities of color, and play Zaddy, Daddy, Father with the Kardashian men. 

Class is in session! 

This week on Activist Class we sit down with freshman King County Councilmember Girmay Zahilay to discuss his experience going from campaign mode to being a part of a county council that was ground zero for a global pandemic, the lack of accessibility to resources for immigrant communities and businesses, the Covid19 outbreak in county jails and what we should do about it, and Zaddy, Daddy, Father with his favorite Michaels. 

Class is in session.

Restaurants have been hit hard by the economic fallout of the COVID19 crisis. Staff in the industry were the first to experience massive layoffs due to new social distancing rules and government mandated closures. Chef/Owner Melissa Miranda of Musang joins Activist Class to talk about converting her popular Seattle Filipino restaurant into a free food program.

With over 100 Seattle restaurants coming together to form Seattle Restaurants United, will the government provide enough bailout money to keep these Seattle staples alive? What do restaurant workers and owners need to get back on their feet? How could this permanently change the way restaurants do business?