CODEPINK Radio

Teri Mattson and Paki Wieland are joined by Steve Ellner, an author and intellectual of Venezuelan politics. Michelle Ellner and Leonardo Flores, leaders for CODEPINK's Latin America campaign, also join the hosts. The group discusses CODEPINK's new Good Neighbor Policy and what that means in regards to Latin America -- namely, Venezuela.

Terri Mattson and Paki Wieland are joined by Manolo Enrique and CODEPINK's Carley Towne. Manolo Enrique gives an account of Cuba's response to the global pandemic; how Cuban citizens and doctors are struggling because of the U.S. blockade but finds solidarity in China and several other countries around the world. Carley Towne talks about CODEPINK's divestment campaign and how you can participate on our April 15th, Tax Day action.

Teri Mattson and Paki Wieland are joined by Lindsay Koshgarian, Helena Cobban, and Leonardo Flores. Lindsay is with the National Priorities Project and discusses how the Unite States was severely unprepared to deal with the pandemic due to lack of funding while over-funding the military. Helena from Just World Educational brings to light the current situation in Syria and the importance of language when speaking on their government. Finally, CODEPINK's own Leonardo speaks on Venezuela and #WagtheDog.

Jodie Evans is this week's host! She is the co-founder of CODEPINK and called in from her home in Venice joined by Ariel Gold and Kenneth Bailey. Jodie discusses how we can cultivate local peace economies in the time of the coronavirus. Ariel reports on the situations in the Middle East with the pandemic and what actions you can take with CODEPINK to demand peace and justice. Kenneth Bailey from Design Studio for Social Innovation shares how they are creating local peace economies within their areas.

Teri Mattson and Paki Wieland have special guests, Medea Benjamin, co-founder of CODEPINK and Hassan Ell-Tayyab, a member of the Defense Committee of National Legislation. Medea recounts the beginning of the Iraq War and how it sparked the movement which created CODEPINK. Hassan speaks about the war in Yemen and how the United States is the one that sells weapons to Saudi Arabia. Both guests address the gross mishandling of the pandemic that the United States has been doing both lovally and internationally.

Teri Mattson and Paki Wieland speak with Mike Weisbrot, Carlos Ron, and Ann Wright. Mike Weisbrot speaks on the effects of sanctions on Venezuela from death to financial insecurity of the entire country as collective punishment. Carlos Ron is the Venezuelan Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs to elaborate on how sanctions, while not recognized as traditional warfare, accomplish the same violence. Ann Wright discusses how sanctions were imposed on Gaza when we were the ones to make the first acts of war against them.

Teri Mattson and Paki Wieland are joined with immigration attorneys, Jesse Franzblau of the National Immigration Rights Center and Gabby Rosazza of the US Labor Education in the Americas Project. The four reflect on the results from Super Tuesday and how that will affect the migrant situation at the U.S./Mexico Border. 

Ayanni Godbold, Teri Mattson, and Paki Wieland are joined by Azadeh Shahshahani and Joslyn Erica. Shahshahani discusses the humiliation and discrimination Iranian students are experiencing when trying and failing to return to the United States to pursue their higher education. Erica discusses recent actions in support of Julian Assange.

Ariel Gold and Teri Mattson are joined by Anne Wright and Medea Benjamin. It's a full Pink house! Anne Wright discusses the recent Afghanistan elections as well as possible peace plans with the United States. Medea Benjamin discusses the travel opportunities with CODEPINK to delegations in Latin America and Iran.

Teri Mattson and Paki Wieland speak with Christine Ahn, Gail Walker, and Leila Zand about the difference between "hot war" and "war by other means," primarily sanctions. While the presence of militant violence is absent, violence and death remains when resources are kept from citizens and families are kept apart.