KPFA - Hard Knock Radio

In a recent episode of Hard Knock Radio, host Davey D sat down with Cat Brooks of the Anti Police Terror Project (APTP) to discuss a controversial development: Northeastern University’s proposal to establish a private police force to patrol East Oakland. The conversation unpacked the implications of privatized policing, accountability concerns, and the broader issue of public safety in the city.

Formerly known as Mills College, Northeastern University’s Oakland campus is attempting to implement a private police force that would extend its jurisdiction beyond the campus, patrolling surrounding East Oakland neighborhoods. This plan, according to Brooks, was devised without consulting local residents, raising concerns about transparency and community representation.

Brooks highlighted that the initiative was spearheaded by Clay Burch, a former Oakland Police Department (OPD) officer known for overseeing the violent Wood Street encampment eviction. Alongside two non-resident proponents, Burch worked with Northeastern to push the plan forward.

Davey D and Brooks connected this proposal to a troubling trend—the privatization of policing. Historical precedents include Apple’s private police task force, which had full police powers and arrested a suspect in Emeryville, and the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), which once operated a law enforcement-like entity to combat bootlegging. These instances underscore a growing concern: Who holds private police accountable, and to whom do they report?

Northeastern’s proposed force would not be under Oakland’s jurisdiction, meaning any misconduct—including excessive force or civil rights violations—would lack local oversight. If lawsuits arise, Oakland taxpayers, not Northeastern University, could bear the financial burden.

Brooks dismantled the argument that adding more police improves public safety. Oakland already has seven different law enforcement agencies operating within its borders, including OPD, California Highway Patrol (CHP), Alameda County Sheriff’s Department, BART Police, East Bay Regional Parks Police, and federal agencies like ICE and the FBI.

Despite this heavy police presence, Oakland remains on the list of the most dangerous cities in the U.S. each year. Brooks argued that increasing law enforcement has not resolved crime issues and instead exacerbates racial profiling, police brutality, and community terror.

Rather than more police, East Oakland residents have expressed a need for improved infrastructure, such as repairing hazardous roads like MacArthur Boulevard, reducing traffic accidents, and addressing transit safety concerns. A recent survey showed that safety concerns in the community stem more from systemic neglect than from a lack of policing.

Brooks urged city officials and Northeastern University to redirect the proposed $20 million police budget toward these pressing community needs, emphasizing that investing in the well-being of Oakland residents would yield far greater safety benefits than expanding law enforcement.

The privatization of police could set a dangerous precedent. If Northeastern is successful, other corporations and universities may follow suit, further fragmenting law enforcement accountability and creating de facto enclaves of corporate-controlled policing.

Davey D pointed out that if this initiative gains traction, it could inspire national adoption, particularly under a federal administration supportive of increased law enforcement presence in urban areas. The conversation concluded with a warning: this is not just an Oakland issue, but a glimpse into the potential future of law enforcement across the country.

APTP is mobilizing against the proposal, calling for:

Brooks encouraged residents to stay informed, participate in community surveys, and advocate for investments in long-term safety solutions. Those interested in supporting APTP’s efforts can visit their website at antipoliceterrorproject.org and follow their updates on social media.

As Oakland faces a critical decision about the role of privatized policing, the voices of its residents must be at the forefront. This Hard Knock Radio discussion serves as a vital reminder that public safety must prioritize accountability, equity, and true community investment over expanding law enforcement’s reach.

Later in the show, we’ll hear from Poor News Magazine. All of POOR’s programs are focused on providing non-colonizing, community-based and community-led media, art and education with the goals of creating access for silenced voices, preserving and degentrifying rooted communities of color and re-framing the debate on poverty, landlessness, indigenous resistance, disability and race locally and globally.

Hard Knock Radio is a drive-time Hip-Hop talk show on KPFA (94.1fm @ 4-5 pm Monday-Friday), a community radio station without corporate underwriting, hosted by Davey D and Anita Johnson.

The post The Privatization of Policing in Oakland: In Conversation with Cat Brooks and A Look at America’s War on Disenfranchised Communities with Poor News Magazine appeared first on KPFA.

Presented by Kali Akuno (Cooperation Jackson) & Thandi Chimurenga

The Build and Fight lecture delves into the structural crisis of capitalism, the necessity of mutual aid, and the push toward economic self-determination. Akuno frames the discussion around Antonio Gramsci’s concept that “the old world is dying, the new world struggles to be born, now is the time of monsters.” He argues that capitalism is failing to sustain itself and that alternatives must be built from the ground up.

The Build and Fight framework argues for creating alternative economic structures that challenge capitalist dependency. Mutual aid is not just about survival—it is a tool for economic transformation and self-determination. By coordinating collective action, reclaiming production, and fostering tech sovereignty, communities can begin dismantling oppressive systems and building sustainable alternatives.

This lecture is a powerful call to action for communities to reclaim control over resources and redefine economic relationships through solidarity and collective action.

Hard Knock Radio is a drive-time Hip-Hop talk show on KPFA (94.1fm @ 4-5 pm Monday-Friday), a community radio station without corporate underwriting, hosted by Davey D and Anita Johnson.

The post Build and Fight Lecture Part 2: Mutual Aid & Economic Resistance appeared first on KPFA.

Presented by Kali Akuno (Cooperation Jackson) & Thandi Chimurenga

The Build and Fight lecture delves into the structural crisis of capitalism, the necessity of mutual aid, and the push toward economic self-determination. Akuno frames the discussion around Antonio Gramscis concept that the old world is dying, the new world struggles to be born, now is the time of monsters. He argues that capitalism is failing to sustain itself and that alternatives must be built from the ground up.

Key Themes & Arguments

The capitalist system is unable to reproduce itself at profitable rates.

Mutual aid is a necessary response to systemic failures.

Communities must take control of food, housing, healthcare, and essential goods.

Surveillance capitalism must be challenged by building independent tech infrastructure.

The decline of mass political parties means decentralized collectives must take the lead.

Systems of mutual aid and cooperative ownership must be defended from capitalist and state forces seeking to undermine them.

This lecture is a powerful call to action for communities to reclaim control over resources and redefine economic relationships through solidarity and collective action.

Hard Knock Radio is a drive-time Hip-Hop talk show on KPFA (94.1fm @ 4-5 pm Monday-Friday), a community radio station without corporate underwriting, hosted by Davey D and Anita Johnson.

The post Build and Fight Lecture Part 1: Mutual Aid & Economic Resistance appeared first on KPFA.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has long been at the center of geopolitical struggles, resource exploitation, and devastating conflict—issues that continue to shape the lives of millions. In this episode, we speak with Netfa Freeman, Pan-Africanist organizer and human rights activist, about the ongoing crisis in the Congo. We unpack the historical and present-day forces fueling instability, including foreign intervention, multinational corporate interests, and the struggle for sovereignty. Freeman also explores the role of grassroots resistance, Pan-African solidarity, and what people in the U.S. can do to support Congolese self-determination. Tune in for a critical discussion that connects the Congo’s fight for liberation with global movements for justice.

Hard Knock Radio is a drive-time Hip-Hop talk show on KPFA (94.1fm @ 4-5 pm Monday-Friday), a community radio station without corporate underwriting, hosted by Davey D and Anita Johnson.

The post Congo in Crisis: A Conversation with Netfa Freeman appeared first on KPFA.

Hard Knock Radio is a drive-time Hip-Hop talk show on KPFA (94.1fm @ 4-5 pm Monday-Friday), a community radio station without corporate underwriting, hosted by Davey D and Anita Johnson.

The post Hard Knock Radio – March 10, 2025 appeared first on KPFA.

On today’s show, our friends from the podcast, Kerning Cultures, bring us Black Panthers in Algeria. Its the story of when Elaine Mokhtefi landed in newly independent Algeria in the early 1960s and quickly found herself at the center of a special period in the countrys history, at a time when Algiers welcomed liberation groups from across the world ” earning a reputation as the Mecca of revolution.”

In this unlikely setting, Elaine moved in the same circles as world famous radicals, ragtag political parties, spies and military leaders. And she became an unlikely sidekick to one of the most iconic liberation groups of our time, just as it was beginning to fall apart. In the second half of the show we hear from Poor News Magazine about America’s war on the poor.

Hard Knock Radio is a drive-time Hip-Hop talk show on KPFA (94.1fm @ 4-5 pm Monday-Friday), a community radio station without corporate underwriting, hosted by Davey D and Anita Johnson.

The post Black Panthers in Algeria and Poor News Magazine appeared first on KPFA.

On a recent episode of Hard Knock Radio, host Davey D sat down with award-winning journalist and author Sonali Kolhatkar to discuss her latest book, Talking About Abolition: A Police-Free World is Possible. The conversation explored the growing discourse around abolition, the role of police in maintaining racial capitalism, the challenges of media narratives, and the need for cultural shifts to reimagine public safety.

Kolhatkar and Davey D opened the discussion by examining how mainstream media reinforces pro-policing narratives, often referred to as “copaganda.” Davey D pointed to a recent speech by Donald Trump, where a 13-year-old Black cancer survivor dressed as a police officer was used to evoke sympathy for law enforcement. Kolhatkar called this a classic example of how police institutions seek to maintain legitimacy by humanizing officers rather than addressing systemic violence.

She emphasized how Hollywood plays a major role in this propaganda by portraying police officers as women, people of color, and Black individuals to deflect criticism of systemic issues. “It’s a way to confer innocence upon police,” she explained, noting how media narratives obscure the real harm policing causes marginalized communities.

Kolhatkar traced her journey into abolitionist thinking, highlighting the influence of scholars and activists such as Ruth Wilson Gilmore, Dylan Rodriguez, and Angela Davis. She recalled how, decades ago, the concept of prison abolition seemed radical, but over time, through movements like Critical Resistance, it became a core framework for justice movements.

Her book compiles interviews with 12 leading abolitionists, including Alicia Garza, Melina Abdullah, Cat Brooks, and Leah Penniman, providing a broad and intersectional perspective on abolition. She stressed that abolition is not just about eliminating police and prisons but about building alternative structures of safety and justice that prioritize community well-being.

The conversation also touched on the misinterpretation and co-optation of abolitionist demands, particularly the slogan “Defund the Police.” Davey D noted that despite its clear intent—to shift resources from policing to community services—the phrase was deliberately distorted by politicians and media to stoke fear. Kolhatkar agreed, arguing that the backlash against “defund” was not accidental but a deliberate strategy to maintain police budgets and power.

She acknowledged critiques from figures like former Black Liberation Army member Daruba bin Wahad, who argued that “Defund the Police” lacked clarity and became a distraction. In response, Kolhatkar stressed that while language matters, so does the broader movement strategy—abolitionists must adapt messaging while staying committed to their goals.

Kolhatkar expanded the discussion beyond policing to the broader criminal justice system, particularly the role of judges and courts in perpetuating mass incarceration. She referenced the work of Yvette Ale-Ferlito, who created a Yelp-style platform to review judges, aiming to hold them accountable for their decisions that disproportionately harm Black and Brown communities.

She also underscored how policing, prisons, and capitalism are deeply interconnected, quoting Andrea Ritchie’s argument that police exist to enforce racial capitalism, not public safety. This, she argued, is why reform efforts consistently fail—because they only pour more money into law enforcement without addressing root causes like poverty and wealth inequality.

Perhaps the most crucial part of the conversation centered around the imagination needed to build a police-free society. Kolhatkar stressed that policing is a downstream response to social inequality—a band-aid on a fundamentally broken system. If the real goal is to reduce harm and violence, communities must invest in housing, healthcare, mental health support, and economic justice instead of policing.

She highlighted activists like Kat Brooks, who is working on Mental Health First Oakland, an alternative to police response for mental health crises. Similarly, Leah Penniman links abolition to food justice, arguing that restoring Black and Indigenous people’s relationship to land is key to community self-determination.

As the conversation wrapped up, Davey D asked Kolhatkar how the abolitionist movement can move forward, particularly in the face of growing backlash and political shifts. She urged listeners to remain committed to expanding the abolitionist vision, rather than being limited by electoral politics and short-term compromises.

Kolhatkar emphasized that abolition is not just about resistance—it’s about building a new world. She encouraged people to support local organizing efforts, engage in political education, and push for budgetary shifts that prioritize care over punishment.

In closing, she directed listeners to her book as a resource for deepening their understanding of abolitionist ideas and learning from the leaders who have been at the forefront of this movement.

Listeners can find Sonali Kolhatkar’s book Talking About Abolition: A Police-Free World is Possible at local bookstores or on Bookshop.org. She continues to host Rising Up with Sonali, available at risingupwithsonali.com, and writes for YES! Magazine.

Hard Knock Radio is a drive-time Hip-Hop talk show on KPFA (94.1fm @ 4-5 pm Monday-Friday), a community radio station without corporate underwriting, hosted by Davey D and Anita Johnson.

The post Sonali Kolhatkar on Abolition and Imagining a Police-Free Future appeared first on KPFA.

Hard Knock Radio: Breaking Down the Political Theater & Real Threats Behind Trump’s Speech

In this episode of Hard Knock Radio, host Davey D is joined by Medea Benjamin of Code Pink, Kali Akuno of Cooperation Jackson, and Thandi Chimurenga of Black Liberation Media to dissect the real dangers lurking beneath Trump’s latest speech and the broader political landscape that enables his agenda.

First, Medea Benjamin breaks down Trump’s speech, highlighting its highly partisan nature, strategic gaslighting, and lack of accountability for U.S. policies—especially concerning Gaza and student protests. She critiques both Trump and the Democratic Party for their complicity in global conflicts, particularly in Palestine, where both parties have allowed Israel to continue its genocidal policies unchecked. She also warns of escalating crackdowns on student activists, with Trump openly threatening to expel, arrest, or deport protesters while using federal funding as leverage to silence dissent.

The conversation continues with Kali Akuno and Thandi Chimurenga, who take a deeper dive into the political theater surrounding Trump’s speech and the Democratic Party’s failure to provide real opposition. Akuno emphasizes that despite the chaotic and theatrical delivery, Trump is dead serious about enacting policies that will reshape the U.S. and global order, including tariffs, foreign intervention, and the dismantling of democratic institutions. Chimurenga points out how Black communities are being strategically used as props—such as Trump parading a Black 13-year-old boy who wants to be a cop—while simultaneously gutting programs that would actually support Black and Brown communities.

Together, they expose how Democrats and Republicans are ultimately aligned in maintaining U.S. imperialism, with only differences in tactics. The show closes with a call to action, urging listeners to organize, resist, and find a political home as the fight for justice continues.

This is a must-listen episode for anyone looking to cut through the distractions and understand the real power moves shaping our world today. Tune in and get the unfiltered truth on Hard Knock Radio.

The conversation between Hard Knock Radio host Davey D and Medea Benjamin of Code Pink focused on Trump’s recent address to Congress, broader political dynamics, and key policy concerns.

The discussion underscored growing concerns about government repression of activism, the bipartisan consensus on silencing dissent, and the urgent need for movements to stand together against political crackdowns.

Hard Knock Radio is a drive-time Hip-Hop talk show on KPFA (94.1fm @ 4-5 pm Monday-Friday), a community radio station without corporate underwriting, hosted by Davey D and Anita Johnson.

The post Hard Knock Radio: Breaking Down the Political Theater & Real Threats Behind Trump’s Speech appeared first on KPFA.

On Hard Knock Radio, host Davey D and Dr. James Taylor engaged in a critical discussion about the Trump administration’s economic policies, particularly tariffs, and their broader implications on both domestic and global affairs.

Dr. Taylor urges listeners to study historical Black resistance movements to prepare for decades of struggle ahead. He references:

The conversation closes with Dr. Taylor emphasizing that Black communities already have the blueprint for resistance—they must refine and adapt it for the current era. He warns that the choice ahead is between progress or regression, just as in past historical moments when America chose Jim Crow over racial democracy.

Hard Knock Radio is a drive-time Hip-Hop talk show on KPFA (94.1fm @ 4-5 pm Monday-Friday), a community radio station without corporate underwriting, hosted by Davey D and Anita Johnson.

The post Hard Knock Radio Conversation Between Host Davey D and Political Professor Dr. James Taylor appeared first on KPFA.

Dr. Akilah Cadet, the founder and CEO of Change Cadet, joined Hard Knock Radio to discuss her book, White Supremacy Is All Around: Notes from a Black Disabled Woman in a White World. The conversation with Davey D explored the state of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), the rise of anti-Black sentiment, and the broader implications of white supremacy in everyday life.

The Decline of DEI and Rise of Anti-Blackness

White Supremacy: A System That Benefits from Oppression

The Role of White Women in White Supremacy

Navigating Oppression as a Black Disabled Woman

The Illusion of Power and the Role of Accomplices

Combating White Supremacy and Moving Forward

She also encouraged readers to support her book, not just for its content but as a step toward engaging with these critical conversations.

Conclusion

For those looking to deepen their understanding, White Supremacy Is All Around provides both personal narratives and historical context that shed light on the pervasive nature of racial injustice.

Hard Knock Radio is a drive-time Hip-Hop talk show on KPFA (94.1fm @ 4-5 pm Monday-Friday), a community radio station without corporate underwriting, hosted by Davey D and Anita Johnson.

The post Dr. Akilah Cadet on White Supremacy and Belonging appeared first on KPFA.