Sojourner Truth Radio

U.S. troops have taken up arms at the Mexico border. At least one Native American nation is resisting, not allowing the National Guard on their land. Meanwhile, a case surrounding a border patrol killing of a 16-year-old boy is wrapping up. We get the latest on these immigration issues and more from Isabel Garcia of Coalición de Derechos Humanos.

In the early hours of April 14, the Trump administration – joined by forces from France and the United Kingdom – launched airstrikes on Syria. The move was not approved by U.S. Congress or the United Nations. The airstrikes were launched the night before the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons was due to inspect the Douma area were the reported chemical attacks happened. Now, the BBC is reporting that the OPCW has been allowed in to inspect the site.

This past Friday, Palestinians kept up their protest against Israeli occupation, continuing a six-week series of demonstrations called the March of Great Return. They are promising to march each week in the lead-up to May 17, the anniversary of what they call Al Nakba, when hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were displaced from their homeland to found the state of Israel. Over the past three weeks, at least 34 Palestinians have been killed, and more than 1,500 have been wounded. To discuss both Gaza and Syria, Institute for Policy Studies fellow Phyllis Bennis joins us.

In the early hours of April 14, the Trump administration – joined by forces from France and the United Kingdom – launched airstrikes on Syria. The move was not approved by U.S. Congress or the United Nations. The airstrikes were launched the night before the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons was due to inspect the Douma area were the reported chemical attacks happened. Now, the BBC is reporting that the OPCW has been allowed in to inspect the site.

This past Friday, Palestinians kept up their protest against Israeli occupation, continuing a six-week series of demonstrations called the March of Great Return. They are promising to march each week in the lead-up to May 17, the anniversary of what they call Al Nakba, when hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were displaced from their homeland to found the state of Israel. Over the past three weeks, at least 34 Palestinians have been killed, and more than 1,500 have been wounded. To discuss both Gaza and Syria, Middle East expert Phyllis Bennis joins us.

U.S. troops have militarized the Mexico border. At least one Native American nation is resisting, not allowing the National Guard on their land. Meanwhile, a case surrounding a border patrol killing of a 16-year-old boy is wrapping up. We get the latest on these immigration issues and more from Isabel Garcia of Coalición de Derechos Humanos.

Los Angeles has one of the largest homeless populations in the nation. L.A. Community Action Network's Pete White joins us to break down what the reality is for houseless people in Los Angeles and how activists are fighting back against this crisis. What are some of the demands being made to city officials?

Our weekly roundtable is back!

On the international front, the possibility of military conflict between the U.S. and Russia over Syria looms. Donald Trump has canceled his trip to Latin America, as U.S. troops militarize the U.S.-Mexico border. Also, Trump wants to rejoin the Trans-Pacific Partnership after pulling out of the pact last year. China threatens to strike back after against U.S. tariffs.

In D.C., the talk of the town is James Comey's new book, John Bolton officially beginning his role as national security adviser, and worries that Trump may fire Rosenstein or Mueller.

Breaking down this and more are our roundtable regulars: Laura Carlsen, Jackie Goldberg and Dr. Gerald Horne.

Oklahoma teachers are still out on strike, now matching the number of days the teachers in West Virginia took strike action. Now, controversy has broken out as the union representing the teachers has reduced in half their demand for financial support for public education. This development comes in the midst of other recent rebellions by teachers in other red states, including Kentucky and Arizona. Our guest is Oklahoma teacher Lawrence Lane.

Oklahoma teachers are still out on strike, now matching the number of days the teachers in West Virginia took strike action. Now, controversy has broken out as the union representing the teachers has reduced in half their demand for financial support for public education. This development is in the midst of rebellions by teachers in other red states, including Kentucky and Arizona. Our guest is Oklahoma teacher Lawrence Lane.

Then, we discuss the Trump administration's plans to use federal public lands for oil and gas development near Colorados Great Sand Dunes Park. Our guest is Becca Fisher of WildEarth Guardians.

Congress has passed anti-sex worker legislation, and now, California is considering legislation that would negatively impact sex worker rights and safety. Whats going on? Our guest is Rachel West spokeswoman for US PROStitutes Collective.

Lastly, we bring you the latest update on the Sacramento, Calif. police shooting of unarmed Black man Stephon Clark, as well as another shooting that did not get national attention "that of Sahleem Tindle, who was was shot three times in the back by a BART police officer. How are families and communities fighting back? Our guest is Cat Brooks, Oakland-based organizer and co-founder of the Anti Police-Terror Project.

U.S. Congress has passed anti-sex worker legislation, and now California is considering legislation that would negatively impact sex worker rights and safety. Whats going on? Our guest is Rachel West spokeswoman for US PROStitutes Collective.

The Trump administration is planning to use federal public lands for oil and gas development near Colorado's Great Sand Dunes Park. Our guest is Becca Fisher of WildEarth Guardians.

We bring you the latest update on the Sacramento, Calif. police shooting of unarmed Black man Stephon Clark, as well as another Bay Area shooting that did not get national attention – that of Sahleem Tindle, who was was shot three times in the back by a BART police officer. How are families and communities fighting back? Our guest is Cat Brooks, Oakland-based organizer and co-founder of the Anti Police-Terror Project.

Today, we bring you the powerful words of the Reverend Dr. William Barber II, speaking on April 4, 2018 – the 50th anniversary of the assassination of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King – from the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. We also share part of Dr. Barber's earlier talk honoring the life and legacy of Dr. King, given at the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church in New York City on January 14, 2018.