In this episode of The Social Primate, Eddie Aguirre speaks with Peruvian activist and journalist Paolo about U.S. imperialism in Latin America, the criminalization of dissent, and the limits of protest as a strategy for real change. Drawing from firsthand experience in Peru, Paolo connects the 2022 coup against President Pedro Castillo to broader patterns of U.S.-backed lawfare, sanctions, and regime change across the region — including Venezuela

-----00:55 Political Awakening and Activism03:02 US Involvement in Latin American Politics04:22 Historical Context and Current Events05:32 Impact of US Policies on Latin America09:23 Peruvian Political Landscape11:56 Colonialism and Neocolonialism17:54 Migration and Economic Displacement19:43 US Imperialism and Global Impact32:12 Exposing Political Elites and the Drug Trade33:14 Colonial Tactics and International Solidarity34:46 US Military Influence in Latin America36:27 The Language of Fear and Control37:25 The Collapse of Colonial Empires39:52 Activism and Political Repression40:36 Building People Power and Unity44:01 Trump's Influence in Latin America49:34 The Role of Organizations in Social Change01:01:06 Global Struggles Against US Imperialism

In this episode of Social Primate, Eddie Aguirre sits down with documentary filmmaker Matthew Solomon to discuss his upcoming film, Seeds for Liberation, a documentary that centers on the Palestinian liberation movement and its connections to broader struggles against imperialism and state violence.

The conversation explores how state power, policing, surveillance, and narrative control repeat themselves across borders, linking occupation abroad to the lived realities of marginalized communities in the United States.

-----

01:04 Matthew Solomon's Background and Early Influences

02:49 From Music to Filmmaking and Conflict Resolution

04:15 The Impact of George Floyd and the Path to Documentary Filmmaking

07:26 Seeds for Liberation: Concept and Connections

10:24 Challenges and Pushbacks in Advocacy

14:40 Understanding Historical Context and Personal Transformation

18:58 The Global Impact of Oppression and Resistance

22:09 The Role of Cop Cities and International Training

25:47 Evolving Perspectives and Final Thoughts

28:52 Understanding Interconnected Struggles

30:01 Empathy Through Exposure

30:50 Revisiting 'American Me' and Systemic Issues

33:46 The Palestinian Genocide and Media Misrepresentation

37:03 US-Israel Relations and Historical Context

45:27 Solidarity and Community Building

48:25 The Role of White and Jewish Allies

53:34 Conclusion and Film Promotion

What does it mean to oppose federal enforcement from inside local government, where silence isn’t neutral but compliance?

In this episode, Eddie Aguirre speaks with Bell Gardens City Council member Jorgel Chavez to explain why staying silent is not neutral but a form of compliance, and how local officials can push back by creating policy, demanding records, and forcing accountability into the open.

The conversation breaks down the real limits of local power, the responsibility cities inherit, and why refusing quiet compliance matters when communities are left to deal with the consequences.

-----

01:30 – Roots in Southeast LA
06:30 – Distrust, Corruption, and Skepticism
10:30 – Accessibility as Accountability
14:30 – ICE Raids and City Response
19:30 – Silence vs Responsibility
24:30 – Public Backlash and Trauma
29:30 – Activism Inside Office
33:30 – Protest, Police, Presence
38:30 – When the City Pays the Cost
46:30 – Coalition, Limits, and Possibility
58:30 – Closing: Accountability Flows Up

In this episode with journalist Izzy Ramirez , we discuss the realities and challenges of tracking ICE operations, the importance of community support, and the emotional toll of dealing with state-sponsored violence.

This episode sheds light on the critical work being done to protect vulnerable communities and offers a glimpse into the efforts of those fighting on the front lines.

*This episode was recorded the morning of 1/8 prior to information and identity of Renee Good, murdered by ICE agents.

Rest in Power Renee Good*

-----

01:00 The Journey to Journalism

01:38 Community Activism and ICE Tracking

03:27 Challenges and Emotional Toll

07:25 The Importance of Accurate Reporting

22:32 Patterns in ICE Operations

25:30 Navigating City Streets and Border Patrol Tactics

27:16 The Process of Detaining and Processing Individuals

27:44 Targeting Vulnerable Populations

29:47 Community Impact and Response

31:35 Youth Activism and Historical Context

36:11 Community Support and Verification Process

43:53 Misconceptions and Broader Implications

45:52 Hope and Action for the Future

Music ft: Listless Dreams - 2025

What happens when survival turns into obedience?

In this episode of The Social Primate, host Eddie Aguirre sits down with award-winning journalist Michelle Zacarías to break down how generations of Latinos were taught to find safety through assimilation and how that belief still shapes our politics, identity, and silence today.

Michelle shares what she’s witnessed on the ground covering ICE raids, protests, and community resistance from Los Angeles to Chicago, reflecting on how people are organizing in the face of fear and reclaiming what safety really means.

-----

Show Notes:

00:50 Michelle's Journey into Journalism

03:19 Educational Background and Early Career

04:32 Challenges in Journalism and Community Reporting

05:40 Hyperlocal Reporting and Fellowship Experience

07:08 Chicago Raid and National Implications

13:23 Assimilation Politics and Latino Identity

21:21 Military Recruitment and Latino Community

28:52 Understanding Latino Trump Supporters

30:17 The Impact of Right-Wing Propaganda

30:38 Analyzing Poll Results and Voter Behavior

31:56 Challenges Facing the Democratic Party

33:01 The Role of Masculinity in Politics

34:34 Community and Mental Health

41:55 Latino Voter Demographics and Trends

44:06 The Importance of Local Community Action

45:36 Reflections on Activism and Journalism

52:10 Advice for Staying Engaged and Informed

How do you hold power accountable when the rules are built to protect it?

In this episode, investigative journalist Joey Scott joins Social Primate to talk about policing, surveillance, and state power in Los Angeles. From stockpiles of “less-lethal” weapons to escalating protest crackdowns, to surveillance tools and local agencies working alongside ICE.

He also underscores the importance of community solidarity, informed hope, and continuous resistance in facing these challenges.

-----

Show Notes:

00:19 Meet Joey Scott: Investigative Journalist and Photographer

00:45 The Rise of Surveillance and State Power

01:29 Joey Scott's Journey into Journalism

05:56 Unveiling Police and State Actions

07:32 Military Equipment in Police Departments

14:55 On the Ground: Protest Documentation

19:29 The Escalation of Police Violence

22:29 The Surveillance State and Public Awareness

24:59 The Intrusiveness of Surveillance

25:22 The Profit Motive Behind Policing

26:56 Paranoia and Distrust in Law Enforcement

28:37 Social Media Monitoring and Privacy Concerns

30:13 The Power of Language and Labels

32:59 ICE Cooperation and Community Betrayal

43:28 The Emotional Toll of Journalism

47:52 Finding Hope and Community Action

Episode 1: “La Lucha No Tiene Edad”

It was a gloomy Saturday morning when, on my way to Maywood, I came across an older gentleman standing by the railroad tracks in the city of Bell, handing out stickers that read No ICE.

Jack is 89 years old. He could be spending his time anywhere else, but instead he’s out here trying to spread a message.

As I was capturing his story, another man stepped in with a very different view. For me, it was a reminder of the work still needed to bring people together even in the smallest of neighborhoods.

**Ground Level is a new mini series featuring community voices and moments in and around Los Angeles.**

What does it mean to be silenced without ever being convicted?

In this episode we hear Jag Arreola’s story of repression after Operation Accountability. Though the felony charges against him collapsed in court, he was still punished: silenced by a gag order, erased from social media, and stripped of his livelihood.

This conversation exposes how dissent in America is met with punishment first, justice later and how the system erases voices long before a verdict is reached.

-----

Show Notes:

00:30 Recap of Previous Conversation

01:29 Jag Arreola's Arrest and Investigation

03:15 Community Support and Legal Battle

05:55 Impact on Career and Personal Life

09:55 Political Activism and Systemic Issues

15:58 Interrogation and Jail Experience

29:07 Reflecting on Struggles and Solidarity

31:46 Global Perspective in Music

32:36 Class Consciousness and Unity

35:38 The Importance of Ethnic Studies

39:05 Unmasking and Personal Liberation

47:57 Mobilizing and Organizing for Change

51:30 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:29 Amanda's Journalism Journey

03:55 Challenges in the Media Industry

05:38 Breaking into CBS and Radio

06:56 Community-Centric Journalism

14:39 The Role of LA Public Press

25:35 Media Literacy and Collaboration

28:19 The Challenges of Being a Lone Reporter

29:14 Building Community Connections

30:53 Covering Important Stories

31:48 The Battle of Bell Incident

46:07 Documenting and Reporting on Raids

48:51 Tips for Civilian Documentarians

51:20 Conclusion and Contact Information

What do you do when corporations and politicians treat your neighborhood as expendable?

In this episode, Laura Cortez, organizer and co-director of East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice (EYCEJ), discusses growing up in Southeast LA, where pollution was treated as “normal,” and realizing it was environmental racism by design. We dig into EYCEJ’s history and victories: from shutting down the Exide battery plant to stopping the 710 freeway expansion

This is a conversation about grassroots power, holding systems accountable, and how collective action turns survival into lasting change.

Show Notes:

00:15 Meet Lara Cortez: Environmental Justice Advocate

00:50 Growing Up in Southeast LA

01:43 Discovering Environmental Injustices

02:14 Lara's Journey into Environmental Justice

07:50 The Impact of Pollution and Racism

09:22 Organizing for Change

11:42 The Power of Community and Culture

14:05 Navigating Bureaucratic Obstacles

21:51 Celebrating Wins in Environmental Justice

24:00 Community Actions and Organizing Efforts

25:31 EPA's Involvement and Legal Challenges

26:14 Victory Against Freeway Expansion

26:59 Exide Battery Plant Closure

28:39 Ongoing Cleanup and Local Hiring

30:38 Lead Contamination and Health Impacts

33:30 Community Engagement and Solidarity

42:37 Encouragement for New Activists

44:34 National and Regional Collaborations

46:50 Conclusion and Call to Action