*This is a sneak preview of an hour-long interview that gets into everything from the hijacking of BLM, the backlash to it, to how Zohran won, and whether No Kings is effective. To get access to the full interview, please click the JOIN button and become a member on YouTube, or become a patron www.patreon.com/bitchuationroom.*

And how does the movement keep going?

It has been six years since the uprising over the murder of George Floyd, and yet police are still killing Americans at a terrifying rate. Less than 3 percent of the officers involved in these deaths are ever charged with a crime. And now, there’s ICE.

On this supporter-exclusive episode of Hot Button, we’re joined by activist and educator Dr. Melina who has been on the frontlines of the Los Angeles Black Lives Matter Grassroots ever since 2014. She sits down with Francesca to talk about how the movement has changed shape and her hopes for the future.

How did the media warp the BLM narrative and create broader backlash? What were the missteps within the organization and organizers that led to an ugly fallout? How are chapters of Black Lives Matter Grassroots still working around the country to get justice? 

Abdullah was in the formative meetings of BLM and has thoughts on how those running the 501c3 ‘hijacked’ the money and the good name of Black Lives Matter.

Beyond that, they talk about trying to defend progressive DAs in cities around the country, how Trumpism can be an opportunity for change, and the importance of coalition building even with more liberal entities like the No Kings rallies under Trump 2.0.

To support Black Lives Matter Grassroots: https://blmgrassroots.org/

If you’ve been waiting for a sign from God to become a paid supporter of the show, this is it! 

Join the Patreon for as little as $5 a month, the only price not surging from the Iran war. Head to https://www.patreon.com/bitchuationroom to sign up for the most member-only perks. Or you can become a member on YouTube by hitting the JOIN button, OR become a paid member on Substack https://franifio.substack.com. Or why not all three?

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Rock the pod on your bod. Get a brand new “Abolish ICE” t-shirt and a brand new mug at: www.bitchuationroom.com.

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Thanks to Paige Oamek, Andy Vasoyan & Brent Godin

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Minneapolis August 20th: The Bitchuation Room will be LIVE! at The Parkway Theater. Get tickets here: https://theparkwaytheater.com/all-events/bitchuation-room

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