Newsletter 10.27.20

Hi all,

Here is this fortnight's news letter. 

Remember, we have a live Patreon election special this Tuesday, November 3rd from 9:30-11:30EST (probably later, let's be honest). 

Guests and technical details will be forthcoming. Excited for y'all to join us!

--- Nima, Florence, Julianne, Adam, Marco 

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The Supreme Court Said Their Sentencing Was Unconstitutional. But They’re Still Behind Bars.

Katie Rose Quandt, In These Times (October 21, 2020)

The Supreme Court ruled in 2016 that juvenile life without parole sentencing was unconstitutional and applied to retroactive cases, but hundreds are still awaiting re-sentencing and thousands remain behind bars. Juvenile life without parole was found to disproportionately target people of color and be unequally applied across state lines.

The Disenfranchised Voters No One Is Talking About: Residents of U.S. Colonies Tiara R. Na'puti, In These Times (October 20, 2020)

Residents of the U.S. territory of Guåhan have no voting rights in the U.S. election, and the U.S. government and military have exploited the island to build military bases and conduct testing that will hurt Guåhan’s environment. Territories like Guåhan are at the mercy of voters who often are not familiar with conditions in the territories.

Self-Help Hacks at the End of the World Colette Shade, The New Republic (October 19, 2020)

As Americans report that their mental health has suffered due to the myriad crises occurring at the moment, several publications have offered self-help life hacks to address the anxieties Americans face. These quick fixes may occasionally be useful, but they do little to address the decades of policies that have diminished quality of life and created the current moment.

Portland Police Violence Exposed in Video Reconstruction Alice Speri, The Intercept (October 25, 2020)

Portland police are being sued for excessive force used during a June 30 protest. Extensive video documentation reveals that officers frequently applied excessive force to protestors with no justification.

Activists Push for Stronger Covid-19 Utility Shut-Off Protections As Winter Nears Rachel M. Cohen, The Intercept (October 22, 2020)

As winter approaches, activists are concerned about utility shut-offs for people who are unemployed in the midst of the pandemic. While 17 states and DC have implemented a ban on shut-offs, millions of households could be affected by an end to shut-off moratoriums.

Fort Hood Army Sergeants Fear for the Safety of Their Soldiers Melissa del Bosque, The Intercept (October 23, 2020)

Fort Hood sergeants and staff are saying that a toxic leadership culture that permits sexual abuse threatens the safety of those stationed at the military base. Leadership is also dismissive of mental health treatment while countless suicides are reported at the base.

Press Worries About a Fracking Ban’s ‘Risk’ to Democrats—Not Fracking’s Threat to Planet Joshua Cho, FAIR (October 16, 2020)

As Joe Biden and Kamala Harris continue to oppose a fracking ban, the media focuses more on how fracking plays as an electoral issue rather than its environmental threat. Articles accept right-wing framing about how a fracking ban could hurt jobs in Pennsylvania and ponder how such a ban would hurt Democrats.

How Organizers Are Defending Against Evictions Amid a Pandemic Bryce Covert, The Appeal (October 20, 2020)

Tenant organizers have physically blocked landlords’ efforts to illegally evict tenants during the pandemic. Activists hope direct action can slow down the eviction machine while also bringing the cruelty of eviction out in the open.

Exxon Spends Millions on Facebook To Keep the Fossil Fuel Industry Alive Christine MacDonald, In These Times (October 20, 2020)

Exxon Mobil created a group to spend millions of dollars on Facebook ads to sway public opinion on key issues for the fossil fuel industry. The ads are targeted to specific regions and ask for users to lobby politicians on Exxon’s behalf.