This week, non-profit Climate Central released visualizations of what landmarks would look like as the sea level rises. In the same week, the journal Nature Climate Change published research that found that at least 85% of the world's population is affected by human-induced climate change. To discuss, we SPOTLIGHT Farhana Yamin. An internationally recognized environmental lawyer, climate change and development policy expert, Yamin has advised leaders and countries for 20 years. In addition to founding Track 0—an independent not-for-profit organisation serving as a hub to support all those working to get GHG emissions on track to zero by mid-century—she is an Associate Fellow at Chatham House, a visiting Professor at University College London and a member of the Global Agenda Council on Climate Change at the World Economic Forum. Media includes: Christian Science Monitor, Huffington Post.
On Monday, Indigenous activists marched in DC to urge President Biden to declare a cliamte emergency. The march was a part of People vs. Fossil Fuels demonstrations, which are working to get the administration to take more extreme actions against fossil fuel. To discuss, we FEATURE Mary Kathryn Nagle (citizen, Cherokee Nation). Nagle is an attorney/playwright working to restore and preserve tribal sovereignty and jurisdiction. As a Partner at Pipestem Law PC, she has filed briefs in the United States Supreme Court that advocate for safety for Native women from domestic violence and sexual assault. Media includes: The New York Times, The Washington Post, Slate, MSNBC, NPR.
A New Jersey lawsuit alleges that hospitals have ignored reports that a doctor, Ricardo Cruciani, was intentionally getting vulnerable women addicted to pain medications and sexually assaulted them. To discuss, we FEATURE Marissa Hoechstetter. Hoechstetter writes and speaks about sexually abusive doctors, enabling institutions, and corrupt politicians. She has been fighting for change since her own reports of assault by an OB/GYN received totally inadequate responses from the medical system and law enforcement. Hoechstetter has given testimony on medical abuse to lawmakers and medical boards, and she founded Reform the Sex Crimes Unit, a campaign for increased transparency and accountability within the Manhattan DA’s Sex Crimes Unit. Media includes: The New York Times, Buzzfeed News, USA Today, Politico, Ms. Magazine, Bustle, CBS.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has banned vaccine mandates for workers and customers, including for private businesses. To discuss, we FEATURE Myiesha Taylor. Dr. Taylor is an Emergency Medicine physician based in Keller, Texas. She completed her medical training at Los Angeles County King Drew Medical Center in South Central Los Angeles. Dr. Taylor's work experience includes serving as Associate Medical Director of Hubert Humphrey Comprehensive Healthcare Center (Los Angeles), Kaiser Permanente as Associate Partner, California Emergency Physicians Group as Partner and the University of Texas Southwestern (Parkland Memorial Hospital and Children's Hospital Dallas). Media includes: Associated Press, MSNBC, JET, Ebony, ESSENCE, KCRW, WFAA.
Vice News has been sued by ShotSpotter, a surveillance company that is used to detect the sound of gunshots and alert law enforcement in real time. The lawsuit is seeking $300 million in damages, claiming that Vice misrepresented their service. To discuss, we FEATURE Marissa Boyers Bluestine. Bluestine is an expert in criminal law, having worked as a public defender and, most recently, as the Executive Director for the Pennsylvania Innocence Project. She has helped free 14 Pennsylvanians convicted of crimes they did not actually commit - or even, in several cases, convicted for incidents that were not even crimes. As Executive Director, Bluestine sets the course for the organization in policy and public awareness and promotes reform through public education, advocacy, and legislative reform for issues and laws related to innocence and the criminal justice system. Media includes: Philadelphia Inquirer, CBS, NBC, Fox.
Two Georgia election workers have been fired over allegedly shredding voter applications forms before they were fully processed. To discuss, we FEATURE Gayle Alberda. Alberda received her PhD in Political Science from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, and her M.P.A. and B.S. degree from Central Michigan University. Her research focuses on election laws, political participation and civic engagement, and election administration. Media includes: Associated Press, The Daily Iowan, The Washington Post, The Des Moines Register, NPR.
The U.N. has called an economic emergency in Afghanistan, with many world leaders pledging to provide aid. To discuss, we FEATURE Lisa Schirch. Schirch is a Senior Fellow with the Alliance for Peacebuilding and Visiting Scholar at George Mason University’s School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution. She holds a PhD in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from George Mason University. Schirch has worked as a consultant for the United Nations Development Program to develop their peacebuilding and conflict response strategy, and at the World Bank, USAID, the US Foreign Service Institute and many US military academies where she teaches civil military relations. Media includes: The Washington Post, Huffington Post, CNN, NPR, Fox News.
National Hispanic American Heritage Month continues until October 15th. To commemorate, we FEATURE Marisa Franco. Franco is a Phoenix-based organizer, writer and strategist. She is the Director and co-founder of Mijente, a digital and grassroots organizing hub for Latina/o and Chicana/o people. In her over 15 years of work as an organizer and movement builder, Franco has helped lead key grassroots organizing campaigns rooted in low-income and communities of color, characterized by their innovation and effectiveness. Media includes: Univision, The Washington Post, MSNBC, CNN.
Alicia White
Liz Theran
