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Your Friendly Neighborhood Bank: The Post Office May 06, 2021

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1 in 4 Americans are unbanked or underbanked. That’s because banks across the country are closing branches or they’re penalizing those who don’t have large savings. This means that 64 million Americans -- disproportionately Black and Brown -- can’t easily access basic financial services and are forced to pay thousands a year in fees for alternatives. But one solution to this disparity is within our reach, it’s actually just down the street from you: the post office. The Postal Service has the infrastructure to provide basic financial services at all of its branches. With an office in every ZIP code nationwide and trust within the community, banking at the most accessible institution in America could create a public option needed to put millions of families in greater control of their finances. Joining us today to break down the specifics of Postal Banking is Rakim Brooks. Rakim is a Senior Campaign Strategist at the ACLU and is managing our new Systemic Equality campaign.

Supreme Court Considers a Cheerleader's Free Speech Apr 27, 2021

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On April 28th, the Supreme Court will hear arguments for a case that has big implications for student free speech. The case involves then 14-year-old Brandi Levy, a cheerleader at Mahanoy Area High School in Pennsylvania, and her post on the social media platform, Snapchat. One of her cheerleading coaches saw the post, which used an expletive, and suspended her from the team for a year – even though Brandi had posted on a weekend and off school property. Brandi and her family sued the school for violating her First Amendment rights. Brandi has prevailed in two lower federal court rulings but now, the Supreme Court will have the opportunity to uphold the win or rule for the school. Brandi and her father, Larry, join us on this episode, as well as Vera Eidelman, Staff Attorney at the ACLU's Speech, Privacy and Technology project, who is working on Brandi's case.

Derek Chauvin Verdict Means Accountability, Not Justice Apr 21, 2021

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Last year, the world watched Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin kill George Floyd in plain sight after arresting him for an alleged counterfeit bill at a convenience store. The footage released from the encounter sparked an international movement as protesters took to the streets for months calling for racial justice and an end to police brutality. On Tuesday, after weeks of arguments, the jury released a verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial: guilty on all three counts. In this episode, we hear from Minneapolis demonstrators Sierra, Osman, and Broderick who react to the verdict as it's happening and then we call the ACLU's Policing Policy Advisor, Paige Fernandez, to hear her reaction.

Daunte Wright Should Never Have Been Stopped Apr 14, 2021

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On Sunday, 20-year-old Daunte Wright was shot and killed by a police officer in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota after being pulled over for traffic violations. The violations? He had expired tags on his license and air fresheners hanging from the rearview mirror of his car. This story is heartbreakingly familiar. Just a year ago the country erupted in protest over the death of George Floyd after police arrested him for allegedly using a counterfeit $20 bill at a convenience store. Police interactions with citizens shouldn’t end in death, and yet hundreds are dying at the hands of police every year. In order to protect and serve Black Americans, we need immediate solutions. Joining this episode are protesters Aja, Melina, and Emilaysia in Brooklyn Center and Brooklyn Park, as well as the ACLU’s Policing Policy Advisor, Paige Fernandez, and Senior Staff Attorney of the ACLU’s Criminal Law Reform Project, Somil Trivedi.

The Oscar-Nominated Film Uplifting the Disability Rights Revolution Apr 08, 2021

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This week, we are revisiting one of our favorite episodes featuring a conversation with the filmmakers of the documentary, “Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution.” Jim LeBrecht and Nicole Newnham use archival footage and interviews to tell the story of a summer camp that seeded a disability rights movement, a movement whose history few know well even though almost 50 percent of Americans live with at least one disability. The film was just nominated for an Oscar in the category of best documentary feature. Enjoy this gem from the At Liberty archive.

Special Report: Chase Strangio on the Legislative Assault on Trans Youth Apr 07, 2021

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The Arkansas legislature just passed HB 1570, a bill that would ban gender-confirming health care for trans youth in the state. This comes just one day after Arkansas’ Governor Asa Hutchinson, vetoed the bill amidst pleas from doctors, social workers, and parents of transgender youth. Arkansas is the first state in the country to pass such a bill. We spoke with Chase Strangio, ACLU’s Deputy Director for Transgender Justice, to get his take on what happened.

Why New Domestic Terrorism Laws Won't End White Supremacy Apr 01, 2021

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From a Capitol insurrection to multiple mass shootings, recent violence is prompting an old debate: Does the U.S. need a domestic terrorism law? And if not, how do we quell this violence? Our guest today, Hina Shamsi, the Director of the National Security Project at the ACLU, says we don’t need to look far to see how existing laws that claim to target domestic terrorism, in reality, grant the government unprecedented power to surveil and criminalize communities of color. These laws have been weaponized to harm some of the same communities that are suffering disproportionately from violence in America. She joins us today to break down the debate.

Writer and Artist Chanel Miller on Surviving, Identity, and Activism Mar 25, 2021

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This week, we’re rounding out our Women’s History Month series with writer and artist, Chanel Miller. Chanel jumped into the spotlight back in 2015, first through a pseudonym, Emily Doe, known in the context of the crime committed against her, a sexual assault that took place on Stanford University’s campus perpetrated by then student, Brock Turner. The victim statement she wrote and delivered at the trial went viral, receiving over 11 million views on Buzzfeed. Chanel’s words helped set off the #MeToo Movement, but her name was nowhere to be found. In 2019, Chanel stepped out from under anonymity and into authoring her own story. She published the New York Times Bestselling memoir, Know My Name. She is now known as a leading voice for survivors of sexual violence and as an emerging artist, currently debuting work in San Francisco’s Asian Art Museum. Behind every social issue are survivors, often of discrimination, of atrocity, and of violence. Everyone has had an experience that has made them feel nameless and faceless. But Chanel knows that in owning our own power, we can be powerful for both ourselves and those around us. She joins us today to share more about her own journey.

Sheriff Kristin Graziano Wants to End Racist Policing Mar 18, 2021

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Last summer, protesters and organizers called for a racial reckoning and a change to how our country's policies. In the wake of those protests, a sheriff’s race in Charleston County, South Carolina took shape with a reform-minded candidate Kristin Graziano taking on an establishment incumbent. During her more than 20 years in law enforcement, Graziano observed how the sheriff’s office contributed to racial profiling and harmful collaborations with immigration enforcement. In response, she promised to make the sheriff’s office more accountable and responsive to the demands of its community. The citizens of Charleston rewarded her vision with a decisive victory over the incumbent of 32 years. Sheriff Graziano joins us to talk about why the department needed a change and what it means to serve a diverse community during a time of racial reckoning.

State Senator Sarah McBride on Making History and Affirming Trans Lives Mar 11, 2021

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The 2020 election was a historic year for lawmakers who identify as transgender; voters across the country elected six trans lawmakers to state office. Sarah McBride, was one of those lawmakers. Elected as a State Senator for Delaware’s first district, Sarah is now the highest-ranking trans lawmaker in America. Her candidacy and her voice in trans advocacy have shown how trans people can become powerful leaders in public life. Sarah joins us to discuss her journey into politics and trans advocacy and to let us know what we can all do to build a more inclusive public life.

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