The Final Straw Radio

The Final Straw is a weekly anarchist and anti-authoritarian radio show bringing you voices and ideas from struggle around the world. Since 2010, we've been broadcasting from occupied Tsalagi land in Southern Appalachia (Asheville, NC). We are hosted by William Goodenuff, Scott Branson and Bursts O'Goodness. We also frequently feature commentary (serious and humors) by anarchist prisoner, Sean Swain. All archives of the show are up forever at https://thefinalstrawradio.noblogs.org

International Solidarity and the 2025 Week of Solidarity With Anarchist Prisoners 08/10/2025

International Solidarity and the 2025 Week of Solidarity With Anarchist Prisoners This week, we’re sharing three segments. First up, you’ll hear Yara speaking about Solidarity International, a new initiative to support prisoner support and anti-repression work beyond borders initiated by various anarchist and anti-authoritarian groups networked together, including the International Anarchist Defence Fund and various anarchist black cross groups across the world. We’re releasing this in the run up to the 2025 Week of Solidarity With Anarchist Prisoners (or WOSWOP), August 23-30th, in which people are invited to gather, connect and take action against borders and against prison walls. You can find more about Solidarity International at their website, Solidarity.International, find them on their , , or accounts, and see the 2025 WOSWOP call for solidarity on that site or . Yara’s voice has been re-recorded for anonymity. Then, you’ll hear 2 segments from recent episodes of B(A)D News, a monthly podcast in English from the international A-Radio Network. More audios like these, plus archives, can be found at The first of these is from the near so-called Concepción, Chile from the episode of B(A)D News, featuring a chat with the art collective Mesa 8, where they discussed memory, art, and the military dictatorship that began in 1973. Following this, from Freiburg in the German territory spoke with the , “der Rote Hilfe” about their work and current challenges from it’s founding over 100 years ago by the German Communist Party (KPD) into it’s current iteration. This segment can be found in our episode of B(A)D News. Finally, you’ll hear a segment from Sean Swain… Some Materials Related To Mentioned Cases: , fallen comrade Antifa OST & Budapest Complex including Maya who just ended a hungerstrike ( ep) and supporting Russian dissidents Marianna, Dmitra plus their fallen comrade Kyriakos Xymitiris, of the so-called Ampelokipoi case in Athens ( ep) Women Prisoners of Iran facing death: Sharifeh Mohammadi, Pakhshan Azizi, Verisheh Moradi and Nassim Simiyari Stop Cop City . ... . .. Featured Track: Vitamin C by Can from Ege Bamyasi /episode/index/show/thefinalstrawradio/id/37746335

Simplicity (with Mattie Lubchansky) 08/03/2025

Mutual Aid in CA's Fire Country (with Dani Burlison) 07/27/2025

Labor Resistance on Vinyl (with Josh MacPhee + Kennedy Block) 07/20/2025

DFW Support Committee, A Better World Bookfair + Save The UNCA Woods 07/13/2025

DFW Support Committee, A Better World Bookfair + Save The UNCA Woods This week on the podcast, we’re featuring three segments. First up, A member of DFW Support Committee, then organizers of the A Better World Bookfair in Waynesboro, VA and finally, organizers working to save the UNCA woods Transcript PDF (Unimposed) Zine (Imposed PDF) DFW Support Committee First up, you’ll hear a member of the DFW Support Committee supporting the defendants arrested on and around July 4th in relation to a solidarity noise demonstration outside the Prairieland ICE Detention Facility in Alvarado, Texas, in which a local police officer was injured. We speak about the case, the expanding web of repression against leftists in the area, what’s at stake in the case and how to support the 11 defendants. You can reach them at [email protected] and you can donate at and here's a of info put out thus far by DFW Support Committee [00:01:40 – 00:35:19] MAILING INSTRUCTIONS Guidelines for writing (important!) All mail is monitored by state and federal law enforcement. Be extremely mindful of what you are writing. Do not under any circumstance discuss the facts of the case, and do not include overtly political commentary. Consider writing about fun things you've done, telling stories, or sending poetry! All addresses must be formatted as follows and should include a return address if possible. Full name Johnson County Detention Center 1800 Ridgemar Drive Cleburne, TX 76031 NAMES AND BOOKING NUMBERS Savanna Batten 202502020 Ines Soto 202502008 Elizabeth Soto 202502014 Seth Sikes 202502010 Maricela Rueda 202502018 Meagan Morris 202502011 Joy Gibson 202502016 Nathan Baumann 202502009 Autumn Hill 202502023 Zachary Evetts 202502013 Daniel Sanchez Estrada 202502039 A Better World Book Fair Next, you’ll hear Beet and Mad Dog, two anarchists organizing the upcoming A Better World Bookfair in Waynesboro, VA on Saturday, July 26th. We talk about the bookfair and taking space in rural locales as leftists and strengthening our bonds amidst the rise of the right under Trump 2.0. [00:35:56 – 01:02:11] Website/RSVP form: Instagram: Email inquiries to: Save The UNCA Woods Then, you’ll hear Callie and Heather of Friends of the Woods talking about their campaign to save the UNCA woods, 45 acres in Asheville’s Five Points neighborhood from destruction by the university in a scheme to build a 5,000 seat soccer stadium, market rate housing and retail spaces. You can learn more at . [ 01:02:58 – 01:42:44 ] Finally, Sean Swain speaks about the ODRC’s war on art… his art… [ 01:42:44 – 01:51:10 ] . ... . .. Featured Track: Mercy, Mercy, Mercy by Cannonball Adderly from The Best of Cannonball Adderly The Capitol Years /episode/index/show/thefinalstrawradio/id/37387560

Learning Together From Uprisings (InterRebellium with sub.Media) 07/06/2025

Christian Nationalism, Apocalyptic Visions + Child Welfare (with Talia Lavin) 06/29/2025

Rapid Responses To Immigration Raids + Homeless Sweeps in So Cal 06/25/2025

Anarchism and Disability, plus A-Radio Segments 06/15/2025

A History of Anarchist Prisoner Support (with Matt Hart) + June 11, 2025 06/08/2025

Mo on Knowing Your Rights and Risks With Police 06/01/2025

Mo on Knowing Your Rights and Risks With Police This week we spoke with Moira Meltzer-Cohen, an anarchist and lawyer with the National Lawyers Guild who practices mostly in New York City. For the hour, Mo talks about knowing ones rights and risks during interactions with law enforcement in the US during Trump 2.0, why even scofflaws should know some basic Bill of Rights trivia, info on warrants and house visits, airports and borders, and the importance of face-to-face practice with local lawyers who know the legal precedents on the ground in your jurisdiction. Links NLG Anti-Repression Hotline: NLG website: CUNY CLEAR website: instagram: LLWD episode with Mo on Our on Grand Juries and Grand Jury Resistance Magic Words flyer to stick on the back of your door in case of police visits: Announcements June 11th, 2025 Asheville We're a week and a half out from the annual June 11th Day of Solidarity with Long Term Anarchist Prisoners. If you're in the Asheville area, Wednesday, June 11, 2025 at (1045 Haywood Rd near Firestorm in West AVL) . $10 door, opens at 7pm, music at 8pm Featuring , , and with lots of free lit and prizes available including books, stickers, clothing, jewelry and more. More info on the mastodon post: Also coming soon at the BRABC website: Elsewhere If you're elsewhere, you can check out announced local events in your area by checking out the social media accounts for , particularly their mastodon account on Fire Ant Movement call to action Finally, the released the following statement concerning June 11, 2025: "Fire ant movement defense, an organization that works to gather mass opposition to the political prosecutions of the stop cop city movement in atlanta, is calling for a “movement defense day of action” on June 11 to support stop cop city defendants and long term anarchist political prisoners. Their statement reads: This year, June 11th arrives amid growing repression: Pro-palestine protesters are facing indefinite detention in ice facilities, and in Georgia, the state continues its aggressive persecution of the stop cop city movement, with 61 activists currently facing RICO charges. In response, we call for a united front, to link the defense of the stop cop city struggle with the june 11th tradition of solidarity with long-term anarchist political prisoners. We invite people to learn about Marius Mason and other long-term anarchist prisoners, host public events, drop banners, throw fundraisers, and take action to defend our movements for total liberation.” Fire ant movement defense says that this will be the first of many movement defense days of action, drawing connections and lines of solidarity between movements fighting for liberation. You can find more information at and follow them on instagram, twitter or bluesky." They also wanted to point people to learn more at and . ... . .. Featured Track: Know Your Rights by from Combat Rock /episode/index/show/thefinalstrawradio/id/36802830

An Anarchist View from Havana 05/28/2025

"Anarchy In The Big Easy" with Max Cafard and Vulpes 05/25/2025

The Lives and Legacy of Martin Sostre (with Garrett Felber) 05/18/2025

The Lives and Legacy of Martin Sostre (with Garrett Felber) This week, we’re sharing an interview with Garret Felber, author of the book , out May 5 from AK Press. Garret speaks about the life of Martin Soster, famed jailhouse lawyer who successfully won cases related to the constitutional rights of prisoners, was politicized in prison by the Nation of Islam in the 1950’s, ran radical Afro-centric bookstores in Buffalo NY to radicalize the youth, embracing anarchism during his time imprisoned on a frame up during which he was a celebrated political prisoner resisting cavity searches through the courts, went on to organize after his release for tenants rights and rehabilitating disused buildings for community centers and helping run a childcare. Sostre was a mentor to Lorenzo Komb’oa-Ervin and Ashanti Alston and laid important foundations for modern Black Anarchism in the US. There’s a lot in here and we hope you enjoy the book and that the story inspires complex, creative and combative resistance to all forms of domination. MSI: Study and Struggle: Free the Mississippi Five: Free Society People's Library: Justice for Geraldine and Martin: In the Belly: In the Mix: video of JEEP: Some past episodes touching on Black anarchism: Black Autonomy Reader: Ashanti Alston at ACAB2024: Matt Meyer on Kuwasi Balagoon: Lorenzo Kom'boa Ervin: William C Anderson ( & ) Announcement Kevin Rashid Johnson From the : Rashid was “compacted” on May 1 to the Perry Correctional Institution in South Carolina, 430 Oaklawn Rd., Pelzer, SC 29669. His ID number in South Carolina is 397279. In the transit van, he was severely injured – probably a broken bone – in his left leg. He has not been given any treatment for it. He is in solitary confinement, with only a concrete slab to sleep on. He can make only one phone call per week. A comrade is helping him get onto the “GTL Getting Out” app so that he can communicate with everyone. Meanwhile, he has been on hunger strike since he got there. He lost 17 pounds during the first week. He appeals for maximum publicity and pressure. The phone numbers listed for the prison are: 864-243-4700 and 803-737-1752. Make calls and spread the word. Kevin “Rashid” Johnson, ID number 397279, must be treated humanely, given good medical care and a decent place to sleep and allowed full access to communicate with his lawyers and supporters. Tell the authorities to meet his demands so he can end his hunger strike. . ... . .. Featured Track Standing At The Crossroad by Eddie and Ernie from Lost Friends /episode/index/show/thefinalstrawradio/id/36611500

A Red Road To The West Bank (with Clifton Ariwakhete Nicholas and Franklin Lopez) 05/11/2025

Former Uprising Defendant from ICE Detention (Ángel Espinosa-Villegas) 05/04/2025

Countering Dispossession in Casiavera, Indonesia (with David E Gilbert) 04/27/2025

Countering Dispossession in Casiavera, Indonesia (with David E Gilbert) This week you’ll hear our chat with the author of , the political ecologist David E Gilbert (not to be confused with the former Weather Underground prisoner in the US). For this episode, David and I speak about the book, the small community in south Sumatra, Indonesia known as Casiavera, the legacy of colonial land grabs, the people who live there and the agro-ecology of the rainforest at the base of the Arin volcano. You can find more of David’s work at Links: by Via Campesina: Landless Workers Movement (MST): Sarakhat Patani Indonesia (SPI): Mentions of Tan Malaka in the Southeast Asian Anarchist Library ( ) or writings on Marxists.Org ( ) Feed’em Freedom Foundation (Detroit): Our interviews on the ZAD: Grassroots Indonesian Eco-movement Wahli: Announcement May Day Happy upcoming May Day, comrades known and unknown! I hope that wherever you are and whatever you do, you’re surrounded by siblings in love and struggle, you can take pleasure in the beauty of the world around you, take strength from our predecessors who share our vision of a life unencumbered by state / capital & the other anchors foisted upon our shoulders, and with the energy to create a path towards our desires Ángel Espinosa Villegas We had an interview scheduled with Ángel Espinosa Villegas, a trans masc butch dyke, formerly a 2020 uprising prisoner who was transferred to ICE detention for deportation, however the screws seem to have decided to escalate the deportation to Chile rather than let hir continue to speak to the media. Keep an eye out for upcoming interviews with Ángel, and consider checking out hir . At the there are some statements from Angel... Supporting The Show Hey listeners… we’ve had a string of early releases with more on the way coming out through our patreon for supporters at $3 or more a month, alongside other thank-you gifts. If you can kick in and help, the funds go to our online hosting, and creation of promotional materials like shirts and stickers, but MOSTLY to funding our transcription efforts. We hate to ask for money, but if you have the capacity to kick us a few bucks a month, either through the patreon or via venmo, paypal or librepay or by buying some merch from us (we have a few 3x, 4x & 5x sized tshirts in kelly green coming soon), we’d very much appreciate the support. We’re hoping to make a big sticker order in the near future. If you need another motivator, the 15th anniversary of The Final Straw Radio is coming up on May 9th, 2025 and we are not above accepting birthday presents. That’s 15 years of weekly audio (albeit at the beginning it was more music than talk), including 8 of which 7 of which aren’t in our podcast stream (you can find some early show examples in _by skipping to the last page of posts on our blog). Other ways to support us include rating and reviewing us on google, apple, amazon and the other podcasting platforms, printing out and mailing our interviews into prisoners, using our audio or text as the basis for a discussion of an ongoing movement, contacting your local radio station to get us on the airwaves, and talking about us to others in person or on social media. Alright, capping this shameless plug! Angel statements: These are press statements and direct quotes that Ángel Espinosa-Villegas has provided from inside Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, TX, where she was held from April 1 to April 25, 2025. Ángel is currently in transfer to an undisclosed location, but has not been able to contact loved ones yet. These messages were received by loved ones on the outside throughout the past 3 weeks and she has given explicit permission to publicize these statements. “We dance a lot, draw our hopes and homes on the walls of this place any way we can. We tell stories of home, hold each other past language barriers because we all know all too well what it's like to be torn away from our families, hold onto hope, only for it to be crushed cruelly by these heartless fascist traitors. To remain utterly powerless at the mercy of the abusers of gluttonous power. People are quite literally dragged out, hogtied, by these pirates that speak of protecting democracy yet dehumanize and humiliate us without so much as a look in our eyes before ripping us apart from our newfound friends, and, more distantly, our families we have here. They rob us of the little money we have and have no paths of recovery. They tell us clean water is a privilege and not a right. That speaking to our families is a privilege. That seeing the sun is a privilege. That if we get too loud of this constant mistreatment, then we should get ready to eat mace.” “Most people here don't have the means to speak out against these human rights' violations we face every day. But I will take any and every chance to fight, to expose the way they treat us that these human traitors have normalized.” “This was supposed to never happen again. But here it is again. We need everyone demanding our freedom, to expose all the vultures robbing these vulnerable people of everything from money to merely see our families and small children. We're not even allowed to say goodbye, to hug our children goodbye. What madness is this? How is this STILL happening to us, I ask myself when I wake up. Is this country for the free? For those yearning for a safe, happy life? If this country and its people care about freedom and safety, then people should refuse to let this government and administration work a second longer until they free us ALL.” “A lot of women here are fighting their cases because they've been following protocol to obtain legal papers or asylum or were just rounded up randomly from racial profiling. One woman here lost her purse with all her money on a train and went to church to seek help. The church called ICE on her because she couldn't speak English! Another woman here was late to her job and her boss called ICE on her. Few of us have criminal records. Most were just following advice from their lawyers and continuing their appointments with ICE and USCIS to get their visa or temporary protected status or whatever it was they were doing. But because of Trump's administration they're all rounded up by ICE and deported.” “I'm feeling alright, mostly numb since being locked up is so abusive and heart wrenching. Here... It's a rollercoaster. I witness, every single day, cries of agony and anger and despair. I see people hogtied and dragged out. People being yelled at to gather their things and go into the unknown, being threatened with PREA for hugging as we say our goodbyes and well wishes. This place is much worse than prison in many ways. I hear guttural wails and sobs so many times a day. It’s like being at a perpetual funeral; laying to rest this person's life, that one's dreams, the other's hope. Knowing they'll be inevitably harmed, kidnapped, sometimes disappeared or even killed when they go and we can do absolutely nothing.” “We're just hostages. Being one for so long now... I'm so hollow on the inside. I haven't dropped any tears the last year and a half. I just can't. Not even when I was sentenced. I don't know how I'll even begin to heal, but I sure as fuck ain't ever gonna stop fighting. My hope and ambition to fight... I've just been refueling his entire time being down.” “Fighting brings me solace. Helping others brings me solace, some meaningfulness, a melting of stone in my petrified heart. I spend most of my time going around and helping people as much as I can; working the tablets, giving phone calls, cooking food, doing little chores and tasks for the older, sick, or disabled ladies.“ With love & solidarity, Free All Dykes . ... . .. Featured Track: Judas Goat by from Burn It (a benefit for Green Scare defendants) /episode/index/show/thefinalstrawradio/id/36324555

A Left Trans Voice from Turkey + no Bonzo on Art and Anarchism 04/20/2025

Pushing Back On Flock Cameras with Kate Bertash 04/13/2025

Solidarity Collectives: 3 years into the Full-scale Russian Invasion in Ukraine 04/06/2025

Stop Cop City: Imaginary Crimes Tour 03/30/2025

Stop Cop City: Imaginary Crimes Tour Stop Cop City: Imaginary Crimes Tour This week, we’re sharing an interview with Selena who speaks about the "Stop Cop City: Imaginary Crimes Tour" and Jordan, a RICO defendant from the Stop Cop City 61 case. The two speak about anti-repression, about where the case is at right now and a wider view of resistance and support. The tour will be hitting over 60 cities (not all in the USA) From their tour announcement: 61 people are facing RICO trials in Atlanta for alleged involvement in resistance to the construction of Cop City. The State uses imaginary associations and crimes, framed as RICO, as a means to break solidarity and momentum when movements are strong. Anti-repression is a response that uses an alternate imagination to strengthen solidarity and resistance. In Spring 2025, a nationwide tour will visit over 60 cities to discuss the history of the Atlanta forest, the resistance to Cop City, history of RICO, ongoing legal updates and facilitate discussions on anti-repression and movement defense. Through this tour we aim to share the lessons we have learned across struggles, and adapt to the evolving repressive forces so that we can continue to move bravely together.⁩⁩ Stay updated here: (announcements only signal chat)⁩⁩ If you want some more content on the struggle, check out this really interesting episode of , a podcast associated with the in Brooklyn's Park Slope neighborhood featuring materials from and discussion of a September 2024 installation entitled "" To hear past episodes of ours on the Stop Cop City movement, check out . Announcements A Message from Peppy A brief statement from Brian "Peppy" DiPippa, an anarchist in Pittsburgh convicted of engaging a home made smoke bomb at cops protecting an anti-trans event at University of Pittsburgh in May of 2023 and sentenced to 60 months in Federal Prison. You can learn more about Peppy & his co-defendant Krystal (who just had a birthday!) at their May we find inspiration and creativity in these challenging times. Let us be guided by friendship and self determination. May we mind our pace, study our ancestors, listen to our storytellers and run towards expansive freedom and autonomy. Solidarity to all those held captive by the state and their loved ones on the outside, your work is felt even if it is not always the most visible. Now Airing on WEFR 1700 AM, Fairmont WV We are happy to announce that we're airing at 3pm on Saturdays on in Fairmont, WV. To support this small station, check out their , and if you've got a community radio station, college radio station or public radio station in your area that you'd like to hear us on, check out our tab and send us their way! . ... . .. Featured Tracks: Springs forth by The Internationale by U. Utah Phillips and Ani DiFranco from /episode/index/show/thefinalstrawradio/id/35920860

The Last Standing House In The Neighborhood (Hamza M. Salha in North Gaza) 03/26/2025

The Last Standing House In The Neighborhood (Hamza M. Salha in North Gaza) We’re sharing audio from audio recorded by Franklin Lopez of Amplifier Films with Palestinian journalist Hamza M Salha who lives in North Gaza describing the conditions with the resumption of the escalated genocide being conducted by the Israeli settler-colonial military. Hamza speaks about the means that people are informed of incoming bombing raids, speaks of the sleepless night in the midst falling bombs in the rubble and tents, clearly exhausted himself. He speaks about the availability of food, his thoughts on the strangling and murderous siege of Israel, the failure of the world to stop the genocide and occupation. You can find stories and photos from Hamza on his account. If you want to support him and 40 members of his extended family and attempting to get out of Gaza to get medical attention, you can check out his . You can watch the video without any accounts, only a web browser and internet connection by visiting the Amplifier Films . To echo Hamza, thanks to Franklin Lopez of (, ) for sharing this audio and creating videos to share Hamza’s world with us on the outside, and our deep gratitude to Adrienne for the support and Hamza for expressing his experience for the audience. We wish you solidarity and health. You can read some of Hamza’s writings below (same as last episode): “I was buried alive beneath the rubble and awoke in a ‘graveyard'” (17 March 2024) “Terrified, starving, crushed: The agonising death of my grandfather in Gaza” (2 Nov 2024) “Israel turned Jabalia into a barren desert and made our home a grave” (25 November 2024) “Israel’s May 2023 military bombardments on the Gaza Strip killed 33 Palestinians in 5 days and disrupted countless lives.” (3 September 2023) “Famine is already here” (8 March 2024) “Are we going to die this time?” (14 June 2023) co written with Khaled El Hissy “The Jabaliya Massacre: Heaven Embraces Five Angels” (29 August 2022) “Tensions, struggle and an unshakable will to stay” (5 March 2025) “The night Israeli forces left families buried alive under rubble” (10 December, 2024) “Gaza’s open-air cinema offers temporary escape from blockade” (21 September, 2023) . ... . .. Featured Track: Helwa Ya Baladi by Dalida (covered by ) /episode/index/show/thefinalstrawradio/id/35881180

Prefiguring Autonomy: Student-led Social Movement in Serbia Shake The Government 03/23/2025

Prefiguring Autonomy: Student-led Social Movement in Serbia Shake The Government This week, we speak with Ilik and Koko, two students from Serbia, and another anarchist comrade who participated in student and other movements earlier in this century to speak about the anti-corruption protest that have rocked the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) government of president Vučić' since the deadly collapse of a recently opened concrete train platform canopy in Novi Sad on November 1st 2024, so far killing 16 people. Starting with student demands for transparency and accountability from the government that were answered with violence and subterfuge, the protests have grown and drawn from wider and wider portions of the public into millions taking the streets, creating autonomous assemblies and plenums rejecting the political parties. The guests speak about the growth, the reactions against it, and the possibilites they see in what has the seeds that could bring it from social movement to social revolution. Some other reading sources (thanks Rey!) Announcement Fundraiser for Journalist in North Gaza As the Zionist Entity and it's racist uncle, the USA, resume the genocide of Gaza, there's a fundraiser going to support , a young journalist and English student and his extended family of 40 in the north. You can find a video from Franklin Lopez about Hamza and links to at the following social media posts: You can read some of Hamza's writings below: "I was buried alive beneath the rubble and awoke in a 'graveyard'" (17 March 2024) "Terrified, starving, crushed: The agonising death of my grandfather in Gaza" (2 Nov 2024) "Israel turned Jabalia into a barren desert and made our home a grave" (25 November 2024) "Israel’s May 2023 military bombardments on the Gaza Strip killed 33 Palestinians in 5 days and disrupted countless lives." (3 September 2023) "Famine is already here" (8 March 2024) "Are we going to die this time?" (14 June 2023) co written with Khaled El Hissy "The Jabaliya Massacre: Heaven Embraces Five Angels" (29 August 2022) "Tensions, struggle and an unshakable will to stay" (5 March 2025) "The night Israeli forces left families buried alive under rubble" (10 December, 2024) "Gaza's open-air cinema offers temporary escape from blockade" (21 September, 2023) /episode/index/show/thefinalstrawradio/id/35823515

Jay Ward on Hunger Strike + Antifascists Organizing in Europe 03/12/2025

Jay Ward on Hunger Strike + Antifascists Organizing in Europe We’re sharing our episode a few days early this week and it contains two segments. Jay Ward Hunger Strike First up, a recent interview with James “Jay” Ward. Jay was featured in a show about : he went into prison at 15 years old in Ohio and has been in for 19 years at this point. He participated in the 2018 Nationwide Prisoner Strike as well as other self-advocacy protests since and is trying to raise funds with his outside supporters to pay for a lawyer to help him win his release as his mandatory minimum date comes up next year. When this was recorded, Jay was 11 days into a hunger strike demanding a return of his personal items and a transfer to a space where he won’t be targeted for violence by gangs, alongside a couple of other requests listed in at the end of this post. You can hear how tired he is from subsisting only on water for the last week and a half, struggling to keep focus and concentrate on the conversation throughout our chat. You can find his for updates and ways to donate. If you want to support his hunger strike, his supporters are requesting people call between 9am and 5pm central time (Mon-Fri) the following numbers to voice concern for the safety and conditions of James Ward A517461 on hunger strike : Mansfield Correctional Institution at 419-525-4455 and ask to talk to Warden Harold May the Central ODRC office at 614-387-0588 At the bottom of our you can find Jay’s public announcement of his circumstances and requests. You can also email your concerns to as well as to the ODRC Director Annette Chambers-Smith (via ). Jay is wanting people to reach out to contact him via his mailing address (below) or JPay.com (using the info in his mailing address): James Ward A517461 Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction Mail Processing Center (OMPC) 884 Coitsville-Hubbard Road Youngstown, Ohio 44505 Antifascist Voices in Europe Then you’ll hear an interview conducted by our comrades at in Ljubljana, Slovenia with antifascists countering neonazi demonstrations in Budapest, Hungary, and Sofia, Bulgaria. This was featured in the of B(A)D News from the A-Radio Network, a monthly podcast from a network that we affiliate with and worth checking out for “angry voices from around the world”. Finally, you’ll hear Sean Swain’s promise for a brighter, goldener era for the USA (and subsequently the world) Announcements Malik Muhammad Phone Zap There's a currently on to move 2020 "Palestinian pansexual Muslim... anarchist antifascist, anti-racist abolitionist" prisoner Malik Muhammad out of solitary confinement at Snake River Correctional in Oregon. Call Snake River Correctional with the following demands weekdays between 9am and 5pm pacific time: Return Malik to general inmate population; Restore communications rights and mail; Return all books and possessions immediately; End the persecution now! Master Control: 541-881-5018 Superintendent: 541-881-5002 Inspector: 541-881-5081 Chaplains: 541-881-4624, 541-881-4625, 541-881-4626, 541-881-4686 General Line: 541-881-5000 Please write to Malik and let him know you stand with him! Malik Muhammad #23935744 Snake River Correctional Institution 777 Stanton Blvd Ontario, OR 97914-8335 *Note*: Please include page numbers and return addresses on each page because the prison typically does not give inmates the envelopes. Update on Fund Raising and supporting TFSR A quick update to the patreon request we made in recent episodes: We’re back where we were a month ago, covering the basic costs. Big thanks to those who stepped up to help! We have other costs beyond that (printing and mailing our small contribution to prisoner zines per month, replenishing our stickers, equipment upgrades) that we could also use support in if you have a few bucks a month. We have that patreon with it’s early audio releases and other thank-yous, or anonymized payments via liberapay that can be one-time or recurring. We also have a big cartel store with some merch and can take payments via venmo and paypal. These are linked at If you appreciate the work we do but don’t have the extra money, the best way to contribute is to get involved in face to face organizing where you are, integrating movements against oppression and capitalism into your life and brings others along with you since we can’t get there without each other. If you want to support the podcast without money, you can spread word about the podcast by getting in touch, offering up graphic skills, helping us proof our transcripts, talking about us to friends, incorporating our zines or episodes into a discussion group, sending zines to prisoners, rating us on google and apple podcasts or spreading word on social media. We also take audio submissions and if you’re interested in getting involved, the production and interviews don’t get us paid but they open up avenues to talk to authors about their ideas as well as raise awareness and involvement in social struggles and pick up the skills along the way. And if you live in a place with a community radio station, public radio station or college radio station and want to hear us on the airwaves, get a few friends together and reach out to suggest our free, weekly radio show and hopefully some of the ideas will filter out to your neighbors. More info at our . Thanks for listening! Statement from Jay on his conditions This is Jay’s letter to the head of the Ohio DRC: Dear Annette chambers-smith This is James Ward from ManCI. The last time I wrote to you I had explained a lot to you that has been going on here concerning my safety. And after that letter the administration got mad at me for going to you because they have not been trying to do anything to really ensure my safety here at Mansfield. And I'm writing you again because I don't know who else to go to with my recent situation and concerns, because nobody has been helpful. And currently, my safety is back at risk. About 7 months ago right before the admin got the letter I sent you, UMC Henry got me placed in unit 4B (the faith based block here), mainly for my safety concerns. Every block that I've been put in since I been here, I've became a victim to gangs and have also got a hit put on me, which UMC Henry and the rest other admin doesn't want to believe although they seen and heard proof. So it makes it to where I have to go on PC invest, suicide watch or hunger strike to ensure my safety. But I honestly don't like being in the hole unless I legitimately did something wrong. So my current situation is that I am on hunger strike to ensure my safety, but also for other reasons that I will explain. When I got put in 4B, its an inmate that the unit refers to as frank (4B/128 bottom) and they basically let him control the operation of the block. How? He's been in that block for a long time and manages the faith base programs, etc. But due to the reputation he has built up with the unit staff, Sgt Knowlton and others believes everything he tells them. So when I first got moved over their, I was honestly selling food to people that didn't have any. But frank went to the unit and told them that I was selling drugs to try and get me moved out of the block. The unit called me over and talked to me about it and I stopped selling food for awhile. I was do in everything I was required to do and haven't got no ticket. Recently, I was trying to organize a group meal for people that really didn't have much. And an inmate named Green wanted to be involved. But when I told Green that a prisoner support group was going to do a fundraiser to raise the money for the meal he backed out. He then went to inmate frank and told frank that I was trying to scam people and get them outside cases. Franks celly told me that frank said this and was going to put a stop to what I was doing. Next thing you know I'm on the list to move out of the block ( I was sent to 2B). I then sent a kite to Sgt. Knowlton and basically asked him why I got moved and also told him things that frank and others are doing in that block, but he disregarded everything I told him and only told me "you were doing too much, use your imagination". So I then kited UMC Henry and told him what happened and he said he'd look into it. But before Henry could let me know anything, my Cally told me that someone wanted him to take the hit on me. I then went on suicide watch to ensure my safety. Because PC invest has not gotten me anything and they put you in a cell with someone else that can have their family look you up. That's what people do here (sneak thru your stuff to find your ID number and have their family look you up). And I also started my hunger strike because I know that the admin won't do anything to help me. Recently, henry talked to me and said that he will investigate what happened in 4B, but that a hunger strike isn't how I will get moved back. But for me to go to a regular block while he investigates. And I get it that a hunger strike is not the way to get moved back, but I refuse to go to a regular block where my safety will be at risk. Henry wanting me to go to a regular block while he investigates is like saying go get jumped on while I look into this. 4C is the only block here that I will be safe in, because its the intake block (all of the new people that don't know anything about e hit on me goes to that block), but Henry will not put me there. During the time that I was on PC invest before I got moved to 4B, I found out that property of mine came up missing from the TPU vault. While I was in TPU I was writing complaints on LT. Brooks and Sgt. Risner for not allowing me to do my 2.4. The end result was that the active AIIS at the time (B. Lower) and the IIS D. Blankenship falsified a modified response to my complaint to make it seem like I was lying and that they found the items in my cell. But 2 days before Lower came to search my cell, I was called to the inspectors office concerning my lost property because someone in your office wanted to know what property was I talking about in my complaint. So I told them everything and that a theft report was filed. But the theft report was not put on onbase yet, so lower had to contact the block officer that wrote it (officer Comstock). So they called me back up to the inspectors office and offered to reimburse me with $42+ on my commissary and a few items from contraband. So I told them I'd think about it. They called me back up the next day and I told them I didn't want it because they wouldn't replace everything I was missing. So the next day after that is when lower came to search my cell. And when he left he told me that I should have taken the deal. After that, IIS Blankenship wrote 13 false statements in her modified response, which is a criminal offence that I can prove with the paperwork that I have. And now they have lower walking around as a Lt. Blankenship was already caught falsifying state documents in Darryl Smith' lawsuit. I been 5 years R.I.B ticket free. 3 of those years was when I was in level 4. I been here 2 years with no real trouble. The first year when I went up for my security review it was said that I needed time to adjust. This past year when I went up, the admin recommended level decrease. But then I find out that I didn't get my level dropped, because an incident that took place 8 years ago and isn't true. The BOC said that my level decrease was denied because I tried to kill a staff. I've never been a threat to anybody since I been locked up. And the time that they referred to is when I had just got put in a regular cell on suicide watch. They didn't have a crisis cell to use. So the cuff port had to stay open. And I had joked with the officer saying that I found a razor, so without really knowing if I had one he sprayed me in the face with OC. So they removed me from the cell to clean it, but they never found a razor. And I told them not to put that officer back on my watch cuz he sprayed me for no reason, and I was honestly mad. But they put him back on my watch. So to try and get him off my watch, in a fast motion I acted like I was reaching out to grab him. He was too far from the door for me to grab or anything, but he wrote me up saying that I tried to cut him with a razor. And they never allowed me to go to my R.I.B or SMP hearing. But that happened 8 years ago. And majority of that time since then I have continuously show a dramatic change in my behavior with no R.I.B tickets. I believe the only reason my level decrease was denied is because UMC Henry contacted someone in your office to find something that they can use against me to hold me here. Because I have wrote complaints against Henry and wrote that letter to you. And he knows how much I been wanting to leave this prison, but he won't transfer me even though my safety is continuously at risk here. Lastly! I have chronic damage in both of my shoulders that causes them to be able to dislocate if I'm not paying attention to how I use my arms, mainly only when it comes to having my arms outstretched or if I have to climb something. The last time I was placed on the top bunk, my left shoulder dislocated when I was trying to climb up. I feel backwards and busted my head open on a dresser, then on the floor. And that is in my medical record from when I was at W.C.I. And since then, I have had many other dislocations that is in my medical record. I was given bottom rack restriction each time, but I never really needed it since I been at level 4. Since I been here I been trying to get it back but medical tells me its not required for my injuries. They gave it to me for 3 months and that was it. If my shoulder dislocates while trying to climb onto the top bunk and I bust my head open again, then I can sue the medical department for negligence and deliberate indifference because I have told them about my chronic dislocations and they choose not to do anything about it. All I ask for: 1) My property to be replaced 2) My bottom bunk restriction 3) My level decreased so I can leave ManCI 4) If I can't get 3, then I ask to be placed in 4C for the remaining time that I'm at ManCI These are reasonable request and within reason. /episode/index/show/thefinalstrawradio/id/35662760

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5 Months After Hurricane Helene in Barnardsville, NC 02/23/2025

5 Months After Hurricane Helene in Barnardsville, NC This week we’re sharing recent chat with Jazz and Badger, two residents of Barnardsville, a small village just outside of Asheville, NC. We spoke about the community, the impact of Hurricane Helene, some lessons learned from coordinating among the neighbors and how people are faring now, nearly 5 months out from the storm. You can find their website at To hear similar stories from after the storm you can find links to past interviews in our show notes alongside links to groups working in the area, a few articles concerning government response and interviews recorded by Blue Ridge Public Radio: . Articles on recovery referenced: Recent Storm Support for EKY, ETN, SWVA + WV Recent floods in middle Appalachia in the middle of an intense winter cold snap have left many without potable water or other basic needs. ATV donation / loan / operation request to help check on people in hollers, help clear roads, drive supplies: reach out to theferalraccoon (a t) proton (d ot) me OR MutualAidDisasterRelief ( at) gmail (do t) com. EKY One place you can look for where to send resources is Eastern KY Mutual Aid, found on or Facebook under the name Hillbillies Helping Hillbillies. And you can find out more by visiting the or checking social media for Mutual Aid Disaster Relief. Some of the useful links are here for those unable to use the platforms: EKY Mutual Aid if in the region EKY Mutual Aid Cashapp: $SoupBeansFriedTaters EKY Mutual Aid Paypal: @EKYMutualAid In Pikeville, KY, there’s a request for food grade 5 gallon for water filtration where municipal water isn’t running or wells are contaminated there’s a request for restaurants to save buckets for water filtration. People interested can contact Cara at 859_533_0349 DROP OFF LOCATION: Pike Central HS 100 Winners Circle Drive Pikeville, KY 41501 Other EKY sites: Appalachian Crisis Aid Fund The Y'all Squad https://TheYallSquad.org/donate SWVA SAMS Lonesome Pine Mutual Aid Paypal: @SAMSVA The Care Collective of SW VA Venmo: @carecollectiveofswva Cumberland Mountain Mutual Aid Paypal: cumberlandmountainmutualaid (a t) gmail (d o t) com Venmo: @CMMAID CashApp: $CMMUTUALAID WV WVUMC Disaster Response Ministries https://WVUMC.org/donate Bluejay Rising https://BluejayRising.org/donate Spark of Love Foundation CashApp: $sparkoflove4thekids PayPal: The Spark of Love Foundation ETN Disaster Relief at Work /episode/index/show/thefinalstrawradio/id/35391855

Surveillance Self Defense, Encrypted Chat Apps and Securing Devices with Thorin Klosowski 02/16/2025

CIMA on Community Defense Against ICE + Kristian Williams on the Comics of Alan Moore 02/09/2025

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