Civil Rights and Wrongs: Recent Episodes
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Weekly radio show on KOOP 91.7 FM, Community Radio for Austin. Civil Rights and Wrongs: the state of your civil liberties in the Lone Star State.
Final episode this Tuesday, live from the studio. Not exactly sure what we will be discussing, we’ll just wing it.
Just reading Gus Bova’s latest piece in the Texas Observer. Wish I were that articulate. It’s been an honor to have him on the show several times.
On Tuesday we’ll have an encore presentation. Sam Woolley first joined us in February, 2020 to discuss the internet and democracy. He is a faculty member in the UT School of Journalism, where he is also a Program Director in the UT Center for Media Engagement. In addition, Sam is affiliated with the Program for Democracy and the Internet at Stanford University. Even before the 2016 presidential election, Sam was researching computational propaganda – that is, the use of social media to manipulate public opinion. He discusses the ways in which political groups in the United States and abroad have leveraged tools such as bots and trending algorithms, as well as tactics of disinformation and trolling in efforts to control information flows online. We also hear from Jim Harrington, retired founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project. And Michelle Manning-Scott, Associate Producer of the show, is with us, too.
Toward the end of the show, Austin Sanders, Staff Writer for the Austin Chronicle, reports on vandalism that recently occurred at Pecan Gardens. The property in far Northwest Austin was previously a Candlewood Suites hotel, but was purchased last year by the City of Austin, to provide income-restricted supportive housing for single adults 55 and over, and living with disabilities. Unfortunately, the city had not been providing on-site security during the conversion, leaving the building vulnerable.
This week we hear from Stephen Vladeck, the Charles Alan Wright Chair in Federal Courts at the UT Law School. He is a nationally recognized expert on the federal courts, constitutional law, national security law, and military justice – and he is no stranger to this program. Professor Vladeck has argued numerous cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, the Texas Supreme Court, and other federal civilian and military courts. He is CNN’s lead Supreme Court analyst, can often be heard on NPR and occasionally read in the New York Times. Steve will share his perspective on the recent notorious leak of the preliminary opinion in the Supreme Court case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health. He also explains how the “shadow docket” is increasingly being used to circumvent normal judicial deliberations. Finally, we’ll get a preview of other significant cases to watch during the next several weeks. Jim Harrington, retired founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project, also weighs in on these and other matters. And Michelle Manning-Scott, Associate Producer of the show, joins us as well.
Later in the show, Austin Sanders, Staff Writer for the Austin Chronicle, reports the results of the May 7th election. He notes the citizen-led initiative to ban arrests and citations for possession of less than 4 ounces of marijuana. The ballot proposition also prohibits the use of no-knock warrants, which have too often led to property destruction and loss of life.
A quick editorial note: May 31st will be the final episode of Civil Rights and Wrongs.
This Tuesday we’ll have a special edition of the show. In honor of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, we will listen to excerpts from a new podcast called “Asian in Austin.” The hosts are Sandra Pham and Minh Vu, who identify as Vietnamese Americans. Their stories are two of the many that they plan to feature in coming months. Sandra and Minh share touching, deeply personal accounts of their own experiences growing up in Texas as children of immigrant parents, and offer perceptive insights into their own experiences as Asian Americans.
Later we’ll hear from Austin Sanders, Staff Writer for the Austin Chronicle. Austin reports on a pilot program approved by City Council this past Thursday that will provide a guaranteed income to 85 qualifying households for a 12-month period. Unlike most other government assistance programs, cash received under this program will be unrestricted. In addition, we hear about how the Austin Firefighters Association succeeded in keeping arbitration as an option in upcoming wage negotiations.
A quick editorial note: May 31st will be the final episode of Civil Rights and Wrongs.
This week we’ll listen to an encore presentation that first aired on December 7. Our guests are Sophie Novack, an editor and reporter who often covers public health, and Michael Barajas, a writer and frequent guest who covers civil rights issues, especially incarceration. Last fall Sophie and Mike concluded a months-long inquiry for an article in the Texas Observer titled, “Locked Up and Left to Die.” Sophie and Michael reviewed more than 400 cases of jail deaths investigated by the Texas Rangers. They note that, “state police regularly document jail conditions that can lead to preventable deaths, such as jail staff ignoring people with deteriorating health, taking hours to respond to emergencies, violently restraining detainees in the middle of mental health crises, denying treatment for chronic conditions like diabetes or heart disease, providing Tylenol for liver failure, and mocking people who are moaning in pain.” Michelle Manning-Scott, Associate Producer, joins us as well. Furthermore, we just learned that Sophie and Michael have won the John Bartlow Martin Award for Public Interest Magazine Journalism from the Northwestern University School of Journalism for their investigative reporting in this matter.
And in a new segment, we’ll hear from Austin Sanders, Staff Writer for the Austin Chronicle. On Saturday, May 7th Austin voters will decide whether to codify the current APD policy of not arresting people for low-level marijuana offenses. In addition, the same proposition includes a ban on no-knock warrants. A progressive group called Ground Game has promoted this citizen-led initiative for almost a year, ultimately succeeding in getting these issues on the ballot.
This Tuesday we speak with Jordyn Middlebrooks, Kristen Herring and Annie Fierro, members of the Austin Hub of the Sunrise Movement. Sunrise is a youth movement to stop climate change and create millions of good jobs in the process. It is building an army of young people to make climate change an urgent priority across America, to end the corrupting influence of fossil fuel executives on politics, and to elect leaders who stand up for the health and well-being of all people. Michelle Manning-Scott, Associate Producer of the show, is also with us.
We also speak with Austin Sanders, Staff Writer for the Austin Chronicle. He tells us about a “right to return” policy which can provide affordable housing to people who have been displaced by gentrification. Land is held by the city (or a non-profit organization) in a community trust. The house is sold to qualified buyers, but the land remains in the trust. We also get an update on efforts to unionize employees of Integral Care, the Travis County public mental health care agency. Management appears to be weakening the operational framework that establishes the structure and power of the union.
This week Michelle Manning-Scott, Associate Producer of the program, considers changes coming to Austin's historic Neill-Cochran House Museum. The museum is steward to one of Austin’s oldest historic residences, and includes the city’s only remaining intact slave quarters building. Guests Rowena Dasch, Executive Director of the museum and Tara Dudley, Assistant Professor in the School of Architecture at the University of Texas at Austin, talk about their collaborative project "Reckoning with the Past: The Untold Story of Race in Austin" that will reintroduce the slave quarters to the public through interpretation, restoration, and new programming on April 23 & 24. Regular host, Bob Dailey, and Jim Harrington, retired founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project, also join the discussion.
Later in the episode, once again we’ll hear from Austin Sanders, Staff Writer for the Austin Chronicle. We’ll learn about wage negotiations between the City of Austin and the Austin EMS Association, the union that represents employees of Austin – Travis County Emergency Medical Services. The city’s recent counteroffer which would raise hourly pay by 39 cents (for new hires) has been described as “heartbreaking.” We’ll also hear about the future of the “Batcave” – that is, the former location of the Austin American-Statesman on South Congress at Lady Bird Lake. A massive office-retail-housing development is being planned for the site. How many units of affordable housing will be included?
This Tuesday we have an encore presentation from last September, when we spoke with Gus Bova, Staff Writer for the Texas Observer. At that time, Gus had authored two engaging stories. First, “The Final Frontera” – byline: “Elon Musk wants to go to Mars. Money, regulations and public beaches are no object.” It’s SpaceX vs. Boca Chica. Second, “Life and Death in a Texas Homeless Camp” – byline: “As the unhoused population grows, cities like Austin turn to legalized camps.” Abbott’s Camp, Camp RATT, the Esperanza Community – no matter what the name, the environment is bleak, but the residents are human. We’re also joined by Jim Harrington, retired founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project. And Michelle Manning-Scott, associate producer, is with us, too.
Later in the episode, we’ll have a new report from Austin Sanders, Staff Writer for the Austin Chronicle. He updates us on City Council’s decision to allow construction of a jet fuel farm at the edge of the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. How does the city balance accelerated population growth with plans for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in 20 years? We also learn about efforts by employees of Integral Care to unionize. Integral Care is the largest mental health care provider in Travis County.
The term Critical Race Theory (CRT) is often heard in the news these days, especially in right wing media, even though few really understand its meaning. This Tuesday we present an encore of a show that first aired on August 17, 2021. We discuss CRT and historical revisionism with David DeMatthews, Associate Professor of Educational Leadership and Policy at UT Austin. Last July he wrote an opinion piece for the Austin American-Statesman titled, “SB3 Seeks to Rewrite History. That Should Concern All Texans.” We’ll hear about efforts of the Texas Legislature to regulate the teaching of Social Studies in Texas schools through HB3979 and SB3 – both of which are now law in the State of Texas. We also have regular guest Jim Harrington, retired founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project. And Michelle Manning-Scott, associate producer of this program, joins us as well.
In a new segment later in the program, we speak with Brant Bingamon about two recent articles he wrote for the Austin Chronicle. The first deals with a recent suicide at the Travis County Jail, which exposes the porous boundary where mental illness meets criminal justice. The second reveals that racial profiling is still plainly evident in the latest statistics from APD for traffic stops, arrests and use of force.
In a new episode this week, we speak with Nicole Golden, Interim Executive Director of Texas Gun Sense. Texas Gun Sense advocates for common sense, evidence-based policies to reduce gun injuries and deaths. While the organization recognizes the right to own guns, it also believes that laws could be strengthened to include more sensible policies that would better protect the general public – the antithesis of HB 1927 which was passed a year ago. We are also joined by Jim Harrington, retired founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project. And Michelle Manning-Scott, Associate Producer of the show, is also with us.
Later in the show, we hear from Austin Sanders, Staff Writer at the Austin Chronicle. Austin describes what led to the recent “indefinite suspension” (read: firing) of an APD officer. The story may restore a modicum of confidence in the system of police oversight and accountability. We also hear about frustrated efforts to relocate the Downtown Austin Community Court (read: NIMBY).
This Tuesday we’ll have an encore presentation that first aired on July 6, 2021. We talked with Beth Schwartzapfel, award-winning Staff Writer for The Marshall Project, which seeks to create and sustain a sense of national urgency regarding the US criminal justice system. Their goal is to render that system more fair, effective, transparent and humane. Last May, Beth co-authored an article in the Austin American-Statesman that covered a particularly egregious case of police misconduct. We focus on the matter of qualified immunity for law enforcement personnel. The show also featured Jim Harrington, retired founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project, who spoke from his own experience in dealing with police misconduct.
And in a new segment, Austin Sanders, Staff Writer at the Austin Chronicle, discusses his frustration in trying to find out what sort of sanctions APD has administered to officers as a result of complaints/incidents stemming from the racial justice protests in May, 2020. We begin with a review of accountability, starting from within the ranks of APD but extending to the broader city government (Office of Police Oversight), and even to the judiciary, both criminal and civil courts.
This week we’re speaking with Brandon Rottinghaus, Professor of Political Science at the University of Houston. Two weeks ago, he and colleague Jeronimo Cortina co-authored an article in the Washington Post titled, “With the 2022 midterms ahead, expect another Latino misinformation crisis.” Brandon discusses their research, conducted in 2020 during the lead-up to the November elections. Some of their results may surprise you. We are also joined by Jim Harrington, retired founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project.
And Austin Sanders is with us again this week. Austin is a Staff Writer at the Austin Chronicle. We’ll hear about City Council’s plan to make Sixth Street safer. We also learn about a lawsuit by former county judge Bill Aleshire, who is challenging the system of staggered terms for City Council Members, claiming that some voters become disenfranchised in the process.
This Tuesday Amanda Woog returns to update us on the work of the Texas Fair Defense Project, where she is the Executive Director. Their mission is to fight to end the criminalization of poverty in Texas. TFDP envisions a system of justice that upholds the dignity and civil rights of all people, regardless of income, race, or gender. We also have Jim Harrington, retired founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project. And Michelle Manning-Scott, Associate Producer of the show, joins us as well.
Later we speak with Brant Bingamon from the Austin Chronicle. (Austin Sanders is out this week.) Brant discusses the four settlements to date in civil lawsuits that charge excessive use of force by APD officers during the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests in Austin. The most recent settlement was approved by City Council on Thursday, awarding $2.95 million to Brad Levi Ayala, who suffered serious brain injuries from a “less lethal” bean-bag round fired at his head.
This Tuesday we’ll have a special edition of Civil Rights & Wrongs. It’s the KOOP Spring Membership Drive, so we’re sharing some of the best of recent shows. We will hear excerpts that include:
- Advocates for the rights of adoptees: Shawna Hodgson, an activist in the adoption, foster care and assisted reproduction communities in Texas; Gregory Luce, an adoptee rights attorney based in Minnesota; and Gabrielle Glaser, a journalist who examines issues surrounding mental health, medicine, and culture. (First aired January 4.)
- Leaders in the Austin Justice Coalition: Chas Moore, Founder and Executive Director; and Chris Harris, Director of Policy. Since it was founded in 2015, AJC has been at the forefront of racial justice in Austin. You may also recognize Chris as a veteran programmer and volunteer here at KOOP. (First aired February 8.)
- Tenant advocates Shoshana Krieger and Mincho Jacob from BASTA, and Joao Paulo Connolly from the Austin Justice Coalition, discuss the plight of renters and the looming eviction crisis. (First aired January 18.)
- Historians Benjamin Johnson from Loyola University of Chicago and John Moran Gonzales from UT Austin. They are co-founders of an organization called Refusing to Forget, an award-winning educational nonprofit that works to increase public awareness of an often-forgotten period in the history of the United States about 100 years ago. (First aired December 14.)
As usual, we will close with observations from Austin Sanders, Staff Writer for the Austin Chronicle. Austin discusses the recent indictment of 19 APD officers, charged with use of excessive force during the 2020 racial justice protests. He recently co-authored an article in the current issue that analyzes those events, not only through the APD chain of command, but also from the managerial perspective in the City of Austin.
This week Michelle Manning-Scott hosts three guests who discuss the importance of teaching accurate accounts of history if there is any hope for humanity to become a truly equitable society. Jesse Hagopian is a history teacher in Seattle who is currently on leave from the classroom to work as a lead organizer with the Zinn Education Project, a non-profit organization created to introduce students to a more accurate, complex, and engaging understanding of history than is found in traditional textbooks and curricula. Signe Fourmy is Director of Research and Analysis for Last Seen: Finding Family After Slavery at Villanova University, and is an Instructor of History in the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Texas at Austin. Kerry Green teaches U.S. History and is Social Studies Department Chair at a Dallas area high school; she is also an Adjunct Instructor of US History at Dallas College. Regular host, Bob Dailey, joins the discussion as well.
Later we hear from Austin Sanders, Staff Writer for the Austin Chronicle. Austin reports that City Council approved settlements totaling $10 million for two people seriously injured by Austin police officers during protests in 2020. We also hear about the visit from Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to Central Texas a week ago as she campaigned for Greg Casar for US Congress.
Our guest this Tuesday is no stranger: Charlotte Moore joins us once again. Charlotte is a storyteller with over 20 years of experience as a print and television news journalist, multimedia producer, filmmaker, and writer. Her film, “Black Bodies,” is a documentary in which 16 Black Austin-area residents talk candidly and vulnerably about what it means to exist in the world today in a black body. Charlotte’s most recent film, “The Spirit of Sparta,” tells the story of Sparta, Georgia. Once deemed the “Hidden Jewel of Georgia,” Sparta today faces daunting challenges. Michelle Manning-Scott, Associate Producer, is also with us.
We then hear from Austin Sanders, Staff Writer for the Austin Chronicle. Austin reports on the aftermath of the third boil-water incident in four years. A special meeting of City Council has been called for Tuesday morning, February 15th to discuss the matter, with an independent audit likely to result.
Our guests this week are both from the Austin Justice Coalition: Chas Moore is Executive Director and Founder; Chris Harris is Director of Policy. AJC serves people who are historically and systematically impacted by gentrification, segregation, over policing, a lack of educational and employment opportunities, and other institutional forms of racism in Austin. Chas recently returned from a sabbatical and shares insights from that experience. Given the current climate of white backlash, we hear about what AJC has planned. We also have Jim Harrington, retired founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project. Michelle Manning-Scott, associate producer of the show, also joins us.
Later, we’ll hear from Austin Sanders, Staff Writer for the Austin Chronicle. In the current issue, Austin has written about the Democratic primary race in Texas US Congressional District 35. He highlights the two contenders from Austin: Greg Casar and Eddie Rodriguez. Given that the district is heavily Democratic, the winner of the primary stands a good chance of winning in November.
This week Michelle Manning-Scott, Associate Producer of the show, hosts Alicia Roth Weigel, an activist and change agent who disclosed her intersex identity publicly for the first time while providing testimony against the infamous 'Bathroom Bill' during the 2017 Texas legislative session. Alicia works to improve the political and social landscape for marginalized populations in the South and worldwide through her roles as a Human Rights Commissioner for the City of Austin, a member of the advisory boards for both Texas Health Action and Central Health, and founder of her own consulting firm, Intrepida Strategy. Additionally, her writing on intersex issues has been featured in the New York Times and Forbes. Regular host, Bob Dailey, joins the discussion as well.
Next, we’ll hear from Austin Sanders, Staff Writer at the Austin Chronicle, who reports on the outcome of the District 4 special election last Tuesday, with Chito Vela winning almost 60% of the vote. We also learn about the resolution of a lawsuit against the City of Austin and APD dating back to 2018, brought by sexual assault victims.
Our guests this Tuesday include Grace Chimene, President of the League of Women Voters of Texas. LWV is a nonpartisan, grassroots civic organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. We also have Charlie Bonner, Communications Director for MOVE Texas. MOVE is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization that builds power in underrepresented youth communities through civic education, leadership development, and issue advocacy. We will hear about the effects of SB1 on the Texas voting experience going forward. We’re joined by Jim Harrington, retired founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project, as well as Michelle Manning-Scott, associate producer of the show. Michelle has been a volunteer for LWV.
Later we’ll hear from Austin Sanders, Staff Writer at the Austin Chronicle, who reports on a recent study that indicates the need for 108 more officers in the Austin Police Department, in order to maintain the current average response time of 6½ minutes. Austin also discusses the critical staffing shortage at Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services, and updates us on the search for a new leader for that agency.
This Tuesday we’ll speak with Shoshana Krieger and Mincho Jacob from Building and Strengthening Tenant Action. BASTA consists of organizers, researchers, community educators, paralegals and lawyers who work collectively with tenants to break down the barriers to healthy living and safe housing. We also have Joao Paulo Connolly, Director of Community Housing and Development at the Austin Justice Coalition. AJC serves people who are historically and systematically impacted by gentrification, segregation, over policing, a lack of educational and employment opportunities, and other institutional forms of racism in Austin. With assistance funds drying up and protections against eviction expiring, what is the fate of low-income Austin tenants? In addition, we have Jim Harrington, retired founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project, as well as Michelle Manning-Scott, Associate Producer of the show.
Then we’ll hear from Austin Sanders, Staff Writer at the Austin Chronicle, who provides a first look at the Austin mayoral contest that will take place in November. And we also learn about the role of PACs in the District 4 special election that is currently underway.
Our guest this Tuesday is Emily Timm, Executive Director of Workers Defense Project. This year it celebrates 20 years as a community organization of low-wage, immigrant workers in the Texas construction industry. Members fight for their right to be paid a living wage and to be protected in their work. WDP was featured in Vogue magazine for humanitarian efforts in the community during last February’s disastrous winter storm. We also have Jim Harrington, retired founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project. And Michelle Manning-Scott, Associate Producer, joins us as well.
Later in the show, Austin Sanders, Staff Writer at the Austin Chronicle, shares two stories regarding charges of police misconduct. In a civil suit resulting from the 2017 wrongful death of Landon Nobles, a Travis County jury awarded the family a stunning $67 million in damages. And in a more recent incident, an unhoused woman is suing APD officers who beat her during an arrest for a Class B misdemeanor. We also hear about the candidates running for the City Council District 4 seat vacated by Greg Casar.
This Tuesday Michelle Manning-Scott, Associate Producer, speaks with three guests who advocate for the rights of adoptees and work for changes within the US adoption industry. Shawna Hodgson is an activist in the adoption, foster care and assisted reproduction communities in Texas. She is herself an adoptee and currently sits on the boards of the American Adoption Congress and Adoptees United, and is a spokesperson for the Texas Adoptee Rights Coalition. Gregory Luce is an adoptee rights attorney based in Minnesota, with expertise in adoption law and citizenship. He is likewise an adoptee and is the founder and president of Adoptees United. Gabrielle Glaser is a journalist who examines issues surrounding mental health, medicine, and culture. Last year she authored American Baby: A Mother, A Child and the Shadow History of Adoption, an NPR Best Book and Staff Pick.
Austin Sanders, Staff Writer at the Austin Chronicle, will be back next week.
Continuing the tradition, Tuesday we present the “Best of 2021.” We’ll hear excerpts from five of our favorite episodes from the year past:
- Jeffrey Littlejohn, Professor of History at Sam Houston State. Jeff heads up the Lynching in Texas project, and was our guest on February 23rd. He and his students collaborate with local officials and nationally with the Equal Justice Initiative to ensure that Texas history is not whitewashed.
- Beth Schwartzapfel, Staff Writer at the Marshall Project. We learned about “qualified immunity,” a legal doctrine that makes it very difficult to sue police officers for misconduct. Excerpts are from the July 6th show, which was motivated by an article that Beth co-authored in the Austin American-Statesman.
- Stephen Vladeck, Faculty in the UT Law School. Steve joined us for our annual Supreme Court wrap-up on July 13th. We heard about changes in the make-up of the Court with an eye toward future cases.
- Alison Alter, District 10 Representative to the Austin City Council, and Neil Blumofe, Senior Rabbi at Congregation Agudas Achim. On November 30th they discussed the civic impact and community response to arson at Congregation Beth Israel, along with defacement and expressions of hatred that had taken place in Northwest Austin.
- Benjamin Johnson, Professor of History at Loyola University of Chicago, and John Morán Gonzalez, Professor of American and English Literature at the University of Texas at Austin. They are co-founders of Refusing to Forget, an award-winning educational nonprofit that works to increase public awareness of an often-forgotten period in the history of the United States. Ben and John were with us just two weeks ago, on December 14th.
As usual, you’ll also hear Jim Harrington, retired founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project, and Michelle Manning-Scott, Associate Producer of the show. Austin Sanders, Staff Writer at the Austin Chronicle, will be back next week.
This week we’re dispensing with our usual format. In what has become a holiday tradition for us, we’ll be playing a few of our favorite tunes, most with a social justice theme. And we’ll also share some year-end thoughts from Jim Harrington, Michelle Manning-Scott and Austin Sanders.
Due to copyright restrictions, we had to trim out the music. However, below are links to each of the selections:
- Vince Guaraldi, Linus & Lucy (3:04) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6zypc_LhnM
- Mavis Staples, Eyes on the Prize (4:08) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cVJmwSStL4
- La Santa Cecilia, Ice El Hielo (4:29) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lNJviuYUEQ
- Eliza Gilkyson, Runaway Train (4:20) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jtL6rPrNw8
- Edgar Meyer, Work in Progress (3:01) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeWrkyHupp8 (begins at 36:16)
- Anais Mitchell, Why We Build the Wall (4:13) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAgiK07Py9M
- Queen, Is This the World We Created (2:19) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVKTcWp_W9k
- Sam Cooke, A Change Is Gonna Come (3:10) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEBlaMOmKV4
- Greg Lake, I Believe in Father Christmas (3:19) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfY4b1NszpY
Our guests this Tuesday are Benjamin Johnson, Professor of History at Loyola University of Chicago; and John Morán Gonzalez, Professor of American and English Literature at the University of Texas at Austin. Both are founders of Refusing to Forget, an award-winning educational nonprofit that works to increase public awareness of an often-forgotten period in the history of the United States. Refusing to Forget seeks to raise the profile of a struggle for justice and civil rights that continues to influence social relationships today. We’re also joined by Jim Harrington, retired founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project, and Michelle Manning-Scott, associate producer of this show. If you’re not familiar with the shocking and tragic events along the US-Mexico border in the early 20th century, be sure to tune in.
Later in the show, Austin Sanders, Staff Writer for the Austin Chronicle, discusses his recent article covering contract negotiations between the City of Austin and the Austin EMS Association, which is the union representing medics and other front line workers who respond to 911 calls.
Our guests this week write for the Texas Observer. Sophie Novack is an editor and reporter who often covers public health. Michael Barajas is a staff writer who covers civil rights issues, especially incarceration, and has been a frequent guest on this show. Sophie and Mike recently concluded a months-long inquiry, which prompted the article, “Locked Up and Left to Die.” The Observer reviewed more than 400 cases of jail deaths investigated by the Texas Rangers. They note that, “state police regularly document jail conditions that can lead to preventable deaths, such as jail staff ignoring people with deteriorating health, taking hours to respond to emergencies, violently restraining detainees in the middle of mental health crises, denying treatment for chronic conditions like diabetes or heart disease, providing Tylenol for liver failure, and mocking people who are moaning in pain.” Michelle Manning-Scott, Associate Producer, joins us as well.
Austin Sanders is out this week. We hope to have him back next week.
This week we hear about the recent spate of hate incidents that occurred in Austin a few weeks ago. Our first guest is Alison Alter, Member of Austin City Council representing District 10. Alison discusses the civic impact and community response to the arson at Congregation Beth Israel, along with the defacement and expressions of hatred that took place in Northwest Austin. In addition, Alison briefs us on other Council activities. Michelle Manning-Scott joins us as well.
Next, we hear from Rabbi Neil Blumofe, Senior Rabbi at Congregation Agudas Achim. He reflects on the historic and spiritual significance of hateful pronouncements and anti-Semitic activity. Neil just returned from Brunswick, Georgia where he and others offered support to the family of Ahmaud Arbery. Jim Harrington, retired founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project, adds his own perspective on the matter of hatred in the context of the struggle for civil rights.
Later, Austin Sanders, Staff Writer for the Austin Chronicle, reports on the latest efforts to update the city’s Land Development Code. Instead of a comprehensive approach, which has proved to be unwieldy and susceptible to lawsuits, Council appears to be favoring a piecemeal approach.
This Tuesday we’ll hear from Sarah Wheat, the Chief External Affairs Officer for Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas. Planned Parenthood creates healthier communities by providing comprehensive reproductive and related healthcare services, delivering science-based education programs, and serving as a strong advocate for reproductive justice in Texas. We consider how Texas SB8 could upend law enforcement as we know it, replacing it with state-sponsored bounty hunting. Michelle Manning-Scott, Associate Producer of this program, also joins us.
Later, Austin Sanders, Staff Writer for the Austin Chronicle, discusses his recent article dealing with efforts by the Travis County District Attorney to curb gun violence. We also learn about the potential creation of a City Marshal Office for Austin. (Council consideration of the latter has been tabled until early 2022.)
Our guests this Tuesday are Christina Puentes and Luis Gonzalez, the Chair and Vice-Chair, respectively, of the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission for the City of Austin. The commission recently concluded its work, so we’ll hear how it all turned out. They also provide their perspectives on the process, and even offer some words of wisdom for their successors. Michelle Manning-Scott, Associate Producer of this program, also joins us.
And we again hear from Austin Sanders, Staff Writer for the Austin Chronicle, who notes changes in political leadership on the horizon, especially in Council District 4. He also reports on the City Auditor’s assessment of how well the City of Austin responded to Winter Storm Uri last February. (Spoiler: not very well.) And we learn about a Travis County Grand Jury decision to clear officers involved in a fatal shooting on Sixth Street in 2018.
This Tuesday Michelle Manning-Scott speaks with Pauly Denetclaw, a citizen of the Navajo Nation and the Indigenous Affairs Reporter at the Texas Observer. The previous Editor of the magazine (himself a member of the Kiowa Tribe) created the Indigenous Affairs desk in the fall of 2020 in an effort to address the historical dearth of reporting devoted to indigenous communities in mainstream media outlets in Texas. Joining the impressive list of journalists from the Observer who have been our guests, Ms. Denetclaw shares her thoughts on some of the stories she has covered to date.
Later, Bob speaks with Austin Sanders, Staff Writer for the Austin Chronicle, who comments on the striking defeat of Proposition A – more than 2-to-1 against. Austin also reports on reform efforts at the Sex Crimes Unit of APD, where failures and scandals are matters of public record.
Our guest this Tuesday is Lise Olsen, Senior Reporter and Editor for the Texas Observer. She has an article in the current issue titled, “Justice for Some.” The Texas Rangers are tasked with investigating corruption and crimes by public officials. Those officials are rarely held accountable. Her writing summarizes an investigative collaboration between the Texas Observer, KXAN, KTEP, and the Fort Worth Report. We’re also joined by Michelle Manning-Scott, Associate Producer.
Later we hear from Austin Sanders, Staff Writer for the Austin Chronicle, with his perspective about Proposition A. The outcome of the election should be known Tuesday night soon after the show.
This is a special edition in which we present excerpts from an October 19 panel discussion at the University of Texas, “Prop A in the Context of Race and Policing in Austin, Texas: An Urgent Forum.” The event was jointly sponsored by the UT Department of Religious Studies and the Institute for Historical Studies in the Department of History. Moderator Brent Crosson, Associate Professor in the UT Department of Religious Studies, introduces panelists:
- Monica Muñoz Martinez, Associate Professor in the UT Department of History
- Andrew Busch, Assistant Professor at Coastal Carolina University
- Gabriella Torres and Ashleigh Hamilton, Community Organizers with Communities of Color United for Racial Justice
- Jason McDonald, Assistant Professor at Truman State University
- Eliot Tretter, Research Fellow in the UT Department of Geography and Environment
The forum offers a succinct but disturbing portrait of law enforcement in the City of Austin and the State of Texas. Historical developments illustrate how environmental policy has been realized in tragic and lasting geographical impacts. During the era of Jim Crow, it is argued that APD actually became the instrument for carrying out racial oppression in Austin.
In addition, we hear from Austin Sanders, Staff Writer for the Austin Chronicle, with news that the Austin EMS Association has joined the Austin Firefighters Association and AFSCME Local 1624 in opposing Proposition A. He also discusses his article “Despite ‘Positive Strides,’ APD Academy Not Reimagined Yet” which covers the report presented to City Council this past Thursday regarding progress (or lack thereof) in implementing changes to police training.
Our guest this Tuesday is Dana DeBeauvoir, Clerk of Travis County, Texas. The Travis County Clerk maintains the county's records, administers elections, and oversees legal documentation, such as property deeds and marriage licenses. With SB1 (the infamous “Election Integrity and Security Law”) recently signed into law, we explore its consequences for Texas voters. We’re also joined by Michelle Manning-Scott, associate producer of the show.
We also hear from Austin Sanders, Staff Writer at the Austin Chronicle, who discusses his recent article, “Hiring More Police Is Not a Great Way to Prevent Murders.” Proponents of Proposition A would have you believe that the murder rate is alarming, and that hiring additional police officers is the solution. Austin argues that this is at best a seriously flawed strategy, and at worst a significant waste of resources.
This Tuesday we speak with Carol Johnson, the first-ever Civil Rights Officer for the City of Austin. The position was created to advance the city’s non-discrimination efforts, and promote outreach, education, and awareness events for both businesses and community stakeholders. Carol offers an encouraging assessment of the mission and goals of the newly created city office. We’re also joined by Michelle Manning-Scott, associate producer of the show.
Later we hear from Austin Sanders, Staff Writer at the Austin Chronicle, who updates us on Proposition A (especially opposition by AFA, among others), the ongoing strife between APD Chief Joseph Chacon and the Austin Police Association, and the matter of vaccination of public employees – especially APD officers.
Michelle Manning-Scott guest hosts the program again this Tuesday, speaking with Stephanie Lang, Director of Equity and Community Advocacy at the UT Center for Community Engagement, as well as the founder of RECLAIM, an organization that uncovers and reclaims the stories of the Black diaspora. (RECLAIM is a wholly separate and transparent entity outside of the work she does for UT.) Ms. Lang speaks to her passion for finding ways to use various art forms to communicate ancestral stories from within her own extensive family history here in Austin, as well as those from the community at large. They are joined by Jim Harrington, retired founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project.
Later in the show Bob gets an update on the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission (ICRC) from Christina Puentes, Chair, and Luis Gonzalez, Vice-Chair. They now have a proposed map for the City Council districts and are on track to complete their task by November 1st as planned.
And we finish with Austin Sanders, Staff Writer at the Austin Chronicle, who reports on the confirmation of APD Chief Joseph Chacon by City Council. The process lasted several hours (including both closed-door and public sessions) before reaching a 9-2 vote of approval that reflects plenty of reservations, even among the nine in favor. We also learn about the decision by the Austin Firefighters Association to oppose Proposition A in the November elections – a move in direct opposition to the stance of the Austin Police Association.
Michelle Manning-Scott guest hosts the program on Tuesday and speaks with Anna Harris, founder and executive director of JUST-US Participatory Defense, a non-profit organization that offers criminal defense assistance to indigent defendants in several rural counties in south and central Texas. The participatory defense model stems from a reform minded approach to public defense that is grounded in community participation. The movement has been gaining traction here in the US for more than a decade and aims to revolutionize the judicial system toward a more equitable, efficient and empowered method of representation for marginalized and economically disadvantaged populations.
And Austin Sanders, Staff Writer at the Austin Chronicle, discusses the appointment of Joseph Chacon as Chief of Police for APD. Austin also reports on the September 20th meeting of the Public Safety Committee of the City Council. Of the hundreds of complaints stemming from the 2020 BLM protests which were filed with the Office of Police Oversight, only a few dozen have been investigated by APD.
Once again, it’s time for the KOOP Fall Membership Drive! Yours truly will celebrate by going LIVE in the studio for the first time since March 17, 2020. The station is still only allowing KOOP volunteers in the studio, so we will be doing a “Best Of” episode that includes recorded excerpts from:
- Jeffrey Littlejohn, Professor of History at Sam Houston State. Jeff heads up the Lynching in Texas project, and was our guest on February 23rd. Jeff and his students collaborate with local officials and nationally with the Equal Justice Initiative to ensure that Texas history is not whitewashed.
- Michael Barajas, Staff Writer for the Texas Observer, and Maggie Luna, Policy Fellow at the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition. On June 22nd we discussed the deplorable conditions inside Texas prisons, and frustrated efforts at the Texas Legislature to effect change.
- Beth Schwartzapfel, Staff Writer at the Marshall Project. We learned about “qualified immunity,” a legal doctrine that makes it very difficult to sue police officers for misconduct. Excerpts are from the July 6th show, which was motivated by an article that Beth co-authored in the Austin American-Statesman.
- Stephen Vladeck, Faculty in the UT Law School. Steve joined us for our annual Supreme Court wrap-up on July 13th. We heard about changes in the make-up of the Court with an eye toward future cases.
And Austin Sanders, Staff Writer at the Austin Chronicle, provides his perspective on the current state of affairs in the City of Austin.
This Tuesday we’ll speak with Gus Bova, Staff Writer for the Texas Observer. In recent weeks Gus has authored two engaging stories. First, “The Final Frontera” – byline: “Elon Musk wants to go to Mars. Money, regulations and public beaches are no object.” It’s SpaceX vs. Boca Chica. Second, “Life and Death in a Texas Homeless Camp” – byline: “As the unhoused population grows, cities like Austin turn to legalized camps.” Abbott’s Camp, Camp RATT, the Esperanza Community – no matter what the name, the environment is bleak, but the residents are human. We’re also joined by Jim Harrington, retired founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project. And Michelle Manning-Scott, associate producer, will be along, too.
Also, Austin Sanders, Staff Writer for the Austin Chronicle, reports on widespread and growing opposition to Proposition A, aka Save Austin Now 2.0. We have already reported on projected costs, but that’s only the beginning of the hardship that this issue will impose on the city.
Our guest this Tuesday is Chris Harris, community activist, law enforcement data analyst, advocate for homeless persons, and longtime volunteer for KOOP Community Radio. We’ll cover Texas Lege obstruction of bail reform, recent indictments of APD officers, the search for a new police chief, homelessness, ballot initiatives led by Save Austin Now (aka, the Travis County GOP), the APD budget, the Police Academy – and more. We’re also joined by Jim Harrington, retired founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project.
And Austin Sanders, Staff Writer for the Austin Chronicle, provides an update on proceedings of the Austin City Council. The city will partner with Building Promise to provide services to persons recently released from prison. Council also approved a $2.25M settlement with the family of yet another victim of an APD shooting while responding to a 911 call. (Mental health crisis – sound familiar?) Language for Proposition A, community opposition to a proposal to widen I-35 – Austin has all the details.
The US plans to evacuate at least 50,000 Afghan allies before the August 31st deadline, many under the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program that protects interpreters and translators, along with family members. Afghans will be sent to US military bases; from there, they will be connected with refugee service organizations. Our guest this Tuesday is Ashley Faye, Development Director for Refugee Services of Texas, the largest resettlement agency in Texas. RST welcomes refugees, immigrants and other displaced peoples, and supports them in integrating and thriving in their new communities. Michelle Manning-Scott, associate producer, is with us as well.
We also hear from Austin Sanders, Staff Writer for the Austin Chronicle. This past Friday afternoon we learned that an APD officer was indicted for a second time on charges of first-degree murder while on duty and responding to a call. Relations between the Travis County District Attorney and the Austin Police Association (officers’ union) had already become very contentious even before this latest development.
In the face of the most contagious phase of the COVID-19 pandemic so far, not a few people have chosen to forgo vaccination. And government officials in Texas (and elsewhere) even oppose mask mandates which could reduce contagion. This week we consider the ethics of vaccination and mandates. Our guest is James Marroquin, M.D., board-certified in internal medicine and palliative medicine, and faculty member at the Dell Medical School. He is also certified in medical ethics and has served as co-chair of the task force designing medical ethics and humanities themes in the Dell Medical School curriculum. We are also joined by regular guest Jim Harrington, retired founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project. Michelle Manning-Scott, associate producer of this program, is with us as well.
In the second half of the show, we’ll hear from Austin Sanders, Staff Writer for the Austin Chronicle. Austin tells us about the three finalists for the position of Chief of the Austin Police Department, as well as the state of curriculum revision at the Police Training Academy. In addition, he provides updates on the Save Austin Now ballot initiative, the approval of the 2021-22 city budget, and the state of homeless encampments and arrests.
The term Critical Race Theory (CRT) is often heard in the news these days, especially in right wing media, even though few really understand its meaning. This Tuesday we’ll discuss CRT and historical revisionism with David DeMatthews, Associate Professor of Educational Leadership and Policy at UT Austin. Last month he wrote an opinion piece for the Austin American-Statesman titled, “SB3 Seeks to Rewrite History. That Should Concern All Texans.” We’ll hear about efforts of the Texas Legislature to regulate the teaching of Social Studies in Texas schools through HB3979 (now law) and SB3 (proposed). We also have regular guest Jim Harrington, retired founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project. And Michelle Manning-Scott, associate producer of this program, joins us as well.
Later in the program we speak with leaders of the Austin Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission (ICRC). The commission is tasked with updating the maps that define district representation for the Austin City Council. We’ll hear from Christina Puentes, Chair, and Luis Gonzalez, Vice-Chair, about this essential work which enables participatory democracy. [Note: this segment was originally supposed to air on August 10, but encountered technical difficulties.]
The 2021-22 Budget for the City of Austin is about to be approved. On the face of it we see a lot of numbers that would normally interest few beyond accountants and managers. However, between the previous and current budget cycles, a battle over public safety is playing out through resource allocation. Players include community groups, the Texas Legislature, Austin City Council, and the Austin Police Association, among others. To help us sort it out, this Tuesday our guests are from the Austin Chronicle: Mike Clark-Madison, News Editor and Columnist, and Austin Sanders, Staff Writer. Mike has occasionally joined us to discuss state and local legislative issues, and Austin has been a regular contributor to the show for more than a year now.
Later in the program we speak with leaders from the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission (ICRC). The commission is tasked with updating the maps that define district representation in the Austin City Council. We’ll hear from Christina Puentes, Chair, and Luis Gonzalez, Vice-Chair, about this essential work which enables local democracy.
This Tuesday on Civil Rights and Wrongs Michelle Manning-Scott welcomes Pamela Owens, CEO and Bridge Builder of Six Square, Austin’s Black cultural district -- the only Black cultural district in the state of Texas and the only cultural arts district in the City of Austin. Six Square is a non-profit organization whose mission is to preserve and celebrate the cultural legacy of the Black community that once thrived in Central East Austin through cultural arts, education, economic development, and historic preservation. The ongoing gentrification of the neighborhood, the historic nature of many of its landmarks, the contributions of its residents and the organization's efforts to advocate for and educate the public about this foundational community within Austin are among the topics of their discussion.
This week marks the 31st anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). On Tuesday we’ll speak with Brian East, Senior Attorney for Disability Rights Texas, whose mission is to help people with disabilities understand and exercise their rights under the law, ensuring their full and equal participation in society. Brian has handled a number of disability-discrimination and disability-rights cases in state and federal court, and has written and lectured extensively on these issues. We’re also joined by regular guest Jim Harrington, retired founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project, who speaks from his own experience with ADA lawsuits.
Later in the show we’ll hear from Austin Sanders, Staff Writer for the Austin Chronicle. Austin discusses his recently published article, the subject of which is Save Austin Now's latest petition initiative seeking a potential budget busting increase in police numbers by mandating a minimum of 2 sworn officers for every 1,000 city residents, which runs counter to recommendations made by the RPS Task Force last spring.
This Tuesday we’re splitting the show into halves. Our first guest is Farah Muscadin, Director of the Office of Police Oversight for the City of Austin. OPO was formally established in 2018 but just issued its first annual report, covering 2019 and 2020. We’ll hear about the process for filing complaints (and compliments), and discuss the disposition and resolution of those by the Austin Police Department. We’re also joined by regular guest Jim Harrington, retired founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project, who speaks from his own experience in handling lawsuits involving police wrongdoing.
For the second half of the show Austin Sanders, Staff Writer for the Austin Chronicle, reviews an article that he wrote earlier this year: “Yet Another Reason to Oppose Police Violence: It's Costing Us Millions of Dollars.” Despite sanctions for police misconduct, which include reprimands, demotions and suspensions, civil lawsuits are not unheard of. We’ll learn about the magnitude of the settlements, as well as potential alternatives that could be considered.
Our guest this Tuesday is Stephen Vladeck, the Charles Alan Wright Chair in Federal Courts at the University of Texas School of Law. He is a nationally recognized expert on the federal courts, constitutional law, national security law, and military justice. Steve has argued cases before the US Supreme Court, and is CNN’s lead Supreme Court analyst. This is our annual wrap-up of the court’s recently concluded session. If you’ve ever pondered the intersection between politics and jurisprudence, be sure not to miss this episode. We’re also joined by regular guest Jim Harrington, retired founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project, who offers wisdom from his own experience with the courts.
Later in the second half, Austin Sanders talks about the proposed budget for the City of Austin which was unveiled on Friday. Austin also tells us about his cover story on homelessness for the current issue of The Austin Chronicle – solid reporting on this complex if not vexing issue.
Our guest this Tuesday is Beth Schwartzapfel, award-winning Staff Writer for The Marshall Project, which seeks to create and sustain a sense of national urgency regarding the US criminal justice system. Their goal is to render that system more fair, effective, transparent and humane. In May, Beth co-authored an article in the Austin American-Statesman that covers a particularly egregious case of police misconduct. We focus on the matter of qualified immunity for law enforcement personnel. Jim Harrington, retired founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project, speaks from his own experience in dealing with police misconduct. And we also have Michelle Manning-Scott, the associate producer of this program.
Later in the second half, Austin Sanders discusses his recent article for the Austin Chronicle, the subject of which is Ground Game Texas, a new left-leaning political mobilization organization, founded by Julie Oliver and Mike Siegel. In addition, we talk about the indictment of Daniel Perry, recently charged with the murder of Garrett Foster during one of the Black Lives Matter marches a year ago.
This Tuesday our guests are from Equality Texas, which works to secure full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Texans through political action, education, community organizing, and collaboration. We’ll speak with Ricardo Martinez, CEO, and Angela Hale, Senior Advisor, and will hear about the fight for LGBTQ rights during the recently concluded 87th session of the Texas Legislature. Jim Harrington is with us again, too. He is the retired founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project. And we also have Michelle Manning-Scott, the associate producer of this program.
Later in the second half, Austin Sanders will join us. He is a Staff Writer for the Austin Chronicle where he covers City Council, APD, homelessness and other issues. Austin discusses his current article about the Office of Police Oversight. In addition, Austin and Bob share their perspectives on the occasion of the 52nd anniversary of the Stonewall riots.
This Tuesday our guests include Michael Barajas, Staff Writer for the Texas Observer, and no stranger to Civil Rights and Wrongs. During the past year he has written articles dealing with police misconduct, voter intimidation, and the rights of protesters, among other issues. Last month he wrote a piece titled, “Yet Again, Texas Lawmakers Face Crisis Conditions in Texas Prisons,” which will be the focus for Tuesday’s show. We also have Maggie Luna, Mental Health Peer Policy Fellow for the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition, where she is focused on creating advocacy opportunities for system-impacted Texans. Jim Harrington will be with us, too. Jim is the retired founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project. And from KOOP, Michelle Manning-Scott, associate producer of this program.
Later in the second half, Austin Sanders will join us. He is a Staff Writer for the Austin Chronicle where he covers City Council, APD, homelessness and other issues. Austin describes two very different scenarios which resulted in homeless persons being removed from campsites recently: one forcibly and chaotically, the other humanely.
This Tuesday Michelle Manning-Scott interviews John Henneberger, Co-Director of the Texas Low Income Housing Information Service, or Texas Housers. John is a leading expert on housing issues in Texas. He has been recognized for his commitment to social justice, helping low income people advance model solutions to housing issues in their communities, and developing common-ground solutions from diverse housing interests. We discuss the history of Black neighborhoods in Austin, “redlining,” affordability, and the 2018 housing bond, among other topics. Jim Harrington will be with us, too. Jim is the retired founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project.
Austin Sanders will also join us. He is a Staff Writer for the Austin Chronicle where he covers City Council, APD, homelessness and other issues. This past Thursday, City Council held its last session before adjourning for a summer break. Austin reports that Council approved changes to the homestead exemption that provides a tax break for homeowners. Council also determined how to allocate funds from the federal American Rescue Plan Act, deciding to spend more than $100M over the next two years on homelessness programs and housing.
This is our wrap-up for the recently concluded regular session of the 87th Texas Legislature, with guests from the Austin Chronicle. Mike Clark-Madison is the News Editor and writes the lead column each week. He has been a researcher, analyst, consultant, strategist and organizer for more than 30 years. Beth Sullivan is the Assistant News Editor, and also writes the LGBTQ “Qmmunity” column. She has been reporting on the pandemic, education, and women’s health issues, among other duties at the AC. Austin Sanders is a Staff Writer who covers City Council, APD, homelessness and other issues. Austin has been heard regularly on Civil Rights and Wrongs for about a year now. And from KOOP, Michelle Manning-Scott, the Associate Producer of this program.
This Tuesday Michelle Manning-Scott speaks with Dr. Colette Pierce Burnette, President of Huston-Tillotson University since 2015. Huston-Tillotson is Austin’s oldest institution of higher learning. Dr. Burnette talks about the role of Historically Black Colleges and Universities in society, and specifically H-T’s commitment to civic and community engagement. Our regular guest and commentator, Jim Harrington, also joins us. Jim is the retired founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project.
In addition, Austin Sanders, Staff Writer for the Austin Chronicle, discusses various issues, ranging from sanctioned encampments to the latest petition drive by Save Austin Now, and even bills in the Texas Legislature that would punish the City of Austin for reducing the budget of its police department.
Our guests this Tuesday include Paula Rojas, community organizer, licensed midwife, and social justice advocate. Paula has spent more than 25 years working on issues of gender violence, racial justice, women’s reproductive health, health care access and community alternatives to policing. She is currently a volunteer with Communities of Color United. We also have Brion Oaks, the first Chief Equity Officer for the City of Austin. In this capacity he is responsible for working with city leadership and local communities to create an equity framework, and facilitate dialogue and organizational practices that support the development and adoption of equity as a shared value. Paula and Brion are Co-Chairs of the Reimagining Public Safety Task Force which recently provided its detailed report to the Austin City Council. And our regular guest and commentator, Jim Harrington, is with us again. Jim is the retired founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project. Michelle Manning-Scott, associate producer of this program, joins us as well.
In addition, Austin Sanders, Staff Writer for the Austin Chronicle, talks about a recent report from the Ending Community Homelessness Coalition (ECHO) which contains some surprising statistics.
This Tuesday Michelle and Bob speak with Anna Nguyen, Vietnamese American transgender woman, software engineer, and President of the Austin chapter of PFLAG, which is the largest organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people, their parents, families, and allies. Anna shares her perspective on being in the intersection of diverse currents that have carried her from Saigon to Austin.
In addition, Austin Sanders, Staff Writer for the Austin Chronicle, discusses the continuing aftermath of Proposition B, addressing enforcement and the ongoing investigation regarding the establishment of city camping facilities. He also provides an update on the APD shooting of Alex Gonzales this past January.
This Tuesday we have an encore presentation that first aired last October. Given recent concerns about evictions, we decided to hear again from Molly Jensen, Executive Director of Austin Tenants Council, and Shoshana Krieger, Project Director for Building and Strengthening Tenant Action (BASTA). While some of the specifics of city programs have evolved since the show first aired, the efforts of these dedicated leaders and the staffs of their respective organizations continue to inspire. And their actions have spared numerous families from devastating outcomes.
In addition, our friend Austin Sanders, Staff Writer for the Austin Chronicle, has returned from paternity leave. (Spoiler: a baby girl!) Austin relates the drama of the decision to reopen the APD Training Academy in what was literally a 9-1-1 vote. Also, in the wake of Proposition B last week, we hear about efforts to relocate the camps that have become an unfortunate part of the Austin landscape, especially since the pandemic.
This Tuesday we speak with Mike Clark-Madison, News Editor and Columnist for the Austin Chronicle, who provides a wrap-up from Saturday’s special election that included eight propositions for voter approval. Mike also offers additional insights into the report by the Reimagining Public Safety Task Force which was delivered to City Council on April 20th. The rest of the team should be back next week, including Austin Sanders.
This Tuesday we speak with Chris Harris, data analyst and community activist. Chris has done significant work with Texas Appleseed and other organizations to provide statistics regarding traffic stops, use of force, and related police actions. He is currently part of Homes Not Handcuffs which promotes a housing-first approach to address homelessness, and opposes criminalization. In addition to Chris, Gus Bova also joins us. Gus is a staff writer at the Texas Observer, where he covers labor, border issues, and homelessness, among other topics. And Michelle Manning-Scott is with us, too. Austin Sanders, a regular contributor to the show, is still on leave but Mike Clark-Madison, News Editor for the Austin Chronicle, discusses the Reimagining Public Safety Task Force report to City Council this past week.
We celebrate Earth Day this Tuesday with two local leaders in environmental justice. First we’ll hear from Karen Magid, faculty member and Director of Sustainability & STEM for Huston-Tillotson University in their Center for Sustainability and Environmental Justice. She is an advisor for the environmental student group Green is the New Black, and helped found the environmental justice forum Building Green Justice. Karen is also co-director for the Dumpster Project, and a board member for Earth Day Austin. In the second half we’ll speak with Luke Metzger, Executive Director of Environment Texas whose mission is to transform the power of our imaginations and our ideas into change that makes our world a greener and healthier place for all. We also have Jim Harrington, retired founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project. And Michelle Manning-Scott joins us as well.
This Tuesday we’ll have an extended episode of Civil Rights and Wrongs, beginning at 5:30 PM. The Austin Chronicle recently held an issue forum, anticipating the upcoming May 1st Special Election, which includes eight distinct propositions. We cover two of them on the show: Proposition B (referendum on camping, panhandling and other matters related to homelessness) and Proposition F (referendum on a “strong mayor” for Austin). Mike Clark-Madison, News Editor and Columnist, interviews:
- Andrew Allison with Austinites For Progressive Reform, and Nelson Linder, President of the Austin Chapter of the NAACP – For Proposition F
- Emily Timm with Workers Defense Action Fund and By The People ATX, and Nico Ramsey with Austin For All People – Against Proposition F
Note that this presentation is offered as a community service and does not imply any endorsements by KOOP Community Radio. The Chronicle will publish its own endorsements in the April 16 issue. Further info can be found on their website.
This Tuesday we’ll have an extended episode of Civil Rights and Wrongs, beginning at 5:30 PM. The Austin Chronicle recently held an issue forum, anticipating the upcoming May 1st Special Election, which includes eight distinct propositions. We cover two of them on the show: Proposition B (referendum on camping, panhandling and other matters related to homelessness) and Proposition F (referendum on a “strong mayor” for Austin). Mike Clark-Madison, News Editor and Columnist, interviews:
- Cleo Petricek with Save Austin Now – For Proposition B
- Chris Harris with Homes Not Handcuffs – Against Proposition B
Note that this presentation is offered as a community service and does not imply any endorsements by KOOP Community Radio. The Chronicle will publish its own endorsements in the April 16 issue. Further info can be found on their website.
This Tuesday our guests will be Lily Trieu and Zohaib Qadri, board members for Asian Democrats of Central Texas. We will discuss the current wave of anti-Asian American violence in historical context. Lily and Zohaib are among the organizers of the upcoming Rally to Stop Asian Hate on Saturday, April 17 at Huston-Tillotson University. (Note that Austin Sanders, Staff Writer for the Austin Chronicle and regular contributor to the show, will be out for the next several weeks.)
This Tuesday we have a special edition of Civil Rights and Wrongs to close out KOOP’s month-long recognition of Women’s History Month, and to commemorate our “WoMANifest” celebration that took place a year ago. Several KOOP news and public affairs programs have joined forces to present a series of connected programs centering the activism and voices of several local women and women-led organizations here in Austin. We begin Tuesday’s episode with Teresa Mioli, Online Content Coordinator for the Knight Center for Journalism in the Americas at UT, interviewed by Lynn Cowles from KOOP’s In Touch Interviews show. Teresa is interested in press freedom, democratization, and investigative journalism in Latin America, and is dedicated to increasing awareness about the importance of independent news media to the health of democracies. Next, Michelle converses with Jennifer Delk, board member for the League of Women Voters, Austin Area. Jennifer chairs the Community Outreach Committee of the board, and represents the League at a variety of community events and nonpartisan forums. Bob then speaks with Beth Sullivan, Assistant News Editor for the Austin Chronicle. She also writes the “Qmmunity” column, which covers LGBTQIA news and events. Beth highlights related bills currently before the Texas Legislature. Finally, Austin Sanders, Staff Writer for the Austin Chronicle, reports on the selection of an Interim Police Chief who replaces Brian Manley until a permanent successor is found. Austin also notes that City Council took a first (albeit tentative) step toward reopening the APD Training Academy.
This Tuesday Michelle Manning-Scott interviews Adeola Ogunkeyede, Travis County’s first ever Chief Public Defender. The Public Defender’s Office was established in 2020 to provide high-quality holistic defense representation and other support to people accused of criminal offenses in Travis County. And Austin Sanders, Staff Writer for the Austin Chronicle, considers the Interim Police Chief who will take over from Brian Manley as the search for the latter’s permanent successor commences.
Our guest this Tuesday is Fernando Torres-Gil, Professor of Social Welfare and Public Policy at UCLA. He served as the first-ever Assistant Secretary of Aging in the Department of Health and Human Services in the Clinton administration, as well as the Vice Chair of the National Council on Disability in the Obama administration. Recently he and Jacqueline Angel from UT’s LBJ School co-authored an opinion piece for the Houston Chronicle titled, “The time is now for a new ‘New Deal.’” We also have Jim Harrington with us again, retired founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project. And Michelle Manning-Scott, associate producer of this program, joins us as well. Austin Sanders, Staff Writer for the Austin Chronicle, reports a significant development in the case of Michael Ramos who was fatally shot by an APD officer in April last year. Christopher Taylor was indicted and charged with first degree murder, possibly the first such instance in Austin history for on-duty use of force by a police officer.
Michelle Manning-Scott hosts the program as we recognize Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day. Our guests are Martha Pincoffs and Muna Hussaini, two of the three hosts of the Three Righteous Mamas podcast. The podcast explores topical issues with change makers and societal leaders of our day, while exploring the ways in which motherhood is pivotal to shaping each of us and the world we live in. Both regular host Bob Dailey and Michelle Boyd, KOOP board member and programmer apprentice, join the conversation. Then Austin Sanders, Staff Writer for the Austin Chronicle, provides an update from the March 4 meeting of the Austin City Council, which issued an apology for disenfranchising Black residents. Council also directed staff to establish a Black Embassy in East Austin to serve as a resource for the community.
Our guest is Gus Bova, Staff Writer for the Texas Observer, where he covers labor, homelessness, politics, the border, and other topics. Last month the Observer published his piece, “Graveyard Shift” which deals with the often fatal consequences of being part of the workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, Jim Harrington joins us once again. He is the retired founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project. And Michelle Manning-Scott, associate producer of this program, is with us, too. Austin Sanders, Staff Writer for the Austin Chronicle, provides an update from Austin City Council as it deals with the continuing fallout from the winter storm that crippled the city.
This Tuesday we continue our observance of Black History Month as Michelle Manning-Scott and I interview Jeffrey Littlejohn, Professor of History at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville. Jeff and his students are compiling a database of lynchings that have taken place in Texas. Their website currently documents more than 700 lynchings in the Lone Star State spanning the 19th and 20th centuries, and includes an interactive map and detailed historical accounts of each event. We’re also joined by regular guest commentator Jim Harrington, retired founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project. (Note: "Strange Fruit" by Nina Simone removed for copyright reasons."
This Tuesday we continue our observance of Black History Month as Michelle Manning-Scott speaks with Jameila “Meme” Styles, Founder and President of MEASURE, which works to empower people impacted by data disparities and the accompanying narrative. MEASURE was founded to address community policing but now extends to health, education and economic disparities. Austin Sanders, Staff Writer for the Austin Chronicle, notes the impending retirement of APD Chief Brian Manley and reflects on his tenure as Austin’s head law enforcer.
We continue our observance of Black History Month with two leaders who are already making history in Austin’s minority communities: Jereka Thomas-Hockaday, Co-Founder of the Central Texas Allied Health Institute, and Paul Saldaña, Coordinator of the Austin Latino Coalition. We explore the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 for people of color: testing, hospitalization, deaths – and now, access to vaccines. Dr. Hockaday has been instrumental in establishing and advocating for services in minority neighborhoods. Paul Saldaña has drawn national and international attention to the circumstances faced by essential workers and multi-generational families in the Austin area. Our regular guest Jim Harrington, retired founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project, is with us once again, along with Michelle Manning-Scott, associate producer of the show. Austin Sanders, Staff Writer for the Austin Chronicle, provides an update on the city’s purchase of a motel in District 6 (far northwest Austin) and continued deliberations regarding homeless issues as City Council revisits camping regulations.
This Tuesday we kick off Black History Month. Michelle Manning-Scott interviews Ashley Farmer, PhD, Assistant Professor in the Departments of History and African and African Diaspora Studies at the University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Farmer is a historian of black women's history, intellectual history, and radical politics. Our regular guest Jim Harrington, retired founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project, also joins us. Austin Sanders, Staff Writer for the Austin Chronicle, provides an update on City Council deliberations regarding homeless issues as they revisit camping regulations and the purchase of two more motels.
This Tuesday we speak with Chanté Davis, Annie Fierro and Emma Galbraith from the Sunrise Movement, which is a youth-led climate action organization with more than 400 hubs in the US. Members of Sunrise lead various activities, from school strikes drawing attention to the United States’ lack of climate policy, to phone-banking and canvassing for candidates who promise to support the Green New Deal. Our regular guest Jim Harrington, retired founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project, will also join us. And Michelle Manning-Scott, Associate Producer, will be with us, too. Austin Sanders, Staff Writer for the Austin Chronicle, will provide updates on several controversies in which the Austin Police Department is currently embroiled, including officer indictments, friction with City Council, and a recent fatal shooting by officers that is still under investigation.
It’s January and it’s an odd-numbered year, which means that the Texas Legislature is back in session. This is number 87, but it promises to be unlike any other. Mike Clark-Madison is our guest this week. He has been covering “The Lege” for years, currently as the News Editor for the Austin Chronicle. We’ll explore several major issues, plus a few interesting minor ones, too. KOOP’s Michelle Manning-Scott, associate producer, will also join us. (Copyrighted music, "Texas, Our Texas" removed for copyright reasons.)
This week we talk with Michael Barajas, Staff Writer for the Texas Observer. Michael covers civil rights issues for the publication and has been investigating conditions for those incarcerated in Texas prisons and jails, as well as the strain on their families. We also discuss two more reports from the City of Austin that examine the toxic culture inside of the Austin Police Department, focusing on the Training Academy. Our regular guest Jim Harrington joins us as usual. Jim is the retired founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project. KOOP’s Michelle Manning-Scott, associate producer, will also be with us. And Austin Sanders, Staff Writer for the Austin Chronicle, provides additional perspective on the reports dealing with APD.
Our guest this week is Elsa Reyes, Latina activist and Board Chair of the organization Jolt Action which promotes civic engagement in the Texas Latino community. Elsa produces her own podcast called the Latinx Identity Project. She is also a consultant in corporate finance and accounting. Our regular guest Jim Harrington joins us as well. Jim is the retired founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project. KOOP’s Michelle Manning-Scott, associate producer, will also be with us. And Austin Sanders, Staff Writer for the Austin Chronicle, updates us on the city’s efforts to provide housing and support services for homeless individuals through “ProLodges.”
This week on Civil Rights and Wrongs we’re presenting excerpts from four of the best episodes from 2020. From May 12, Chas Moore and Chris Harris talk about the killing of Michael Ramos by the Austin Police Department, and the larger issue of public safety. From August 11, Chito Vela, Josue Lucas and Kelvin Lopez-Garcia discuss the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Josue and Kelvin are themselves DACA recipients. From August 4, Michelle interviews Peniel Joseph, founder of the Center for the Study of Race and Democracy at UT. And from July 7, Stephen Vladeck reviews some of the key rulings from the 2019-2020 session of the US Supreme Court.
We’re taking a break from our usual talk format this week and sharing some fine music. Some of the tunes have been featured previously, others express themes that are often discussed on the show. And we’ll chat with our regulars: Michelle Manning-Scott, Associate Producer; Jim Harrington, retired founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project; and Austin Sanders, Staff Writer for the Austin Chronicle.
Due to copyright restrictions, the music has been removed from the audio file here. Here is a list of what was broadcast on KOOP:
"Eyes on the Prize," Mavis Staples
"The Times They Are A-Changin," Bob Dylan
"James Crow," Mobley
"El Derecho de Vivir en Paz," Victor Jara
"Strange Fruit," Nina Simone
"Lift Every Voice," Alicia Keys
"A Change Is Gonna Come," Sam Cooke
"ICE El Hielo," La Santa Cecilia
"Is This the World We Created?" Queen
"I Believe in Father Christmas," Emerson, Lake and Palmer
Our guests are from the Texas Jail Project. TJP calls attention to how conditions in the local county jails are often unsafe, inhumane and detrimental to mental and physical health, damaging inmates, their families and entire communities. Krish Gundu is the Executive Director and was one of the founders in 2006. She has also spent much of her career as an advocate for environmental health and justice. Diana Claitor was another founder of the Texas Jail Project, recently accepting the position of communications director for the organization. We’ll also have our regular commentator Jim Harrington, founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project (retired). Austin Sanders, Staff Writer for the Austin Chronicle, discusses the runoff race for the City Council District 6 position, and provides an update on city efforts to provide shelter for homeless individuals. Michelle Manning-Scott, our associate producer, joins us as well.
Our guests are both faculty members in the UT Law School. Steven Collis is the founding faculty director of the Bech-Loughlin First Amendment Center, and also directs the newly established Texas Law & Religion Clinic. Douglas Laycock is perhaps the nation’s leading authority on the law of remedies and on the law of religious liberty. He has testified many times before Congress and has argued numerous cases in the courts, including the US Supreme Court. We’ll cover a variety of issues including court rulings related to the pandemic, vaccination refusal, religious exemptions, and the outlook for religious liberty as we head into the Biden administration. We’ll also have our regular commentator Jim Harrington, founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project (retired). And Austin Sanders, Staff Writer for the Austin Chronicle, provides an update from City Hall. After six months the APD Chief has finally taken disciplinary action against several officers for actions during street protests dating back to May. Michelle Manning-Scott, our associate producer, joins us as well.
Dr. Maggie Rivas-Rodriguez joins us to talk about the Voces Oral History Center at the University of Texas at Austin, the leading Latino oral history archive in the United States dedicated to documenting, preserving and sharing the experiences and histories of everyday Latinos living in the United States. Dr. Rivas-Rodriguez is a former professional journalist and currently a member of the faculty in the School of Journalism at UT. She is also the founder and director of the Voces Center. Two clips from the archives of the Voces Center – one from its World War II collection and one from the Voces of a Pandemic collection – will be shared on the program. We’ll also have our regular commentator Jim Harrington, founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project (retired). Michelle Manning-Scott hosts the show, along with regular host Bob Dailey.
Our guest this week is Ed Scruggs, community organizer and gun control advocate. Ed is a member of the Board of Directors of Texas Gun Sense, which supports gun ownership as an individual right for law-abiding citizens, but also supports universal background checks, with a goal of keeping guns out of the hands of violent criminals and people experiencing mental health crises. And Michelle Manning-Scott will also be with us. Austin Sanders, staff writer for the Austin Chronicle, discusses changes in the Travis County District Attorney’s Office as Jose Garza assumes leadership.
Sam Woolley returns to update us on misinformation and disinformation in 2020. Sam is a member of the faculty in the UT School of Journalism, and in the UT School of Information. He is also Director of UT’s Center for Media Engagement, and author of The Reality Game: How the Next Wave of Technology Will Break the Truth. We’ll also have our regular commentator Jim Harrington, founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project (retired). And Michelle Manning-Scott joins us as well. Austin Sanders, Staff Writer for the Austin Chronicle, provides his usual update on City Council, focusing on the upcoming runoff elections in Districts 6 and 10.
This is our annual election wrap-up. Our guest is Mike Clark-Madison, News Editor for the Austin Chronicle. We’ll also have our regular commentator Jim Harrington, founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project (retired). And Michelle Manning-Scott has returned after her sojourn with the Travis County Clerk. We’ll focus on state and local races, including US Senate and House outcomes for Texas. Join us for myriad results and insightful analysis.
Just before the polls close, we have a special edition of Civil Rights and Wrongs. Three familiar voices will review some of the notable events and themes from the Trump presidency: Michael King is the former News Editor for the Austin Chronicle, retired earlier this year; Jim Harrington is founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project, also retired; and yours truly, Bob Dailey, a retired engineer and former college prof. Given the sabotage of democracy, what can be recovered? And despite egregious malfeasance, there are actually a few reasons for hope. Also, Austin Sanders, Staff Writer for the Austin Chronicle, discusses concerns of four members of City Council regarding post-election public safety in Austin.
Our guests include two advocates for renters in Austin: Molly Jensen is Executive Director of the Austin Tenants Council (ATC), and Shoshana Krieger is Project Director for Building and Strengthening Tenant Action (BASTA). We discuss tenants’ rights, the eviction process, organizing, and reasons for hope. Our friend Jim Harrington, retired founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project, also joins us.
Our guest is Lauren McGaughy, an investigative reporter for the Dallas Morning News, stationed in Austin. We cover a variety of topics, including the continuing aftermath from the mass shooting in Sutherland Springs in 2017. We’ll also hear about how QAnon was promoted by a prosecutor in the Office of the Texas Attorney General. Speaking of which, Lauren is currently covering allegations of corruption from the head of that office. We’ll also discuss the courts, prisons, and more. Our friend Jim Harrington, retired founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project, joins us as well. And Austin Sanders from the Austin Chronicle talks about the lack of resolution in the killing of Michael Ramos by an APD officer six months ago.
We have two guests: Gus Bova, staff writer for the Texas Observer, will talk about his recent article on homelessness, “No Place To Be.” Austin Sanders, staff writer for the Austin Chronicle, complements the discussion with observations from his coverage of City Hall. Michelle Manning-Scott will provide another update on drive-up submission of mail-in ballots. Governor Abbott’s order to restrict counties to a single site has been overturned, although this latest move has been appealed. As usual, our friend Jim Harrington, founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project, joins us, too.
Our guest is Anthony Gutierrez, Executive Director of Common Cause Texas. We discuss voter suppression and intimidation with him, and with Jim Harrington, founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project (retired) and Michelle Manning-Scott, who is working for the Travis County Election Clerk this election cycle.
Another “Best Of” edition of Civil Rights and Wrongs for KOOP’s Fall Membership Drive, that includes excerpts from:
- May 12th with Chas Moore (Executive Director of the Austin Justice Coalition) and Chris Harris (data analyst specializing in law enforcement issues) who discuss the toxic atmosphere at APD, as well as the larger matter of public safety
- August 8th Michelle’s interview with Sanford Levinson from UT Government and Law School, dealing with the fundamental structure of the US Constitution
- May 19th with Gus Bova from the Texas Observer covering labor issues during the pandemic
- July 7th with Stephen Vladeck from the UT Law School with our annual Supreme Court wrap-up
Best of Civil Rights and Wrongs for KOOP's Fall Membership Drive:
- Michael Barajas, staff writer for the Texas Observer, on the use of solitary confinement in Texas prisons (Jan. 14)
- Peniel Joseph, faculty in the UT LBJ School and Director of the Center for the Study of Race and Democracy, on racial justice (Aug. 4)
- Sam Woolley, faculty in the UT School of Journalism, on misinformation and disinformation (Feb. 25)
- Chito Vela, immigration attorney; Josue Lucas and Kelvin Lopez-Garcia, beneficiaries of the federal DACA program; on DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, Aug. 11)
Special episode for KOOP's Fall Membership Drive. Guests all from the Austin Chronicle: Kim Jones, Editor; Austin Sanders, Staff Writer; and Michael King, retired News Editor and Staff Writer.
Michelle interviews Ricardo Lowe, Jr. and Tracie Lowe (no relation) from the UT Institute for Urban Policy Research and Analysis.
Roxanne Evans and Jim Harrington on the potential establishment of a second school district in Austin, primarily East Austin.
Gus Bova, Staff Writer for the Texas Observer, on the border wall through Laredo. Greg Casar on the APD budget reductions.
Michelle interviews Sandy Levinson from the UT Law School about reform of the US Constitution. Austin Sanders provides an update on local developments.
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. We spoke with Chito Vela, immigration attorney; and Josue Lucas and Kelvin Lopez-Garcia, DACA recipients. Jim Harrington, Michelle Manning-Scott and Austin Sanders also joined us.
Peniel Joseph, UT LBJ School and Director of the Center for the Study of Race and Democracy, discusses racial issues. Austin Sanders provides updates on protests, APD and the city budget.
Former member of Austin City Council and current faculty member at the UT LBJ School, Bill Spelman, discusses funding for public safety.
Our guest this week on Civil Rights and Wrongs is Stacey Pogue, Senior Policy Analyst for Every Texan, which promotes social justice through public policy. The state of Texas tops the US both in sheer numbers and percentage of residents uninsured for health care. Stacey has been analyzing Texas health issues for more than a decade. She and her colleagues at Every Texan are part of the grass roots effort #SickOfItTX which aims to improve the state’s health care environment. We also have our regular guest Jim Harrington, founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project, along with KOOP’s Michelle Manning-Scott. And Austin Sanders, Staff Writer for the Austin Chronicle, will provide updates on the city budget, recent elections, and public safety issues.
Our guest this week on Civil Rights and Wrongs is Dr. Stephanie Hawley, Chief Equity Officer for the Austin Independent School District. We’ll cover a variety of topics, from school re-openings to school closures. We also have our regular guest Jim Harrington, founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project. Michelle Manning-Scott joins us, too.
Supreme Court wrap-up with Stephen Vladeck, UT Law School, and Jim Harrington. Important decisions, perspective on others that are not so obvious, and a preview of what is to come in the next session.
Our guests are Cinde Weatherby, Voting and Election Law Issues Chair for the League of Women Voters Texas and Anthony Gutierrez, Executive Director of Common Cause Texas. Among the topics of discussion will be the vote by mail (VBM) petitions and lawsuits that have been circulating through the Texas and Federal court systems since April. We also talk about how election officials in Travis, and other counties in Texas, are preparing to keep voters and poll workers safe during the July 14th runoff elections and beyond during the rapidly worsening pandemic throughout the state. And we hear how these grassroots organizations plan to possibly tackle the issue of gerrymandering here in Texas prior to the next round of redistricting slated to take place during the 2021 legislative session. Hosted by Michelle Manning-Scott.
Our guest is Michael Barajas, staff writer for the Texas Observer. Michael covers civil rights issues in general, but lately has been focusing on Texas prisons. We will discuss Texas prisons during the time of COVID-19. We’ll also hear about visitation policies and how some family members lose their visitation rights arbitrarily, and in many cases for no stated reason. Finally, we’ll learn about how the state dismantled its Office of Minority Health Statistics and Engagement (originally called the Center for Elimination of Disproportionality and Disparities), which could have proved very useful during the current pandemic.
Our guest this week on Civil Rights and Wrongs is Charlotte Moore, author and film producer. Her film “Black Bodies” is now playing (on-demand) at Alamo Drafthouse, and features the stories of sixteen Black people from Austin. It is billed as “a raw, bare-bones, no-frills exploration into what it means to exist in the world as a Black person today.” Charlotte also talks about her recent essay in Austin Monthly magazine titled, “It’s Time to Take a Long Look in the Mirror, Austin.” Commenting on the recent protests, Charlotte observes: “Our cities and our country are on fire — a blaze of systemic racism that has been stoked in Austin and beyond for centuries.” Join Bob Dailey and regular guest, Jim Harrington, founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project, and head of Proyecto Santiago at St. James Episcopal Church. We will also hear from Austin Sanders, staff writer for the Austin Chronicle, regarding the June 11 meeting of the Austin City Council. Council approved a series of resolutions that constitute a package of police reforms, not the least of which is a comprehensive reallocation of funds to social services and criminal justice diversion programs.
We speak with Paul Saldaña, civic leader and Latino advocate, about the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 among communities of color. Why have resources not been allocated where they are needed? What has the Austin Latino Coalition been able to accomplish? We’re joined by regular guest, Jim Harrington, founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project and head of Proyecto Santiago at St. James Episcopal Church. And we will hear from Austin Sanders, staff writer for the Austin Chronicle, about the City Council hearings into APD tactics during recent protests.
Civil Rights and Wrongs welcomes David Baker and Patrick Cox, environmental leaders from the Texas Hill Country whose organizations oppose the Kinder Morgan Permian Highway Pipeline. Ecological damage has already begun, with more possible and likely. In addition, Austin Sanders, staff writer for The Austin Chronicle, provides an update from Austin City Council on RISE emergency relief as well as supplemental federal funding. We’ll also review the latest figures on homelessness, and hear about a resolution to facilitate the availability of video from APD incidents.
Bob welcomes Gus Bova this Tuesday on Civil Rights and Wrongs. Gus is a staff writer for the Texas Tribune and has been covering labor issues, especially “essential” workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. He and Bob will discuss significant organizing efforts among super market employees that have occurred since the shelter-in-place order was issued in March. They will also cover the plight of homeless persons at a time when everyone is told to "stay home." Updates on the border wall, preemptive orders by the governor, and other related issues – all on Civil Rights and Wrongs at 6:00 PM on Tuesday.
Our guests include Chas Moore, Executive Director of the Austin Justice Coalition. AJC is a grassroots, activist-led organization aimed at demanding criminal justice reform and building community at the local, state, and national levels. We also have Chris Harris, law enforcement data analyst, community activist, and long-time KOOP volunteer. We discuss the notion of "public safety" in light of the recent killing of Michael Ramos by APD. Jim Harrington, retired founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project, is also with us, along with Michelle Manning-Scott, associate producer of this show.
Equality Texas webinar: review of employment non-discrimination cases before the US Supreme Court. Guests include Rachel Hill and Ricardo Martinez from Equality Texas; Brian Klosterboer, ACLU; Shannon Minter, National Center for Lesbian Rights; and Skelly Skeen, Lambda Legal.