Listen "Ep. #26: Weekend Grab Bag, ft. Matt Oliver!"
Episode Synopsis
Activist and musician Matt Oliver is our special guest today to talk about relational organizing. Before Matt joins us, we give an update on the coronavirus numbers for the week. Cases continue to rise faster than ever globally, while the unemployment rate has dropped. Another number to report: five. That's how many Texas GOP county leaders have shared racist Facebook posts and/or racist conspiracy theories this week.Next we turn to the protests in Austin, and the Austin Police Department's unacceptable response to them. The tension between citizens and the APD has been on the rise for some time; this week's protests resulted in the police seriously injuring multiple Austinites. Among the peaceful protesters hurt by police were a sixteen-year-old hit in the head with a beanbag round, a pregnant woman, and a Texas State student who was critically injured. Activists are calling for change, and hundreds of citizens spoke at a City Council meeting last night, including the brother of one of the victims. Amazingly, none of this stopped the Council from voting in favor of taking a $400,000 grant for APD, despite calls for them not to do so. Only four council members opposed the measure. If your council member supported it, you need to give them a call. Think 40% is way too much of the city's budget to be handed over to APD? Be sure to take this budget survey to let the city know where your priorities are.Next, our special guest: activist Matt Oliver, who is also husband to TX25 Democratic congressional candidate Julie Oliver. Matt talks with us about relational organizing: what it is, how it works, and why it matters. He also explains how they're using it on the Oliver campaign. Want to get started? Volunteer here.Since it's Friday, Matt also gives us his recs for what he's been reading and listening to lately (Steely Dan is involved!) Lucas, meanwhile, has a typically depressing movie recommendation, while Antoinette has begun to keep track of all of the companies emailing her Black Lives Matters statements, so that she can hold them accountable moving forward.Stay safe this weekend and we'll see you on Monday.This episode was recorded on Friday, June 5, 2020.
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