Left of Dial

Left of Dial is back after a long hiatus because of organizing and mobilizing. We do apologize for the wait. Georgia Davenport joins this episode for an interview to discuss Whole Washington a grassroots organization trying to get a single-payer (Medicare For) All on the ballot in the state of Washington. Allan has an update on the recent news with No Ameren Shutoffs and how the fight for utility protections is going in Illinois. Allan talks about the COVID situation in Illinois with the recent variant Omicron and gives context to how it compares to last year. Eddie Pratt Jr joins us to discuss the Urbana City Council voting down ALPRs and the discussion on that and why it's been controversial to some officials. Marc Girdler talks about recent events (shenanigans) happening in Decatur, IL with Howard Buffet, son of billionaire Warren Buffet.

Support Eddie Pratt Jr on the cash app at: $EPJ31

If you'd like (and have the means financially) to donate to Left Of Dial we'd appreciate it: https://www.patreon.com/LeftOfDial

Rent or Houssing asssitance resources:

https://www.benefits.gov/

https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/coronavirus/assistance-for-state-local-and-tribal-governments/emergency-rental-assistance-program/program-index

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/21/how-to-apply-for-rental-assistance-before-the-eviction-ban-expires.html

Child Tax Credit Information: https://www.benefits.gov/benefit/938

The eviction moratorium has been extended, but for only two months. We talk about the assistance that Americans need with rent and housing. Information and resources/assistance are posted below for those who are in need. Information/websites vary on your location.

COVID cases are increasing because of the Delta variant especially among children in states such as Tennessee, Louisiana and Florida, but the White House says they have no plans to lock down or "stop the economy" which is a cause for concern for parents.

Ben just paid his dues for DSA and is ready to officially join and Allan talks about the DSA Conference 2021 that just happened and a hysterical moment that happened.

And finally Left of Dial gives a "fork you" to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo with an updated edit of him stepping down.

Rent or Houssing asssitance resources:

https://www.benefits.gov/

https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/coronavirus/assistance-for-state-local-and-tribal-governments/emergency-rental-assistance-program/program-index

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/21/how-to-apply-for-rental-assistance-before-the-eviction-ban-expires.html

Child Tax Credit Information: https://www.benefits.gov/benefit/938

Sources cited: 

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/08/06/us-renters-are-behind-on-3700-in-rent-on-average-and-often-more-.html

https://www.wdsu.com/article/more-than-3000-louisiana-children-test-positive-for-covid-19-in-just-four-days/37246194

Other useful information: https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2021/08/04/tlaib-introduce-40-b-bill-cancel-household-utility-debt/5485596001/

Support Eddie Pratt Jr on the cash app at: $EPJ31

If you'd likee to support Left of Dial: https://www.patreon.com/LeftOfDial

Follow Eddie on Twitter: https://twitter.com/temple_tony

Follow Ben on Twitter: Just search @theobald_ben

Left of Dial is back after a long hiatus, Ben is once again joined by Eddie Pratt Jr. to talk about the SWIFT Program in Champaign and Urbana (Illinois). Ben and Eddie were also joined by Marc Girdler of Decatur to talk about Governor JB Pritzker signing a law that bans police in Illinois from lying or misleading minors starting in 2022. Then a discussion about paying service workers a livable wage, meaning raising the minimum wage. 

Support Eddie Pratt Jr on the cash app at: $EPJ31 

Follow Eddie on Twitter: https://twitter.com/temple_tony 

Follow Ben on Twitter: Just search @theobald_ben

Sources used or read for the show: 

https://www.npr.org/2021/07/16/1016710927/illinois-is-the-first-state-to-tell-police-they-cant-lie-to-minors-in-interrogat

https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/23/business/restaurant-workers-experience/index.html?fbclid=IwAR34YrZsjvvfjQZTBkL3sK-VFu2EK_n8ubZMFgG9YY_18dA0ugVCah2Yi9w

Episode 10 leaves right off of the previous one with Ben Theobald and Eddie Pratt Jr. talking about the Derek Chauvin trial. The events at Brooklyn Center in Minnesota. Adam Toledo, a 13-year-old Latino kid who was killed by a police officer in Chicago. Ben and Eddie talk about coping during these difficult times and how emotionally draining it can be. Both give their thoughts on how important activism and forming a coalition can be.

Since this was posted after Chauvin was founded guilty since then Eddie did a video of his reaction of the guilty verdict here: https://www.facebook.com/100009935024501/videos/1413564868984667

Support Eddie Pratt Jr on the cash app at: $EPJ31

Follow Eddie on Twitter: https://twitter.com/temple_tony

Follow Ben on Twitter: Just search @theobald_ben

Call the Illinois Commerce Commission and tell them to put back the moratorium for utility protections in Illinois. The number is 1-800-524-0795. 

Articles/Sources cited:

https://www.apmresearchlab.org/covid/deaths-by-race

Ben is joined by Eddie Prat Jr. to discuss an update in the fight for utility protections in the state of Illinois which has now reached the Bloomington (IL) city council. Ben and Eddie discuss the short and long-term effects of those who have their utilities shut off. The moratorium on utilities ended at the end of March. Call the ICC (1-800-524-0795) and request that the moratorium be extended because we are still in a pandemic and not enough vaccinations have been given. 

Articles/Sources cited:

https://www.icc.illinois.gov/meetings/meeting/commission-meeting/21377

https://multimedia.illinois.gov/icc/icc-041521-ROM.mp4

https://illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/pressroom/2021_03/20210325.html

https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2021-03-23/damage-from-virus-utility-bills-overwhelm-some-households

http://new.weft.org/audio/2021/whereweareat/WhereWeAreAt_2021-01-04.mp3

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/interactive/2021/covid-economy-illinois/

For more on #NoAmerenShutoffs movement:

https://hoiabc.com/2021/04/01/utility-companies-sending-shutoff-notices-as-moratorium-ends/?fbclid=IwAR2vjXYbHgIxZ7WhqNak-IBvt20-b_U5qcGM85kw2T44JSXU13kejiPKEvc

https://soundcloud.com/user-849823736/trailerfornoamerenshutoffswithallanmaxaxelrod

Social media

Follow Allan Max Axelrod: https://twitter.com/213axelrod

Follow Eddie on Twitter: https://twitter.com/temple_tony and if you can support him on the cash app here: $EPJ31

Follow Ben on Twitter: https://twitter.com/theobald_ben

Support

Support Left of Dial if you'd like on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LeftOfDial

Ben interviews Jaya Kolisetty, Urbana city council candidate for Ward 4. The municipal election for Urbana (Champaign County) is Tuesday, April 6. Please go vote if you are able. For more information go to https://www.champaigncountyclerk.com/elections or https://www.lwvchampaigncounty.org/candidate-forums1.html as well as https://www.lwvchampaigncounty.org/voting.html

For more info about Jaya Kolisetty you can go to the following:

https://www.facebook.com/Jaya-Kolisetty-for-Urbana-City-Council-101783805088249

https://twitter.com/JayaKolisetty

https://www.smilepolitely.com/splog/who_is_running_for_urbana_city_council/

https://www.smilepolitely.com/opinion/urbana_candidates_respond_how_to_solve_a_nuisance/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aYnofAAImQ

On this episode of Left of Dial, Ben interviews Justin Michael Hendrix. Hendrix is a write-in candidate for Champaign City Council District 3. Hendrix talked about what motivated him to run and what his priorities would be if he gets elected. A reminder that the municipal election in Champaign County (including Urbana) is on April 6. THIS UPCOMING TUESDAY!! 

For more on Justin Michael Hendrix:

https://www.news-gazette.com/election/2021-election-questionnaire-justin-michael-hendrix-champaign-city-council-district-3-candidate/article_f16d64aa-9401-5757-bec2-f0d3d540cc7b.html?fbclid=IwAR3YYy5TBUphjzQkH3CMHF5MKrJW7LnfL-YW3Ue_qKBQ6-5dv62X1M8MuIs#utm_campaign=blox&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social

http://www.smilepolitely.com/culture/justin_hendrix_is_seeking_a_seat_at_the_table/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZB4povJljGk&list=PLPooEStVXXpbj2NLgNiNFQUxE3Ix2lH10&index=6

For more information about the April 6 general election in Champaign County go to the following:

https://www.champaigncountyclerk.com/elections

https://www.lwvchampaigncounty.org/

Colin Dodson is running for city council in the city of Urbana (Illinois) for Ward 2 on the Socialism and Liberation Party ticket. 

April 6 (Tuesday) is the day of the municipal election in Urbana and the rest of Champaign County. For more information about the candidates and what is on the ballot, you can go to https://www.champaigncountyclerk.com/elections or https://www.lwvchampaigncounty.org/

Where to find more about Colin Dodson:

https://www.facebook.com/ColinDForCouncil

https://www.smilepolitely.com/culture/questions_for_candidates_colin_dodson_for_urbana_city_council_ward_2/

LWVC debate with Colin Dodson: https://youtu.be/a1deAfHs9EU

People's City Council Meeting on Defunding the Police featured on WEFT: http://new.weft.org/audio/2021/whereweareat/WhereWeAreAt_2021-02-08.mp3

On this episode of Left of Dial, Ben interviews Allan Max Axelrod, a member of Champaign-Urbana DSA and activist. Axelrod started the #NoAmerenShutoffs campaign and talks about what has been happening with Illinois governor JB Pritzker and how he has been handling the utility shutoffs and why he hasn't passed a moratorium in Illinois. Ben and Allan also discuss what people should do no matter who wins the election and how they should get active and be productive.

Ben interviews Robert Garcia, an activist an organizer in East Central Illinois. Garcia was in Louisville at the protests that happened after the jury found that the police were not guilty for the killing of Breonna Taylor. Only one of the three officers involved was indicted and it was for first degree wanton endangerment. Garcia describes what the scene was like in Louisville was like which included him and a group of protesters being held up in a church for hours while the police waited outside. Garcia talks about what he hopes to see in the future in terms of police reform and where he hopes to see the movement go in the future including beyond the election in November.

Left of Dial hosts Ben and Peter discuss both the DNC and RNC conventions, giving their analysis of the events and the state of the race between Joe Biden and President Donald Trump. Also what does the Progressive Left need to do now that Bernie Sanders is not the nominee and why is America "the country" where a left movement needs to happen? You can follow Ben on Twitter at @theobald_ben.