We The Unhoused

We the Unhoused Goes to Washington

We the Unhoused Remix: San Francisco

A compilation of live recordings from a sweep in Harbor City.

We the Unhoused is giving bonus episodes of selected guests. The first of the five part series is Chella Coleman musician. Please support We the Unhoused by being a patreon member.

Theo interviews tenants of AIDS Healthcare Foundation's Madison Hotel in Downtown LA

It has been a while since WTU has done some deep dives. what better dive than housing harassment, retaliation and injustice?  Stay tuned while We the unhoused guide you through AIDS Healthcare Foundation

Same fight. Different round. America prides itself on deep patriotism.  Its a sham a lie to keep the focus on the Unhoused crisis. We the  Unhoused has explored the Veteran Unhoused crisis. I learned many  things. One, no matter how nice the oppressor is, displacement is still  violence

Can you believe 2021 is almost over? We The Unhoused is now 2 years old! A baby to be sure, but look how its grown. Next year great things are in store for WTU as we continue to organize for HouseKeys, Not Handcuffs. It is my pleasure to present the last episode of 2021. Be safe, be well, and lets meet the new year in the light of understanding.

Mainstream society don't see the unhoused community as a human being. Mainstream media plays a part and authorizes dismissal of the Unhoused by their slanting all points of view. The hatred of the Unhoused leading the bulk of the attention. Enter Nimbyland. Let's take this episode from another "point of view."

We The Unhoused returns with part 2 of San Francisco Hell. Featured guests Paul Braden gives us a searing snapshot on how we got to this crisis. A special report is introduced in keeping the Unhoused community safe.  Other Los Angeles guests round out the episode.  If you wish to see the video portion of the episode please subscribe to We The Unhoused on YouTube.

If you're going to San Francisco, criminalization of the unhoused is in the air. WTU covers sex work, substance usage, domestic violence, generational trauma, life threatening illness, and family houselessness. Please listen with empathy and an open heart.

Recorded live at UCLA

Sweeps: the virus continues. Coming to an area near you. Mitch Farrell lied. LAPD lied. Mayor Garcetti lied. A major military occupation on the unhoused community descended upon Echo Park Lake on March 24 and 25. They touted it as a model to treat the Unhoused community. This is reminiscent of past civil rights movements. Please listen to the voices and stories of the Unhoused community and local activists.

War leaves nothing else if not destruction and displacement. If you consider the statement, what wars are we engaged in currently? One at the moment is the war on the poor. Who are the heroes in this war? The military? The police? Who were made to be the villans? The unhoused community..

Justice is love in action. Justice for the Unhoused community is ending criminalizing them with brutal sweeps. Please hear their first hand accounts from unhoused Downtown LA residents Shirley, Rosie, Harvey and the organizers who are fighting with them. Now is the time to listen and do what is right

Dr. King is known for one speech. Supporters of his speeches use it to provide the fire to continue his legacy. Detractors use it to weaponize against the people Dr. King champion. This two part episode captures love in action.

WTU travels to Santa Cruz to see the similarities and differences of how Unhoused people are treated there compared to LA. Theo interviews Unhoused community members including Alicia Kuhl, and organizers with Food Not Bombs.

As we learn about our past, we can see our future and do things differently. How? By breaking down the walls of fear, ignorance and hatred, we can replace with respect and gratitude. The sacrifice, love, and labor for the people who are literally putting food on the table for the people who despise them. This episode highlights the heroes/sheroes of Oxnard, CA. Other luminaries such as Melissa Acedera, Carmen Obeso, Sylvia Hernandez, Danny Park, Polos Pantry, Eayikes, Skid Row Market joined in solidarity to lend a hand during Covid stay at home order. 

Voting is the one precious tool we have in a democracy. As the Unhoused are often ignored, Theo interviews members of the Unhoused and housed community on this subject. We learn about how the Trump presidency affects the LA community, adding to the criminalization push this liberal city already does to its unhoused residents. Exercising you voting power is paramount in these extraordinary times.

WTU goes on the road to explore the houseless epidemic fueled by the Covid 19 pandemic economic turmoil. We compare and contrast how San Jose and Los Angeles address their unhoused residents. 

What better way to give thanks and educate the world is to show how San Pedro came to be. It didn't begin with harmony, but displacement, violence and a damaging narrative. We The Unhoused investigate the hostility done by Joe Busciano. In the midst of such violence there is peace and beauty. Indigenous resident Andre shares his compassion for his Unhoused neighbors. Philosophical Beast share his gifts with us.  Services not Sweeps member Chris Venn gives us his insight on the area.

Theo interviews unhoused Highland Park resident Cristy on the importance of organizing, building understanding, and building community power with the tenants movement. Theo also interviews Hawthorne resident Felipe about the injustices he endures, and organizers with Street Watch LA who set up a 'Power Up' phone charging table in Hawthorne.

A new Dante's Inferno for the unhoused in the form of Special Enforcement Zone sweeps expanding across Los Angeles, courtesy of City Hall, LAPD, and the NIMBYs. But the community coming together to stand up to this inhumanity, blockading sweeps and providing mutual aid, including serving breakfast and providing motel rooms. In this special two hour episode, Theo interviews unhoused Van Nuys residents Angela and Shane, and unhoused Hollywood residents Jessica, Angel, Jimmie, and Hal. (pictured: Unhoused and housed community members come together to block an encampment sweep in the Hollywood enforcement zone)

This is a follow up on the injustices done to Tiana Arata and the link to the past. We The Unhoused delves deeper into respectability politics used to silence the younger generation's efforts and bravery to bring that 'good trouble' that the late John Lewis talked about.

This investigation into the police kidnapping of Black Lives Matter Activist Tannia Arata uncovered corruption and intimidation tactics employed by the San Luis Obisbo Police and prosecutors

The Services Not Sweeps coalition holds a rally for Black Unhoused Lives in rapidly gentrifying Venice. We hear from the family of Brendan Glenn, a Black Unhoused resident of Venice who was murdered by LAPD in 2015. Theo interviews residents of Venice, and Council member Mike Bonin. (photo: Grace gives testimony to the life of her cousin Brendan Glenn at the site where LAPD murdered him by the Venice boardwalk)

Theo interviews food justice advocate Melissa Acedera and Alex on how the Polo Pantry food operation has expanded. Theo also interviews LA CAN's General Dogon, Monique, and Todd about ecojustice and urban gardens. WTU is also live in Glendale to interview organizers Hayk Makhmuryan and Niko Shahbazian of the Glendale Tenants Union on the push to cancel rent.

Theo covers and speaks at the "Defund The Police: Rally For Black Unhoused Lives" in Echo Park. We hear powerful testimony from Unhoused Echo Park resident Lady Bliss, a musical performance from Unhoused EP resident Ayman Ahmed, a call to action from LA CAN's General Dogon, John Blackman, and EP resident Zach talks about a camp shower he built. Theo then interviews congressional candidate David Kim, a self professed "PHIMBY" aka Public Housing In My Back Yard. (Photo: A portrait of Charley "Africa" Keunang, an unhoused resident of Skid Row who was murdered by LAPD in 2015. Rest In Power)

The first in a five part series "Meeting In The Light Of Understanding" hosted by Theo. This forum is the place where hard conversations are had and no judgment is given. We examine the George Floyd uprisings and our feelings about it. (Photo: Theo leads a march of over a thousand people during the Rally and March for Black Unhoused Lives in Echo Park)

Amidst the uprising, Theo interviews Black Trans Organizer Chella Coleman, who experienced homelessness and currently sings in a band.

Covid 19 has left our unhoused community with no food, water or access to many other public health resources. Maxine Sealy and Kathy Huck are among many local heroes who have stepped in to help feed the community. Unhoused residents Kristey and Keith tell us how they are coping with the shelter in place order. (pictured: An unhoused resident receives a meal from a Street Watch LA volunteer)

What will it take to stop evictions, cancel rent, defund Police, and get unhoused people into unoccupied hotels and homes? Theo covers the die-in protest at Mayor Garcetti's home and a successful eviction blockade action by members of the LA Tenants Union. He interviews General Dogon, JJ, Stephanie Temix, and Jacob Woocher.

On May Day in LA, unhoused resident Davon Brown took over a hotel room to demand Garcetti commandeer all vacant hotels for the unhoused, while tenants continue to escalate protests at Garcetti's home to demand No Rent, No Evictions, and No Vacancy. Theo interviews protesters at each action.

Why are people protesting Mayor Eric Garcetti?

Week three of shelter in place has Theo interviewing unhoused community members Dennis Peck, Lady Bliss, Keith Hall, Joey Mills and Bobby T on surviving the covid 19 pandemic. Returning advocate Melissa Acedara tells us how feeding the Unhoused community has changed. (Photo: Lady Bliss)

In this episode take in various opinions from the unhoused community on covid 19 and Garcetti's covid shelters vs hotels. Theo interviews Allison, Todd, Osvaldo, Davon, and James. Theo then narrates over an audio recording of a recent incident where sanitation and police attempt to displace Theo from his spot at Alpine Park. (pictured: Police and Sanitation intimidate Theo at Alpine Park)

Covid 19 and Garcetti's Shelter in place order has caused a ripple effect on everyone. For the unhoused community, it has presented new and unique challenges. Theo talks with Harvey, Sara, Raymond and Victoria about how the city is treating unhoused people during the pandemic. (Artwork: Poster Syndicate/WRAP)

Amidst the Covid-19 outbreak, Theo talks with Martha, Ruby, and Benito who are unhoused reclaimers of vacant homes in El Sereno that are owned by the state of California. Theo also talks with NLG observer Jordan and Street Watch LA organizer Joanna. (Photo: Ruby and community supporters reclaim a vacant home in El Sereno on Wednesday, March 18)

March is Women's history month. Join us as we continue to celebrate powerful and inspiring women in our struggle for housing and human rights, as Theo interviews Michelle Liu, Laura Fighter, Charisse, Khinn Kim, and Melissa Acedera.

Continuing our recognition of Women's history month, we hear from extraordinary women pushing forward to be seen and heard in an indifferent and callous society. Cindy Justice, Kaalyaa Mendoza, Lydia Nichols, Jane Nguyen, and Joanna Swan join us for this week's episode. (Pictured: Cindy Justice)

For the unhoused community, voting rights are paramount. Council members John Lee and Nury Martinez are up for re election, and we will hear from candidates who wish to unseat them, including unhoused resident Mark Kline (vs Nury) and Dr. Lorraine Lundquist (vs Lee). Theo also talks with unhoused Chatsworth residents Lauren, Laura and Rob as well as Executive Director Kathy Huck of About My Father's Business. Don't forget to cast your ballot and let your voice be heard. (Photo: police evict an encampment in Chatsworth in January 2020)

Hollywood is the center of fame, greed and success in the film industry. Many travel from far and wide to make their dreams into a reality. But the reality of Hollywood for the guests of this episode is the stuff of nightmares. Facing hostile harassment from police, sanitation, housed neighbors, and vigilantes, Theo talks with unhoused Hollywood residents Hal, Jay, Black Lily, Papa Smurf, Lezzie, and Maddog. (Photo: Horseback Police approach a tent on Sunset Blvd in Hollywood)

We hear from unhoused residents and housed supporters during a direct action to stop the city from evicting the unhoused from Echo Park Lake. The unhoused community continues to demand a meeting with their Council Member, Mitch O'Farrell. Theo interviews Pete White of LA CAN, Unhoused resident Lloyd Edward, Ground Game LA organizer Ashley Bennett, Bishop John Taylor, Catholic Worker activist Bobby Peppey, and more. (Photo: The direct action moves to Mitch OFarrell's office, where tents are put up)

This episode discusses how the voting rights of the unhoused community are crucial but in jeopardy, and how many current local candidates in LA support criminalization. Theo interviews Joseph Mohammed on the challenges of being transgender, disabled, outspoken and unhoused. Theo also talks with Charlie Winters, a transgender socialist candidate for congress in Colorado who wants to encourage more trans community members to run for office.