‘ON THE GROUND’ SHOW FOR MAR. 17, 2016–‘FREEDOM OF SPEECH’ ISSUES AND PROTO FASCISM IN THE U.S. PRESIDENTIAL RACE; ALSO, SAUDI WOMEN AND MALE ‘GUARDIANS’

https://onthegroundshow.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/OTG-MAR17-2016.mp3 The U.S. presidential race continues to be the big story—with violence at Donald Trump rallies, the continued corporate media snub of Bernie Sanders, and a very superficial discussion about what is political freedom of speech and what is proto-fascism. We speak to prolific author and activist Gerald Horne and we honor Women’s History Month with two activists speaking on the particular plight and challenges of women in Saudi Arabia. Political commentator Jamila Bey weighs in ON ELECTIONS 2016. Guests and voices: Sen. Bernie Sanders, Lydia Curtis, Gerald Horne. Headlines: -The Bernie Sanders campaign insists to its supporters that there is still a path for their candidate to win the Democratic nomination. -Mixed reactions among progressives to President Obama’s nomination of Judge Merrick Garland. -Protest for UNITE HERE Local 23 Against L.L. Creations, a federal contractor accused of racial discrimination and other unfair labor practices. -Hearing underway on the DC's plan to shut down the DC General family shelter. -A growing worldwide shift to renewable energy has played a "critical role" in stalling global carbon emissions. -The World Health Organization has found that nearly a quarter of all deaths around the world are caused by living and working in polluted environments. -The Obama administration is poised to ban offshore drilling in the Arctic and much of the Atlantic until 2022. -In PENNSYLVANIA, a jury has handed down a $4.2 million verdict—and vindication—to two families whose wells wer polluted by fracking. -A bill dubbed The Deny Americans the Right to Know, (DARK) Act, was defeated in the Senate. The legislation would HAVE robbed consumers of the right to know which foods are genetically modified. -The family of DJ Henry, an African-American college student fatally shot by police in Pleasantville, New York in 2010, has reached a $6 million settlement with the village and the officer. -Two prosecutors, controversial for their handling of murders by police, were voted out of office Producer and Host: Esther Iverem Contributors: Chantal James, Lydia Curtis and Jamila Bey Engineer: Michael Nasella