Stopping Cop City: Shining Oak's Story

For Shining Oak (she/her), activism and queerness have been catalysts for reconnecting to her Jewish faith. Learn about Shining Oak's experiences with the movement to Stop Cop City, from organizing a kid-friendly event for a 2021 Week of Action to attending a powerful Shabbat service in Atlanta's Weelaunee Forest. Click here for an episode transcript. Find out about the new, nonviolence-focused Stop Cop City movement space here. Consider donating to the Atlanta Solidarity fund here. Talking Points: (0:00) A new nonviolent movement space; introducing Shining Oak — queer Jewish forest defender (3:30) First week of action in spring 2021; organizing a kid-friendly event (9:10) Comparing then and now — larger numbers, more widespread, clearing begun (15:00) The power of a diverse movement — Jewish members, queer members, BIPOC members, and more (19:53) Shabbat in the forest (24:55) Growing up Jewish in a white Christian suburb — pressure to assimilate (30:45) Get involved with the movement in your own small way; honor Tortuguita's memory (36:20 - end) Wrapping up with a Jewish rabbi's story of Purim in the forest ___ This show's theme song is "Aetherium" by Leah Horn. This episode also makes use of "The Ants Built a City on His Chest" by Doctor Turtle.