The Foolish Optimist: Voices of Resistance, Los Angeles

Follow @CatieLaffoon and @AlexandriaAugustine_ to keep up with what is happening on the ground in Los Angeles    Get involved with Rae Huang's campaign at RaeForLA.com    Boots on the Ground in LA: May Day Crackdowns, ICE Collaboration, and the LA Mayoral Race Host Amy McDonald interviews Los Angeles activists Catie Lafoon and Alexandria Augustine about recent protests and the escalating police response in LA. They describe May Day actions that began peacefully in support of unions and mutual aid before LAPD formed skirmish lines, blocked access near City Hall and the Metropolitan Detention Center, declared an unlawful assembly, dispersed crowds, and assaulted, kettled, and detained members of the press, which they say is minimized or misrepresented by mainstream coverage. Alexandria recounts separate arrests by LAPD and DHS and discusses how police react to speech and public accountability. The guests argue LA is a “beta test” for a broader police-state model, citing surveillance and alleged LAPD–ICE collaboration. They connect domestic repression to Palestine and policing tactics. They criticize performative politics and discuss the LA mayoral race, urging support for Rae Huang in the June 2 jungle primary.   00:27 Meet the LA Activists 01:47 May Day Protest Recap 02:58 Skirmish Lines Explained 05:34 Press Targeted and Kettled 07:04 Rights, Permits, and Compliance 08:07 Arrests on the Front Lines 13:14 Voices as a Threat 15:59 LA as Police State Beta Test 21:08 Radical Solutions on Housing 23:50 Haunted LA and Palestine Link 28:04 IDF Training and Coming Snapback 28:51 Surveillance And Public Apathy 29:52 Voting Rights And Slow-Motion Rollback 30:37 Constitutional Convention Alarm Bells 31:39 Neuralink Money And Conspiracy Becoming Real 33:31 White Women Patriarchy And Solidarity 35:08 ICE Detention And Child Trafficking Claims 37:02 Masculinity Homophobia And Calling It Out 38:28 Hillary Kamala And The Establishment Machine 43:00 LA Mayoral Race Who’s Running 46:51 Policing Budgets Debt And Olympics Incentives 51:17 Vote Rae Huang Primary Dates And Wrap-Up