News & Opinion

Ben Becker, editor of the book Imperialism in the 21st Century and a member of the Party for Socialism and Liberation in New York City, reviews the increasing likelihood of a policy shift among Western powers allowing for a ceasefire between the Syrian government and insurgent forces following talks in Vienna. While the shoot down of a Russian jet by Turkey, a country dependent on the United States and NATO, complicates this process, the possibility of new alliances also exist, including a significant army of insurgent forces in Syria ready to fight against ISIS.

Eyewitness: North Korea Listen now: Gloria La Riva, the PSL’s 2016 presidential candidate, speaks about her experience in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (also known as North Korea) during the 70th anniversary of the Worker’s Party of Korea earlier this month. She describes her impressions of changes in the DPRK since her last trip in 1989, including the impact of U.S. sanctions on the North Korean economy, and discusses the need for people in the United States to continue to oppose imperialist aggression towards North Korea. rsz_palestinian Palestine: A Third Intifada? Listen now: Richard Becker, West Coast Coordinator of the ANSWER Coalition, provides an analysis of what many are calling a Third Intifada, or uprising, of the Palestinian people in response to continued Israeli repression and the desecration of non-Jewish religious sites in an attempt to declare Zionist colonial victory over Palestine.

North Korea: Myths, facts and where relations are heading PLUS: In one of the richest countries in the world – zero maternity leave Listen now: Brian Becker, National Coordinator of the ANSWER Coalition, speaks to Don Debar, host of the morning show on CPRmetro.org, regarding myths and facts about the Democratic People's Republic of Korea – North Korea. He reviews the most recent attacks by the United States and South Korean intelligence services at the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and what they mean for U.S.-North Korea relations. Listen now: Nathalie Hrizi, a member of the Party for Socialism and Liberation in San Francisco who is currently on paid maternity leave – a benefit won by her union, discusses the overwhelming absence of such paid leave in the United States. Countries around the world offer between 12 and 50 weeks of paid parental leave, with the United States and just three other countries standing alone without any support for new parents. This indicting feature of U.S. capitalism can only be changed through mass struggle.

PSL delegation reports on #BlackLivesMatter conference Eugene Puryear, a leading member of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, reports on behalf of the PSL delegation that attended the recent #BlackLivesMatter conference in Cleveland, OH. He discusses the conference and the steps the movement must take to continue and ultimately win the struggle against police terror Karina Garcia of the Party for Socialism and Liberation in New York City speaks on the example of the workers at Pure Food and Wine who, when their boss closed up shop and skipped town with their wages, began to organize food sales themselves – showing the possibility of workers' control and fightback in the face of profit-hungry business practices. On July 30th, the workers unanimously voted to unionize.

The struggle in Turkey: Interview with the Communist Party, Turkey Listen now: Ali Somel of the Communist Party, Turkey (TKP) reviews the current political and economic situation in Turkey, including the brutal suppression of the recent May Day events and arrest of 240 people – a number of them members of the TKP. The TKP is also running candidates in the bourgeois elections in Turkey, and Ali speaks on that intervention and other struggles to provide a glimpse into the history of the TKP and movement for socialism in Turkey.

Listen now: IV Sta of the Party for Socialism and Liberation gives an eyewitness account of their experience at the May 9 celebration in Russia, commemorating the tremendous Soviet victory and the sacrifices that ultimately led to the defeat of fascist Germany in World War II.

Cops and media lie about the murder of Walter Scott | PLUS: The increasing U.S. role in the Saudi bombing of Yemen Cops and media lie about the murder of Walter Scott Listen now: Sean Blackmon of the Party for Socialism and Liberation in Washington, D.C., and an organizer with D.C. Ferguson, speaks on the concerted lies of the cops and the media as well as the resulting protests in South Carolina following the police murder of Walter Scott. Blackmon analyzes the movement’s next steps in taking back the power from the racist police and the system that needs them. yemen-bombing_3251011b The increasing U.S. role in the Saudi bombing of Yemen Listen now: Jane Cutter, an editor of Liberation News and a leading member of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, discusses the increased U.S. involvement in the Saudi bombing of Yemen, which began on March 25. She addresses the humanitarian costs of the bombing and the situation on the ground in the country. rsz_img_20150404_134333937 The Red Nation calls historic march against racist violence in Gallup, N.M. Listen now: The Red Nation stood up against the extreme atmosphere of racist violence in Gallup, N.M., in a historic march earlier this month. Hear the strong and courageous voices of the march organizers and participants who are fighting against racism and the continued legacy of colonialism.

Liberation Radio: Civil war unfolds in Yemen with U.S. go-ahead Congo resistance leader on the liberation of the Congo and Africa Listen now: Ben Kabamba, one of many activists affected in the continued crackdown against revolutionary student activists in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, speaks on the resistance movement against neo-colonialism in the country. The Congo, the largest resource-rich country in Africa, has long been deemed key to the liberation of Africa. For more information, visit friendsofthecongo.org. rsz_imageadapt480lowyemen_turmoil_2015 Civil war unfolds in Yemen with U.S. go-ahead Listen now: Jane Cutter, an editor of Liberation News and a leading member of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, details the forces behind the civil war unfolding in Yemen. Yemen is currently under bombing attacks by neighboring Saudi Arabia with the blessing of the U.S. imperialists. Ground troops from Saudi Arabia and Egypt may follow in a proxy war resulting from U.S. war and occupation in the region.

Imperialism in the 21st Century: an in-depth interview with the editor of the PSL’s new book Listen now: Ben Becker, the editor of Imperialism in the 21st Century: Updating Lenin’s Theory a Century Later by PSL Publications, reviews the rationale to revisit Lenin’s work on imperialism in the wake of WWI and the validity of Lenin’s thesis 100 years later. Features of modern imperialism have some unique characteristics, but the war drive behind monopoly capitalism has remained essentially the same – and socialism is the only way to rid the world of imperialist war

Updates on developments in the Ukraine Listen now: Brian Becker, National Coordinator of the ANSWER Coalition, provides an update on the situation in the Ukraine, where the government had renewed its military offensive against resistance forces. This interview was recorded prior to the recent ceasefire, and Liberation Radio will continue to cover the story as it develops

Greece’s demand for reparations from Germany | PLUS: Update on developments in the Ukraine Listen now: Radhika Miller, a progressive activist and lawyer from Washington, D.C., explains the new Greek government’s demand of the German government for reparations for crimes committed in World War II. Miller also discusses the role of SYRIZA in Greece today.

Black Liberation, Socialism and the Struggle Today — Part II Listen now: This is Part II of a special edition of Liberation Radio featuring the second 30 minutes of a one-hour interview with PSL leaders Brian Becker and Eugene Puryear. The interview was conducted by Dr. Jared Ball, of iMiXWHATiLiKE! and WPFW 89.3FM Pacifica Radio in D.C. The interview covers a range of topics on socialism and communism, the centrality of the national question and the fight for Black liberation in the PSL’s strategic orientation on the U.S. class struggle, the role played by Marxism in the anti-colonial and national liberation movements, as well as promoting the idea of socialism through electoral politics. We thank Jared Ball for the right to re-air the interview. To see more of Jared Ball’s work go to imixwhatilike.org.

Liberation Radio Greek election showdown and its impact on Europe’s class struggle | Cops turn on NY Mayor as act of war January 5, 2015 Greek election showdown and its impact on Europe’s class struggle | Cops turn on NY Mayor as act of war on the people Listen now: Walter Smolarek, a regular contributor to Liberation News, discusses the upcoming Greek elections and the significance for the movement with a the possibility of the SYRIZA (the Coalition of the Radical Left) gaining power. NY Mayor De Blasio Heckled At Police Graduation Cops turn on NYC Mayor as act of war on the people Listen now: Karla Reyes, an organizer with the ANSWER Coalition and a member of the PSL in New York City, analyzes the meaning of the NYPD’s protest against Mayor DeBlasio. Reyes points out the role of the cops under capitalism, and how this action can be read as a declaration of war on the people and movement countering police terror. obamaspeaking Obama’s end of the year report Listen now: Eugene Puryear, a leader of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, analyzes President Obama’s end-of-year report and what workers can really look forward to in 2015.

Huge demonstrations push forward movement against police terror | PLUS: Report details massive U.S. torture program Huge demonstrations push forward movement against police terror Listen: Kerbie Joseph from the Party for Socialism and Liberation in New York City reports on the outpouring of protesters in recent marches across the country against police terror. She discusses the steadfast movement that continues to grow. detainee at us torture camp Report details massive U.S. torture program Listen: Eugene Puryear, a leader of the PSL in Washington, D.C., discusses the worldwide outcry upon the release of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence report on torture. He looks at the context of the report and how we should respond. cuban 5 are free The Cuban Five are finally free! Listen: Gloria La Riva, National Coordinator of the National Committee to Free the Cuban Five, discusses the 16-year struggle to free the Cuban Five, how the Five exposed the CIA’s counterrevolutionary activities, and the shift in U.S.-Cuba relations.

Liberatio Radio: Struggle for justice for the 43 in Ayotzinapa grips Mexico Listen now: Frank Lara, an organizer with the Party for Socialism and Liberation in San Francisco, discusses the outpouring against the state-sponsored disappearance of the 43 students in Ayotzinapa, Mexico, and how it relates to police terror in the U.S. psl-sign-stop-racist-police-brutality “I can’t breathe” echoes across the U.S. Listen now: Karla Reyes, an organizer with the Party for Socialism and Liberation in New York, reports on the mass reaction to the non-indictment of Daniel Pantaleo for the killing of Eric Garner in the wake of the Darren Wilson decision.

From mass outrage to mass movement: the struggle against police terror Listen now: Eugene Puryear, a leader of the Party of Socialism and Liberation, discusses the growing movement against police terror, analyzing how the oppression of Black people and the movement will breed greater resistance. Marissa Alexander’s recent plea bargain & freedom in 2015 Listen now: Radhika Miller, D.C.-based attorney, speaks on the movement to free Marissa Alexander and the recent plea bargain that will see her free this January.

The Russian Revolution and the struggle to end exploitation of people by people rsz_russian-revolution-poster Listen now: Brian Becker, a founding member of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, explains the Marxist perspective on the Russian Revolution, the Soviet Union, and the gains, challenges and contradictions facing the first socialist government in a world dominated by imperialism. This interview is one part of a larger PSL educational series.

Beneath the surface: An analysis of the real meaning of the midterm elections Listen now: Eugene Puryear, candidate for D.C. Council At-Large on the D.C. Statehood Green Party ticket, discusses the meaning of low voter turnout in the mid-term elections and the interest of voters in progressive issues like increasing the minimum wage.

Widespread opposition to continued war amongst troops PLUS: Court rules to free revolutionary Sundiata Acoli Listen now: Mike Prysner of March Forward! discusses the widespread opposition amongst rank-and-file soldiers to Obama's latest moves to send more ground troops into combat in Iraq and Syria amid growing turmoil. Listen now: Gloria La Riva of the Party for Socialism and Liberation talks about the appeals court ruling to free Black Panther Party revolutionary Sundiata Acoli. Acoli and Assata Shakur were both convicted for the 1973 shooting of a New Jersey State Trooper.

Listen now: Brian Becker, National Coordinator of the ANSWER Coalition, dissects and analyzes the far-reaching policy implications of President Obama's address at the annual United Nations General Assembly. Listen now: Liberation Radio reporters bring you the voices of participants in the September 21 People's Climate march in New York City that drew hundreds of thousands of people. People around the world came out in thousands of actions across the globe.

Listen now: Alli McCracken of CODEPINK discusses the growing movement to boycott firms that profit from stolen Palestinian resources, like Ahava makeup and their use of materials from the illegal Mitzpe Shalem settlement in the West Bank. Listen now: Voices from the People's Climate March, the massive demonstration for climate justice that just took place in New York City as hundreds of world leaders gathered there, with 2,808 solidarity events taking place in 166 countries. Listen now: Eugene Puryear of the ANSWER Coalition speaks about the controversy involving Urban Outfitters and a product the company promoted that to attempt to profit off of the 1970 Kent State shooting of four anti-war students.

Understanding the new U.S. war drive in Iraq and Syria PLUS: Domestic abuse, billionaires and their sports teams Listen now: Brian Becker, Na tional Coordinator of the ANSWER Coalition, responds to Obama's speech on the crisis caused by U.S. intervention in Iraq and Syria, and the need to organize to oppose these wars to dominate the people and resources of the Middle East. Listen now: Radhika Miller, a Washington, D.C.-based attorney and member of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, analyzes the the role of the billionaire owners in professional sports and the disturbing realities that result from their rule.

Listen now: Kashara White of the Party for Socialism and Liberation in Philadelphia speaks from Ferguson on systemic racism as the federal government commences its investigation of the Ferguson P.D. one month after the police murder of Mike Brown. Listen now: Ethan Jury of Liberation Radio speaks with Sabrina Sample of the PURP Collective (People Utilizing Real Power) at a Philadelphia demonstration in solidarity with the struggle for justice in Ferguson about the outpouring of similar militant protests around the country. Listen now: Eugene Puryear of the ANSWER Coalition in Washington, D.C., analyzes the growing significance of the Ferguson movement, and the potential for winning justice for Mike Brown and fighting the epidemic of racist police terror nationwide.

Crimes of Capitalism: BofA to pay $16 billion settlement, no banker jailed PLUS: Libya in peril: U.N. calls for ceasefire Listen now: Radhika Miller, a Washington, D.C.-based attorney and member of the PSL, discusses the Bank of America fraud settlement reached with the U.S. Justice Department for $16 billion dollars. Listen now: Mazda Majidi of the Party for Socialism and Liberation provides an analysis of the U.N. Security Council resolution on Libya for a ceasefire and reviews the role of U.S. imperialism in the current instability and violence in the North African nation.

Listen now: Gloria La Riva of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, shot by a rubber bullet during demonstrations in solidarity with Michael Brown's family, describes the resilience of the community fightback in the face of police repression. Listen now: John Beacham, ANSWER Chicago, reports from Ferguson on the militarization of the police and extreme measures to crush any voices for justice. Listen now: Ana Santoyo, a Liberation News militant journalist locked up by police during the protests that have drawn worldwide condemnation, talks about her arrest with dozens of others in Ferguson.

Listen now: Brian Becker discusses the violent conflict raging in Ukraine, and the potential for a broader confrontation between the West and Russia with major consequences. Listen now: Gloria La Riva discusses the efforts by USAID to overthrow the revolutionary government in Cuba under the guise of humanitarian aid.

Listen now: Richard Becker, author of "Palestine, Israel and the U.S. Empire," discusses Israel's assault on Gaza and the role of the U.S. government in enabling the criminal war. Listen now: Attorney Heather Benno analyzes the attacks on undocumented children entering the United States, the anti-immigrant spin, and how the Obama administration and Congress dodge demands for full immigrant rights.

Listen now: Nathalie Hrizi of the Party for Socialism and Liberation examines the role of John Kerry as well as the United Nations as the war on Gaza unfolds, and looks at the global protest movement demanding justice in Palestine and an end to Israel's brutal assault. Listen now: Alberto Roque has lived openly gay in Cuba for decades. He became an activist and spokesperson for LGBTQ justice, acceptance and awareness, and recently spoke in San Francisco about the challenges facing the movement.

Israel's invasion of Gaza: A historical perspective PLUS: Ukraine air disaster: behind the propaganda blitz Listen now: Richard Becker of the ANSWER Coalition talks about the historical precedent for Israel's brutal assault on Gaza, and possible Israeli objectives as the situation worsens. Listen now: Brian Becker of the Party for Socialism and Liberation responds to the tragic Malaysia Airlines disaster and U.S. attempts to blame Russia in the midst of a war in Ukraine.

People worldwide stand up to Israel's massacre in Palestine PLUS: Freedom Summer's 50th anniversary remembered Listen now to the full episode Listen now: Richard Becker of the ANSWER Coalition analyzes the latest on Israel's military assault on Gaza and recent failed negotiations as people take to the streets in solidarity with Palestine. Listen now: Eugene Puryear of Liberation News talks about Freedom Summer and the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, and what both mean from in people's political history

Listen now: Mara Verheyden-Hilliard, Executive Director of the Partnership for Civil Justice and prominent Civil Rights and Civil Liberties attorney examines the Supreme Courts recent Hobby Lobby ruling attacking Women’s rights. Listen now: Jeff Bigelow, veteran trade-union organizer and Party for Socialism and Liberation member examines the Supreme Court’s decision in Harris v. Quinn and discusses its implications for the labor movement. Listen now: Sarah Sloan, member of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, discusses the importance of the anti-war struggle to the socialist movement, and the fight against a new Iraq war.

Listen now: California gubernatorial candidate and world renowned activist Cindy Sheehan joins Liberation Radio to talk about her campaign, the issues impacting the state and the need for socialist, people-oriented solutions to the economic crisis. Listen now: Leah Obias of the Damayan Migrant Workers Association discusses the issue of labor trafficking and Baklas, a new campaign from Damayan and Women Organized to Resist and Defend on the root causes of trafficking. Listen now: Frank Lara of the Party for Socialism and Liberation is challenging Nancy Pelosi for her Congressional seat. Pelosi has become a central figure in the Benghazi scandal, and Lara tackles the issues related to the ongoing political clash.

Listen now: Eugene Puryear of the Party for Socialism and Liberation addresses the controversy surrounding racist statements by Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling, and the interests that have shielded him for years. Listen now: Brian Becker of the ANSWER Coalition investigates the situation in Ukraine, with special attention to the military escalation in the country's eastern region, and the ongoing manipulation by the U.S. and neo-fascist forces. Listen now: Attorney Radhika Miller reflects on the War on Poverty 50 years since its launch, and what has happened since, including the rise of income inequality and rapid expansion of capitalist profiteering.

Listen now: Sarah Sloan puts President Obama's Asia trip in perspective, and looks at the administration's goals during visits to Japan and other nations, and how they relate to the region's changing political landscape. Listen now: Walter Smolarek of the ANSWER Coalition discusses the latest U.S. drone strikes in Yemen and the growing international movement against Western imperialism's murderous drone wars. Listen now: Socialist candidate Nathalie Hrizi is running for California Insurance Commissioner and explains why the health care crisis is now at a critical state around the country. The solution, she says, will take organizing and action

New Mexico stands up against police brutality | Syria conflict's new stage PLUS: Solitary confinement in prisons violates human rights Listen now: Sydney Hodge of the Party for Socialism and Liberation reports on the Albuquerque, New Mexico movement against police brutality that has emerged in the wake of the killing of James Boyd captured on video. Listen now: Mazda Majidi of Liberation News addresses the latest on the situation in Syria, from gains by the country's leadership against insurgents to the engagement of Turkey, Jordan and Israel in the war. Listen now: Attorney Heather Benno analyzes a recent federal court ruling against California for its treatment of mentally ill inmates in solitary confinement in the state's prison system.

Listen now: Brian Becker of the ANSWER Coalition reports on the movement in Ukraine against the neo-fascist leadership in that country. Listen now: Peta Lindsay of WORD (Women Organized to Resist and Defend) speaks on the equal pay debate in the news and women's oppression today. Listen now: More voices from a recent California conference against police brutality. This week, we look at organizing strategies.

Listen now: Party for Socialism and Liberation's Gloria La Riva exposes the violence of the right-wing opposition in Venezuela and attempts by the capitalist class to destabilize President Nicolas Maduro's administration. Listen now: Attorney Radhika Miller analyzes the campaign to raise the minimum wage that is sweeping the country. Miller explores why simply raising the wage is not enough for working people. Listen now: Journalist Kanya D'Almeida, who recently wrote about the skyrocketing number of elderly women and men behind bars, examines why many states are facing a human rights crisis because many institutions were never equipped to care for aging inmates.

Listen now: Brian Becker of the ANSWER Coalition addresses the recent Crimea vote to break away from Ukraine and the West's response to its stand against fascism. Listen now: Attorney Heather Benno reports on recent hunger strikes at immigration detention facilities in Washington and Texas, and the struggle for immigrant justice today. Listen now: Liberation Radio's Estevan Hernandez covers a Sacramento demonstration against California's soaring rent costs and renters' rights. The state has seen some of country's most costly rents with few affordable housing options.

Listen now: Richard Becker of the Party for Socialism and Liberation discusses the far-right figures in Ukraine's coup government, their political ideology and the attacks against Russia in the midst of the conflict. Listen now: Heather Benno of WORD (Women Organized to Resist and Defend) discusses International Women's Day, the issues and communities bringing out people to mobilize and the status of Marissa Alexander's struggle for freedom in Florida. Listen now: Nathalie Hrizi of WORD assesses the state of women's rights amid ongoing attacks by politicians and corporations, as well as the movement for respect, dignity and justice.

Neo-Nazis rise in Ukraine | Gay players in pro-sports spotlight PLUS: Workers keep pressure on Pennsylvania non-profit Listen now: ANSWER Coalition's Brian Becker joins the program to discuss U.S. and European Union support for the far-right forces that have taken power in the Ukraine, the demonization of Russia and an authentic anti-imperialist orientation to the crisis. Listen now: Attorney Radhika Miller examines basketball player Jason Collins joining the Brooklyn Nets, breaking a barrier for LGBTQ athletes. She also looks at Collins' selection in light of the recent Arizona-NFL showdown over anti-gay legislation. Listen now: Liberation Radio's Jessie Farine interviews a University of Pennsylvania Medical Center worker and an SEIU organizer about the fight for a living wage for labor in the state, as the movement gains momentum.

Ukraine crisis exposes US, EU collusion | Remembering Chokwe Lumumba PLUS: International Women's Day and criminal injustice Listen now: Brian Becker of the ANSWER Coalition relates the U.S. and European Union role in the battle that has engulfed the Ukraine, the right-wing forces which have taken power and the importance of this struggle globally. This interview was recorded 48 hours prior to Russia's decision to send troops into southern Ukraine. Listen now: Eugene Puryear of Liberation News delves into the life of the late Chokwe Lumumba. The lifelong organizer and mayor of Jackson, Miss., leaves a legacy of revolutionary political activity. Listen now: International Women's Day is almost here, and Kerbie Joseph of WORD (Women Organized to Resist and Defend) recently delivered an address on the impact of the War on Drugs on women of color, poor women and communities across the country.

Venezuela resists imperialist-led unrest | Mumia Abu-Jamal in the spotlight PLUS: Native American fight against racism in sports makes gains Listen now: Gloria La Riva of the Party for Socialism and Liberation reports on the ongoing right-wing unrest in Venezuela and the fight for the country's future as the first anniversary of President Hugo Chavez's death nears. Listen now: Shesheena Bray of the Campaign to Bring Mumia Home discusses the Justice Department nomination of an attorney who worked on Mumia Abu-Jamal's case and how the Fraternal Order of Police and allies are attempting to attack him. Listen now: Native American activist Jacqueline Keeler of Eradicating Offensive Native Mascotry, an online organizing group, shares how the activists went from meeting to Twitter to taking their demands to the Super Bowl, and implications for building campaigns

* Eugene Puryear of the ANSWER Coalition reviews President Barack Obama's 2014 State of the Union address for what was mentioned and what was not, and the prospects for the working class in the coming year. * Party for Socialism and Liberation student organizer Mike Wang discusses the life of late folk singer Pete Seeger -- his activism, historic stands and what Seeger may be best remembered for. * Jane Cutter of Liberation News examines the latest Guttmacher Institute report on the state of abortion rights over the past year, which noted the scores of statewide and national attacks on the right to choose, as well legal strategies.

Listen now: Women Organized to Resist and Defend's Heather Benno reports on the Marissa Alexander case, and state prosecutors' attempts to send her back to prison, as well as the movement to free Alexander. Listen now: Liberation newspaper's Mazda Majidi analyzes the internationally brokered talks on Syria's nuclear program, the push to exclude Iran, and the sides left participating in negotiations. Listen now: The Party for Socialism and Liberation's Nathalie Hrizi speaks about her run for the California Insurance Commissioner seat, the healthcare situation facing the state, and why she's running for office regulating the insurance industry.

PSL's Gloria La Riva looks at the life of Martin Luther King as the holiday in his honor has become a rallying point for emerging racial and economic justice struggles inspired by his work. Eugene Puryear of the ANSWER Coalition looks back at the life of Amiri Baraka, the poet, political organizer and activist who recently passed away, and his complex, fearlessly revolutionary politics. Middle East analyst and writer Richard Becker critiques the corporate media's rewriting of the life of former Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon, and Sharon's crimes against the Palestinian people

11 years of torture at Guantanamo | Iraq fighting intensifies PLUS: New York City rises up against Bratton police appointment Listen now: Radhika Miller of the Party for Socialism and Liberation analyzes what the anniversary of the Guantanamo camp's opening has meant for human rights, the political climate and imperial power. Listen now: Iraq veteran Mike Prysner of March Forward assesses the latest word on sectarian violence in Iraq and imperialism's role in creating the conditions that have plunged the country into new warfare. Listen now: Kerbie Joseph of the ANSWER Coalition shares how New York City is organizing against the return of William Bratton as police commissioner, as well as the stop-and-frisk policies he ushered in.

This week, more news emerged about the theft of classified government documents, leaked to the press, that revealed a massive, top-secret surveillance program. No, not news of Edward Snowden and the National Security Agency, but of a group of anti-Vietnam war activists who perpetrated one of the most audacious thefts of government secrets in U.S. history, and who successfully evaded capture, remaining anonymous for more than 40 years. Among them: two professors, a day-care provider and a taxi driver. Passionately opposed to the U.S. war in Vietnam, this group of seven men and one woman was certain that the FBI, under the direction of J. Edgar Hoover, was spying on citizens and actively suppressing dissent. In order to prove their case, they broke into an FBI field office in the Philadelphia suburb of Media, Pa., on March 8, 1971, and stole all the files inside. What they found, and mailed to the press, exposed COINTELPRO, the FBI’s counterintelligence program, a global, clandestine, unconstitutional practice of surveillance, infiltration and disruption of groups engaged in protest, dissent and social change. Their courageous act of nonviolent burglary shook the FBI, the CIA and other agencies to the core. They triggered congressional investigations, increased oversight and the passage of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. These activist burglars, most of whom have come forward this week, revealing their names for the first time, have not only a remarkable story to tell about the past, but a critical and informed perspective on Snowden, the NSA and government spying today. “The citizens’ right to dissent is the last line of defense for freedom,” John Raines told me. He was a professor of religion at Temple University when he, his wife, Bonnie, and the others who intended to break into the FBI office formed what they called the “Citizens’ Commission to Investigate the FBI.” Since John and Bonnie Raines had three children under the age of 10 at the time of the burglary, I asked how they decided to engage in an act that could have sent them both to prison for years. John replied, “We routinely ask, as a society, mothers and fathers to take on as part of their work highly dangerous activities. We ask that of all policemen. We ask that of everybody that works for the fire department. We ask that of mothers and fathers who are sent overseas to defend our freedoms in the Army and Navy. We routinely ask of people to take on jobs that risk their families.” He went on, “As citizens, we stepped forward and did what we had to do because nobody in Washington would.” Under the leadership of a physics professor from Haverford College, Bill Davidon, the group met and meticulously planned their action. John and Bonnie Raines hosted most of the meetings in their attic. Bonnie posed as a college student writing a paper on career opportunities for women in the FBI, and got an inside look at the Media field office. Keith Forsyth, the cabdriver, took a correspondence course in locksmithing and made his own lock-pick tools to avoid notice of authorities. They chose the night of March 8, 1971, because international attention was gripped by the world heavyweight boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. The bout, said Forsyth, “would add to the distraction, not only of the police, but of just people in general.” They broke into the office, stole all the files inside and took them to a farmhouse an hour outside of Philadelphia. They pored over the liberated documents, shocked at what they read. One memo detailed an FBI conference on the New Left, predicting that more FBI interrogations of activists would “enhance the paranoia endemic in these circles and will further serve to get the point across there is an FBI agent behind every mailbox.” That line struck a chord with one of the reporters who received the leaked documents, Betty Medsger of The Washington Post. President Richard Nixon’s attorney general, John Mitchell, tried to get the Post to suppress Medsger’s stories. “Two editors, from the beginning, realized it was a very important story and pushed it—Ben Bradlee and Ben Bagdikian,” she told me. The paper published, and history was made. At the time, Medsger did not know the identities of the activists. This week, she published a book, “The Burglary: The Discovery of J. Edgar Hoover’s Secret FBI,” in which she names most of the burglars, with their assent. A documentary film has also been produced, soon to be released, titled “1971.” Advertisement In response to the book’s revelations this week, naming the burglars, FBI spokesman Michael Kortan said, “A number of events during that era, including the burglary, contributed to changes in how the FBI identified and addressed domestic security threats, leading to reform of the FBI’s intelligence policies and practices, including the creation of investigative guidelines by the Department of Justice.” If we were to apply Michael Kortan’s standards to Edward Snowden’s revelations about the NSA, President Barack Obama would drop the charges against him and welcome him back to the U.S., with thanks. Let’s hope Snowden doesn’t have to wait 43 years

PSL's Eugene Puryear discusses politically motivated prosecutions following the release of civil rights attorney Lynne Stewart after a global movement organized for her freedom. Jane Cutter of Liberation News talks about her recent article on health care disparities and the impact of racism on Black women facing breast cancer. PSL organizer Walter Smolarek analyzes the "taper," a Federal Reserve effort to protect capitalist institutions, and contrasts it with cuts in unemployment insurance and other services that serve far more people.

Liberation Radio. Budget: Military wins, poor lose | France raids Central African Republic PLUS: Why the poor and people of color are getting life sentences Listen now to the full episode Listen now: PSL organizer Walter Smolarek covers the new budget agreement aimed at avoiding the sequestration deadline by selling out poor and working people. Listen now: Liberation newspaper's Eugene Puryear takes an extended look at France's recent intervention in the Central African Republic, and the long history of colonialism in the region. Listen now: PSL organizer Radhika Miller analyzes a new report, which points out the egregiousness of life sentences for minor nonviolent offenses in the United States. Subscribe to our podcast! Use your favorite Podcatcher Use iTunes Just click above to subscribe for free using your favorite podcatcher! You'll receive new episodes of Liberation Radio automatically as they become available. Never miss an episode! Not familiar with podcasts? Learn more! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter Listen now to the full episode Support Liberation Radio Liberation Radio is produced by an all-volunteer effort of the members of the Party for Socialism and Liberation as an alternative to mainstream corporate media.

A hanging sword over Iran | Poor families need not apply PLUS: Attack on USPS is an attack on worker Listen now: PSL member Mazda Majidi examines U.S.-Iran talks over Iran’s nuclear program and what the threat of sanctions – even as negotiations continue – means for Iranian sovereignty. Listen now: Radhika Miller looks at the “economic recovery” policies yielding record profits for the super rich while working families struggle to make ends meet. Listen now: Ken Lerch, President of the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), Branch 3825 Rockville, MD, examines the no-holds-barred, union-busting efforts to privatize the United States Postal Service that could cost thousands of workers their jobs.