The Breakdown with Shaun King

We need you to know Sean Monterrosa's name. You might be tired, but we still have to fight when we're faced with such blatant injustice. Sean was unarmed, non-violent, and on his knees with his hands up when Vallejo Police Officer Jarrett Tonn shot him five times through the windshield of his car. Join us as we fight for justice for Sean. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For today, we are revisiting a throwback episode from June of 2019 where Shaun breaks down a Buzzfeed and Injustice Watch study called "Good Day for a Chokehold". The report gives us quantifiable proof that many American police are closet bigots by diving into the social media posts of thousands of officers. Shaun draws historical lines between past, present and future to break down exactly what we're up against. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thousands of you asked Shaun to break down what it means to defund the police, so today, in simple terms, Shaun wants to unpack and explain it for you. Shaun supports it and thinks you should too. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sick Empire is a brand new podcast that showcases the experiences of New Yorkers who operate daily within the epicenter of the COVID-19 health crisis. On today's episode of The Breakdown, Shaun formally introduces you to Sick Empire, and invites you to listen to the first episode. This is the most timely, important podcast out today -- join the conversation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our current uprising around the world, people are tearing down monuments to racism, bigotry, white supremacy, and slavery. They should all be torn down - including those of Washington and Jefferson in the United States. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Over the past 2 weeks, I have tried my best to ignore the constant lies about me, my work, my teams, our fundraising, and more. Today I will respond, with receipts and details, one last time. After that, you can lie about me, but that's on you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The men who murdered Breonna Taylor must be held responsible. But we must change the laws and policies that caused her death in the first place. One way to start right now, is banning no-knock warrants. Let me break it down and give you action steps for today Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, civil rights attorney Lee Merritt and I are launching The Grassroots Law Project and we need all hands on deck. Join us now @ GrassrootsLaw.org and let's take our first action steps together Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ninety-nine years ago today, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, one of the most beautiful, prosperous, wealthy Black communities in the world was destroyed by terrorists. Today, with George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, protestors across the globe, and the 1921 destruction of Black Wall Street in mind, Shaun teaches a lesson on how and why history repeats itself.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's not enough to do good here and there. What do you believe about the world? What is your philosophy? Because that's what drives your actions - or lack thereof. Let's talk about it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The systems and structures we are fighting against aren't a little corrupt, they were fully built to oppress us. They should be completely abolished. Let me tell you what that means for us in 2020 and beyond. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today Shaun wants to teach you what may be his most important lesson on how we can actually abolish the systems and structures of mass incarceration and police brutality. We often fail in these attempts, because we don't actually know what we're tearing down. It's not one system. And we are choosing to believe that's good news. It's 30,000 microsystems. Let us explain. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Listen to today's episode on what Shaun thinks is the single most underrated civil rights issue of our time. It's the local budget of your city and county and how much of it is going to law enforcement. Did you know that the LAPD takes up over 50% of the whole Los Angeles General Fund? It's outrageous. And we have to fight back to make these budgets actually reflect what we need. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode of The Breakdown I want to take a minute to thank all of you for your hard work and support as we fought for justice for Ahmaud Arbery. We must celebrate the small victories, but keep on pushing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we are beginning to learn how so many people knew Ahmaud was in their neighborhood. We also have new info on the shooter, Travis McMichael. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today is a special check-in episode of The Breakdown. I'll tell you how I'm doing, and what I'm trying to do to manage the stress of the time we are in, but I also want to hear from you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today would've been the 95th birthday of our dear Brother Malcolm X. I want to play four of the most powerful clips of his speeches and interviews. They are also painful, because they shouldn't even be relevant anymore, but he literally could've said these things yesterday. Listen and learn. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Georgia should've already arrested William Roddie Bryan. But what we know is that we only get the justice we fight for. On today's episode, Shaun reveals new information about the murder of Ahmaud Arbery and gives us new action steps to take. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode of The Breakdown Live, Shaun walks through the extended details of Breonna's case and gives on update on Kenny's story as well. He then interviews Senate candidate Charles Booker, and does a very special segment with essential workers who are on America's frontlines. The Breakdown Live is an extended video version of The Breakdown Podcast. To see the video that accompanies this audio, you can go to twitch.tv/thebreakdown Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kenny Walker was Breonna's boyfriend, and he is a hero. On the night police broke into his home, in plain clothes, unannounced, when he and Breonna did nothing wrong, he used his legally owned firearm to protect his family. Now he's foolishly being charged with attempted murder. This cannot stand. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today is a day of action. On this special action steps episode of The Breakdown, Shaun gives us clear action steps and marching orders for how we stand with Breonna Taylor and her dear family. Let's go! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nearly one month ago today, Breonna Taylor was brutally shot and killed by police in her own home as they executed a drug raid at the wrong address for a person they had already arrested earlier that day. Our fight for justice for her begins today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thanks to millions of you, we’ve achieved so many of our Action Steps for Ahmaud Arbery, but we can’t let up. Not at all. One man is still on the loose and we have more things worth fighting for. Let me tell you what’s next. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today was the second episode of The North Star's new weekly video livestream - The Breakdown Live. It is an extended video version of this podcast which will feature interviews and more. On this episode, Shaun did a deep dive into Ahmaud's case and ends with Action Steps. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today I am just checking on you. We are overwhelmed and I want you to lean in and grieve. It's OK to cry. It's ok to be angry. Let me talk you through it then let's walk or run together this weekend. Love you all. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After a shocking video of Ahmaud Arbery lynching was leaked, Shaun updates us on the grave injustice that occured in Brunswick, Ga and gives updated action steps. We need EVERYONE on deck! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mega businesses are using the coronavirus crisis to take public money and then demolish vulnerable small and medium sized businesses. New legislation that we should all support halts all mega-mergers during the crisis. Today I unpack why we should all care. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This weekend was one of THOSE weekends where police were so brutal, in so many places, for no good reason, almost exclusively against Black folk, that it's clear to me that we are crossing a line where people are not going to take it much longer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Across the country, millions of Americans are not going to be able to pay their rent today. We knew this day was coming. Just agreeing not to evict them this month is too little. Rent needs to be forgiven and covered by the government. Today I share a way to pay for it as well. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Please go to that website and call that number right now. We need ALL HANDS ON DECK as we begin the fight for justice for Ahmaud Arbery. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Yesterday in an interview w/ Naomi Campbell, Diddy spoke on how presidential candidates needed to have a strong agenda for Black people. I agree. We'll talk about that, a new bill being proposed in Congress, and I'll give an update on the Ahmaud Arbery case. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2 months ago two white supremacists murdered an innocent Black jogger in Brunswick, Georgia in broad daylight on a Sunday afternoon. We're demanding justice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

During this pandemic, I've struggled to figure out how to best help everyday people. One way that I am trying to help is by speaking at funerals across the country. Another, is by speaking at high school and college graduations. I've agreed to nearly 50 so far. Today I spoke at the graduation of the Fashion Institute of Technology. Here's my short address to the students. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are in a global pandemic and the President of the United States literally suggested that we should inject ourselves with disinfectant to kill the coronavirus. It may be the single dumbest, most dangerous moment of his presidency. Also, today is a dubious anniversary for the KKK. Shaun unpacks and explains both stories. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Now that we are in the middle of a global pandemic, this classic episode - which was first released on the day Dr. Ibram Kendi's book "How to be an Anti-Racist" came out - is more relevant than ever. The global pandemic that we're living in has crystallized who has privilege. Asian-Americans have become the target of countless acts of hate as bigots blame the coronavirus outbreak on them. Take time, as you're sitting at home, to ask yourself to what extent you are currently benefiting from racist structures & systems. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Leonard Carter had been granted parole after serving 30 years in prison. Advocates begged for him to be released. Cuomo ignored the calls. Leonard, with just weeks left on his sentence, died from the coronavirus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A few weeks ago, as thousands of people began dying across the country from the coronavirus, Shaun noticed the despair as people posted that they could not even have a traditional funeral to grieve. Since Shaun had been a pastor for many years, he offered to perform eulogies or prayers for any families who needed it. Today was the first - for a great woman - Lucille Marie Scott. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This weekend, 33 year old Steve Taylor, a beloved father and son, was murdered by police at a Walmart in San Leandro, California. When Shaun hears about these horrible cases of police brutality, he runs the situation through, what he calls, the Taylor Swift test. Listen in as he breaks down what the Taylor Swift test for police brutality is. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Listen, I know during this pandemic you are fighting for your own survival. We all are. But I need you to understand that policies are being passed (and ignored) all over the country and what we do and do not fight for will inform what our government does during this time. Also, 5 years ago this week, Freddie Gray was murdered by the Baltimore Police. I speak some on his case. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The coronavirus pandemic has exposed that if the United States wants to spend trillions of dollars on something, it can at the drop of a dime. This proves that the US Government has always had money for reparations. Today, Shaun breaks down what this means about marginalized folx in this country and talks about the importance of Universal Basic Income. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michael Thompson has served 26 years of a life sentence for selling some weed to a friend. Once. Michael is a senior citizen and has several underlying health conditions that put him at grave risk with the coronavirus sweeping across America’s jails and prisons. There is one person who can set him free: Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. On today's episode, Shaun unpacks why, as she has risen to stardom in the Democratic party, Governor Whitmer has frozen out our pleas to free Michael. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A heartfelt thank you message to Bernie Sanders. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For a moment, it looked like police brutality was going to really slow down during the pandemic, but America is a police state. Today, let me unpack the Supreme Court case that really helps police get away with so much of their brutality. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today Nancy Pelosi is suggesting that she may extend the congressional recess - which is outrageous. They need to find a way to get back to work. Shaun also has an important update on California's jails and prisons. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Right now, jails & prisons in the United States have the highest documented infection rates of covid-19 in the world. On today's episode, Shaun explains the concept of jail churn and breaks down how it shows up in our prison system, and contributes to the spread of coronavirus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Once white conservatives in Wisconsin learned that the coronavirus was mainly impacting Black communities, they had no problem forcing the elections there today. Virtually every public health official and every mayor in Wisconsin begged the state to postpone their elections. When the Governor issued an emergency executive order to reschedule the election, the conservative state legislature and state Supreme Court each voted to overturn those decisions — forcing the elections to happen today anyway. This is so dangerous, and we can't look away. Our democracy is at stake.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As we learn that Black people and communities are being hit the hardest from the coronavirus, watch as white conservatives check out and stop caring. It's happening now in Wisconsin. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is the first in a three-part-series on the Supreme Court cases that make police brutality functionally legal in the United States. Unfortunately, this episode is as relevant now as it was when it originally aired one year ago. This is essential education for yourself, your kids, your students. We must know the names of these Supreme Court cases so that we know what we're up against. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode Shaun will have an homage to the legendary Bill Withers, but first, will discuss disturbing new demographic data on who is dying from the coronavirus and talk about the crisis at our immigration detention centers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode of The Breakdown Shaun tells us the story of the life, death, and courageous words of Scott Ryan - a bus driver outside of Seattle who told us in February what we were going to be facing. And Shaun gives action steps on what we need to be fighting for on behalf of essential workers nationwide. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices