A 30 year old father from Honduras recently died in ICE custody, making this the 11th death since September. Additionally, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus has visited the border detention centers in El Paso, describing the facilities as "horrifying" and "broken." To discuss, we SPOTLIGHT Alice Driver. Driver, who has been reporting from the border for the past two years, is an independent journalist and translator whose work focuses on migration, human rights, and gender equality. She is the author of More or Less Dead: Feminicide, Haunting, and the Ethics of Representation in Mexico (University of Arizona 2015). Media includes: National Geographic, Time, The Guardian, CNN, BBC, PRI.
Iran has exceeded the limit of enriched uranium it's allowed to have under the 2015 nuclear deal. To discuss how the situation may affect Iranian Americans, we FEATURE Mana Kharrazi. Kharrazi currently serves as the Executive Director of Iranian Alliances Across Borders (IAAB), the largest Iranian-American grassroots organization dedicated to community building and youth empowerment. IAAB strengthens the Iranian diaspora community through leadership and educational programming that encourages collaboration and solidarity across various borders and multiple communities. Media includes: The Washington Post, Voice of America, Huffington Post, PBS, CNN.
On the anniversary of Hong Kong's return to Chinese sovereignty, protests escalated with some demonstrators storming the legislature. Tensions in Hong Kong have been high since the introduction of a bill that would result in criminals extradited to China. To discuss, we FEATURE Shanthi Kalathil. Kalathil is Director of the International Forum for Democratic Studies at the National Endowment for Democracy. Her work focuses on China's global impact, the implications to international security of growing authoritarian influence and disinformation, and the role of media, communication and technology. Media includes: Voice of America, NPR, BBC, CBC.
Despite the ongoing trade war with China, the Trump administration has decided to loosen its ban on Huawei. The move points to the potential of new trade talks opening up with China. To discuss, we FEATURE Abigail C. Grace. Grace is the Research Associate for the Asia-Pacific Security Program at the Center for New American Security (CNAS). Her work focuses on U.S. strategic competition with China, Indo-Pacific strategy, Chinese approaches to multilateralism, and Northeast Asia’s regional security architecture. Prior to joining CNAS, Ms. Grace was a member of the National Security Council staff from 2016-2018. There, she contributed to the development of the competitive approach to U.S.-China relation. Media includes: The Washington Post, The New Yorker, Foreign Policy, Politico, BBC.
For his July 4th address, President Trump has reportedly asked for tanks to be placed on the National Mall for the Fourth of July parade. To discuss, we FEATURE Miriam Pemberton. Pemberton is currently a Research Fellow at the Institute for Policy Studies. Her research focuses on overall federal budget priorities and demilitarizing our foreign policy and our economy. Formerly she served first as editor and then as director of the National Commission for Economic Conversion and Disarmament. With Lawrence Korb of the Center for American Progress, she heads up a task force of security experts that produces the annual “Unified Security Budget for the United States.” Media includes: Baltimore Sun, CNN, Fox, PRI.
A woman in Alabama was charged with murder following the death of her fetus, which died as the result of her being shot in the stomach. To discuss, we FEATURE Portia L. Shepherd. Shepherd is the Prevention Education Director with Family Services of North Alabama, a non-profit organization that serves survivors of sexual assault. She has more than fifteen years’ experience across a wide range of industries: political campaigns, nonprofit and professional services, environmental injustice, domestic and sexual violence and the Blackbelt of Alabama. Through her efforts with working with Blackbelt citizens fighting for health and justice, she has appeared on FOX News Tucker Carson, NOWTHIS, and local television stations.
The death toll from Sunday's protests in Sudan has reached 11 as tends of thousands of people took to the streets to call for the military to step down and allow for civilian rule. To discuss, we FEATURE Emira Woods. Woods is a member of the International Working Group for Africans Rising, a network of African social movements working to build peace, seek justice and manifest dignity. She is Associate Fellow at the Institute for Policy Studies, Trustee of the Wallace Global Fund, and board member of Action Aid International. Media includes: Al Jazeera, Voice of America, CNN, BBC, NPR, PBS.
Last week was the Supreme Court's last week in session and they decided not to hear the DACA case until October and also declined to hear challenges to Alabama abortion constraints. To discuss, we FEATURE Rebecca Pilar Buckwalter-Poza. Buckwalter-Poza is currently Judicial Affairs Editor at Daily Kos. She brings heightened insights into judicial nominations, politics, and decision-making. Her experience--including two federal appellate clerkships, a U.S. Attorney's Office fellowship, and a stint in the White House Counsel's Office--is unique. Media includes: Democracy Journal, CNN, NPR, The Daily Beast, Pacific Standard, The Nation, The Atlantic, Politico, MSNBC, XM Radio.
Talks are due to resume again in Venezuela. Negotiations will be between representatives of President Nicolas Maduro and opposition leader Juan Guaidó. To discuss, we FEATURE Erika Guevara-Rosas. Guevara-Rosas currently serves as the Americas Programme Director at the International Secretariat of Amnesty International. She is responsible for leading the organization’s human rights work across the region. Before joining Amnesty International, served as Legal/Protection Officer for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), managing complex operations in Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, Panama and Venezuela, mainly in border areas with war-affected populations. Extensive media experience.
Sixty-two food poisoning cases across eight states have been reported. The outbreak is said to be caused by eating papayas imported from Mexico. To discuss, we FEATURE Anna Lappé. Lappé is a national bestselling author, a respected advocate for sustainability and justice along the food chain and an advisor to funders investing in food system transformation. She currently leads Real Food Media, based at Corporate Accountability International, which she founded to bring together leading food and farm organizations to produce powerful communications initiatives to inspire, educate and grow the movement for sustainable food and farming. Media includes: The Washington Post, The New York Times, Gourmet, Oprah Magazine.
Liz Theran
