Category Archives: United States

Police, repression, Security Culture, Surveillance, Technology, U.S. South, United States

Southerners Against Surveillance Systems and Infrastructure (with Ed)

black and white drawing of a cat wearing a balaclava with the word "SASSI" near the bottom + "TFSR 11-2-25 | Southerners Against Surveillance Systems & Infrastructure (with Ed)"
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Ed, co-founder of SASSI (Southerners Against Surveillance Systems & Infrastructure), speaks to The Final Straw Radio about the proliferation of surveillance infrastructure in the South (and more broadly in United States).

We speak about topics such as the increasing cooperation between the state and corporate surveillance companies, the desire of these companies to extract ever-increasing amounts of data from the public, the way the state uses private databases to sidestep traditional warrant processes, some of the specific technologies that cities in the south have contracts with and their efficacy. We also touch on how folks at SASSI investigate these topics, and what can be done to help with this effort and ways to think about individual and community safety.

Also of interest to listeners may be our prior episode, Pushing Back On Flock Cameras with Kate Bertash, which Ed references during the chat.

The following links provide more information about topics we briefly touch on in the chat.

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Featured Track:

  • Push by Liquid Liquid from Discography (1981-1984)
activism, Anarchist, Asia, Bookfair, General, Nepal, Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, Prisons, United States

The “Gen Z” Uprising That Rocked The Nepalese State + 1st PGH Anarchist Book Fair

This week, the show has two segments.

Pittsburgh Anarchist Book Fair

"TFSR 10-19-2025 | Anarcho of Movement in Nepal and The Gen Z Uprising That Rocked The State" and a photo of someone climbing the gilded gates of the Nepalese parliament building, hanging a flag with a skull and crossbones and wearing a straw hat, with the parliament burning in the background
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First up, you’ll hear a brief interview with M, an organizer of the first Pittsburgh anarchist book fair, happening October 24-26 across a few venues in the Steel City

As is anarchist book fair tradition, everything will be free.
We’re renting a few spaces, and expecting a few other costs. Sharing that info here so folks can get a sense of what that looks like. If you/others are inclined and able to support, would be grateful for that.
Attached is an image of the break down as of today, and below is a link we’ll update live time as to what costs look like.
https://pad.riseup.net/p/r.ca0a70f3bd595bb58b9daab4e6d9a576
You can buy a beautiful book fair shirt (design by the illustrious N.O. Bonzo), or simply donate. Venmo: @pghbookfair. (If you’d like a shirt, indicate size in the note – S-3XL; if yr just donating, any emoji or strange note is fine!) Feel free to message for other ways to donate.

“Gen Z” Uprising In Nepal

Then, an interview that I conducted with Anarcho, a member of the Black Book Distro collective out of Kathmandu, Nepal, about the protests and aftermath of the September 2025 “Gen Z” anti-corruption protests that ousted the prime minister, released prisoners and left the parliament in smoldering ruins.

Because we don’t follow a strict chronology of events, we’re including a few articles linked in our show notes for further study. We worked heavily off the interview with members of the Black Book Distro and CrimethInc, which is among those in our show notes.

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Featured Track:

Anarchist, Antifa, Author, Communism, fascism, General, History, Race, Racism, repression, United States

Tariq D. Khan on Americanism and Red Scares

book cover of "The Republic Shall Be Kept Clean" featuring the text "TFSR 10-12-25 | Tariq D. Khan on Americanism & Red Scares" over a political comic of a greek soldier labeled civilization attacking a woman with serpentine qualities labeled Anarchy
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A conversation with Tariq D. Khan, author of The Republic Shall Be Kept Clean: How Settler Colonial Violence Shaped Antileft Repression, out from University of Illinois Press in 2023. In this conversation we talk about the connections between the anti-Indigenous motivations of the genocidal frontier wars in the US and the inward turn to heretical movements pushing for freedom for the laboring classes through the great upheavals of the period known as the Nadir, between the end of post-Civil War Reconstruction and the 1920’s. We talk about the roots of anti-Leftist violence of the various Red Scares and intersections with the institutions and psychology of white supremacy settler colonialism as well as the importance of resistance and education.

We hope you enjoy, and thank you for supporting this project!

A couple of podcasts we like (that have patreons where you get extra goodies) that have with related episodes:

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Featured Track:

Written In Red by UNWOMAN (written by Voltairine DeCleyre)

activism, Autonomy, General, Radio, Technology, United States

Signals Rising On DIY Radio Infrastructure

logo of signals rising featuring a radio tower with 7 radio bolts emanating from it
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This week, an interview with members of Signals Rising, who provide education and support around radio technologies including meshtastic networks as alternative communications or in disaster relief scenarios. Check out their website for resources and ways to get in touch.

A project Signals Rising is collaborating with:

Anarchist, Atlanta, Georgia, Protest, repression, StopCopCity, Transcribed, United States, zine

The End of the Atlanta Stop Cop City RICO 61 Case? (with Nolan Huber)

“TFSR 9-14-25 | The End of the Stop Cop City RICO 61 Case? (with Nolan Huber)” over a picture of people protesting in front of a courthouse in Atlanta holding signs to drop the charges
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This week, we spoke with Nolan Huber of the Atlanta Community Press Collective about recent developments in the case of 61 people facing RICO indictments and other charges in relation to the movement to Stop Cop City, an urban police training center built in south Atlanta’s Weelaunee forest. For the hour we talk about the case, last week’s dismissal of racketeering and arson indictments and other recent victories for the Defend The Forest movement.

You can hear past interviews in our archives by clicking the tag for Stop Cop City and see ACPC’s coverage of the case and other local topics at ATLPressCollective.com. You can learn more about A City In The Forest, the film Nolan’s working on, at https://levomel.com/acitf or following @ACityInTheForest on Instagram. We also brought up support for Jack Mazurek, more info can be found at FreeJack.Co

Also, if you haven’t checked out Outlaw Podcast, they had a recent interview with NLG lawyer Xavier de Janon & defendant Peatmoss on the Stop Cop City RICO 61. Check out this and past episodes of this great, anti-repression podcast. Here are some notes for following up from this episode:

Follow Fire Ant Movement Defense on Instagram @fireantmovementdefense for updates and info on showing up to support in person in Atlanta.

Watch the live stream of the hearings on Youtube via Atlanta Community Press Collective: https://www.youtube.com/ The hearings begin at 9:30am ET and go through the afternoon.

PHONE ZAP: With an important motion hearing for 4 #stopcopcity defendants approaching on September 8th, call & email to demand Georgia AG Chris Carr drop ALL charges!

404-458-3600
FAX: 404-657-8733
EMAIL: AGCarr@law.ga.gov

Pre-Trial Motion Press Release

Donate to support the RICO 61

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Featured Track:

  • My Favorite Mutiny (instrumental) by The Coup from My Favorite Mutiny (Single)

Continue reading The End of the Atlanta Stop Cop City RICO 61 Case? (with Nolan Huber) →

abolition, Anarchist, Belarus, Immigration, Political Prisoner, Politics, Prisons, repression, Russia, Transcribed, UK, United States, zine

Prisoner Support Panel Discussion

line drawing of prison overgrown by nature with the owrds "TFSR 8-24-25 | Prisoner Support Panel"
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As we enter into the 2025 Week of Solidarity with Anarchist Prisoners, we’re sharing a discussion with three anarchists doing prisoner support in different national contexts, prompted by topics brought by the guests. You’ll hear first from Moshe of ABC Belarus, then Nicole of the Solidarity Apothecary and finally from Anya of Solidarity Zone speak on topics such as service work in solidarity, gendered dynamics of care work, difficulties in organizing ongoing and longterm anti-repression work from within exile and diaspora communities, burnout and self-care.

ABC Belarus and Solidarity Apothecary are members of the new federation, Solifdarity.International that we spoke about in our August 10th, 2025 episode.

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Featured Track:

  • The Sticks by The Budos Band from The Burnt Offering

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activism, Anarchist, Oregon, Political Prisoner, Politics, Portland, Prisons, Racism, repression, Transcribed, United States, zine

2020 Uprising Prisoner Malik Muhammad Speaks from Snake River DC in Oregon

two sketches of Malik Muhammad (one from in front, the other in profile) plus "TFSR 8-17-25 | 2020 Uprising Prisoner Malik Muhammad Speaks from Snake River DC in Oregon"
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This week, we’re sharing a recent interview with anarchist prisoner Malik Muhammad. Malik is 3 years into a 10 year concurrent federal and Oregon sentence for alleged use of molotov cocktails during the 2020 uprising and is currently incarcerated at the Snake River Detention Facility, in the hole.

We speak about Malik’s politicization, their case, realities and organizing in the Oregon prison system, keeping connections with the outside, Malik’s writing and inspiration. You can find more about their case and at malikspeaks.noblogs.org and you can find their support’s mastodon at https://kolektiva.social/@malikspeaks .

You can write Malik via:
Malik Muhammad #23935744
Snake River Correctional Institution
777 Stanton Blvd
Ontario, OR 97914-8335

Continue reading 2020 Uprising Prisoner Malik Muhammad Speaks from Snake River DC in Oregon →

AK Press, Anarchist, Author, California, Climate Change, Disaster Relief, Housing, Mutual Aid, Transcribed, United States, zine

Mutual Aid in CA’s Fire Country (with Dani Burlison)

cover of "Red Flag Warning: Mutual Aid and Survival in California’s Fire Country" + TFSR 7-27-25 | Mutual Aid in CA's Fire Country (with Dani Burlison)"
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This week, we’re sharing this a chat with my friend, Dani Burlson on her recent book, Red Flag Warning: Mutual Aid and Survival in California’s Fire Country! We speak about fire ecology, housing pressures and mutual aid in the wake of natural (and human caused) disaster. Check the show notes for links to a few projects mentioned. You can find more of Dani’s writings at DaniBurlison.com/, books listed here, and more by Caw at CawShinyThings.com

Northern CA projects mentioned:

Southern CA projects mentioned:

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Featured Track:

Be Yourself by Air Power from Be Yourself 12″

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Anarchist, Asheville, Bookfair, General, Immigration, repression, Texas, Transcribed, United States, Virginia, zine

DFW Support Committee, A Better World Bookfair + Save The UNCA Woods

montage of a flyer for A Better World Book Fair with line drawings of simple items and a circle A, alongside a picture of a mockingbird on a mesquite branch in front of a blue sky, a graphic for Save The Woods featuring a number of animals
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This week on the podcast, we’re featuring three segments. First up, A member of DFW Support Committee, then organizers of the A Better World Bookfair in Waynesboro, VA and finally, organizers working to save the UNCA woods

DFW Support Committee

First up, you’ll hear a member of the DFW Support Committee supporting the defendants arrested on and around July 4th in relation to a solidarity noise demonstration outside the Prairieland ICE Detention Facility in Alvarado, Texas, in which a local police officer was injured. We speak about the case, the expanding web of repression against leftists in the area, what’s at stake in the case and how to support the 11 defendants.

You can reach them at dfwsupportcommittee@hacari.com and you can donate at https://www.givesendgo.com/supportdfwprotestors  and here’s a zine of info put out thus far by DFW Support Committee [00:01:40 – 00:35:19]

MAILING INSTRUCTIONS

Guidelines for writing (important!)
All mail is monitored by state and federal law enforcement. Be extremely mindful of what you are writing. Do not under any circumstance discuss the facts of the case, and do not include overtly political commentary. Consider writing about fun things you’ve done, telling stories, or sending poetry!
All addresses must be formatted as follows and should include a return address if possible.
Full name
Johnson County Detention Center 1800 Ridgemar Drive
Cleburne, TX 76031

NAMES AND BOOKING NUMBERS

  • Savanna Batten 202502020
  • Ines Soto 202502008
  • Elizabeth Soto 202502014
  • Seth Sikes 202502010
  • Maricela Rueda 202502018
  • Meagan Morris 202502011
  • Joy Gibson 202502016
  • Nathan Baumann 202502009
  • Autumn Hill 202502023
  • Zachary Evetts 202502013
  • Daniel Sanchez Estrada 202502039

A Better World Book Fair

Next, you’ll hear Beet and Mad Dog, two anarchists organizing the upcoming A Better World Bookfair in Waynesboro, VA on Saturday, July 26th. We talk about the bookfair and taking space in rural locales as leftists and strengthening our bonds amidst the rise of the right under Trump 2.0. [00:35:56 – 01:02:11]

Links

Save The UNCA Woods

Then, you’ll hear Callie and Heather of Friends of the Woods talking about their campaign to save the UNCA woods, 45 acres in Asheville’s Five Points neighborhood from destruction by the university in a scheme to build a 5,000 seat soccer stadium, market rate housing and retail spaces. You can learn more at www.SaveUNCAWoods.org. [ 01:02:58 – 01:42:44 ]

Finally, Sean Swain speaks about the ODRC’s war on art… his art… [ 01:42:44 – 01:51:10 ]

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Featured Track:

  • Mercy, Mercy, Mercy by Cannonball Adderly from The Best of Cannonball Adderly The Capitol Years

Continue reading DFW Support Committee, A Better World Bookfair + Save The UNCA Woods →

Author, Children, fascism, gender, Religion, Transcribed, United States, zine

Christian Nationalism, Apocalyptic Visions + Child Welfare (with Talia Lavin)

“TFSR 6-29-25 | Christian Nationalism, Apocalyptic Visions + Child Welfare (with Talia Lavin)” featuring the book cover of “Wild Faith: How The Christian Right Is Taking Over America” with a winding, red snake whose tongue is a cross
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This week, we’re sharing an interview with Talia Lavin, author of Culture Warlords: My Journey into the Dark Web of White Supremacy. In this chat, we speak about her more recent book, Wild Faith: How the Christian Right is Taking Over America. There’s a lot in the book, most of it pretty disturbing (especially, I’m sure, for anyone who is ex-vangelical) and there is discussion of hateful ideology and child abuse and corporal punishment, though not in lurid detail, so listener discretion is advised. We hope to cover related topics in the future.

Links:

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Featured Track:

  • Voice Of God Is Government by Bad Religion from How Could Hell Be Any Worse

Continue reading Christian Nationalism, Apocalyptic Visions + Child Welfare (with Talia Lavin) →