The Weed Out

A podcast by abolitionists for those who are in the mood to hear that discussion. We are Western Massachusetts based but hope to resonate everywhere. Discussions will focus on both local topics and events that impact us all on a broad level and could be applied to people all over the country.

We will share ways to get involved with direct action, information on how to make records requests from public officials, and good news about our area and beyond! We hope you will listen and follow along with us as we weed out the nonsense in our town and maybe even yours too.

Follow us on Twitter & please reach out if you want to connect with us directly!

Tweets by theweedout

Podcasts

EP67: Justice for Sandra Birchmore/Karen Read case with Laura Saylor as cohost!

Laura Saylor guest cohosts with Spencer, in this episode, and they get into the Karen Read cause out East along with the tragic case of Sandra Birchmore. Come for the true crime updates and stay for the ghoulery and tomfoolery! Thanks for your support. xoxo

EP66: Congressman McGovern

Listen in to Spence and co-host Akil Vicks discuss all things local with Congressman McGovern. There will also be some back and forth about some difficult topics near and far! Don’t forget to stay for ghoulery and tomfoolery at the end of the discussion 🙂 – thanks for the support xoxo

• ICC seeking arrest warrant of Bibi and war secretary (and HAMAS)
• Ghoulery and Tomfoolery

EP61 Akil Vicks from On One

Akil Vicks is a local writer and activist. Akil is from Philadelphia and has a background in research. He is currently working on multiple writing projects including contributing to Jacobin. Join us for a discussion about the election year, local politics, and more!

Links

• On One – Akil Vicks on Substack
• Find his work in Jacobin here!

EP60: Michael Hitchcock joins us!

For episode 60, we get an update on the Berkshires biggest town – Pittsfield (they have a new Mayor) and are facing a housing crisis. Michael weighs in on this and gives us all an update on what he and his wife are doing with their organization Roots & Dreams and Mustard Seeds Inc.

Many of us Western Ma folx know and love King Kone – get an update on that too!

xoxo

EP59: RiverValleyPSL returns to report back from the 1/13 March on Washington

RiverValleyPSL joins us again after visiting DC on JAN. 13th to protest the genocide in Gaza. There were reports of 400,000 thousand people that gathered together with this common demand for the President and the leaders of the West who are engaging in these actions. 

Tune in to hear about the experience from a group that went locally!

EP58: Sierra Dickey – writer, educator & organizer joins us!

EP57: RiverValleyPSL joins us!

On January 13th, the RiverValleyPSL is heading to DC to come together with other like minded people to “deliver a powerful message” that is asking for ceasefire and the US to disengage with the genocide in Gaza. 

Over 100 people from Western Ma will ride from Amherst, Northampton, and Springfield to meet in D.C. – they hope you will join them!

If you’d like to join them and have not yet registered please do so here!

If you can’t go, but want to donate please do so! You can do that here:

Donate here

EP55: Beware of the inner ableist

We are talking ableism and how it is baked into our language and so many things that it is something we all have to work on pushing back on the norm. If you are not someone who is disabled, we discuss how someday we will all face some kind of disability. The word disability is another term that is often criticized by those who are differently abled as it implies difference and inability in the name. This is one example of how it permeates the language and culture that we live in. Thanks for listening and considering ableism and how it impacts us all! Take care!

xoxo,

Joanna & Spencer

EP54: All cats are beautiful!

Spencer and Joanna will be talking all things CATS! The cute little fur balls are often used as a symbol of antifascists movements, they are the assigned pet of “witches”, and they really bring the joy and the are only a few of the things we discuss.

We could not resist a chance to chat about our cats and the different ways they are used as symbols that align with our values. As always, we also will include some local ghoulery & tomfoolery. All of the shelters in Western, Ma are a great place to find a wonderful new family member. Please consider adopting a fur baby during this cold season if you are able. Take care all!

xoxo

EP51 Owen Broadhurst talks Holyoke Police & Worker’s Party MA

Owen Broadhurst is a local organizer and friend of The Weed Out. He joins us to discuss recent sweeps of certain neighborhoods in Holyoke that have impacted not only Owen’s close connections but neighbors to all of us in the Western Ma Community. The police arrested some for not having ID on them and this should not be the case. Owen also gives the audience an update on The Worker’s Party here in Western Ma and how to get involved if you would like to know more or join. Thanks for listening, sharing and following along! We appreciate you all 🙂

xo,

Joanna & Spence

EP50: Laura Saylor talks with us about justice for Sandra Birchmore & more

Laura Saylor joins us to give us some updates on what is going on in her part of the state (Eastern, MA). She gives us an update on Ron Sellon and the protesting her and her organizers are doing regarding this Police Chief being able to keep his position. Further, she talks about why she is still focusing on Sandra Birchmore and will continue to protest and meet with the people that have information that should be used to bring some kind of justice for Sandra.

EP49: Decarcerate Western MA talks No 3/5ths Coalition

Danielle and Tamik (who is a person who remains incarcerated in Hampden County) join Spence and Joanna to ask the Western Ma Community for your help. We discuss the No Longer 3/5ths Coalition and what that means for those that remain incarcerated here in MA. The ability for those people to have the right to vote was taken away in 2000. We need people to gather signature to restore this right for those incarcerate. Please listen in as to why and how you can help.

• Overview of No Longer 3/5ths Coaltion
• Decarcerate Western MA to get involved!

EP48: Defund 413 joins us

Listen in to hear from Defund 413! We ask them who they are and what they are all about. Spence chats to one of the members Birdy about what is happening in Amherst, MA right now along with the CRESS program and the local elections that are coming up on Tuesday, November 7th. Please share with those you know in that town and listen in to hear about what is happening in a community here in Western Ma that addresses needs of the citizens and removes police interactions and so much more!

• Elections in Amherst – Tuesday, November 7th
• Defund 413 – Instagram

EP47: Trader Joe’s United – Hadley, MA

This episode is an update from the Trader Joe’s United Union here in Hadley, MA. Listen in for some updates on what’s going on, how we as a community can help, and how the National Union campaign is going for Trader Joe’s! 

• Trader Joe’s United

EP46: Katie Talbot from N2N joins us with some updates

Katie Talbot is back with some good news and some updates from Neighbor to Neighbor. There are some local elections, housing organizing and dates that are coming up to watch out for, and some initiatives at the state level that we can all take action on. Listen in to here more about how you can get involved with your neighbors!

• https://n2nma.org/

EP45: 9/11 and Copaganda – Special Episode

It’s 9/11 and how could anyone ever forget with the way the media and government have used this tragedy. Listen in as we discuss 9/11, the aftermath, and why it’s important to have discussions about this date that reflects on more than the narratives assigned to it.

EP44: Laura Saylor updates on Sandra Birchmore

Laura Saylor is an activist, abolitionist and organizer in Mansfield, MA. She is dedicated to finding the truth about what happened to Sandra Birchmore on in Eastern Mass (Canton/Stoughton area). She was a young woman who lost her life too young and deserves the truth to come out about what really happened to her. This case involves police officers and DAs who still are in their positions and have done nothing or have moved up or onto different positions of power. Join us and find out more and how to help if you are able to attend a few stand-outs planned in the coming months.

EP43: Special Report – Northampton, MA

On Sunday (August 13th), a group of people (around 100 people) gathered outside of City Hall in Northampton, MA.  This group was demanding action for the police brutality that was recently brought to light by theshoestring.org. The incident from this report took place on April 4th but it should be noted that there are two other people currently suing Northampton Police for their inappropriate use of force. The organizers of this event were the Workers Party of Western MA, The Communist Party, Party of Socialism of Liberation of the Pioneer Valley. Please listen in for more from some of the organizers and attendees of this protest.

Ep42: Police Brutality in Northampton, MA

Content Warning: This episode discusses police brutality and violence against civilians. Please be advised.

******

On April 4th, Holyoke resident Marisol Driouech was stopped for a headlight out on her vehicle. Driouech was picking up a delivery for an online food ordering service when they were stopped by the police. It then turned violent for Driouech rather quickly with the Northampton police being the ones to carry out the violence. This story was covered by theshoestring.org and can be found here.

EP40: Mass Transparency Project with Jeff Raymond

Jeff Raymond of the Mass Transparency Project joins us for our 40th episode. Jeff talks about why having access to public records is important to accessing how money is being used and allocated in a community. It can be a way for the community to tell what is happening with individual municipal employees, etc. Join us to hear some of the wild stories Jeff has from getting some information he has requested. You will also be surprised (or not!) that he still has a large number of appeals pending as many public records have not been freely given yet. What a great discussion about community and the power we have as citizens, local journalists, and community members!

Links

• Mass Transparency Project
• Jeff Raymond on Twitter
• Mass Transparency on Twitter
• Find previous episodes mentioned here!

EP39: Local Headlines with Spencer and Joanna

This time we are breaking out some fresh local headlines to talk about and share with y’all. Some have to do with beekeeping, the Trader Joe’s Union, others are about local town budgets, and along the way we discuss the importance of the DPW and how the police are really the ones defunding their own communities. Join us for some local news and laughs! 

Links

• Trader Joe’s union
• Beekeeping eviction story
• Budget Stuff – Holyoke Passed $163.7 million 
• Greenfield Passed $61.6 million-6.5% increase from 2022
• Pittsfield passed $200 million budget

EP38: Andrew Quemere talks the Northwestern DA lawsuit for Public Records

One of our favorite journalists, Andrew Quemere joins us to discuss the Northwestern DA here in MA withholding public records. Andrew was persistent in asking for records and had to put in multiple appeals. These are requests that Andrew has made to multiple DA’s throughout the state. DA Sullivan did not agree that these records should be made public. Listen in to find out what happened with Andrew’s public records requests, how he will proceed and how you can get assistance if this were to happen to you.

• Andrew Quemere – The Mass Dump
• Andrew breaks down this case further here!
• Bill Shaner – Worcester Sucks and I love it!
• Harvard Law clinics

EP37: Holyoke Memes on the scene

In this episode, one of the admins from the IG account Holyoke Memes joins us to discuss local politics, shit posting and how it can be cathartic and also bring awareness and how important it is to laugh! Please join us for a fun and informative discussion.

• Holyoke Memes on IG

EP36: Solidarity Economy Festival & Gathering in Pittsfield, MA

In the field discussions with attendees and organizers of the festival and gathering in Pittsfield, MA.

EP35: Draven Dolores joins us

This episode we speak with Draven Dolores a Springfield resident who is a native and has faced being an unhoused youth. Draven has founds resources in the community that helped and made it possible for them to find housing, get a degree and find work. Draven is an activist who focuses on local government, housing, and had even travelled to DC with Neighbor to Neighbor and others to discuss housing issues that the Federal Level. Please listen in for local resources. Draven shows how important it is to uplift the community with help and not violence.

• Gandara
• Neighbor to Neighbor
• Draven’s Instagram and Facebook

EP34: Barnes and Noble Hadley Union Organizers – 2

Izzie & Thalia join us for a second time after their recent vote on Friday, May 25th. It was a unanimous vote to move forward and unionize. Please join us to celebrate this win with them, talk about what is coming, and learn how to support them on the long road ahead!

• Follow Barnes and Noble Union on Instagram!

EP33: Finding joy with Spencer and Joanna

How do you find your joy? Do you find it in the little things? Do you like to plan ahead and have something “big” to look forward to or maybe it’s a mix of it all? No matter how you find it we hope everyone knows how important it is to take a step back sometimes and see all the good there is in this beautiful World. Spencer and Joanna talk about gardening, obviously, and so much more! You’ll have to listen in to see what else bring us joy. 

We give more information on the Solidarity Economy Festival & Gathering that will take place in Pittsfield at the Common Park on June 10th. The festival goes June 10th & 11th – Please check out the website! We hope to see you there. We will be asking – “What keeps you safe? & What brings you joy?” to festival goers who are willing to record with us for a few minutes at a time. Either way, we hope to see you on June 10th!

EP32: Michael Hitchcock of Roots and Dreams and Mustard Seeds in Pittsfield

EP31: Local Headlines with Joanna & Spencer

Michael Hitchcock of Roots and Dreams and Mustard Seeds joins us for a second time. Michael fills us in on what he and his spouse are working on while co-directing the non-profit in downtown Pittsfield. We talk a little bit about the upcoming mayoral race in Pittsfield as it is that time for a number of municipalities in Western, MA. 

On June 10th & 11th the Solidarity Economy Festival & Gathering will be held at the Common Park in downtown Pittsfield. Please head down to the Common on June 10th there is a Farmers Market in the morning that you can even check out! Visit the link for more information on attending or hosting a table.

• Link to Episode 14 with Michael
• Mayoral Race in Pittsfield

We heard you when you reached out after the last episode on local headlines and are back at it in this episode. We have gathered stories from all over Western, MA along with one focusing on the State and one being national news. We select stories that highlight either issues in the community or things we can celebrate – such at upcoming Berkshire Pride. Listen in for all the good, bad, the funny and so much more!

All of the news articles discussed in the show:

• Greenfield mayor’s proposed $61.6M budget curtails school fundingGREENFIELD — Mayor Roxann Wedegartner submitted a $61.6 million budget proposal for fiscal year 2024 on Monday, representing a 6.5% increase….1 month ago
• WWLPMayor Roxann Wedegartner of Greenfield announces run for re-electionGREENFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Greenfield Mayor Rox ann Wedegartner has announced her plans to run for re-election..1 week ago
• The 7th Annual Berkshire Pride Week will be held for five days beginning on Wednesday, May 31, 2023.
• Pittsfield Public Schools now have three school resource officers
• Western Mass NewsHolyoke Police Captain Manuel Reyes placed on administrative leaveHOLYOKE, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) – As of Tuesday afternoon, Captain Manuel Reyes of the Holyoke Police Department has been placed on….1 month ago
• https://theshoestring.org/2023/04/11/harassment-prevention-order-upheld-against-holyoke-pd-captain/
• https://www.westernmassnews.com/2023/04/07/getting-answers-springfield-police-department-rebuttal-2020-doj-report/
• https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/massachusetts-house-speaker-ron-mariano-rejects-audit-of-legislature-diana-dizoglio/
• Austin Police Association refuses to acknowledge legitimacy of an 80-20 measure to install a civilian oversight board.  The union does not want more oversight
• https://twitter.com/ATXPOA/status/1655051898762690561?s=20

EP30: Barnes and Noble Hadley – Union organizers join us for a chat!

It’s the 30th episode of The Weed Out and we are so excited to bring you 3 of the Union Organizers from Hadley, MA who helped establish and intent to unionize. They are the second store in the country and we are so happy for them to give us some of the details so that we can support them as a community and continue to uplift all workers. Solidarity with all unions and workers!

• Barnes & Noble Workers In Hadley To Unionize – theshoestring.org
• Follow B&N Union on Instagram
• Follow B&N Union on Twitter

EP29: Laura Saylor talks Police Brutality/Corruption out East

Laura Saylor joins us for a second discussion about police brutality and corruption happening out in Eastern, MA. These are not specific to Western, MA but are not so far away that we should not all take notice and be aware of what is happening nearby. The Chief in one town is refusing to leave after being dismissed. A woman has been allegedly framed by a group of Police for murder of her partner who was also a cop. Lastly, we will talk more about the Sandra Birchmore case as Laura and others hope for justice for Sandra. All of these incidents involve cops using the status and positions to enact brutality or engage in corruption. This is not only happening in the towns we talk about out East, it is happening everywhere! We must take back our towns and we can start with out budgets. This season, please urge your city or town government not to give the police more money but to fund other public social programs that will uplift and help the community.

• EP21: Laura Saylor joins us to discuss the Sandra Birchmore case & more!
• Mansfield’s labor lawyer says town in talks about the future of embattled police chief
• Prosecutors say forensic evidence bolsters murder charge against Karen Read in death of Boston police officer
• New evidence could exonerate girlfriend charged in Boston police officer’s death, defense claim
• Family sues ex-Stoughton cops, town for wrongful death in sex abuse scandal
• Stoughton police officers had inappropriate relationships with young woman who was later found dead, officials say

Episode 28: Decarcerate Western Mass

Decarcerate Western Mass joins Joanna & Spencer to discuss all the great things they are doing in the region. Decarcerate Western Mass “is a coalition of people and organizations that came together at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic with the purpose of supporting incarcerated folks and getting people released.” They are an abolitionist group, aiming to reduce the number of people incarcerated in prisons and jails with a local focus in Western Mass. 

• Decarcerate Western Mass

Episode 27: Local headlines with Joanna & Spencer

Listen in for some local headlines from all around Western, Mass. Some you may have read and others you may not have seen. They are stories that are good to focus on as municipalities throughout the region set their budgets. The budgets we have show our values as a community. Thank you for listening and you all take care!

• San Jose police union exec charged with attempt to import, sell valeryl fentanyl, officials say
• Public records reveal domestic drama ahead of suspension, departure of North Adams police chief
• Records obtained under new Mass. law show Holyoke police dismiss nearly all civilian complaints
• Holyoke Police Department sustained three out of 92 complaints
• Holyoke PD Captain Suspended Amid Sexual Misconduct Allegations
• Community Members Oppose More Police in Pittsfield Schools
• Greenfield Police to hire 3 officers, 1 dispatcher to help cover overnight shifts

Episode 26: Will Meyer Co-Editor of The Shoestring

Joanna & Spencer have a chat with Will Meyer of the Shoestring about local media. We discuss local independent journalists and how important this is as we continue to see more and more news sources having layoffs, closing, or being PR for local police departments or businesses.

Please listen in and maybe you will be interested in reaching out to the Shoestring to write a local story or you may start following them to keep informed – either way, enjoy & take good care!

• The Shoestring
• Easthampton Officers Are Using Force. But Are They Properly Reporting It?
• Records obtained under new Mass. law show Holyoke police dismiss nearly all civilian complaints – NEPM

Episode 25: Katie Talbot from Neighbor to Neighbor

Join us for a lovely chat with Katie Talbot a Lead Organizer of Neighbor to Neighbor. Katie has been involved with N2N for 10 years and has lived in Western, Ma her entire life. Katie works with the organization now to make direct change in communities that need it like Holyoke and Springfield. Katie has helped citizens advocate against ShotSpotter, has most recently been able to set up a free community garden, and is working with the Western Ma Tenants Union to get a Department of Tenants rights established in Holyoke, MA!

• Neighbor to Neighbors webpage
• Katie’s contact and direct info at N2N

Episode 24: The Weed Out & The Young Jurks – Spence and Mike get into it!

This episode of The Weed Out features Mike Crawford of The Young Jurks. Spence and Mike do some cross pollinating of our shows and direct action that focus on Worker’s rights here in MA and beyond!

Thank you, Mike, for joining us this time – can’t wait to do it again.

• Here you can to listen to The Young Jurks
• Trulieve Holyoke cultivation death raises questions – The Young Jurks

Episode 23: Records requests with Andrew Quemere – Part 2

Joanna and Spencer are joined by Andrew Quemere again to finish up our talk on the Records request process here in MA. As we said in the last episode, the law states that citizens have access to certain information.

Andrew discussed the law and how to make a request in part 1. This episode focuses on the appeal process and what to do if you aren’t getting the records you are requesting. 

Check out links to info mentioned in the episode below:

• Need to appeal a records request – click here!
• Need a template – here ya go!
• Go check out Andrew’s page and pay him some money, please 🙂

Episode 22: Andrew Quemere & records requests in MA – Part 1

Joanna and Spencer are joined by Andrew Quemere in this episode about records requests and the freedom of information act. Here in MA, citizens have access to certain information. Andrew will discuss this law with us and some pros and cons. This is part 1 of a focus on public records with Andrew who is an expert on this topic and will walk us through the process as we go along. Please join us!

• The Mass Dump – Andrew’s substack and story on Maura Healey & more!
• MA law on records request/freedom of information

Episode 21: Laura Saylor joins us to discuss the Sandra Birchmore case & more!

Laura Saylor, of the Workers Party, joins us this week to discuss the case of Sandra Birchmore which takes place in Canton, Ma as well as a number of other towns in Eastern, Ma. Birchmore was 13 when she was first introduced to her abusers through a school resources program that connects police officers with children. Sandra died pregnant after years of sexual abuse and trafficking at the hands of those who were supposed to serve and protect her. Laura will also discuss a bit about the Workers Party and another police murder in Easton, MA of Marianne Griffiths when the cops were called for a wellness check. 

• The Workers Party Massachusetts
• The Case Podcast – Sandra Birchmore
• Melanie Griffiths murdered by police in Easton, Ma on a wellness check

Episode 20: Local Organizing & how to get involved with Dev

In this episode, we had a great discussion with Dev a local organizer and activist. Dev is affiliated with the Party for Socialism and Liberation and is working with others who hope to focus on their values and grow here in Western, Ma as a group. Dev and members of the local PLS group work closely with other local groups like the Western Ma Worker’s Party as well as the Tenants Union of Western MA, Northampton Abolition Now, and others. Dev and the organizers he works with hope to uplift the community and imagine a better future for us all. 

• More information on the Party of Socialism and Liberation
• Liberationnews.org to read the PSL newsletter

Episode 19: Andrew Quemere discussing police brutality in the Berkshires

Please listen in while we talk with Andrew Quemere about police brutality in a tiny town in the farthest Western corner of the state. Not only does this story involve the police in two small towns, but all the way from Pittsfield Chief of Police, the Berkshire County DA, and the Mass State Police.

Andrew is an independent investigative journalist and his work can be found on The Mass Dump a newsletter he writes focusing on public records, police, and the legal system in Massachusetts. Please follow, share, and subscribe to get updates!

• “She just knocked herself out”: A tale of alleged police brutality in Berkshire County
• Link directly to the video on YouTube

Episode 18 – Copaganda News Hour: Cambridge PD & Berkshire DA

Join Spencer and Joanna to talk about the recent murder of Sayed Faisal in Cambridge and things shared by the Berkshire DA regarding recent drug busts and tie these issues together in how both utilize copaganda to direct the narrative to the public. We have spoken about copaganda in the past and we will keep speaking about it. It is part of our media that is often hard to identify.

• Cambridge police murder Sayed Faisal
• Berkshire DA makes claims about a drug seizure
• Pittsfield police murdered Miguel Estrella
• @EqualityAlec on twitter
• @msolurin on twitter
• Go watch Super Troopers!

Episode 17: Social work & abolition with Bridget Kearney

We dive right into a discussion on social work with Bridget Kearney, LICSW who will explain the different roles in society. Also, we discuss abolition in relation to social work and what those individuals can do either personally or with in the systems we currently have to be agents for positive change.

Please check out the links below where Bridget shared a number of resources with us!

• Network to Advance Abolitionist Social Work
• @socialworkerscankissmyass – Kelsey has a MA in SW is PNW based, & practices from community-centered frameworks
• Follow Social Service Workers United-Chicago on Twitter or Insta – SW organizing for better pay, improved working conditions, & collective liberation for us + clients. Not a union but we all need ‘em.
• The End of Social Work 
• Anti-Oppressive Practice
• Dorothy Roberts- sociologist who writes about child welfare system/ family carceral system: “Shattered Bonds” “Torn Apart”

Episode 16: Real Talk with Spencer Fox

For this episode, Spencer goes solo and discusses Copoganda. It permeates much of society through the news, TV shows, social media, and so on. 

There are a number of people theweedout would like to feature here who call out copaganda and explain it even further in some of their bodies of work. We have tagged some of those people below along with local news publication TheShoestring.org who also avoids such misuse of their platform.

• Alec Karakatsanis has a substack & is @equalityAlec on Twitter
• Olayemi Olurin has a substack & is @msolurin on Twitter
• Andrew Quemere has a substack & is @Andrewqmr on Twitter
• Dusty Christensen is on theshoestring.org & is @dustyc123 on Twitter
• Scott Hechinger is a public defender & is @ScottHech on Twitter

Episode 15: The Lady Killigrew is now unionized

The Lady Killigrew in Montague, MA now has a staff union after a unanimous vote. All eight non-management staff voted “yes” at a meeting they held on 12/14/2022. Please listen in as Artemis Duffy discusses this process, how the community responds and their hopes for the future!

• The Lady Killigrew Staff Have Voted To Unionize
• UFCW Local 1459 Announcement

Episode 14: Talking with Michael Hitchcock about all things Pittsfield & beyond

Please listen in as we talk with our friend from Pittsfield, MA – Michael Hitchcock. We discuss what he is working on currently as well as dive into the local history that helps listeners understand the politics in Pittsfield. These stories may not be so different from your own while also displaying a uniqueness that is very moving. Michael has a deep passion for justice, worker’s rights, and the generally well-being of others. We are so happy he was able to join us and so proud to call him a friend!

• Roots and Dreams and Mustard Seeds – Michael’s Organization mentioned in this episode
• Shoestring article on the murder of Miguel Estrella by the Pittsfield Police
• Article discussing the retirement of Pittsfield Police Chief Wynn

Episode 13: A conversation with John “JR” Rivera

Please join us as we talk with JR about the Western, Ma Tenants Union, Holyoke Politics and some other important things happening in your community! Check out the link below to connect directly with the Tenants Union.

Call to action: December 12th at 6:30pm at City Hall in Holyoke please show up and how your support for the Tenants Union of Western, MA at the Town Hall that will take place at this time. More information in the links!

• Tenants Union of Western MA
• Town Hall: December 12th at 6:30pm at Holyoke City Hall

Episode 12: Suher and other local ghoulery

Please join us to discuss downtown Northampton and one of the biggest real estate ghouls there – Eric Suher. We will discuss how this impacts the community and the economy. There have been lawsuits from employees for wage theft issues over the years and building sit rotting.

Beyond that, we will discuss some other local news organizations and will point out how they continue to use copaganda. Not only do they take police PR and print it without question, but often actual news isn’t even posted it’s an Ad or plain nonsense which is a real shame.

We are thankful to get to talk about these issues and for your support. We will be having others join us in the next episodes to discuss other local issues. It is exciting to get to bring you this information, please reach out with any stories you’d like to hear us cover or share with us.

• A music empire goes dark: Musicians, club owners wonder what’s happened to Iron Horse Entertainment Group
• Owner of Iron Horse, in Northampton, hit with another labor complaint
• Suher on $100K hook for wage, hour violations; Northampton business owner to appea
• AG, Suher reach settlement for alleged violation of worker rights
• Northampton Sues Eric Suher
• Editorial: How do you solve a problem like Eric Suher?
• Eric Suher: “I Bleed Blue” – The Shoestring

Episode 11: The Police next door – The Worcester PD & the DOJ

Join us as we discuss the Worcester Police Department’s recent news that the DOJ will be taking over to conduct an audit. Worcester is in Central MA so about an hour from where we are located and we thought since Springfield, MA recently was investigated as well (in the last few years) we could discuss that too.

Thanks for listening. – take care, everybody!

• Justice Dept. begins probe of Worcester Police Department
• Two weeks after damning racial equity report, Worcester City Council punts discussion to subcommittee
• Worcester city councilors react to ‘disheartening’ racial equity audit
• Justice Department Announces Findings of Investigation into Narcotics Bureau of Springfield, Massachusetts Police Department
• Defense attorney Dana Goldblatt told the council that recording police officers to prevent civil rights infractions “doesn’t work.”
• Offensive political dog whistles: you know them when you hear them. Or do you?

Episode 10: Let’s talk Unions

Listen in while we discuss union organizing, worker solidarity, and what that looks like locally and all over. Union popularity is the highest it’s been in 20 years. We see Starbucks, Amazon, and a number of other stores and businesses where workers are organizing. We are excited about this increase in interest in worker’s rights and hope you are too! 

The links below go directly to information & data discussed in this episode.

• Right to Work laws and what it means for workers
• Chris Smalls, Amazon Union Leader speaking to Congress
• Elizabeth Warren’s bill to overturn Right to work in the 27 states where it still is in place. MA is a right to work state
• More unions are popping up across the state!
• Trader Joe’s in Hadley Unionizes
• Sysco in MA was on strike – reached agreements with new contracts!
• Kansas Police won’t respond to calls (strike) to try and “get their way”

Episode 9: More from the Holyoke City Council focusing on the 10/18/22 meeting

On 10/18/2022, Holyoke City Council had a meeting. There were not a bunch of people there for public comment, but there was conflict between councilors. The tension that seems to be there regarding the public comment for some of the councilors seems to carry over in the way they interact with one another. Please listen along to hear what two councilors that we highlighted had to say and let us know if this is happening in your town.

The links below go directly to information & data discussed in this episode.

• Holyoke City Council Meeting October 18, 2022
• Holyoke City Councilor Wilmer Puello-Mota sues to retain seat after expulsion over child porn charges
• Planning Board Letter to the City Council (from August 2022) regarding some members conduct

Episode 8: Spencer interviews Joanna

Episode 7: In deep with Spencer Fox Peterson

In this episode, Joanna will interview Spencer and dive in with some personal questions all the way from “Where were you born?” to “Why this now?”…

This will give the audience some more in-depth information about the co-host. In our next episode we will swap roles, so you will get to hear form both us us. If you have questions after listening, please email or reach out to us on social media we are happy to touch base.

Thanks for listening, we appreciate you!

Episode 6: The Prison Industrial Complex

This episode focuses on the Prison Industrial Complex in the US. Please join us as we discuss this system while imagining new ways and with that a more just and safe future for us all.

Most institutions in the US are focused on punitive actions, specifically incarcerating individuals. News and media focus on rising crime narratives even when it is not the case and when someone does something “illegal” it is the norm to think well they should be punished which may include spending time in jail. 

People who can’t pay cash bail after an arrest are part of the population that the United States holds within the prison industrial complex – these are people that have not had their day in court yet. A way to look at the scale and uniqueness of the U.S mass incarceration would be that less than 5% of the world’s population is in the United States, but 20% of the world’s incarcerated people are right here.

So, if this one system – for example – is not working our society should be able to come up with a new way to address the issues that put people into a situation where they may become incarcerated. Housing, education, food, and access to health care are all ways to prevent individuals from getting into a situation that may end up considered a crime in the United States.

Private companies become involved in all aspects of the prison industrial complex. There are companies that are overseeing probation even. The Human Rights watch states that “Each year, US courts sentence several hundred thousand people to probation and place them under the supervision of for-profit companies for months or years at a time. They then require probationers to pay these companies for their services. Many of these offenders are only guilty of minor traffic violations like speeding or driving without proof of insurance. Others have shoplifted, been cited for public drunkenness, or committed other misdemeanor crimes. Many of these offenses carry no real threat of jail time in and of themselves, yet each month, courts issue thousands of arrest warrants for offenders who fail to make adequate payments towards fines and probation company fees.” It should alarm people that we are profiting off of keeping people incarcerated and letting private companies be the ones to oversee this as their only motive is profit.

Again, we ask you to consider what is a crime, why does this system exist, and what can we do better for all of society. We should be focusing on prevention and harm reduction and that is not what the Prison Industrial Complex does. Please check out our last link to get involved locally with Decarcerate Western MA. Thanks for listening and supporting us in any way that you can – we appreciate you!

The links below go directly to information & data discussed in this episode.

• Loopholes have preserved slavery for more than 150 years after abolition
• Tracking the Deaths in New York City’s Jail System in 2022
• 4 out of 5 people in prison or jail are locked up for something other than a drug offense — either a more serious offense or an even less serious one. To end mass incarceration, we will have to change how our society and our criminal legal system responds to crimes more serious than drug possession. We must also stop incarcerating people for behaviors that are even more benign.
• How Some European Prisons Are Based on Dignity Instead of Dehumanization
• 5 ways prisoners have been used for profit in US history – NPR article referenced in the episode.
• Arizona Department of Corrections Director David Shinn said Arizona communities would “collapse” without cheap prison labor, during testimony before the Joint Legislative Budget Committee in July 2022
• Explanation on No Cost Calls in California and what this means
• The Uncounted Workforce and how prison labor impacts people in the US – NPR
• Economics of Incarceration – Prison Policy – Please check this stuff out!
• MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF LGBTQ+ INCARCERATED PEOPLE. Become a Pen Pal.
• Decarcerate Western Massachusetts is a coalition working to secure the release of incarcerated people who are most vulnerable to the ravages of the coronavirus pandemic, to amplify and respond to the needs of incarcerated people and their families, and to build a future without mass incarceration. – Please check them out to get involved locally!

Episode 5: Police are defunding the community

In this episode, we are going to discuss how the police are defunding the community in a number of ways. There are examples here in Western, Ma and countless ones nationally too. Be it through seizure of property, extortion, misconduct or bogus overtime rules in their contracts municipalities are paying out money that could be used for the community. Instead, over and over again tax payers are forced to bail out the police who are already well-paid with access to benefits that many workers do not have as a part of their employment agreements.

From USA today, ​​”Police department appropriations generally account for the largest share of the budget in 35 of the 50 largest cities. But it’s difficult to draw meaningful comparisons between cities because they use wildly different budgeting mechanisms. For example, the huge Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department budget, $656 million, is funded not only by the city of Las Vegas. Clark County also puts in a significant amount. And there’s an allocated property tax exclusively for funding cops. In other cities, police departments are funded entirely by the city government. But when comparing the breakdown of city budgets, it’s important to remember that some city governments fund big budget items, like education and health services. In other jurisdictions, those line items are funded outside of the city budget.

In many cities, the largest portion of the police budget is used to cover salaries, benefits, and overtime for officers and civilian employees. Yet police chiefs and city officials often say police pay is inadequate. In 2019, the median pay for a police officer in the United States was $65,170, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.”

The links below go directly to information & data discussed in this episode.

• Article from 538 that discusses how cities spend millions on police misconduct.
• Here is an example from Holyoke, MA of misconduct and different ways personnel costs are keeping the salaries of the police inflated compared to that of the average citizen. Some police salaries are over 150K in Holyoke once overtime pay has been added on.
• Holyoke, MA also had Police extorting money from one resident and they returned the money once she had legal assistance and it became public knowledge.
• Many Communities pour funds into useless tech like Shotspotter. Holyoke’s last meeting was to vote for funds to use to do this in their community. Many people Spoke out.  Click here to read an OpEd from local Lawyer Kate Murdock discussing this useless tech.
• DOJ investigation of Springfied, MA – The settlement comes after a years-long Department of Justice investigation into excessive force complaints by the former narcotics unit resulted in a July 2020 report concluding officers engaged in a pattern that violated civilians’ constitutional rights.
• Go here to check out the People’s Budget of Greenfield’s Call to Action.

Episode 4: Zooming in on Holyoke City Council (10/4/2022)

Episode 4 is up on PodBean, Apple, iHeart, Audible, Google and more! Please give us a listen this is a spicy one! This episode focuses on the Holyoke City Council meeting that was held on October 4th, 2022. This meeting had a number of Agenda items but we are going to talk about ShotSpotter and how some of the City Councilor’s acted during that meeting. We will share some clips of members of the public who gave comments, along with clips from some City Councilors so you can hear for yourself. This meeting was very lively and has a lot going on, please join us in taking a look at how some of the Holyoke City Council views public comment and treat one another.

The links below go directly to information & data discussed in this episode.

• Here is the link to the Holyoke City Council Meeting – the entire meeting!
• Holyoke City Councilor Wilmer Puello-Mota sues to retain seat after expulsion over child porn charges
• Fatal police shooting of Miguel Estrella renews debate over body cams for Pittsfield Police and ShotSpotter
• OIG FINDS THAT SHOTSPOTTER ALERTS RARELY LEAD TO EVIDENCE OF A GUN-RELATED CRIME AND THAT PRESENCE OF THE TECHNOLOGY CHANGES POLICE BEHAVIOR

Episode 3

Give us a listen while we discuss civility politics. We will discuss how to navigate and how we respond when this tactic is used to delegitimize feelings or even facts when not stated in the “proper way”. This could be in discussions with your local government/politicians, your friends or even family.

There are times when it is not possible to engage about something in a civil manner although this may be the societal norm or even the most “effective” way to get oneself heard. Please know your feelings are valid and that if you are angry about something you should not have to act a certain way to be heard.

We will also discuss an article we wrote about the reinstatement of Chief Haigh of the Greenfield Police Department and what is happening in that community. This is a situation where people may end up turning out to the City council meeting and seeming uncivil, but they are upset. Please consider reading some of the articles, posted below, related to this situation to learn more about what is happening with this in Greenfield, MA.

“When civility leads to death, revolting is the only logical reaction.” – Colin Kaepernick

The links below go directly to information & data discussed in this episode.

• Atlantic Article on Civility Politics- what this means and how it impacts us all
• Disaggregating Civility: Politeness, Public-Mindedness and Their Connection
• The People’s Budget of Greenfield’s blog
• Article from the Shoestring.org regarding the reinstatement of Chief Haigh
• Article about Chief Haigh and the leave of absence he was put on in May

Episode 2

Listen in while we discuss data and what that word means overall. We will dive into the concept of “Big data” & when that became important to most industries to be able to talk about the trends/patterns that occur and use that information to adjust or change. Data is used locally and we will talk about how governmental departments in your municipality keep all kinds of information or data that you have access to as a right here in Massachusetts.

This information is often useful when you consider departmental budget requests, especially when crime and public safety are being discussed. We talk data from one local Police Department and how you may want to look at the data in your town/city by doing some records request or even just looking at publicly available data.

The links below go directly to information & data discussed in this episode.

• Information on Big Data & when that term was coined in the 90s
• The People’s Budget of Greenfield’s blog
• We mention 40% of cops – Click here to learn more!
• Amherst, Ma has an alternative to the Police – The Cress Program
• Northampton, MA also has a Police Alternative Department
• Story out of Burlington Vermont where the ACLU intervened
• Media sensationalism and the false narrative of a youth crime wave in MA
• Visit here to see how many people police have murdered, so far, in 2022
• How many dogs are murdered by police each year in the US

Episode One