Nick sits down with Frank, a PSL member in Johnstown, PA, to discuss strategies for organizing the rural masses of Pennsylvania. This wide-ranging conversation touches on the history of Johnstown, the devastating effects of the neo-liberal era on Rust Belt communities, the effects of the Palestine solidarity movement, and how we connect our struggles across geographies. Ultimately, local conditions will dictate the specific organizational strategies employed, but what is clear that our point of unity is the class struggle.
20 Feb 2024
Stories of Struggle in Palestine w/ Karim and Ahmed
Palestinian-Americans Karim and Ahmed return to the show to tell stories of struggle from the past and present that have defined their families. As we witness replays of the 1948 Nakba in real time, it is more important than ever to take a stand, unapologetically, for the human beings with families, children, hopes, and dreams in Palestine. Will you stand with them?
If you are in Allegheny County, you can urge Allegheny County Council to support a ceasefire motion by sending a message to ken.varhola@alleghenycounty.us. Your message should explain why you personally, as a resident, are urging the County to support an end to the genocide in Gaza.
You can also register for comment at the March 5th meeting to vocalize your feelings to the council here (https://apps.alleghenycounty.us/website/CouncilReqComm.asp)!
Ceasefire Now! End the Occupation! Free Palestine!
8 Feb 2024
Imperialism, Popular Resistance and Self Determination
Nick and Comrade Ty have a discussion on imperialism, popular resistance and self-determination in our contemporary context. We discuss how to apply and update foundational theory to concrete conditions in 2024, with the genocide in Gaza and the actions of regional anti-imperialist forces as a backdrop. Now, more than ever, it is clear that our role in the belly of the beast is to build a strong, effective anti-imperialist movement. Reject US/NATO interventions! No to imperialist demonization campaigns! Uphold people's right to resist and self-determination in the face of imperialist aggression!
Points of Unity: Lessons from Libya (https://www.liberationnews.org/libya-and-the-united-front-html/)
19 Jan 2024
Zionism and the Palestinian Resistance, Part 1
In this episode, we cover the origins of zionism, the British Mandate period, the UN Division of Palestine, and the Nakba. Along the way, we attempt to expose the myths of zionism and lay a principled, historical foundation for our solidarity with Palestine. When this history is grasped, we can absolutely understand that Palestinians are justified in their resistance.
This is Part 1 of what we expect to be a 3 part series. Part 2 will cover zionist aggression and Palestinian Resistance in the Era of Global Class War (aka The Cold War). Part 3 will cover the time period from the Oslo Accords to the present day and the ongoing genocide in Palestine.
16 Jan 2024
The Palestinian Cause is the Cause for Humanity w/ Karim & Ahmed
In this episode, Nick sits down with local Palestinian-American activists Karim and Ahmed for a wide ranging conversation on Palestine. Karim and Ahmed relate the heart-wrenching conditions of their families in Gaza, many of whom have been injured or murdered by Israel. We also discuss the ongoing people's movement for Palestine and the strength in solidarity, among many other topics.
If there is a theme for this episode it is that the cause of Palestine is the cause for all humanity. The time to act and speak out is now, as we witness the zionists attempting to author another chapter in the Nakba, destroying the lives of the men, women, and children in Gaza.
Karim and Ahmed also relate how both of their family's had their lives upended in 1948. Below is a video showing Karim's father and family visiting their home town for the first time in 72 after their forcible expulsion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbd1t5r_3cI
27 Dec 2023
On the Ground in the Occupied West Bank w/ Dan Kovalik
Prolific author, human rights lawyer and anti-imperialist activist Dan Kovalik joins us on the heels of a recent trip to the West Bank to help us shine a light on the ongoing Nakba in this “other” theater. His insights are essential to understanding the mass injustice across the whole of Palestine.
Despite naked apartheid, mass arrests and repression, and a genocide in Gaza, Dan relates how the Palestinians he met with still found time to take him around and invite him into their homes. The Palestinian people are a resilient, strong nation with outsized generosity and compassion. They too are worthy of a dignified life, free of zionist oppression. Free Palestine!
Dan Kovalik (https://danielmkovalik.weebly.com/):
Twitter: @danielmkovalik (https://twitter.com/danielmkovalik)
Facebook: DanielMKovalik (https://www.facebook.com/DanielMKovalik)
Instagram: #dankovalik (https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/dankovalik/)
Skyhorse Publishing: Dan Kovalik (https://www.skyhorsepublishing.com/search-results/?keyword=Dan+Kovalik)
30 Oct 2023
No to Shuman! No More Kids For Cash! w/ Comrade Steph
In this episode, Nick and Steph discuss the recent effort by Allegheny County Executive, Rich Fitzgerald, to re-open and privatize the currently shuttered Shuman Juvenile Detention Center. The conversation covers the history of Shuman, the lessons of the Kids For Cash scandal in Luzerne County, and the alternatives to child prisons that the Pittsburgh community is demanding.
Editor's Note: In the episode, we reference the open letter link in the show notes. We will update the episode description when it is finalized!
Additional Articles and Resources:
https://kidsforcashthemovie.com/wp-content/uploads/KidsforCash_DiscussionGuide.pdf (https://kidsforcashthemovie.com/wp-content/uploads/KidsforCash_DiscussionGuide.pdf)
https://www.publicsource.org/allegheny-county-shuman-juvenile-detention-center-contract-adelphoi-beds/ (https://www.publicsource.org/allegheny-county-shuman-juvenile-detention-center-contract-adelphoi-beds/)
https://www.publicsource.org/allegheny-county-council-lawsuit-shuman-center-juvenile-detention-adelphoi/ (https://www.publicsource.org/allegheny-county-council-lawsuit-shuman-center-juvenile-detention-adelphoi/)
https://www.publicsource.org/private-juvenile-detention-allegheny-county-seeks-new-owner-for-closed-shuman-center/ (https://www.publicsource.org/private-juvenile-detention-allegheny-county-seeks-new-owner-for-closed-shuman-center/)
13 Sept 2023
Cuba, Si! w/ Lisa from the Pittsburgh-Matanzas Sister Cities Partnership
In this episode, Steph and Nick sit down with Lisa, a key organizer with the Pittsburgh-Matanzas Sister Cities Partnership, and lifelong human rights activist. In this wide-ranging conversation we discuss the history of US-Cuban relations, the humanity and dignity US citizens share with Cubans, the project by the US to crush the Cuban Revolution by labeling them a "state sponsor of terror," and critically, how we can fight it.
Learn more about and get involved with the Pittsburgh Matanzas Sister Cities Partnership HERE! (http://cubasipgh.org/)
1 Aug 2023
US Out of Puerto Rico!
In this episode, Nick and Kit sit down with their PSL comrade Pablo to discuss the history of US Imperialism in Puerto Rico, the state of the independence struggle, and Puerto Rico's deep connection with Cuban liberation struggles.
27 Jun 2023
The Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh Strike: The Fight Continues
Nick and Kit sit down with Ed Blazina, a long-time, and currently striking, journalist with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette; Ed is also the 1st Vice President of the Newspaper Guild. In this episode we discuss the origins of the strike, the impact on the community as a result of the Post-Gazette's failure to take care of workers, and where it all currently stands.
The News Guild needs your help!
Email the Post-Gazette and tell them to accept the worker's demands now!
Subscribe to the Pittsburgh Union Progress and support local journalism (https://www.unionprogress.com/subscribe/)
Donate to support the striking workers (https://pghguild.com/donate-strike-fund-post-gazette-union/)
20 Jun 2023
United Library Workers Shows Organized Labor Power Protects Health and Safety
Kit and Nick sit down with Sierra and Stephen from United Library Worker's to discuss the many victories the union has won for their workforce, which culminated in them receiving the Karen Silkwood Award (https://m.usw.org/news/media-center/articles/2023/the-foundation-of-our-union-activists-share-commitment-to-healthier-and-safer-workplaces) for workplace safety. We also discuss how the ULW continues forging ties with other unions across the city to build solidarity and face the current political moment together.
Follow the ULW on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ulwpgh/?hl=en)
Contact the ULW: unitedlibraryworkers@gmail.com
2 Jun 2023
Staff Union of Pitt Fights for the Largest Bargaining Unit in PA
Nick and Kit sit down with Zak and Jen, organizers with the Staff Union of Pitt, to discuss SUP's years long effort to form the largest collective bargaining unit in Pennsylvania.
Learn more and support SUP here: https://www.pittstaffunion.org/ (https://www.pittstaffunion.org/)
19 May 2023
Starbucks Workers United Continue the Fight to Bargain w/ Tori Tambellini
In this episode Nick sits down with Pittsburgh-based organizer Tori Tambellini to discuss the Starbucks workers' fight for unionization.
Sign the Pledge! No Contract, No Coffee! (https://crm.broadstripes.com/ctf/SJID0H)
Support Starbucks Workers! Solidarity Fund (https://secure.actblue.com/donate/starbucksworkersfund-tw)
1 May 2023
May Day
Nick, Steph and Tayfun of Pittsburgh PSL discuss the Shuman juvenile detention center, May Day at home and abroad, and a potential UPS strike this summer.
Links to articles/documents referenced in this episode:
https://www.liberationnews.org/may-day-reason-celebration-cuba-oppression-turkey/ (https://www.liberationnews.org/may-day-reason-celebration-cuba-oppression-turkey/)
https://www.liberationnews.org/ups-workers-prepare-for-historic-showdown-with-corporate-giant/ (https://www.liberationnews.org/ups-workers-prepare-for-historic-showdown-with-corporate-giant/)
http://cubasipgh.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Resolution-2020.pdf (http://cubasipgh.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Resolution-2020.pdf)
20 Apr 2023
Nationalize Healthcare: Stop the War on Black America! w/ Dr. Claire M. Cohen M.D.
In this episode, Nick with PSL Pittsburgh interviews Dr. Claire M. Cohen on the state of healthcare in Pittsburgh and across the nation. They discuss systemic racial disparities in an already abysmal, for-profit system, attacks on Medicare by venture capitalists, and what a better future looks in the realm of health and human need.
Dr. Cohen is a Pittsburgh-based child psychiatrist, and is a member of many organizations fighting for radical change on the healthcare front, including National Single Payer, Western PA Coalition for Single Payer Healthcare, and Physicians for a National Health Program.
Links:
https://protectmedicare.net/ (https://protectmedicare.net/)
https://nationalsinglepayer.com/ (https://nationalsinglepayer.com/)
31 Mar 2023
This Week in Local News, March 2023
The Pittsburgh Liberation Radio crew discusses current, local events from March through a working class lens. Topics include the Pittsburgh "Plan for Peace" to increase police funding for Downtown, the environmental impact of the Shell cracker plant in Beaver County, and the local community's response to a recent anti-LGBTQ event at the University of Pittsburgh. We also discuss the recent Answer Coalition anti-war protest in Washington, DC and Pittsburgh's strong representation at that event.
Liberation News Article on Shell's destructive practices in Monaca:
Just miles from East Palestine, Shell Oil poisons Pennsylvania town (https://www.liberationnews.org/just-miles-from-east-palestine-shell-oil-poisons-pennsylvania-town/)
Liberation News Article on the Invasion and Occupation of Haiti:
The Continued Silent Invasion of Haiti (https://www.liberationnews.org/the-continued-silent-invasion-of-haiti/)
17 Mar 2023
La Prima United Heads Into Bargaining
Pittsburgh PSL members Kit (they/them) and Nico (he/him) describe their recent, and victorious, unionization effort at a local coffeshop, La Prima. We discuss their path to unionization, the challenges they faced, and this effort's relationship to a resurgent labor movement in the United States.
Follow/Contact Pittsburgh PSL:
Instagram: @pslpittsburgh https://www.instagram.com/pslpittsburgh/ (https://www.instagram.com/pslpittsburgh/)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pghpsl (https://www.facebook.com/pghpsl)
Email: pslpittsburgh@gmail.com
Follow La Prima United:
Twitter: @LaPrimaUnited https://twitter.com/LaPrimaUnited (https://twitter.com/LaPrimaUnited)
Instagram: @laprimaunited https://www.instagram.com/laprimaunited/ (https://www.instagram.com/laprimaunited/)
Read more about the La Prima United victory on Liberation News: https://www.liberationnews.org/union-victory-for-la-prima-united-workers-in-pittsburgh/ (https://www.liberationnews.org/union-victory-for-la-prima-united-workers-in-pittsburgh/)
Get more from the PSL and Liberation News Here:
https://pslweb.org/ (https://pslweb.org/)
https://www.liberationschool.org/ (https://www.liberationschool.org/)
https://www.liberationnews.org/ (https://www.liberationnews.org/)
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
12 ratings
Contact Pittsburgh Liberation Radio
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of Pittsburgh Liberation Radio?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
