Bye Libby

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On this episode, Kumars interviews Oakland mayoral candidate and longtime community organizer Cat Brooks, cofounder of the Anti Police-Terror Project (APTP) and executive director of the statewide Justice Teams Network. After years of prolific and effective work combating police violence in Oakland, Cat is challenging incumbent Mayor Libby Schaaf this fall.

Cat discusses the work of APTP, which takes a proactive approach to addressing police killings and corruption by holding public officials accountable, providing political education to the community, and supporting the victims of police terror. We hear how the organization is broadening its scope to address a myriad of needs of marginalized Oakland residents. Cat also describes how their approach has expanded statewide through the Justice Teams Network and is inspiring groups across the country and beyond. We hear how Oakland Mayor Schaaf's prioritization of white gentrifiers over people of color, poor people, and houseless people has emboldened individuals like #bbqbecky, #joggerjoe, and #permitpatty, in the same way Trump has emboldened his followers in the national context. We also discuss behind-the-scenes collaboration of Oakland Police with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, even while Libby Schaaf publicly claims support for Sanctuary policies. Kumars asks Cat whether her campaign's policy proposals go far enough, and how she will respond when she's mayor and an energized APTP is protesting outside her door.

Follow Cat on Twitter @CatsCommentary, and find out more about getting involved in the campaign here.

A transcript for this episode will be provided upon request. Please send an email to deleteuracct @ gmail to get a copy sent to you when it is completed.