Sojourner Truth Radio: November 23, 2021 - India Farmers, Rittenhouse Verdict, Arbery Trial

Today on Sojourner Truth:

The closing arguments happen today in the Ahmaud Arbery case. The verdict in the Kyle Rittenhouse trial is being celebrated by white supremacists who see him as a hero. Meanwhile, Black and Brown people are concerned that the message being sent is that it is open season on people of color; and that any white person can shoot and kill a person of color and get away with it by claiming they felt they were under threat. Although the Rittenhouse victims were white people, people of color understand quite well the implications of the ruling. Our guests are Rev. Dr. Monica L. Cummings and Barbara Arnwine. Rev. Dr. Monica L. Cummings is Assistant Minister at Bradford Community Church Unitarian Universalist in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Barbara Arnwine is a veteran civil rights and human rights leader and advocate. She is currently the President & Founder of the Transformative Justice Coalition. For 26 years, she was the Executive Director of the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights

Despite being labeled as extremists and terrorists, and being killed, beaten, met with water cannons, and having their protest camps burned down, farmers in India scored a huge victory against the Modi government. Farmers, formally viewed as illiterate and uneducated, have managed to unite and emerge as a force to be reckoned with, in opposition to Modi. They have established pride in being farmers, with organizational skills that movements around the world can learn from. Women farmers in India were visible in the movement. The farmers worked across movements, including a coming together of farmers and agricultural workers. The farmers' protests were noted around the world and support for the farmers included actions in the UK and the US. Sadly, over 670 farmers have died in the movement, and there are demands that a memorial be set up for them. Our guest is Didi Rossi, who has been key in organizing support in the UK and in other countries for the farmers protests, including helping to plan a victory celebration on Friday November 26, which marks the one year anniversary of the farmers strike. Didi has been in direct contact with farmers and their supporters on the ground in India. She is a member of the Global Women's Strike UK.