[episode cut] Crime & Migration: An Abolitionist Plan for Immigration Justice

This month, on Laura Flanders & Friends, we’re taking a closer look at criminal justice—through the lens of abolition, accountability, and the power of the creative arts to tell fuller, truer stories.  This week we’ll examine abolitionist approaches to migrant justice, separating fact from fear when it comes to mass detention

 

Subscribe to Laura on Substack

Description:  When it comes to crime and migration, all sorts of politicians have justified mass detention and incarceration in the name of confronting a dangerous crisis. But what's real and what's fear mongering, and how can reformers counter the rhetoric to advance alternatives? In this episode, Laura Flanders and co-host Amir Khafagy speak with Silky Shah, Executive Director of Detention Watch Network, about her new book is “UNBUILD WALLS: Why Immigrant Justice Needs Abolition”, and Aron Thorn, Senior Attorney with the Texas Civil Rights Project’s Beyond Borders Program about the road ahead. Texas Governor Greg Abbott's Operation Lone Star program and the state-based deportation process proposed in his state's Senate Bill SB4 could set the tone for the country. Activists can do their best to call out abuses, but what is really needed is an entirely new approach. What difference would an abolitionist lens make?

 

Guests:

• Amir Khafagy (Co-host): Journalist, Report for America Member, Documented

• Silky Shah: Director, Detention Watch Network; Author, Unbuild Walls

• Aron Thorn: Senior Attorney, Texas Civil Rights Project (TCRP), Beyond Borders Program

 

*Recommended books:

 “Unbuild Walls: Why Immigrant Justice Needs Abolition” by Silky Shah, Get the Book

(*Bookshop is an online bookstore with a mission to financially support local, independent bookstores. The LF Show is an affiliate of bookshop.org and will receive a small commission if you click through and make a purchase.)

 

Watch Laura Flanders and Friends on YouTube; PBS World Channel Sundays 11:30am ET, and on over 300 public stations across the country (check your listings, or search here via zipcode). Listen: Episode airing on community radio  (check here to see if your station is airing the show) & available as a podcast.
 

Related Laura Flanders Show Episodes:

•  New Yorkers Welcome Migrants: What’s it Take to Make Sanctuary Real? Watch / Listen-Podcast

•  Militarization & Uvalde: The Context Media Coverage Omits, Watch / Listen-Podcast

•  Saket Soni: How Trafficked Workers Pulled Off “The Great Escape,” Watch / Listen-Podcast

 

Related Articles and Resources:

• Know Your Rights Under Texas’ Deportation Scheme SB4, ACLU-Texas, Learn More Here

•  Aron Thorn on Texas Border Standoff, CounterSpin, February 4, 2024, Listen / Download

•  Most people think the U.S. crime rate is rising.  They’re wrong.  by Ken Dilanian, NBC News, December 16, 2023, Read Here

 

Featured ‘Music in the Middle’ of the Podcast:

RUMTUM remix of “Mirage” by Captain Planet courtesy of Bastard Jazz Records, Listen & Learn More

Laura Flanders and Friends Crew: Laura Flanders-Executive Producer, Writer; Sabrina Artel-Supervising Producer; Jeremiah Cothren-Senior Producer; Veronica Delgado-Video Editor, Janet Hernandez-Communications Director; Jeannie Hopper-Audio Director, Podcast & Radio Producer, Audio Editor, Sound Design, Narrator; Sarah Miller-Development Director, Nat Needham-Editor, Graphic Design emeritus; David Neuman-Senior Video Editor, and Rory O’Conner-Senior Consulting Producer.

FOLLOW Laura Flanders and Friends

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraflandersandfriends/

Blueky: https://bsky.app/prof