Appeal Live

Streaming opinion and analysis on the issues that keep everyday people up at night, produced in partnership with NowThis News. Watch on Facebook @AppealNews, Twitter @theappeal or Youtube.

Why the Public Advocate Matters

Guests: Jumaane Williams, Darian Agostini, Ashley Sawyer.

What can sitting elected officials do to push for meaningful police reform? NYC Public Advocate Jumaane Williams joins The Briefing to discuss.

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Holding Cops Accountable in Phoenix

Guests: Julie Gunnigle, Viri Hernandez, Carlos Garcia, Lola N’sangou.

Police in Maricopa County have a long history of killing people without facing criminal consequences. What will it take to turn that dynamic around?

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Portland Mayoral Forum

Guests: Mayor Ted Wheeler, Sarah Iannarone.

Mayor Ted Wheeler and candidate Sarah Iannarone join The Appeal for a candidate forum in the heated mayoral runoff election in Portland, Oregon.

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Mobilizing Against Trump’s Assault On Democracy

Maurice Mitchell of Working Families Party talks unified resistance in the face of authoritarian threats, Jason Ganz of Data for Progress reviews recent polling revealing that even Republican voters believe Trump will try to steal the election, and hosts Emily Galvin-Almanza and Alana Sivin break down Trump’s plan to steal the election, according to one of the president’s most loyal propagandists – Steve Bannon.

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Resisting Trump’s Play For Absolute Power

We’ve covered the institutional vulnerabilities that Trump and the GOP can exploit to steal the election. But what about the power of civil resistance? Organizers and co-authors of “Hold the Line: A Guide to Defending Democracy,” Hardy Merriman and Kifah Shah join The Count today to explain why all of us have the power to save us by organizing our communities starting…yesterday.

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How to Stop Trump from Stealing the Election

This is not a normal year, and these are not normal circumstances. This November, election night is not the season finale. Pending a landslide loss, Trump and GOP may falsely claim victory and characterize any evidence of a shift as fraud. So what can be done to make sure that Trump and his Republican enablers aren’t able to pull off a stolen election? Today, Zack Malitz and Becky Bond, co-founders of The Real Justice PAC and partners at The Social Practice, join the show to provide some answers.

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Would The Supreme Court Let Trump Steal The Election?

Jay Willis, Senior Contributor at The Appeal, joins The Count to talk about the legacy of the Supreme Court’s role in the 2000 election, the most shocking moments so far in this week’s confirmation hearing of Trump’s nomination Amy Coney Barrett, and what steps – or not – SCOTUS may take as the election unfolds.

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How Republicans Are Enabling Trump’s Election Theft

We’re already seeing terrifying examples of election theft tactics at work. Today on The Count: Brandon Evans, political director of Real Justice PAC, joins to talk about what’s really going on in the critical battleground state of Pennsylvania, Jason Ganz of Data for Progress walks us through polling that reveals a majority of likely Republican voters would trust a GOP-controlled legislature’s decision to send electors for Trump even if the state voted otherwise, and hosts Emily Galvin-Almanza and Alana Sivin walk through some of the most alarming election news of the week.

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Why City Councils Matter

Guests: Michelle Wu, Mary Lupien, Rigel Robinson, Nithya Raman.

With gridlock reigning in Washington, what can city councils do to pick up the slack? Our panel on The Briefing explains why local government is more important than ever.

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Ending Legalized Slavery In U.S. Prisons

Guests: Sen. Jeff Merkley, Michele Goodwin.

The 13th Amendment outlawed slavery in the U.S.—except as a punishment for crime. Sen. Jeff Merkley and Prof. Michele Goodwin join The Briefing to discuss ending prison labor for good.

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How to Make Child Care Universal

Guests: Rep. DeLauro, Nancy Harvey, Assembymember Monique Limon.

COVID-19 has exposed America’s crisis of inadequate childcare for working families. Rep. Rosa DeLauro joins The Briefing to discuss how lawmakers can fix it.

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Update: Florida’s New Anti-Protest Laws

Guest: Anna Eskamani.

Republicans in Florida are pushing a set of harsh laws designed to punish people for protesting police brutality. State Rep. Anna Eskamani joins The Briefing with a quick update on how lawmakers can protect Floridians’ First Amendment rights.

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How SCOTUS Enables Voter Suppression

Guests: Dwight Bullard, Leah Litman, Jay Willis.

How will the Supreme Court’s history of enabling voter suppression affect the 2020 election? Dwight Bullard, Leah Litman, and Jay Willis join The Briefing to discuss.

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Building Grassroots Power in Congress

Guests: Rep. Rashida Tlaib, Jamaal Bowman, Cori Bush.

A new generation of politicians is using grassroots power to win elections. But what happens when they get to DC? Rep. Rashida Tlaib joins Jamaal Bowman and Cori Bush on The Briefing to discuss.

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How Climate Change Became Partisan

Guests: Sen. Ed Markey, Leah Stokes.

Americans want the government to do more to address climate change. So why are Republicans so opposed to it, and what will it take to break through this partisan logjam? Sen. Ed Markey and Prof. Leah Stokes join The Briefing to discuss.

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Our Future on the Ballot

Guest: Marie Newman.

Illinois congressional candidate Marie Newman joins The Briefing for a 1:1 conversation on why she’s running for office, and what’s first on the agenda when she gets there.

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Can Congress Guarantee a Job for Every American

Guests: Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, Prof. Sandy Darity, Raúl Carrillo.

How would a federal jobs guarantee work, and what role can it play in helping the country recover from the COVID-19 economic crisis? Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman joins The Briefing to discuss.

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How COVID-19 Has Exacerbated the Student Debt Crisis

Guests: State Rep. Leslie Herod, Sen. Steve Fenberg, Seth Frotman.

Millions of Americans were struggling with student debt before the COVID-19 economic crisis. Colorado state Sen. Steve Fenberg and state Rep. Leslie Herod join The Briefing discuss their efforts to provide relief.

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Reimagining Safety in Oregon

Guests: Rep. Janelle Bynum, Bobbin Singh.

Oregon recently passed a sweeping police reform package, but already, law enforcement voices are pushing back. Our panel discusses the state’s efforts to keep people safe from police violence.

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How the Eviction Crisis Threatens Voter Turnout

Guests: Rep. Ilhan Omar, Sen. Julia Salazar, Tara Raghuveer.

As millions of people prepare to vote by mail this fall, how will the evictions crisis affect turnout in the 2020 election. Rep. Ilhan Omar and State Senator Julia Salazar join The Briefing to discuss how lawmakers can preserve voting access.

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The Path to Cannabis Legalization in America

Guests: Cory Booker, Marilyn Mosby, Kassandra Frederique, Ayanna Pressley, Earl Blumenauer.

Many states have already taken steps to legalize marijuana. What will it take to get the federal government to do the same? Sen. Cory Booker and Reps. Ayanna Pressley and Earl Blumenauer join The Briefing to discuss.

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KEEPING CALIFORNIA SAFE

Guest: Former Gov. Jerry Brown.

As California fights a wildfire crisis and the deadly coronavirus pandemic, former Gov. Jerry Brown joins The Briefing to discuss how the state’s elected officials can keep people safe.

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UPDATE: ILLINOIS’ LOOMING EVICTION CLIFF

Guest: State Senator Robert Peters.

Illinois’s temporary ban on evictions during COVID-19 is currently set to expire this month. State Senator Robert Peters joins The Briefing with an update on lawmakers’ efforts to keep people safe.

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WHY PROSECUTORS WONT TAKE MONEY FROM COPS

Guests: Larry Krasner, Kim Gardner, Diana Becton, Stephanie Morales.

Across the country, a growing number of elected prosecutors are refusing endorsements and campaign contributions from local police unions. On The Briefing, a panel of DAs joins us to explain why.

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THE KILLING OF DANIEL PRUDE

Guests: Jode Prude, Mary Lupien, Elliot Dolby Shields, Stanley Martin.

In March, Rochester police knelt on the back of Daniel Prude, who is Black, until he stopped breathing. He died a week later. Daniel’s brother, Joe, joins The Briefing to discuss his family’s fight for justice.

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WHAT THE MEDIA IS GETTING WRONG ABOUT KENOSHA

Guests: Chris Geidner, Juliet Hooker, Wesley Lowery, Aaron Morrison.

How is media coverage of the Kenosha protests affecting perceptions of police, protesters, and the future of the reform movement? Chris Geidner, Juliet Hooker, Wesley Lowery, and Aaron Morrison join to discuss.

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HOUSE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE CHAIR FORUM

Guest: Rep. Joaquin Castro.

The House Foreign Affairs Committee chair, Rep. Eliot Engel, lost his primary re-election bid in June. Rep. Joaquin Castro, who is seeking to replace Engel, joins a forum on The Briefing to discuss his vision for the role.

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STOPPING WATER SHUT OFFS

Guests: Rep. Rashida Tlaib, Rianna Eckel.

Many Americans can’t afford to pay bills during the COVID-19 economic downturn. Rep. Rashida Tlaib joins The Briefing to talk about how Congress can stop water shutoffs and help people get back on their feet.

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DO TRAFFIC STOPS NEED ARMED COPS?

Guests: Sarah Seo, Quinton Zondervan, Rigel Robinson.

On The Briefing, our panel discusses whether heavily-armed police the right people to enforce traffic laws—and potential ways to make traffic enforcement safer for everyone.

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CAN CONGRESS SAVE THE POSTAL SERVICE?

Guests: Rep. Rashida Tlaib, Rep. Ro Khanna, Rep. Chuy Garcia.

During a pandemic, the USPS crisis could have profound implications for the 2020 election. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, Rep. Ro Khanna, and Rep. Chuy Garcia discuss what Congress can do about it.

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AUSTIN ANNOUNCES ONE-THIRD POLICE BUDGET CUT

Guests: Greg Casar, Chas Moore, Chris Harris, Emily Gerrick.

The Austin City Council recently voted to cut $150 million from the police department’s budget. Politicians and activists will talk about what comes next—and whether that cut is enough.

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UPDATE: POLICING AND PUBLIC SAFETY IN CHICAGO

Guest: Byron Sigcho-Lopez.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is offering a punitive status quo be imposed on those arrested during recent protests. Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez joins Dispatches for an update on the city’s retrograde response and what the city should do create real public safety.

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UPDATE: SEATTLE MOVES AHEAD ON DEFUNDING THE POLICE

Guest: Lorena González.
Seattle City Council voted to begin changes to public safety services next year. City Council President
Lorena González joins Dispatches or an update on the city’s plans to move forward with defunding policing and investing in community services.

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SAVING PUBLIC DEFENSE IN LOUISIANA

Guests: Rep. Gary M. Carter, Jr., Derwyn Bunton, Robert Jones, Lindsay Blouin.

The state’s public defenders face a budget crisis that COVID-19 is only making worse. Panelists discuss how the system can deliver the representation people need.

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NEW YORK’S EVICTION CLIFF

Guest: State Senator Julia Salazar.

Millions of New Yorkers face an uncertain future when the evictions moratorium is set to expire in September. State Senator Julia Salazar joins for a quick update on how lawmakers are responding.

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STOPPING EXPLOITATION OF THE POOR

Guests: Bernadette Atuahene, Karen Weaver, Luke Bronin.

As the sagging economy drains budgets of tax revenue, cities are turning to strategies that shake down lower-income people. A panel discussion on how to put a stop to this.

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STOPPING TRUMP’S ATTACK ON FAIR HOUSING

Guests: Rep. Chuy Garcia, Debby Goldberg, Ajmel Quereshi.

The White House will roll back an Obama-era rule that promoted the construction of affordable housing. Rep. Chuy Garcia joins The Briefing to discuss how policymakers should respond.

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COVID-19 ON RIKERS ISLAND

Guest: State Senator Alessandra Biaggi.

The facility’s top doctor has called the COVID-19 outbreak there a “public health disaster.” On The Briefing, New York state senator Alessandra Biaggi has an update on policymakers’ response to the crisis.

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PREPARING DIGITAL CLASSROOMS

Guests: Rep. Ro Khanna, Madeleine Greene.

As teachers get ready to resume instruction this fall in the middle of the pandemic, Rep. Ro Khanna and activist Madeleine Greene join The Briefing to discuss how policymakers can make it work.

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VOTER SUPPRESSION DURING COVID-19

Guests: Stacey Abrams, Chiraag Bains, Emily Bazelon.

The pandemic is exacerbating conservative voter suppression efforts as the 2020 election approaches. Stacey Abrams discusses activists’ efforts to ensure everyone can cast a ballot.

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CALIFORNIA’S COVID-19 PRISON CRISIS

Guest: Assemblymember Sydney Kamlager.

The state prison system recently eclipsed 8,000 total COVID-19 cases, with more than 1,000 in the last two weeks. Assemblymember Sydney Kamlager joins The Briefing for an update on the official response.

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COVID-19 IN NEW YORK’S PRISONS

Guest: Yuh-Line Niou.

More than 100,000 people in American prisons and jails have been infected with COVID-19. New York assemblymember Yuh-Line Niou joins The Briefing for a quick update on outbreaks in the state’s facilities.

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HOW POLICE REFORM AFFECTS SCHOOLS

Guests: Senator Chris Murphy, Representative Ayanna Pressley, Nick Melvoin.

School resource officers are commonplace on campuses across the country. Senator Chris Murphy and Representative Ayanna Pressley discuss ways to change this status quo.

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HOW LOUISVILLE PASSED BREONNA’S LAW

Guests: Brandon Coan, Barbara Sexton-Smith.

Three months after Louisville police killed Breonna Taylor during a no-knock raid, the city council banned those raids altogether. Two councilmembers join to discuss the city’s response.

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NEXT UP AT THE SUPREME COURT

Guests: Leah Litman, Chris Geidner, Melissa Murray, Kate Shaw.

The co-hosts of Strict Scrutiny and Chris Geidner join to recap the justices’ latest term and offer predictions for the upcoming term.

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UPDATE: THE COVID-19 EMERGENCY IN CA PRISONS

Guest: Assemblymember Sydney Kamlager.

California’s prison system has confirmed more than 1,300 new COVID-19 cases in the last two weeks. 39 incarcerated people have died since the pandemic began. Assemblymember Kamlager joins for a brief update on this emergency.

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THE DANGERS OF POLICING AND FACIAL RECOGNITION TECHNOLOGY

Guests: Representative Rashida Tlaib, Representative Bobby Rush, Neema Singh Guliani, Rob Williams.

Law enforcement officials are making more frequent use of facial recognition technology, but like many aspects of policing, this has a disproportionately harmful impact on nonwhite people. Representative Rashida Tlaib and Representative Bobby Rush join The Briefing to discuss.

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THE PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS OF RACISM IN AMERICA

Guests: Olivia Bennett, Michelle Wu, Dr. David Rosman.

Both the coronavirus pandemic and the police violence crisis have shown that racism in America is a real threat to public health. Michelle Wu and Olivia Bennett join to discuss how this affects what policymakers do.

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UPDATE: THE COVID-19 EMERGENCY IN CA PRISONS

Guest: Assemblymember Sydney Kamlager.

Nearly 2,400 people in custody in California prisons have confirmed cases of COVID-19. Assemblymember Sydney Kamlager provides a quick update on how the state’s correctional system is dealing with the outbreak.

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HOW DO PROSECUTORS DEAL WITH LYING COPS?

Guests: Aramis Ayala, Chesa Boudin, Daniel Medwed, Jonathan Abel. 

Prosecutors often depend on the testimony of police to make their case. But what happens when an officer lies—and does it over and over again? San Francisco DA Chesa Boudin and Florida prosecutor Aramis Ayala join a panel to discuss.

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WHAT WOULD DEFUNDING THE LAPD LOOK LIKE?

Guests: Melina Abdullah, Councilmember Herb Wesson, Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson, Councilmember Mike Bonin.

Even after recent cuts in response to protests, the LAPD’s operating budget will be about $1.7 billion. Melina Abdullah joins 3 city councilmembers to discuss how public safety in LA is changing.

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HOW CITIES CAN STOP POLICE VIOLENCE: AUSTIN

Guest: Mayor Steve Adler.

In April, Austin police shot and killed Michael Ramos, an unarmed 42-year-old man, outside the apartment complex where he lived. Mayor Adler joins to discuss how the city is responding to the crisis of police violence.

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HOW THE HOUSING CRISIS IS A RACIAL JUSTICE FAILURE

Guests: Senator Elizabeth Warren and Carroll Fife.

As eviction moratoriums expire, the fallout will exacerbate a national housing crisis that already disproportionately harms Black & brown people. Senator Elizabeth Warren and Carroll Fife join host Josie Duffy Rice to discuss.

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GETTING POLICE OUT OF SCHOOLS

Guests: Jo Ann Hardesty, Jael Kerandi.

The use of school resources offices has skyrocketed across the U.S. over the past several decades. Why? And as protests of police brutality continue, is it time for a change? Portland City Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty and Jael Kerandi join to discuss.

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WAYNE COUNTY PROSECUTOR RACE

Guests: Kym Worthy.

The Appeal hosts Wayne County prosecutor Kym Worthy, who is currently running for re-election, to discuss policing, sentencing, COVID-19, and the future of criminal justice in Detroit.

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HOW CHICAGO IS GRAPPLING WITH MONEY BAIL

Guests: Kim Foxx, Andre Vasquez, Tanya Watkins.

After weeks of protests of police violence, policymakers in Chicago are taking a hard look at the continued use of cash bail. State’s Attorney Kim Foxx joins our panel to discuss the city’s rapidly-shifting political climate.

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Confronting Racism In America

Guests: Rep. Barbara Lee, Rodney Ellis, Dr. Gail C. Christopher.

What would a meaningful national reckoning with racism in America actually look like? Wednesday on The Briefing, Rep. Barbara Lee joins Dr. Gail Christopher and Rodney Ellis to discuss.

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Travis County DA And County Attorney Forum

Guests: Margaret Moore, Jose Garza, Delia Garza, Laurie Eiserloh.

Austin lawmakers have responded to protests of police brutality by moving to cut the police budget and eliminate positions within the department. Is it enough? The Appeal hosts a forum for candidates for Travis County DA and county attorney.

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The Crisis Unfolding In Mississippi Prisons

Guests: Denise Coleman, Demario Davis, Rukia Lumumba, Terun Moore.

Mississippi state prisons were in crisis of violence, racism, and neglect even before the COVID-19 pandemic began. Today on The Briefing, a panel of experts will discuss how lawmakers can intervene to stop it.

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New York State Assembly District 34 Candidate Forum

Joy Chowhurdy, Michael DenDekker, Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, Nuala O’Doherty-Naranjo. 2613402492231493 Democratic candidates for New York’s 34th state assembly district join The Appeal for a debate on ending police brutality and taking on the COVID-19 pandemic in New York.

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How Minneapolis Plans To Disband The Police

Alondra Cano, Lisa Bender, Phillipe Cunningham, Jeremiah Ellison, Londel French. A veto-proof majority of the Minneapolis City Council announced their intent to disband the city’s police department and re-imagine public safety. A panel of councilors joins to talk about what comes next.

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Ending Police Militarization

Rep. Rashida Tlaib, Denzel McCampbell. Law enforcement agencies in the U.S. use billions of dollars’ worth of surplus military equipment. We discuss ending the militarization of police.

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Police Home Invasions: The Killing Of Breonna Taylor

Radley Balko, Barbara Sexton-Smith, Jessica Green, David James. In March, Louisville police killed Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old Black woman, while serving a “no-knock” warrant, which lets police enter homes without warning. Today on The Briefing, our panel discusses why tactics like these are so dangerous

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Americans Need Cash Now

Andrew Yang, Felcia Wong, Michael Tubbs, Natalie Foster, Derrick Hamilton, Sen. Kamala Harris. Even during normal times, millions of hardworking Americans live paycheck-to-paycheck in an economy that privileges the very wealthy over everyone else. Today on The Briefing, Sen. Kamala Harris, former presidential candidate Andrew Yang, Stockton mayor Michael Tubbs, and a panel of experts will discuss how government can step in to assure that everyone has enough money to afford what they need.

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Contact Tracing Is Coming. What Is It?

Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley, Deborah Kafoury, Dr. Gregg Gonsalves, Amy Kapczynski. As parts of the country gradually re-open, experts say effective contact tracing will be essential to limiting the spread of COVID-19. We discuss what contact tracing is, how it will work, and what precautions policymakers can take to avoid misuse of this public health tool.

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How Much Should We Spend On Police?

Portland City Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty, Prof. Melina Abdullah, Nithya Raman, Antonio Reynoso. As the pandemic upends city budgets, many officials are re-evaluating assumptions about how to best use taxpayer dollars.

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Emergency Paycheck Guarantee

Rep. Pramila Jayapal. The COVID-19 pandemic has wiped out more than 36 million jobs, forcing hardworking families to go without paychecks. We discuss a proposal to have the federal government guarantee paychecks until the crisis is over.

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Chicago’s Jail Is A Coronavirus ‘Death Trap’

Kim Foxx, Jahan Gordon-Booth, Maria Hawilo. People at Chicago’s Cook County jail say social distancing is impossible for them, and call the facility a “death trap.” Already, nearly 1,000 COVID-19 cases have been connected to the facility, making it one of the nation’s largest hotspots.

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Crisis In Native Lands

Rep. Deb Haaland, Tishaura Jones, Sarah Johnson, Wildaliz Bermudez. Congress set aside $8 billion in COVID-19 funds for Native communities, but Navajo Nation says it hasn’t received “one cent.”

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Funding The Bailout

Rep. Rashida Tlaib, Stephanie Kelton, Rohan Grey, Afton Branche. We discuss how to make sure that stimulus money gets to the people who need it most.

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Overseeing the Bailout

Rep. Katie Porter, Damon Silvers, Sarah Miller, Bharat Ramamurti. Congress is spending trillions on economic stimulus during COVID-19. Today we discuss oversight, to ensure money is helping working families, not enriching corporations.

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Water Is A Human Right

Rep. Rashida Tlaib, Brandon M. Scott, Mary Grant. In Detroit, thousands of families without reliable access to running water are especially vulnerable to COVID-19.

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How COVID-19 Impacts Vulnerable Communities

Rep. Rashida Tlaib, Stacey Rutland, Aisha Nyandoro. The Appeal, in partnership with NowThis, is proud to present, “The Briefing” a new daily, live show with discussion of COVID-19 and how it is affecting America’s vulnerable communities—and what policymakers and activists can do about it.

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