Ep.8| Trump ICE Raids and SNAP Cuts Government Shutdown and Mass Black Out
In this episode we are talking about Donald Trump, ICE, and the federal government terrorizing parents, children, and whole communities in California, Chicago, New York, and Portland. From raids to checkpoints to people losing income, this is not just about politics. It is about people’s lives and food being taken out of kids mouths.
We start with ICE in Chicago and talk about what it feels like when immigration enforcement is moving through your city. We share practical things you can do right now to keep families safer
• Carry a whistle and use it if you see something
• Film everything you safely can
• Take a Know Your Rights training online or in person
• Carry identification at all times
• Learn exactly how to speak to an immigration officer so you do not give up your rights
Then we break down how the government shutdown hits regular people. About one point four million workers are affected, half furloughed and half working with no pay. Day talks about a tenant who is on furlough and how she is covering her rent so she does not lose her home. PJ talks about getting health insurance from the marketplace and how premiums could jump twenty to fifty percent. We connect the dots between government games and real life stress on families.
Next we get into SNAP cuts and what it really means when forty two million people lose benefits, including about fifteen million children. We talk about organizing a collection for our church food pantry, sponsoring a family losing benefits, and shifting our own budget by eating at home more so we can support folks and still save for our house.
All the Tea is all about what we are doing to fight back. We share ways you can protect your neighbors and push back when ICE is active in your city
• Join a whistle packing event to bundle whistles and info cards
• Volunteer at school drop off and pick up to help keep families safe
• If you are a business owner, display a Hands Off Chicago sign or an ICE Free Zone sign so people know your space is safe
• If you see ICE targeting someone, do not be silent blow your whistle, alert others, and record video if it is safe
• Check on your neighbors and be kind because this is scary for a lot of people
We also talk about actions that cost money
• Donate to a food pantry
• Buy from Black and Brown vendors so they can close early and be home safe with their families
We share why we are boycotting Home Depot because they are allowing ICE agents to make arrests on their property and what alternatives we use instead like Ace, Lowes, Menards, and local mom and pop hardware stores.
Then we get into the Mass Economic Blackout from November twenty five to December two. No big spending, no feeding corporations, no pretending things are normal. We talk about supporting small local Black and Brown businesses before and after those dates so they still get love without a holiday spike that puts them at risk.
Big Christmas is cancelled. From December three to December twenty four we are keeping the same energy, focusing on community care, mutual aid, and intentional giving instead of going broke under a tree.
Last Call is all about how we want to close out twenty twenty five by giving back and supporting people who are struggling. Mutual aid means all of us doing our part together in whatever way we can.
Outro reminder from Day keep your head on a swivel, do not smoke anything you did not roll, and do not forget to look out for folks who are having a tough time especially during the holidays.
If you care about Black families, working people, immigrants, and anybody just trying to survive this season, this episode is for you.
Like, comment, and subscribe and tell us
Are you seeing ICE in your city
Are you joining the Mass Economic Blackout
How are you helping folks eat and stay safe this holiday season
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🎵 Theme Music by: @abeatchemist
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