Why Activists Must Lead | Ami Chen Mills, Just Talks S2E2

Trailer S2E4. The Power of Owning Our History

"Frederick Douglass didn't fight for freedom until he understood he shouldn't be a slave." That insight set the tone for a powerful conversation with Ernest Crim III. For years, Ernest used social media to teach overlooked histories—from Aunt Polly wielding a butcher knife against slave catchers to modern-day activists fighting local injustice. His platform grew to over 400k followers. Then, in late 2025, everything went dark. Hacked, shadowbanned, then deleted. "I don't come into that space as an influencer. I come into that space as a human being. As an activist." But when the app bans you, where do you go? This isn't just about one creator losing an account; it's about a community losing its voice. As Ernest puts it, "It's like you're leasing the space to sell your coffee... and the landlord could at any point say, 'I don't want you here no more.'" In Season 2, Episode 4, we break down: • How social media is actually "media" first, not "social" • Why the revolution won't happen on TikTok • The importance of documenting your family and local history • How to build genuine community off the apps 👇 Want to hear the uncut conversation—and get early access to the next video? Join my Patreon. Your support elevates these vital narratives.🎙️Membership to the Just Talks Fam includes: early access to upcoming videos, exclusive newsletters, access to private community chats, and live workshops. Public access to this episode drops on Tuesday, June 16th—Just in time for Juneteenth! 💕 Help me elevate more voices like Ernest's. Join my Patreon community starting at $5/month. Your contribution ensures we keep building spaces for truth-telling that the algorithm can't control. Get early access to podcast episodes, members-only benefits and more! Upgrade to paid. [https://www.patreon.com/c/justtalkspodcast/membership] #JustTalksPodcast #ErnestCrimIII #DigitalRights #HistoryMatters #BlackHistory

Trailer S2E3. How Social Media is Saving Democracy 🛡️📱"

Feeling like your community is flying under the radar? Li Lovett exposes a critical truth: when people are too stressed or isolated to track what's happening, their rights are the first to be stripped away. In this powerful clip, she reveals how social media is transforming into a lifeline for democracy. From farm workers with massive followings to hyper-local outlets reaching remote areas, she explains how these digital voices are forcing policymakers to finally listen and respond to crises that would otherwise go unseen. Whether you're a content creator, a community organizer, or just a neighbor looking to stay informed, this is your reminder that knowledge and transparency are the only shields we have against injustice. 🔗 Watch the full podcast on https://patreon.com/justtalkspodcast [https://patreon.com/justtalkspodcast] #DemocracyInAction #SocialMediaForGood #CommunityVoices #ImmigrantRights #Transparency #JustTalksPodcast #LiLovett #DigitalActivism Tags Community Organizing immigrant rights social media activism local politics transparency

Highlight: Is your local sheriff coordinating with ICE?

"Is your sheriff secretly working with ICE? 🔍🚔" Feeling like immigration enforcement is only happening in the headlines? Li Lovett reveals the shocking truth: a 10x increase in local law enforcement collaboration with federal agencies is happening right under our noses, often in violation of state sanctuary laws. In this raw clip, she breaks down how community groups in Shasta County used Public Records Act requests to expose secret deals between local sheriffs and ICE. She explains exactly how you can file these requests, demand transparency, and build the community muscle needed to stop the "detention industrial complex" before it expands. Whether you want to uncover local corruption or protect your neighbors, this is your blueprint for action. 🔗 Watch the full podcast on https://patreon.com/justtalkspodcast [https://patreon.com/justtalkspodcast] #ImmigrationJustice #LocalPower #Transparency #ICE #CommunityOrganizing #JustTalksPodcast #LiLovett #SanctuaryCities

Stop the Deportation Machine | Li Lovett, Just Talks S2E3

Get early access to new episodes and members-only content ➡️➡️➡️https://www.patreon.com/justtalkspodcast/membership [https://www.patreon.com/justtalkspodcast/membership] This one’s a bit later than usual. Normally I try to post new podcast episodes on Fridays to provide early access for paid members (giving everyone access on Tuesdays.) This episode took a bit more time, because it’s JAM PACKED with helpful tips on protecting immigrants and supporting community ethnic media!.To help you and your community take action, I created a one-page Action Guide, FREE for members of the Just Talks Fam! (See attachment below.) ---------------------------------------- How do you protect immigrant communities when federal policies are designed to be cruel by design? In this episode of Just Talks Podcast, I sat down with Li Lovett, a veteran educator, journalist, and coordinator for the Aquí Estamos project at American Community Media. Li draws on two decades of experience in public education and policy to expose the "under the radar" realities of immigration enforcement, from local sheriff collaborations with ICE to the administrative attacks on asylum seeker rights. She shares how ethnic community media share essential information for holding local leaders accountable—the fight for democracy is happening right now at your local city hall, not just in Washington D.C. In this episode, we cover: 🎙️ The hidden crisis: How administrative changes are stripping legal immigrants of their status. 🎙️ Local vs. Federal: Why city council meetings and school boards are the new battlegrounds for human rights. 🎙️ The media consolidation crisis: How the hollowing out of local ethnic media outlets silences vital community voices. 🎙️ Actionable steps: How public records requests, Rapid Response Networks, and independent journalism can protect vulnerable communities. Whether you are an activist, a neighbor, or a concerned citizen, this conversation provides a roadmap for pushing back against the "detention industrial complex" and building a more just future. 👇 Just Talks Fam members can access the Free Action Guide for this episode in the link below. 💬 Question of the Day: Which ONE action from my "Just Talks Action Guide" will you commit to this week? Let us know in the comments below! 💕 Support my work and access members only content (including my FREE One-Page Action Guide) here: 🔗 Follow American Community Media (ACoM) via the following links: * American Community Media (ACoM) website:  https://americancommunitymedia.org/ [https://americancommunitymedia.org/] * Aquí Estamos/Here We Stand: https://americancommunitymedia.org/here-we-stand/ [https://americancommunitymedia.org/here-we-stand/] * Weekly news briefings: https://americancommunitymedia.org/media-briefings/ [https://americancommunitymedia.org/media-briefings/] 👇 And on Social Media: 🎬 YouTube:     / @americancommunitymedia   [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUKe5l0HQXbKPZuanODzs2Q] • 📸 Instagram:     / americancommunitymedia   [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbGV2MW1wa3dITUt2Z0ZVUlhuTmZVN18wSE1iQXxBQ3Jtc0tuc1lGSzlaR01fMGNtZ3FPeWtMMDZPdUNDNFRvY2hjNlFSTDN0ZnZNaEV1TWtHaWtUOWRKNGNoTlE0Tm5SNXdFNFRWcWl6Y3ZHYWtCdlpac3dhN2ZvUTJEWFZKUUdfcWZtWEVVX3BlMTJuTzFRemFEUQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Famericancommunitymedia%2F&v=AHtVFbzfbfU] • ⏰ TikTok:    / americancommunitymedia   [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbDNfeHNxVkVJVWpXQmpsWnVCTkNxbzlvc2dFZ3xBQ3Jtc0trM3lXaWs0blVwSXdIdWtnT0tIeVFkRVRDM21BaEdjb1BlUXFyUXRJSTFqcEl6WnFFcUlOamxEcHg1ZlZsQlU4eXU4dmdzT1ptMG9Oci10ZjJGQWRNRDJ3NEFmLWlVa2lMQWlyUy1UeTZsdE4zWkpPTQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2F%40americancommunitymedia&v=AHtVFbzfbfU] • 📘 Facebook:     / americancommunitymedia   [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbUxrZWg1Y25zdEJBS0g5SzFyVnN1eTd0Tzg3Z3xBQ3Jtc0ttUTZOci1SSlgtWUtOYV8zWDVJaDNVS1JVU1YycGRZWXVXd0JSY1Z3U01kdHlMcWVJa1NKUENDenI1eEpwSnZZTV92UTlHa1pjRzVhLTVLaDlLNVJqSUliVDRLcXlGZGhwTTJlbl81OXAzTUhYc25XVQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Famericancommunitymedia%2F&v=AHtVFbzfbfU] 𝐗/Twitter:     / amcommmedia   [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa01IYUktb0xNLTN6NHllMVB2dllsVlllY0tvQXxBQ3Jtc0ttSkx4ZjhjWm9ZQ1VjVkpnRTI5VElOanlZX1hMRkUwMWNIM3FoMktTR1lGbjRBaFlpRGZvSko2SS16TEc1YjlYRXM4ZDVDWHE5ZXZJc3lMT3VEVTBjbTdtSzY5cmFhRXJZNHZLMHFRa21QVnotazhxVQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2FAmCommMedia&v=AHtVFbzfbfU]

Why Activists Must Lead | Ami Chen Mills, Just Talks S2E2

Get early access to new episodes and members-only content ➡️➡️➡️https://www.patreon.com/justtalkspodcast/membership [https://www.patreon.com/justtalkspodcast/membership] How do you bring activist energy into local governance without losing your community roots? In this episode of Just Talks Podcast, host Ali Collins interviews Ami Chen Mills, a Santa Cruz educator, author, radio host and mayoral candidate challenging the status quo. Ami is a longtime community activist, author, and member of the Santa Cruz Democratic Central Committee who's now running for mayor. She opens up about her journey from journalism and radio hosting to grassroots organizing and electoral politics. She discusses the intense pressure of local politics, the influence of Silicon Valley wealth on housing markets, and her determination to bring "activist energy" to the city council to protect civil liberties and ensure affordable housing for locals. In this episode, we cover: 🎙️ Why activists bring fresh energy and expertise to political office 🎙️ The fight against surveillance technology (ALPR/Flock cameras) and why data privacy matters 🎙️ Housing affordability, gentrification, and the tension between development and community needs 🎙️ Why local elections matter more than ever for protecting surveillance expansion, housing, and the environment 🎙️ How to bridge the divide between activists and policymakers to stop "friendly fire" Whether you're a local resident, an activist looking to run for office, or simply interested in how communities can push back against corporate influence and get involved in supporting progressive candidates, this conversation offers actionable insights into what community-led governance looks like in practice. Paid members get early access to this content. If you are not a paid member, upgrade your membership below! 💬 Question of the Day:  "If you could run for a local office tomorrow (School Board, City Council, etc.), what is the ONE issue you would tackle first? 👇 Let's hear your ideas!" 📍 Support Ami in her run for mayor of Santa Cruz: https://www.amichenmills.com/ [https://www.amichenmills.com/] Donate to her campaign! https://secure.actblue.com/donate/amichenmills [https://secure.actblue.com/donate/amichenmills] 👇 Follow Ami on Social: ⌨️ SubStack: Moment of Truth Dispatch https://momentoftruth.substack.com [https://momentoftruth.substack.com] • 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amichenmills [https://www.instagram.com/amichenmills] • 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amichenmills [https://www.facebook.com/amichenmills] Music Credits:    / @unlearntheworld   [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLM_qJ7FcOj9KII7Olq64iQ]