Category Archives: California

activism, Anarchist, Autonomy, California, Drug War, Environment, Immigration, June 11, Mexico, Political Prisoner, Prisons, repression, Transcribed, United States, zine

Bridging The Rift Through Kumeyaay Territory + 2026 June 11th Call

photo of three children in dresses walking along the Tijuana side of the beach border wall next to graffiti and wheat pasted posters, plus "TFSR 6-7-26 | Bridging The Rift Through Kumeyaay Territory (Tijuana & San Diego)"
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This week, you’ll hear two segments

First up, a long sharing of perspectives from occupied Kumeyaay [Kum-ee-aih] land, the Mexico-US border. Devi Machete from Contra Viento Y Marea in Tijuana in the Mexican state of Baja California about the history and activity of that project and journalist and activist James Stout speaks from San Diego in the US state of California about desert conditions north of the border wall. For this chat, you’ll hear third-hand accounts of border crossings, imprisonment, and deaths in border regions but also about solidarity, organizing, and resistance among those on the move as well as the communities they encounter.

After that, at roughly one hour and forty six minutes in, you’ll hear this year’s statement for the June 11th  Day of Solidarity with Marius Mason and long term anarchist prisoners which will include perspectives of organizers, updates in folks struggles and conditions of confinement and reflections on solidarity and insurrection. Check the show notes for a few links and the time stamps of where this section begins. [ 1:46:45 ]

Past Interviews

Contra Viento Y Marea Links

Other Links

Announcements

Shine White Hunger Strike Continues

Many of you have been asking for an update, so here’s where things stand.

While at Scotland Correctional Institution, Shine was helping organize political education among prisoners and speaking out about conditions and serious medical concerns inside the facility. As many already know, he had a contraband cell phone. According to Shine, that phone contained recordings and information documenting conditions inside Scotland, including prisoners begging for medical attention. Not long after, Shine and others around him were transferred and separated across different facilities.

In mid-April, Shine was transferred overnight from Scotland to Granville Correctional Institution in what he described as one of the fastest transfers he had seen in 17 years of incarceration. Upon arrival, he was immediately placed on HCON (High Security Maximum Control). Shine maintains the placement was arbitrary, requested a grievance regarding that placement, and to our knowledge has yet to receive a meaningful opportunity to challenge it. He has been on hunger strike ever since.

Over the past few weeks, many of you participated in Calls to Action, making phone calls and sending emails seeking answers about his health, communication, property, grievances, and HCON status. Those efforts led to direct conversations with Assistant Regional Director Timothy Jones, who assured us that concerns were being reviewed and investigated.

Here’s the problem.

We have now confirmed through official records that Shine was already housed at Central Prison on the same date we were being given information that appeared to place him at Granville. We still don’t know whether that means the Regional Office had outdated information, didn’t know where he was, or something else entirely. What we do know is that the answers we were given don’t line up with the timeline we can now verify.

At this point, we have no direct communication with Shine. Updates are coming through fellow comrades who have been able to get word out through prison channels.

What we know right now:

  • Shine remains on HCON.
  • Shine remains on hunger strike.
  • Shine is housed in Central Prison’s medical unit.
  • Communication remains extremely limited.
  • Questions about his mail, property, grievances, and classification remain unanswered.

The transfer changed the address. It did not answer the questions.

This week we are launching another Call to Action. Supporters will once again be contacting Central Prison, the Regional Office, and NC DAC leadership seeking answers and accountability.

If Shine’s status remains unchanged and these concerns continue to be ignored, we are preparing for an in-person demonstration later this week.

If the goal was to make people stop paying attention, it didn’t work.

For updates and ways to get involved, follow the Instagram or other links at https://linktr.ee/shinewhitesupport

You can hear a prior interview we did with Shine White here: https://thefinalstrawradio.mayfirst.info/post/2021/01/17/shinewhite-on-turning-razor-wire-plantations-into-schools-of-liberation/

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Featured Track:

Continue reading Bridging The Rift Through Kumeyaay Territory + 2026 June 11th Call →
activism, California, Film, General, Homelessness, Oakland, Transcribed, zine

Homeless Organizing in Oakland and the Wood Street Movie

A still from the film showing two figures from behind, leaning up against and peering through a fence at an empty lo next to highway interchanges under a purplish sky, plus "TFSR 3-22-26 | Homeless Organizing in Oakland and the Wood Street Movie"
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This week on The Final Straw Radio, we’re featuring an interview with three participants in the feature length documentary Wood Street, about the community that formed in a parking lot at 1707 Wood Street in Oakland. The location was a destination for people evicted from encampments around the city, who either refused or were denied the low number of shelter beds available, or didn’t fit into the city lots for camping or recreational vehicles aka RVs. Over the course of 10 years at a few spots on the street, as guest John Janosko explains, residents got to know each other and build bonds to the place and each other as neighbors. The north portion of what became known as the Wood Street Commons was evicted by the city to build transitional tiny homes managed by a services organization called BOSS and residents at the south side of the Commons ramped up organizing with outside supporters to stop the city’s eviction plan in 2023 through lobbying politicians and proposing alternative plans. The film shows this work, snippets of the lives of residents and the eventual eviction of the Wood Street Commons in 2023, with over 300 people losing their homes in the end.

Since the eviction, the tiny home camp funding ended and it was vacated, the mayor Sheng Thao was recalled and indicted for corruption and the site became a parking lot for a minor league baseball park next door, but people have taken their energy and experience to keep advocating for themselves and other Oaklanders around issues of houselessness. For the hour we speak with John Janosko, a featured face in the film, as well as our past guest Freeway and the film’s director Caron Creighton. The Wood Street Movie is touring a number of film festivals and looking to feature elsewhere, in hopes that the film can act as a support and inspiration for other homeless organizing in communities across the country.

. … . ..

Featured Track:

Continue reading Homeless Organizing in Oakland and the Wood Street Movie →
AK Press, Anarchist, Author, California, Climate Change, Disaster Relief, Housing, Mutual Aid, Transcribed, United States, zine

Mutual Aid in CA’s Fire Country (with Dani Burlison)

cover of "Red Flag Warning: Mutual Aid and Survival in California’s Fire Country" + TFSR 7-27-25 | Mutual Aid in CA's Fire Country (with Dani Burlison)"
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This week, we’re sharing this a chat with my friend, Dani Burlson on her recent book, Red Flag Warning: Mutual Aid and Survival in California’s Fire Country! We speak about fire ecology, housing pressures and mutual aid in the wake of natural (and human caused) disaster. Check the show notes for links to a few projects mentioned. You can find more of Dani’s writings at DaniBurlison.com/, books listed here, and more by Caw at CawShinyThings.com

Northern CA projects mentioned:

Southern CA projects mentioned:

. … . ..

Featured Track:

Be Yourself by Air Power from Be Yourself 12″

Continue reading Mutual Aid in CA’s Fire Country (with Dani Burlison) →
Anarchist, California, General, Immigration, Police, Transcribed, United States, zine

Rapid Responses To Immigration Raids + Homeless Sweeps in So Cal

"TFSR 6-22-25 | Rapid Responses to Immigration Raids + Homeless Sweeps in So Cal" featuring a photo of two masked youth with signs reading "ICE out of Fontana" and "Fuck ICE"
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This week on the show we feature an interview with two anarchists activists in southern California about the recent resistance to Federal-led immigration raids in Los Angeles and the wider region. Both guests speak about their experiences working in rapid response structures to immigration raids, to anti-homeless sweeps and other community needs over the years and how they’ve changed as conditions and technologies have changed. We talk about inviting and engaging new activists and some strategies that showed success.

Some great writings from the streets can be found at Ediciones Ineditas: https://ineditas.noblogs.org/post/2025/06/18/fuck-i-c-e-city-wide-los-angeles-goes-up/

. … . ..

Featured Track:

  • Bella Ciao by La Plebe from Brazo En Brazo
Continue reading Rapid Responses To Immigration Raids + Homeless Sweeps in So Cal →
activism, Appalachia, Asheville, California, community, Environment, Homelessness, Housing, Hurricane Helene, North Carolina, Oakland, Rural Organizing And Resilience, Transcribed, United States, zine

Homeless Organizing in Oakland and Rural Relief After Helene

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This week on the show we’re featuring two inteviews. First up, you’ll hear from Freeway, a houseless activist in Oakland, CA, about the recent series of sweeps of homeless being promoted by Governor Gavin Newsom. Freeway has been a member of Wood Street Commons and is now a member of Oakland Homeless Union (IG or donate).

Then, Janet of Rural Organizing and Resilience (IG or donate) in Madison County, speaks about post-Hurricane Helene organizing and disaster preparedness in the mountains of Western North Carolina. More and links to be added soon.

Other groups mentioned by Janet of ROAR include:

Announcement

Phone Zap for Buncombe County Jail

Members of the Asheville Community Bail Fund have announced a phone zap concerning conditions in the Buncombe County Detention Facility where reports are coming out of a lack of clean water, irregular bathroom breaks and other lack of access are leading to calls for those in the jail to be released or transferred to a facility with more humane conditions.

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Featured Track:

  • I Wanna Know If It’s Good To You by Funkadellic from Free Your Mind… And Your Ass Will Follow
Continue reading Homeless Organizing in Oakland and Rural Relief After Helene →
activism, Arizona, Autonomy, California, Frontera, General, Health, Immigration, Mexico, Mutual Aid, New Mexico, Police, Politics, Racism, Texas, Transcribed, United States, zine

No More Deaths / No Más Muertes on the Mexico / US Frontier

a photo water jugs left in the desert with kind notes scrawled on them
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This week, I spoke with two members of No More Deaths, a 20 year old humanitarian organization operating in the borderlands between Mexico and the USA. We talked about the organization, the work it does, how the border has changed, the political legacy of the Republicans and Democrats in the current situation for immigrants, deaths at the border and ways to get involved in supporting people on the move. Here’s a chat from 2017 we did with NMD as well.

. … . ..

Featured Track:

  • La Frontera by Lhasa from The Living Road
Continue reading No More Deaths / No Más Muertes on the Mexico / US Frontier →
activism, California, Environment, Forest Defense, General, Transcribed, United States, zine

Feather River Action! on Forest Fires and Clearcuts

"Lost Sierra Action Camp May 23-29, Plumas National Forest, California | TFSR 4-21-24 | Josh Hart of Feather River Action on Forest Fires & Clearcuts"
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Josh Hart of Feather River Action! in Plumas county joined me to speak about US Forest Service plans for an emergency thinning of forests in this north east part of so-called California and which is threatened to be reproduced in other Federal and private lands in the name of fire prevention around the country. We talk about the claims, motivations and alternative proposals of activists, scientists and community members and the upcoming Lost Sierra Forest-Climate Action Camp happening in the area at the end of May 23-29th.

Here’s another group working on the issue:

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Continue reading Feather River Action! on Forest Fires and Clearcuts →
Antifa, California, General, repression, Transcribed, United States, zine

Jeremy White on the “San Diego Antifa” Case

"TFSR 4-14-2024 | Jeremy White on the 'San Diego Antifa' Case" featuring a photo of Jeremy holding a camera, wearing a fedora and wearing a shirt that says "Gaza"
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A recent chat with Jeremy White, film-maker, activist, and street medic who’s facing prison time in what has been dubbed the “San Diego Antifa” case. You’ll hear Jeremy talk about what happened on January 9th, 2021 at the Stop The Steal rally, how the police interacted with members of American Guard and Proud Boys as they assaulted passers by, the conspiracy-theory driven DA Sommers Stephan and where the case was before it resumed on March 18th, after we recorded this chat. Jeremy also worked on a horror-comedy film called “Bitch Ass“.

Fundraising on the case:

Fundraising for Tallcan, former defendant:

  • Benefit concert Saturday, May 18th 2024 @Birdcage Comics

    165 W Hospitality Lane,

    Suite 17

    San Bernadino, CA 92408

    Doors @ 6pm / ALLAGES

    $8 Suggested donation / (no one will be turned away for lack of funds)

    The proceeds from this show will go to legal funds and family support.

    FEATURING LIVE PERFORMANCES BY:

    SEXETTE / GLORBO / THE HAIL MARIAS / DOVE / LOW SWEEP
  • Venmo: @PUSHINGDOWNTHEWALLS

    Cashapp: $PUSHINGDOWNTHEWALLS

    Please put “TC” in the notes.

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Featured Track:

Continue reading Jeremy White on the “San Diego Antifa” Case →
abolition, Anarchist, Art, Author, California, General, Mwalimu Shakur, PM Press, Prisons, Transcribed, zine

Revolutionary Arts with Signal Journal + Abolition with Mwalimu Shakur

Josh MacPhee & Alec Dunn on Signal 08

"TFSR 7-30-23, Revolutionary Arts with Signal Journal + Abolition with Mwalimu Shakur" featuring the cover of Signal 08 showing 6 Black individuals in 19th century dress firing guns in a field and a picture of Mwalimu Shakur
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First up, Ian interviews Josh MacPhee and Alec Dunn, co-editors of Signal, about the recently published eighth volume of the Journal of International Political Graphics and Culture. They discuss their motivations and experiences producing Signal for over a decade, designing print media in the digital age, and their work as part of Justseeds Artists’ Cooperative, long-running, geographically dispersed artist collective dedicated to the production of radical art for grassroots movements. [ 00:05:33 – 00:44:37]

Mwalimu Shakur on Abolition, Organizing and Education

Then, you’ll hear most of a conversation with imprisoned New Afrikan revolutionary socialist, Mwalimu Shakur currently incarcerated in Corcoran Prison in CA, about abolition, political education and the hunger strikes of 2013 in which he participated. [00:45:14 – 01:12:37]

Mwalimu Shakur Links

  • Mwalimu’s Instagram
  • Past interview with Mwalimu
  • Mwalimu’s writing on KnockLA and SFBayView (1, 2)
  • Interviews about CA Hunger Strikes in 2013 with Ed Mead of CA Prison Focus (1, 2)

You can get in touch with Mwalimu:

Terrence White #AG8738
CSP Corcoran
PO Box 3461
Corcoran, CA 93212

Sean Swain

Sean‘s segment [01:12:40 – 01:20:01

Announcements

BRABC Letter Writing

Join Blue Ridge ABC on the first Sunday of each month, next up being August 6th from 3-5pm at the NEW Firestorm spot at 1022 Haywood Road, in West Asheville. And swing by our table at the ACABookfair August 12-13 at Different Wrld to get involved, get a poster for the upcoming International Week of Solidarity with Anarchist Prisoners and check out the other awesome stuff.

ACABookfair

If you’re nearby, consider a visit to the 3 days of event around the Another Carolina Anarchist Bookfair in Asheville from August 11-13 with tons of speakers, publishers, music and more. https://acabookfair.noblogs.org

Dr. Mutulu Shakur, ¡Presenté!

New Afrikan revolutionary elder, accupuncturist and revolutionary Dr. Mutulu Shakur joined the ancestors at the age of 72. He was released by the state after 36 years in prison, organizing, healing, educating and inspiring despite having developed a virulent bone cancer. Dr. Shakur spent the last year on this planet continuing his work, speaking and attending events, surrounded by loved ones. Rest in power.

Ruchell “Cinque” Magee Will Be free!

Politicized prisoner and jailhouse lawyer, Ruchell “Cinque” Magee, is slated to be released after 67 years in the California prison system. Cinque is 84 years old, arrested on an indeterminate sentence around a marijuana charge from 1963, he joined the attempted jailbreak during the Marin County Courthouse shootout in which Jonathan Jackson attempted to free William A. Christmas and James McClain. Ruchell was the sole survivor and was a co-defendant of Angela Davis until their cases were split. There is a fundraiser to support Cinque’s post-release needs as an elder: https://fundrazr.com/82E6S2

Rashid’s Treatment Resumes, Thanks To Support!

As an update to past announcements from Kevin “Rashid” Johnson of the Revolutionary Intercommunal Black Panther Party, the public pressure from calls & emails apparently had the desired results and as of a few days ago he was receiving the medical treatment he needs for his prostate cancer, though he hasn’t received all of his papers so he can continue to pursue his lawsuits against the Virginia DOC since they were confiscated by prisoncrats, but he’s super thankful for public engagement to defend his health. More updates on his case can be found at rashidmod.com

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Featured Tracks:

  • Don’t Play Around (Instrumental) by DJ Nu-Mark from Broken Sunlight Series 6
  • Black Hole by The Bulletproof Space Travelers from Urban Revolutions – The Future Primitive Sound Collective
Continue reading Revolutionary Arts with Signal Journal + Abolition with Mwalimu Shakur →
activism, California, Capitalism, Education, Labor, Protest, Student, Transcribed, zine

Grad Student Strikes In The University of California System

"TFSR 11-27-22 | Grad Student Strikes In The University of California System" and image of people at a rally at UC Berkeley in 2020 holding a sign reading "Pay Us Enough To Live Here" with a sabo-cat image (original pic by Jintak Han for DailyBruin.com
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This week, Scott spoke with Rebecca Gross and Robin, Teaching Assistants at University of California Santa Cruz and members of UAW 2865 at the uni, to get informed about the ongoing strike in the UC system for, among other things, a cost of living increase demand for grad student employees and TA’s.

The strike has extended throughout the UC system and picks up where the wildcat strikes of 2019 at that campus left off before the corona virus pandemic put so many things on hold. Similar strikes occurred earlier this year at Indiana University in Bloomington, are occurring in universities like New School in New York, as well as the system across the UK where the University College Union’s 70,000 members have voted to strike. These labor actions also touch on issues of housing affordability, tuition costs, as well as non-academic staff and employees. Check our show notes for links and social media to learn more or see how you can support or get involved.

Next week…

Next week, we hope to bring you an interview with someone involved in the UCU strikes planned across the so-called UK. Here’s an article sent by a comrade from before the strike votes started.

Sean Swain segment

Just a correction to Sean’s segment on Kevin “Rashid” Johnson, he split with the United Panther Movement and the New Afrikan Black Panther Party (Prison Chapter) to go on to co-found the Revolutionary Intercommunal Black Panther Party of which he’s Minister of Defense. [ 00:57:37 – 01:05:14 ]

Support TFSR

To support our show, in particular our transcription efforts, consider joining our patreon where for $2 or more a month, you can have access to early release episodes like the interview I just had with Mitchell Verter about the life and legacy of Mexican, anarchist communist revolutionary, Ricardo Flores Magón on the 100th anniversary of his murder by incarceration in the prison in Leavenworth, Kansas, as well as a number of recent author interviews conducted by Scott. We are about $70 shy of our sustainable income goal for regular transcription work at a decent wage. There are also thank you gifts there.

You can learn more about other ways to donate to us and merchandise options at tfsr.wtf/support. Find our socials to follow and boost our content or to rate and review us on podcasting platforms so others can find us at tfsr.wtf/tree, as well as easy ways to stream the show or get in touch to give show ideas or feedback. You can find our zines at tfsr.wtf/zines and also information about our free, weekly radio show and how to get it on local airwaves is up at tfsr.wtf/radio. Thanks for the support!

. … . ..

Featured Tracks:

  • To Hell With Poverty by Gang of Four from Another Day Another Dollar EP
  • Fuck Society by Mac Quayle from Mr. Robot, Vol. 1
Continue reading Grad Student Strikes In The University of California System →