Tag Archives: mutual aid

Mobile Mutual Aid with the Auto(nomous) Body Shop

This week, you’ll hear two segments.

First up, we spoke with Crystal and Alecia from the Auto(nomous) body shop. From their website:

TheAuto(nomous) Body Shop is a Pittsburgh based mobile mutual aid resource supporting bodily autonomy & community care. We provide free info + supplies + propaganda to support & empower folks to be the go to friend for reproductive health, abortion care, & harm reduction in their community. We also fundraise for repro health to break down barriers to care, conduct workshops, collaborate with & support other mutual aid orgs.

The discussion touches upon the many facets of their organizing in the Pittsburgh region, the climate for reproductive healthcare and gender-affirming care in Pittsburgh and the surrounding area, and their expansion into other regions of the state. The conversation also includes discussion of their coalition-based strategy to broaden the breadth and depth of their efforts and the need for joyful celebration of their values and goals. To that end, we get into the social events and zine publication coming up later this month.

Anti-LGBTQIA+ Repression in Turkey

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Then, we share an interview by FrequenzA out of Germany with a guest about recent repression against queer people and organizations across Turkey from September 12-14th, 2026. This crackdown against activists, organizations and spaces was named “My Family Is Safe”, with the reactionary government of Erdogan’s AK Party using the same rubric of upholding cis-hetero nuclear families as the only healthy model against “gender ideology” as you hear from regimes in the US under Trump, Russia and from right wing movements around the world. This interview will also appear in episode 106 of B(A)D News: Angry Voices From Around The World from the A-Radio Network, of which we’re a member.

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Featured Tracks:

The Implications of Trumps War On “Antifa” (with Moira Meltzer-Cohen)

This week, we’re featuring two segments. First up, Moira Meltzer-Cohen, a lawyer with the National Lawyers Guild, speaks about the recent declarations of war by the Trump administration on anteefah, what has changed legally, what they might be telegraphing and smart ways to move forward in this tense atmosphere. Check out our recent chat with Mo about Knowing your Rights and Risks with the police, linked in our show notes, or learn more about their work at NLG.ORG

Then, A speaks briefly about supporting mutual aid efforts in Gaza. For more information, check out the recommended article on ItsGoingDown.org and some links in our show notes

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Featured Track:

Continue reading The Implications of Trumps War On “Antifa” (with Moira Meltzer-Cohen) →

Prisoner Support Panel Discussion

As we enter into the 2025 Week of Solidarity with Anarchist Prisoners, we’re sharing a discussion with three anarchists doing prisoner support in different national contexts, prompted by topics brought by the guests. You’ll hear first from Moshe of ABC Belarus, then Nicole of the Solidarity Apothecary and finally from Anya of Solidarity Zone speak on topics such as service work in solidarity, gendered dynamics of care work, difficulties in organizing ongoing and longterm anti-repression work from within exile and diaspora communities, burnout and self-care.

ABC Belarus and Solidarity Apothecary are members of the new federation, Solifdarity.International that we spoke about in our August 10th, 2025 episode.

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Featured Track:

  • The Sticks by The Budos Band from The Burnt Offering
Continue reading Prisoner Support Panel Discussion →

Jail and Housing Conditions, Recovery in Post-Helene Asheville

WNC Tenants network logo, Sumud Collective logo and Asheville Community Bail Fund logoWNC Tenants network logo, Sumud Collective logo and Asheville Community Bail Fund logo

This week on The Final Straw Radio, you’ll hear three  interviews relating to community needs and recovering concerning Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina.

If you’re a non-Pacifica radio station airing the show, here’s a link for the 58 minute radio edition while Archive.Org continues to be down due to hacker attacks.

First up, you’ll hear Jen Hampton of the WNC Tenants Network about the re-opening of eviction courts in Buncombe County and conditions of housing in an already difficulty place to live.

Then, Bruce and G talk from the Asheville Community Bail Fund speak about conditions in the local jail during and after this unnatural disaster.

Finally, Yousef of the Palestinian and Arab-led Sumud Collective speaks about his experience of the storm and recovery work in the region in an interview recorded a couple of weeks ago.

Other links from Jen:

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Featured Track:

  • Reflections by The Supremes from Gold
Continue reading Jail and Housing Conditions, Recovery in Post-Helene Asheville →

Homeless Organizing in Oakland and Rural Relief After Helene

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 →