#TalkRadio – July 18 – The Battleground for Economic Justice

SPEAKERS:

Deputy Secretary Monica Amstar Rainge: 12:00 PM – 12:28 PM ET
Deputy Secretary for the United States Department of Agriculture

Dr. Julianne Malveaux: 12:30 PM – 12:57 PM ET
Dean of the new College of Ethnic Studies at California State Los Angeles; Economist, writer, commentator; Founder and President, Economic Education, focus on learning; President Emerita of Bennett College

INTRODUCTION:

The Igniting Change Radio Show on Tuesday, July 18th, 2023, from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Eastern Time/11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Central Time, entitled, “The Battleground for Economic Justice: The New DFAP Fund; Rev. Jackson’s Pivot; and Voting Rights”, will be broadcasting live from Chicago with Radio Show Co-Hosts and Transformative Justice Coalition (TJC) Co-Leaders Attorneys Barbara Arnwine, Esq. and Daryl Jones, Esq. and guests Deputy Secretary Monica Amstar Rainge and Dr. Julianne Malveaux. Today’s show will cover Black farmers and the $2.2B Black farmers fund, from the Discrimination Financial Assistance Program which is being funded by the Inflation Reduction Act; today’s introduction of the Freedom to Vote Act, in the Senate as S1 and in the House as HB11 in contrast to the American Confidence in Elections Act; Rev. Jesse Louis Jackson’s announcement of his pivot at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition; and, today’s TJC “Voting Rights Under Attack Physically and Politically: Preparing to Win the Voting Rights Fight in 2024” Panel during the Rainbow PUSH Coalition’s (RPC) Convention.

• The Black Farmer’s Fund— More info: https://thegrio.com/2023/07/07/black-farmers-usda-discrimination-financial-assistance-program/

This show will discuss Black farmers and the Black farmers fund, from the Discrimination Financial Assistance Program which is being funded by the Inflation Reduction Act. The Inflation Reduction Act contains an assistance fund for farmers who were discriminated against. This fund has $2.2b to cover 75 million applicants and covers anyone who can provide proof that they were discriminated against by the federal government. You can only apply up to October through the 40 page application which started on July 7th. How do we best outreach to all of these farmers, particularly, Black farmers who are eligible?

• Rev. Jackson’s Pivot, – More info: https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/14/us/jesse-jackson-rainbow-push-coalition
• Legendary leader Rev. Jesse Jackson, with his storied career as founder and president of the international civil and human rights organization Rainbow Push Coalition, announced during RPC’s Convention that he is passing the baton to Rev. Dr. Frederick D. Haynes, III.
• The Republicans’  American Confidence in Elections Act(ACE) Act proposed federal voter suppression Act- More info: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/07/11/house-republican-confidence-elections-dc/
• The above link directs to an editorial from the Washington Post condemning the House Republican’s ACE Act, a wicked federal voter suppression proposal. Last week there was a major hearing held about this legislation.
• Freedom to Vote Act, being introduced today. More info: From End Citizens United/Let America Vote’s Toolkit “While House Republicans have proposed the anti-voter, pro-dark money ACE Act, I’m proud to support the Freedom to Vote Act. It would protect the freedom to vote for all Americans, stop partisan gerrymandering, and end dark money so that billionaires can’t buy elections.
• The Freedom to Vote Act is the most significant anti-corruption and voting rights bill in generations.
• This legislation sends a clear message to the American people that while House Republicans are fighting to protect their big money donors, we’re fighting to ensure everyone has a voice and vote in our democracy.
• Americans of all political stripes support these values. Americans know that our democracy works better when everyone has a voice and a vote. The Freedom to Vote Act draws from those ideals to ensure we have safe, secure, and transparent elections and that every American has the same rights and access to the ballot, no matter where they live. No matter where we live or what our background is, Americans want fair elections, where we all have the freedom to vote and make our voices heard on important issues such as providing affordable health care, creating good jobs, and ensuring quality education.
• The freedom to vote is under attack with an intensity we have not seen since the Jim Crow era.
• In 2023 alone, legislators in at least 11 states passed 13 restrictive voting bills. This is a concerted effort by dark money special interests and self-serving politicians to actively rig the system by passing anti-voting laws to make it harder for certain people to vote—particularly communities of color.
• We’ve seen these partisan, dark-money fueled restrictive voting laws passed from Florida, to Georgia, to Texas, and beyond.
• And now House Republicans are looking to codify this disenfranchisement nationally through their anti-voter ACE Act.
• At the same time, Republicans in states across the country have drawn partisan gerrymandered district maps designed to keep political parties and dark money special interests in power instead of ensuring fair and equal representation.
• Republicans want to pick their voters instead of voters picking their representatives.
• Meanwhile, corporate special interests and dark money groups still have too much access and influence—and House Republicans are only looking to make matters worse. Too many politicians serve their interests, while the rest of us pay the price.
• For years, the American people have been calling for national standards to protect our freedom to vote, ensure fair representation, and get big money out of politics. The Freedom to Vote Act will do just that. The graft and malfeasance we’ve seen in our politics recently demonstrates the need for transformative anti-corruption legislation.
• Our dysfunctional, ‘anything goes’ approach to gerrymandering led to Republicans taking control of the House of Representatives and electing an unprecedented number of demagogues and election deniers to Congress, including George Santos and Marjorie Taylor Greene.
• When it comes to rooting out political corruption, sunshine is the best disinfectant. Instead of further shielding dark money donors as House Republicans have proposed, the Freedom to Vote Act will require outside groups that spend money on elections—including super PACs and 501(c)(4) dark money groups—to promptly disclose donors.”<
• July 18th, 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM CST, TJC Panel “Voting Rights Under Attack Physically and Politically: Preparing to Win the Voting Rights Fight in 2024”

Today’s July 18th Panel, entitled “Voting Rights Under Attack Physically and Politically: Preparing to Win the Voting Rights Fight in 2024”, which is being held during and in partnership with RPC’s Convention from 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM CST, will be held on the 3rd Floor at the Friedman Hall/Tiered Auditorium located at the University of Chicago, David Rubinstein Forum, 1201 East 60th Street Chicago, IL 60637.

This panel comprised of Gen Z and seasoned leaders, advocates, litigators and scholars will discuss strategies and tactics to counter the attack on voting rights and to win in 2024.

This event will be livestreamed on TJC’s Facebook at Facebook.com/TJC.DC and on TJC’s YouTube channel at https://youtube.com/@thetransformativejusticeco6890.  This event will also be live tweeted on TJC’s Twitter account, Twitter.com/TJC_DC, and other Twitter accounts, and will be live posted to various Facebook pages, including TJC’s.

The nonpartisan “Igniting Change Radio Show with Barbara Arnwine, Esq. and Daryl Jones, Esq.” program will be aired from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on Radio One’s WOL 1450 AM in the Washington, DC metropolitan area as well as nationwide on WOLDCNEWS.COM and Barbaraarnwine.com. The questions included below the description are designed to provide a guide but are not the only possible questions, nor may they be asked in the exact same order.

QUESTIONS:

• We are happy to welcome the Deputy Secretary for the USDA. Deputy Secretary Rainge, please tell our audience about your position. What are the duties for Deputy Secretary of Civil Rights for the USDA?
• On Friday, July 7th, the USDA announced this $2.2 billion fund for Black Farmers. Why did the USDA announce this fund?
• Let’s talk about some specifics of this fund. Who is eligible? 
• Let’s discuss who can apply and how can they apply to this new fund?
• How do we best outreach to all of these farmers, particularly Black farmers, who are eligible?
• How can our diverse audience of racial justice activists from around the country, and many of our audience has family members who are farmers. What can our listeners do to help right now to outreach to the farmers and help them?
• What are your final thoughts to our listeners? Thank you for all of your hard work. How do our listeners get in contact with you?
• Thank you, Dr. Malveaux. As Board Chair for PUSH EXcel, how do you view Rev. Jackson’s announcement of his pivot? What impact will that have on the fight for racial justice in the United States?
• We’re here at the RPc Convention. One of Rev Jackson’s most amazing accomplishments has been in the area of voting rights. Today there are significant voting rights developments, including the introduction of the Freedom to Vote Act. Last week, the GOP introduced their attempt to federalize voter suppression called the American Confidence in Elections Act. How do you expect Rainbow PUSH, with Rev. Dr. Frederick D. Haynes, III and Rev. Jackson, will be a leader to pass the FTVA and to oppose the ACE Act? 

Final Questions to guests:

• What is the major work that you’re pursuing right now?
• What do you think is the most important grassroots organizing that you think needs to happen in order to ensure strong voter protection and engagement in November 2023 and 2024?
• What are your final thoughts to our listeners?
• Thank you for all of your hard work. How do our listeners get in contact with you?