In this report, acTVism Munich provides an overview of the activities that took place on the 9th of February, 2016, the day when the Democracy in Europe Movement 2025 was launched by Yanis Varoufakis and Srecko Horvat at Volksbühne in Berlin. This report aims to give the public a transparent view by documenting the activities and interviewing organizers and participants. Interview partners include Yanis Varoufakis, SreckoHorvat, Katja Kipping and Gesine Schwan.
For March 2016, acTVism Munch will start off by releasing an interview with former CIA-Analyst (27 years), Ray McGovern, who will talk about his experience in the agency and the reasons that led him to become an activist and outspoken critic of the US government. The interview surfaces a number of issues that include: “Enhanced interrogation techniques“ a euphemism for the US government’s program of systematic torture, the role that European governments played in supporting this program, Edward Snowden and the NSA affair, the significance of activism in today’s day and age, etc. Release date: March 7, 2016.
On March 14, we will release the first installment of our mini-video series with Heiner Flassbeck that was recorded in our event “Germany’s role in the European Union & International Affairs.” In this mini-video Prof. Flassbeck will surface Germany’s role in the ongoing economic and financial crisis that is engulfing the European Union.
The last video of the month is an interview with Antonis Schwarz, founder of Vouliwatch. Vouliwatch aims to promote transparency and political participation in Greece. Antonis will talk about how he began his journey, how others can start similar initiatives and what considerations one must take into account when starting a grassroot initiative. Release date: March 21, 2016.
The April Calendar will be released at the end of March and will include interviews with Noam Chomsky, Yanis Varoufakis and many other surprises. Stay tuned!
Help us Prepare for Trump’s Day One
Trump is busy getting ready for Day One of his presidency – but so is Truthout.
Trump has made it no secret that he is planning a demolition-style attack on both specific communities and democracy as a whole, beginning on his first day in office. With over 25 executive orders and directives queued up for January 20, he’s promised to “launch the largest deportation program in American history,” roll back anti-discrimination protections for transgender students, and implement a “drill, drill, drill” approach to ramp up oil and gas extraction.
Organizations like Truthout are also being threatened by legislation like HR 9495, the “nonprofit killer bill” that would allow the Treasury Secretary to declare any nonprofit a “terrorist-supporting organization” and strip its tax-exempt status without due process. Progressive media like Truthout that has courageously focused on reporting on Israel’s genocide in Gaza are in the bill’s crosshairs.
As journalists, we have a responsibility to look at hard realities and communicate them to you. We hope that you, like us, can use this information to prepare for what’s to come.
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In addition to covering the widespread onslaught of draconian policy, we’re shoring up our resources for what might come next for progressive media: bad-faith lawsuits from far-right ghouls, legislation that seeks to strip us of our ability to receive tax-deductible donations, and further throttling of our reach on social media platforms owned by Trump’s sycophants.
We’re preparing right now for Trump’s Day One: building a brave coalition of movement media; reaching out to the activists, academics, and thinkers we trust to shine a light on the inner workings of authoritarianism; and planning to use journalism as a tool to equip movements to protect the people, lands, and principles most vulnerable to Trump’s destruction.
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With gratitude and resolve,
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