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#1770 Getting in the Fight Against ICE and Authoritarianism

Feb 10, 2026

Guest

Tad Stoermer, historian/commentator who draws lessons from anti-federalist resistance. Matthew Cooke, filmmaker/activist challenging corporate power and pushing bold reforms. Jamelle Bouie, opinion writer with a historian's eye on long-term agitation. They discuss forcing the fight against ICE and authoritarianism. They explore parallels to abolitionists, mass actions like general strikes, and building parallel institutions to meet community needs.

03:07:38

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ANECDOTE

Indicted For Protesting ICE

Kat Abughazaleh recounts being indicted for activism and argues Democrats must prosecute ICE criminals and protect communities.
She ran for office to hold fascists accountable and to continue community-focused work.

insights

INSIGHT

Justice Varies By Political Alignment

Ben Jordan highlights double standards: harsh sentences for leftist property damage versus pardons for right-wing violence.
Political alignment drastically alters legal outcomes and labels like 'domestic terrorist.'

insights

INSIGHT

Force The Fight, Build Parallel Institutions

Tad Stoermer argues 'loyal opposition' fails; grassroots parallel institutions and retraining where to look for leadership are crucial.
Historical anti-federalist pressure shows forcing the fight wins concessions like the Bill of Rights.

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Abolitionists' Long Fight

01:23 • 8min

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Everyday Democratic Duties

09:24 • 4min

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Abolish ICE: Vision and Strategy

13:38 • 6min

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Faith Communities as Resistance

19:18 • 4min

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Demanding Accountability for ICE

23:25 • 3min

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Double Standards in Protest Sentencing

26:09 • 3min

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Force the Fight: Anti-Federalist Lessons

28:55 • 4min

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What a General Strike Is

33:20 • 3min

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Can a U.S. General Strike Happen?

36:13 • 8min

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Love, Care, and Resistance

44:10 • 2min

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Personal Courage in Activism

Why Persuasion Alone Fails

59:38 • 2min

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Anti-Federalists Forced Concessions

01:01:57 • 8min

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International Pressure Works

01:10:13 • 5min

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Teachers Protecting Students

01:15:32 • 6min

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Intergenerational Memory and Movement Fatigue

01:21:41 • 11min

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Black Labor Movement's Complexities

01:32:20 • 7min

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Policing Repression Across Eras

01:39:31 • 11min

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Nonviolence vs. Pacification

01:50:56 • 5min

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Commons, Memory, and Mutual Aid

01:55:27 • 3min

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The 3.5% Rule Explained

01:58:32 • 9min

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When Is Direct Action Necessary?

02:07:37 • 7min

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Solidarity from Other Cities

02:14:21 • 10min

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Day of Truth and Freedom

02:24:20 • 9min

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Thousands Rally at Target Center

02:33:24 • 1min

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Unions' Role Against Authoritarianism

02:34:48 • 11min

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Taft-Hartley and General Strike Limits

a history of abolition

Manisha Sinha

Manisha Sinha's "The Slave's Cause" provides a comprehensive and nuanced history of the abolitionist movement in the United States. Sinha meticulously details the diverse strategies and actors involved, highlighting the complexities and internal debates within the movement. The book challenges simplistic narratives, exploring the role of violence and resistance alongside peaceful activism. It examines the transnational connections of the abolitionist cause and its impact on both American and global politics. Sinha's work offers a crucial corrective to traditional interpretations, providing a richer and more complete understanding of this pivotal period in American history.

Police Against the Movement

Joshua Clark Davis

#30888

• Mentioned in 2 episodes

Until Justice Be Done

Kate Masur

Kate Masur's book, *Until Justice Be Done*, provides a comprehensive history of the first civil rights movement in the United States. It explores how Black and White Americans worked together to challenge racist laws and institutions from the Revolution through the 1870s. The book highlights the struggles faced by free Black people in Northern states and the efforts of activists to achieve legal equality, laying groundwork for future civil rights movements.

Air Date 2/10/2026

Today we explore what effective resistance actually looks like. We'll hear why Jamelle Bouie says the panic of those in power signals that opposition is working, what abolitionists teach us about fighting without knowing the ending, and how Minneapolis proved that democratic force can overwhelm physical force.

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Full Show Notes

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TOP TAKES

KP 1: What I've Learned From Reading History - Takes™ by Jamelle Bouie - Air Date 1-28-26

KP 2: Five Ways to Fight Trumps Fascism - Robert Reich - Air Date 8-19-25

KP 3: Abolish ICE! No Brainer. Then What? Also, How? - Matthew Cooke - Air Date 1-27-26

KP 4: "They Have Agency In This Moment. They Can Walk Away" - Maria J. Stephan's Message To ICE Officers - The Late Show with Stephen Colbert - Air Date 1-23-26

KP 5: Democrats Need To Change How We Talk About ICE | Kat Abughazaleh For Illinois - Kat Abughazaleh - Air Date 1-26-26