Silencing Solidarity: California’s Battle Over AB 715

KPFA - Hard Knock Radio

On today’s show, we turn our attention to Gaza, where the humanitarian crisis has reached catastrophic levels. The United Nations has declared a stage 5 famine, and leading human rights organizations, along with genocide scholars, have nearly unanimously recognized Israel’s assault on Palestinians as genocide.

Here in California, state lawmakers are advancing AB 715 — legislation aimed at stifling criticism of Israel at a time when public opinion overwhelmingly opposes its military actions. As the legislature returns to session, the fight over AB 715 raises urgent questions about free speech, political dissent, and the right to stand in solidarity with Palestinians.

Host Anita Johnson speaks with Mohamed Shehk, Organizing Director for the Arab Resource & Organizing Center (AROC), about the realities on the ground in Gaza, the motivations behind AB 715, and the growing movement to oppose it.

We’ll also hear from political prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal on the killing of Palestinian journalist Anas Al-Sharif by the Israeli military. Al Jazeera reported that Al-Sharif, one of Gaza’s most prominent journalists, was killed along with four staff members in a targeted airstrike. Mumia will also share commentary on the importance of Black August, an annual commemoration that spans the entire month of August. Black August honors Black political prisoners and the long history of Black freedom struggles in the United States and around the world, and uplifts traditions of Black resistance against racial, colonial, and imperialist oppression.

Hard Knock Radio is a drive-time Hip-Hop talk show on KPFA (94.1fm @ 4-5 pm Monday-Friday), a community radio station without corporate underwriting, hosted by Davey D and Anita Johnson.

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