Old Mole Variety Hour March 8th 2021

Denise Morris Hosts this episode of The Old Mole which includes

• Women and Climate Justice. Bill Resnick talks to Suzanna Kassouf, a leader and very active in Portland’s Sunrise Movement that has rapidly grown across the U.S. and world, attracting young people. In the U.S. Sunrise went to the U.S. Congress, met with lawmakers, issued a Great Thunberg type challenge to them to take strong decisive action on climate change including enacting the Green New Deal. In Portland Sunrise in coalition with other climate action forces organized to stop fossil fuel exports and win a city initiative for a Clean Energy Fund. Suzanna and Bill will discuss the how and why of women’s, particularly BIPOC women’s, increasing participation and power in climate action and climate justice movements and struggles.  They’ll conclude discussing the priorities for climate action in Portland and Oregon.
• Stop Line 3 actions. Jan Haaken talks with Extinction Rebellion PDX organizer Diana Meisenhelter about the national mobilization to support the Indigenous-led Stop Line 3 actions in Northern Minnesota, and why these actions are so critical in the fight against expansion of fossil fuel pipelines.  Meisenhelter is part of a group traveling from Portland this week to join camps along the pipeline route.  In recognition of International Women's Day, they also discuss the intersection of racial, gender and climate justice and what it means to be a white ally in this Indigenous led movement. Diana Meisenhelter has worked as a labor, environmental, social justice, anti-poverty, and community activist for over five decades, and currently works on climate change and social justice organizing through Extinction Rebellion and the Defend Democracy Coalition.
• Amazon workers Organizing in Bessemer, Alabama. Johanna Brenner interviews Adam Obernauer, Organizing Director for the Retail, Warehouse, and Department Store Union about the campaign to organize Amazon warehouse workers in Bessemer, Alabama.  A predominantly African American city, Bessemer has a proud history of union and social justice organizing.  A win here would be a huge boost to Amazon workers organizing across the U.S.
• Colonialism, Exploitation, Patriarchy and violence against Indigenous Women. Desiree Hellegers talks with Lana Jack, Celilo Wyam activist/organizer and Director of the Columbia River Indian Center about the upcoming March 10 anniversary of the inundation of Celilo Falls, and about the links between colonialism, patriarchy, the exploitation of Indigenous lands, and violence against Indigenous women.