Today on Sojourner Truth:
A U.S. federal court struck down North Carolina's congressional map on Monday, August 27 ahead of the U.S. midterm elections, ruling that districts were unconstitutionally gerrymandered to favor the GOP. Gerrymandering is a practice intended to establish a political advantage for a particular party or group by manipulating district boundaries. Oftentimes, its used to suppress the power of liberal and progressive Black and Brown voters across the United States, especially southern states like North Carolina. Joining us to discuss gerrymandering in North Carolina and how it will impact midterm elections is Barbara Arnwine, a veteran civil rights and human rights leader and advocate. She is currently the Executive Director of the Transformative Justice Coalition.
Mumia Abu-Jamal, an African-American journalist and prisoner who has been detained in Pennsylvania since 1981 under alleged charges of killing a policeman, will soon appear in court again on Thursday, August 30. He was sentenced to death the year after his arrest and conviction in 1981. Since then, he has tried to appeal his conviction at least five times. Joining us to discuss Mumia's case is Pam Africa, the head of International Concerned Friends and Family of Mumia Abu-Jamal, the Philadelphia-based organization at the center of the international movement seeking Abu-Jamals release.
Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley is tackling her island nation's financial woes, including payments to the International Monetary Fund. Joining us to discuss Mottley, Barbados and Caribbean politics is David Comissiong, an advisor to Mottley on Caribbean Community (CARICOM) affairs. He is also active in the Caribbean Pan African Network.
