Melting ICE: The Climate Movement Defends Democracy

About this episode

The episode discusses the intersection of climate action and democracy, featuring insights from leaders in the climate movement.

Back in December, the Trump administration sent thousands of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents into Minnesota. They terrorized communities, took people from their homes, and murdered two American citizens. Climate groups helped lead the resistance. In this episode of A Matter of Degrees , a city stands up to state violence. We bring on Aru Shiney-Ajay , the executive director of the Sunrise Movement, to tell us about leading on the frontlines in Minneapolis. Then we talk to Ben Passer , the McKnight Foundation's Midwest Climate Director, about how preserving democracy is key to climate action. Finally, we chat with Emily Atkin , founder and Editor-in-Chief of HEATED, on the connection between ICE violence and fossil fuels. Resources mentioned in the episode: Read I don't know how to do this and Actually, I do know how to do this by Emily Atkin, and her newsletter, HEATED Read Ben Passer's essay in Atmos, Lessons from Minnesota: To Preserve Our Planet, We Must Also Preserve Our Democracy Learn more about Minnesota's 100% clean electricity standard in our previous episode, Minnesota's Climate Breakthrough

People in this episode

Hosts: Dr. Leah Stokes, Dr. Katharine Wilkinson

Guests: Aru Shiney-Ajay, Ben Passer, Emily Atkin

Topics covered

• climate movement
• democracy
• state violence
• community resistance
• fossil fuels
• ICE violence

Keywords

• climate action
• democracy
• ICE
• Minnesota
• Sunrise Movement
• state violence
• fossil fuels

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Sunrise Movement, McKnight Foundation, HEATED

Books & works: I don't know how to do this, Actually, I do know how to do this, Lessons from Minnesota: To Preserve Our Planet, We Must Also Preserve Our Democracy, Minnesota's Climate Breakthrough

Places: Minnesota

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