About this episode

The episode discusses the implications of celebrating America's 250th anniversary amidst the rise of fascism and the importance of historical truth.

On the eve of July 4th, against the backdrop of Independence Hall and the Trump-censored President’s House memorial—where enslaved Africans were held in bondage as the foundations of the American republic were laid—Refuse Fascism convened an urgent outdoor public panel discussion, discussing: What does it mean to celebrate “America 250” as fascism is consolidating? Why is rewriting history so important to Trump/MAGA fascists? Why are Black history and liberation struggles such central targets of fascist repression and suppression? And what responsibility do people of conscience have in this moment? Featured speakers included: Michael Coard, attorney and founder of Avenging the Ancestors Coalition. He helped win the creation of the President’s House slavery memorial and is now leading the fight to stop its dismantling by the Trump Regime and defend the public telling of slavery’s history at Independence Mall. Rep. Chris Rabb, PA State Representative (PA-200) and Congressional Democratic nominee (PA-03) Masaru Edmund Nakawatase, Japanese American civil rights organizer, educator, and peace advocate born in the Poston incarceration camp in Arizona during World War II. Dread Scott…

People in this episode

Host: Refuse Fascism

Guests: Michael Coard, Chris Rabb, Masaru Edmund Nakawatase, Dread Scott

Topics covered

• Trump fascism
• historical erasure
• Black history
• liberation struggles
• public panel discussion
• fascist repression

Keywords

• Trump
• fascism
• historical erasure
• Black history
• public discussion
• Independence Hall
• slavery memorial

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Independence Hall, President’s House, Independence Mall

More episodes of Refuse Fascism

• From Prairieland to All of Us · July 19, 2026 · 1h 1m
• What Time Is It? Fascism and the 2026 Elections · July 13, 2026 · 1h 10m
• The Prairieland Model: Criminalizing Dissent · June 28, 2026 · 52 min
• The Paradox of a Weakened Trump · June 21, 2026 · 47 min

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