Linea Abierta Programming: WEEK OF MAY 20, 2024

MONDAY, MAY 20
PROGRAM #10378 12:00 PM PT 

“The Wannabe Fascists.” An internationally renowned expert on right-wing studies has released his new book entitled “The Wannabe Fascists: A Guide to Understanding the Greatest Threat to Democracy.” In his book, the author warns voters from the US and other countries about how the practice of big lies and propaganda, and the politics of xenophobia and violence, can turn populist leaders into authoritarian fascists who undermine the power of the popular vote and destroy democracy, as it happened once in Argentina, his mother country.

Guest: Professor Federico Finchelstein, Historian, The New School of Social Research, Eugene Lang College, New York, NY.

Houston Storm Damage, Emergency Aid and Recovery. Thursday’s destructive storms in the Houston area killed at least eight people and knocked out power amid soaring temperatures. In the face of rising heat, the city of Houston set up cooling centers for residents, while authorities warn that restoring power to all customers will be a lengthy process.

Guest: Mariana Pineda, Collaborating Reporter, Radio Bilingüe, Houston, TX.

Willie Velasquez: Latino Voting Rights Champion. Community leaders convened in San Antonio, TX, to pay tribute to the life and legacy of William C. Velasquez, on what would have been his 80th birthday and the 50th anniversary of the launching of the South West Voter Registration and Education Project, the organization he founded and led. With his motto “Su Voto es su Voz,” Velasquez is recognized as a visionary leader who championed Latino voting rights and changed the landscape of politics in communities throughout the Southwest and the US. Civic leaders call on the USPS to honor Velasquez with a commemorative stamp.

Guests: Judge Dora Olivo, Fort Bend County’s first Latina Justice of the Peace Precinct 4, Richmond, TX; Dr. David Montejano, Professor Emeritus, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA.

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TUESDAY, MAY 21
PROGRAM #10379 11:00 AM PT 

Extra Edition: Heat Protections for Florida Farmworkers. (Program Repeat). Florida governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill last month that would ban heat protections for workers. The federal government does not have laws protecting workers from extreme heat either. But those who work on farmworker-driven Fair Food Program farms in Immokalee, are protected from the dangers of extreme heat. This archival program was originally aired on May 16, 2024.

Guest: Lucas Benítez, Coordinator, Coalition of Immokalee Workers, Immokalee, FL. 

Bird Flu Outbreak. The H5N1 bird flu virus has infected dairy cows across the country. The virus has been found in livestock in nine states, including Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado. At least one person in Texas, also became infected with H5N1. What scientists fear most is if the virus spreads efficiently from person to person. How big is the outbreak? Can humans catch it? Are we at risk of a rapid spread and another pandemic? How can dairy workers protect themselves from bird flu? 

Guests: Denise Vega Ocasio, Epidemiologist, US Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, GA; Paula Andalo, Ethnic Media Editor, KFF Health News, Silver Spring, MD.

PROGRAM #10380 12:00 PM PT 

Immigration Edition. In Arizona, a coalition of businesses, faith leaders, police and prison directors are opposing the proposed HCR2060 measure which, if passed, would empower local and state police to stop, arrest and detain immigrants. In other news, civic groups are warning that the record levels of immigration delays and backlog of cases is causing instability and insecurity for millions of immigrant families and harming the economy. They urge the federal government to put more funds to reduce the growing backlog. Also, a new report from the DHS shows that 80% of undocumented immigrants have been in the country for a decade or more, creating deep roots. A mass deportation  would disrupt the economy and cost many U.S.-born workers their jobs, according to analysts. Finally, a Salvadoran man being held at an ICE detention center in Tacoma, Washington, attempted to take his own life after informing an immigrant advocacy organization about his fears of facing “deadly conditions” in El Salvador if he is deported. A community worker explains his situation.

Guests: Enrique Sanchez, Intermountain State Director, American Business Immigration Coalition-ABIC and ABIC Action, Park City, UT; Petra Falcon, Executive Director, Promise Arizona, Phoenix, AZ; Alma Rosa Nieto, Immigration Attorney, Los Angeles, CA; Maru Mora Villalpando, Community Organizer and CEO, Latino Advocacy, Seattle, WA.

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 22
PROGRAM #10381  12:00 PM PT 

Georgia Primary. Voters in Georgia went to the polls on Tuesday to decide contested primaries for Congress, state legislature and local offices. How to read the voter turnout and election results?

Guest: Carlos Medina, Lead Community Organizer, Georgia Latino Alliance for Human Rights – GLAHR, Mi Gente, Atlanta, GA, today from Liberty County, GA.

New Georgia Voting Rules. Georgia Republican Gov. Bryan Kemp signed legislation that makes controversial changes to voting rights and the way elections are run in the state, ahead of the presidential election.The new laws, called a “step backwards for voter rights and voting access” by civil rights leaders, include provisions that could determine the outcome of the November election in this key state. What’s in those laws? What’s the road ahead in the legal battle?

Guest: Adelina Nicholls, Executive Director, Georgia Latino Alliance for Human Rights-GLAHR, Atlanta, GA.

Auto Workers Win, Lose Union Votes. A month after auto workers at a Volkswagen factory in Tennessee voted in a landslide to unionize, workers at Alabama’s Mercedes plant voted against joining the UAW. How to read these mixed results? Are Southern governors who have attacked labor organizing having an impact?

Guest: Angel, Member, United Auto Workers-UAW, Local 52, Chattanooga, TN.

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THURSDAY, MAY 23
PROGRAM #10382 11:00 AM PT 

Extra Edition: Cancer Hits People of Color Harder. Most cancer patients and survivors have or anticipate medical debt, hitting young people, people of color, and low-income people the worst, according to a survey by a major cancer-action organization. Almost all had health insurance when the medical debt occurred. What can policymakers do to alleviate the massive burden of medical debt on families? On other cancer-related news, while tremendous progress has been made in the battle against cancer deaths, due to advances in prevention, early detection, and treatment, these good news are not benefiting everyone equally. Why are people of color being hit the hardest by cancer?

Guests: María González Albuixech, Senior Director for Media Advocacy, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network-ACSCAN, Boston, MA; Dr. Marcia Cruz Correa, Professor of Medicine, Biochemistry and Oncology, University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, San Juan, PR; Aníbal Torres, liver cancer Survivor, Humacao, PR.

PROGRAM #10383  12:00 PM PT 

Using New Medi-Cal Coverage. California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara recently traveled around the state to tell people that all Californians, including the undocumented, are now eligible for full-scope Medi-Cal. Commissioner Lara authored the first Health for All Kids law as a state senator in 2015 covering all children. Now California has laws expanding Health for All to adults. Drawing from his experience growing in an uninsured family, Lara shares advice with hesitant applicants. This program includes stories from radio listeners about their struggles and joys when accessing Medi-Cal and utilizing health care.

Guests: Ricardo Lara, Insurance Commissioner, California Department of Insurance, Los Angeles, CA; Radio Listeners Testimonies Using Medi-Cal.

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FRIDAY, MAY 24
PROGRAM #10384 12:00 PM PT 

Mexico Edition. Mexico Edition. Political analysts comment on Mexico’s third presidential debate of 2024. In the final stretch of the race towards the largest election in the country’s history, the three candidates were scheduled to meet for the last face off, to debate on social policy, insecurity and organized crime, migration and foreign policy, as well as democracy, pluralism and division of powers. Also, listeners from around the US comment on their experience filling out the electronic and mail-in ballot.