Qualified immunity is the legal doctrine that shields public officials accused of civil rights violations. Police and corrections officers face limited repercussions for acts of brutality, even for those that end in death. There is pending legislation before the state senate and assembly that would end qualified immunity. Keli Young is the Civil Rights Campaign Coordinator for Vocal-NY and Lukee Forbes is a community organizer in Albany of Vocal-NY. They join us from New York City and Albany.
Leah Goodridge is a member of New York City Planning Commission. She opposed the One 45 project, which was to have been located on West 145th Street and Lenox Avenue. The project was opposed by the local community board, City Council Member, and Manhattan Borough President, yet was approved by the Planning Commission with just two commissioners objecting. As the rezoning was on the verge of a City Council vote, the developer suddenly withdrew the project. We talk to Leah Goodridge about this particular project and the challenges of producing adequate and permanently affordable housing. She joins us from New York City.
Gonzalo Mercado is Director of Transnational Programs at the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON), which is among the convening organizations for the People's Summit for Democracy, which takes place in Los Angeles from June 8 through 10. The People's Summit is a counter to the Summit of the Americas which this year is hosted by the U.S. but which excludes Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua from attending. Justice for working people and ensuring legal rights for immigrant workers is a demand of The People's Summit. Gonzalo Mercado joins us from New York
Liberation struggles are not fought only on the battlefield. The African Party for the Independence of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde (PAIGC) left a legacy of educational decolonization.
