The Weed Out Podcast

EP81: during emergencies cops are expensive traffic cones

Currently on the federal level, "DOGE" is defunding contracts, institutions, so on and so forth the un-fun way: the fascist way.
Defunding can be a wonderful thing when done with the proletariat in mind, but when left in the hands of Neo_badguys, defunding is never helpful.  They will destroy and defund "helpful" institutions like the FAA and CDC but never the corrupt and unhelpful law enforcement.
When the chips are down, say in a snow storm, cops will literally be touted as heroes when the best they can do is put their lights on and block or contain and accident.  Listen in as Spencer rants about so many other plausible solutions other than this.
When fascists take control of the purse strings it's never good for the 99% of us.  We keep us safe.
Here's some links that were mentioned in the episode:
https://www.masslive.com/news/2025/02/mass-state-police-respond-to-over-400-car-crashes-during-weekend-winter-storm.html
https://abcnews.go.com/US/executives-private-prison-firm-corecivic-expect-significant-growth/story?id=118758271
https://www.tiktok.com/@keribla/video/7472432959669275935?_r=1&_t=ZP-8u029unl6LP
www.theweedout.com
 

EP80: ICE in schools: holyoke and massachusetts edition

Hey y'all. 2025 is mask off fash, so we figured we would update and add our thoughts on recent news regarding ICE and other Federal agencies invading our communities.  
Our guiding principle remains simple: we keep us safe.
keep weeding out the bullshit. get to know your neighbors and please don't let our public servants like Joshua Garcia, Maura Healey and the rest promise the bare minimum.  They wanted to lead so hold them to that.  We. Keep. Us. Safe.
www.theweedout.com
links to articles discussed:
https://www.westernmassnews.com/2025/01/27/mass-attorney-general-releases-guidelines-schools-if-approached-by-ice-agents/
https://www.wwlp.com/news/local-news/hampden-county/holyoke-works-to-protect-rights-of-migrants-in-city/
https://www.masslive.com/westernmass/2025/01/holyoke-mayor-superintendent-take-actions-stressing-support-for-immigrants.html
https://www.gazettenet.com/Holyoke-Mayor-Garcia-places-bid-for-a-second-term-59038105
 

EP79: ghoulery, no tomfoolery: ofc reyes(and every cop) lawsuits defund us

Joanna and Spence hop in to break down the shoestring's reporting of the victim of Officer Reyes potentially getting a settlement due to the allegations brought against Ofc Reyes in a court of law. 
We do not want to focus on Ofc. Reyes, but use this as an example of how these systems and institutions of law enforcement are not used to protect and serve.  It is a corrupt institution from its founding and these stories are in every backyard, town, city and beyond.  Weed out this bull shit.
link to main source within this article there are links to other sourcing of previous reporting.  
thank you shoestring and dusty for digging on this.
solidarity to all workers
 
www.theweedout.com
 

EP 78: Northampton PD and others sweep Moose Camp by surprise

On Friday Oct 11, 2024, Northampton PD and other local law enforcement forcibly swept Moose Camp from their Fitzgerald Lake camp in Northampton, MA.  Please reach out to those organizing around Moose Camp if you can help.  At the very least, call the Northampton Mayors and Police offices to demand better treatment of these folks.
Link to article here
https://theshoestring.org/2024/10/11/police-in-northampton-evict-outdoor-recovery-camp/
As this story unfolds we will continue to share what we hear on the ground.
www.theweedout.com

EP77: Holyoke to settle with victim of Ofc. Reyes

Laura Saylor and Spence react to the news from www.theshoestring.com reporting on documents pertaining to possible settlement payments for the former police officer who was alleged to have been harassed and abused by Officer Reyes (technically a Captain but we don't respect rank here)
link to story here
This story is important and we will break it down in further episodes.  This story made the light of day because of committed folk in Holyokes community and those at places like the Shoestring who are weeding out the bull shit in our communities.
Jump in as Laura and I discuss and catch you up on the bull shit happening right here in our backyard
www.theweedout.com

EP 76: UPDATE Northampton MA - Moose Camp Sweep Fails - 10072024

UPDATE on the camp for unhoused in Northampton, known as Moose Camp, was set to be swept and cleared today 10/07/2024 but that did not happen.  Solidarity to the community who showed up in numbers when the Northampton PD, HHS and Mayor's Office arrived.  Reports from the ground said that no arrests were made and the sweep/eviction did not ultimately occur.
details here via the shoestring
We got word of this encampment being in danger of the violence of the state via instagram from this post.
If you have any questions, comments or thoughts please email us: theweedout@gmail.com
www.theweedout.com

EP75: weird (comma) fascists

Akil Vicks of On One joins us again to discuss the presidential ticket and the importance a comma makes.  The fascists are weird but the liberals normalize it and help move the goal posts.
ghoulery & tomfoolery:
Mass State Trooper trainee dead at Academy "training"
 
www.theweedout.com
 

EP74: Officer Farwell Indicted for the murder of Sandra Birchmore

Laura Saylor joins us to update on sandra birchmore and the accused murderer, officer matthew farwell
 
this is far from over. this isn’t true crime. this is the weed out. 
 
www.theweedout.com

EP 73: Deadly Police Exchange: IOF and USA policing

This week, Laura Saylor joins us and we discuss the deadly police exchange of the IOF and USA policing.  Have you heard of #copcity?  Yeah, that's our DNC liberals wet dream of "training" and the program is built on an exchange of "ideas" between USA policing and IOF occupation.
GHOULERY AND TOMFOOLERY:
This week the Shoestring covers Holyoke PD in conjunction with other local ghouls they are harassing folk in lower ward apartment buildings, essentially arresting civilians for existing, which leads to collecting court feels all while patrolling private landlords property, subsidized by us! yay!!!
keep weeding out the bull shit,
follow us on social media https://linktr.ee/theweedout
www.theweedout.com

EP 72: VEEP reality stranger than fiction

Join Akil Vicks of On One and Spencer Fox discuss Akil's piece on the VEEP sweepstakes in the 2024 Federal elections.  Find his article here published to In These Times
We skipped Ghoulery and Tomfoolery™️ this week but we will bring it back next time.  Too much ghoulishness in the main story with these elected officials to need a separate segment!
 
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