The Weed Out Podcast
A podcast by abolitionists for those who are in the mood to hear that discussion. We are Western Massachusetts based but hope to resonate everywhere. Discussions will focus on both local topics and events that impact us all on a broad level and could be applied to people all over the country. We will share ways to get involved with direct action, information on how to make records requests from public officials, and good news about our area and beyond! We hope you will listen and follow along with us as we weed out the nonsense in our town and maybe even yours too.
Listen on:
Episodes
Thursday Nov 16, 2023
Thursday Nov 16, 2023
Spencer and Joanna will discuss the allegations against Captain Reyes and what the Holyoke administration/PD did in order to investigate and handle the allegations. Captain Reyes handled any internal affairs issues and so people reporting concerns would have to go to him. He was eventually accused of creating a hostile work environment which included sexual harassment even when asked to stop. The person that made the allegations was also an officer on the Holyoke PD. Join us to discuss this mess and find out how much it costs the tax payers!
Monday Oct 30, 2023
Monday Oct 30, 2023
Owen Broadhurst is a local organizer and friend of The Weed Out. He joins us to discuss recent sweeps of certain neighborhoods in Holyoke that have impacted not only Owen's close connections but neighbors to all of us in the Western Ma Community. The police arrested some for not having ID on them and this should not be the case. Owen also gives the audience an update on The Worker's Party here in Western Ma and how to get involved if you would like to know more or join. Thanks for listening, sharing and following along! We appreciate you all :)
xo,
Joanna & Spence
theweedout.com
Monday Oct 23, 2023
Monday Oct 23, 2023
Laura Saylor joins us to give us some updates on what is going on in her part of the state (Eastern, MA). She gives us an update on Ron Sellon and the protesting her and her organizers are doing regarding this Police Chief being able to keep his position. Further, she talks about why she is still focusing on Sandra Birchmore and will continue to protest and meet with the people that have information that should be used to bring some kind of justice for Sandra.
www.theweedout.com
Monday Oct 16, 2023
Monday Oct 16, 2023
Danielle and Tamik (who is a person who remains incarcerated in Hampden County) join Spence and Joanna to ask the Western Ma Community for your help. We discuss the No Longer 3/5ths Coalition and what that means for those that remain incarcerated here in MA. The ability for those people to have the right to vote was taken away in 2000. We need people to gather signature to restore this right for those incarcerate. Please listen in as to why and how you can help.
www.theweedout.com
Wednesday Oct 11, 2023
Wednesday Oct 11, 2023
Listen in to hear from Defund 413! We ask them who they are and what they are all about. Spence chats to one of the members Birdy about what is happening in Amherst, MA right now along with the CRESS program and the local elections that are coming up on Tuesday, November 7th. Please share with those you know in that town and listen in to hear about what is happening in a community here in Western Ma that addresses needs of the citizens and removes police interactions and so much more!
www.theweedout.com
Tuesday Sep 26, 2023
Tuesday Sep 26, 2023
This episode is an update from the Trader Joe's United Union here in Hadley, MA. Listen in for some updates on what's going on, how we as a community can help, and how the National Union campaign is going for Trader Joe's!
www.theweedout.com
Wednesday Sep 13, 2023
Wednesday Sep 13, 2023
Katie Talbot is back with some good news and some updates from Neighbor to Neighbor. There are some local elections, housing organizing and dates that are coming up to watch out for, and some initiatives at the state level that we can all take action on. Listen in to here more about how you can get involved with your neighbors!
www.theweedout.com
Monday Sep 11, 2023
Monday Sep 11, 2023
It's 9/11 and how could anyone ever forget with the way the media and government have used this tragedy. Listen in as we discuss 9/11, the aftermath, and why it's important to have discussions about this date that reflects on more than the narratives assigned to it.
Ghoulery and TomFoolery segment: https://x.com/JoshLandesWAMC/status/1700600598536524237?s=20
https://x.com/theweedout/status/1700611285086343615?s=20
www.theweedout.com
Thursday Aug 31, 2023
Thursday Aug 31, 2023
Laura Saylor is an activist, abolitionist and organizer in Mansfield, MA. She is dedicated to finding the truth about what happened to Sandra Birchmore on in Eastern Mass (Canton/Stoughton area). She was a young woman who lost her life too young and deserves the truth to come out about what really happened to her. This case involves police officers and DAs who still are in their positions and have done nothing or have moved up or onto different positions of power. Join us and find out more and how to help if you are able to attend a few stand-outs planned in the coming months.
theweedout.com
Monday Aug 14, 2023
Monday Aug 14, 2023
On Sunday (August 13th), a group of people (around 100 people) gathered outside of City Hall in Northampton, MA. This group was demanding action for the police brutality that was recently brought to light by theshoestring.org. The incident from this report took place on April 4th but it should be noted that there are two other people currently suing Northampton Police for their inappropriate use of force. The organizers of this event were the Workers Party of Western MA, The Communist Party, Party of Socialism of Liberation of the Pioneer Valley. Please listen in for more from some of the organizers and attendees of this protest.
More on theweedout.com