Ep. 33: Common Unity 3 with Leon Benson: The People Will Win
This week, Leon Benson joined the show to discuss Common Unity 3 and why the yearly event is no longer a tradition but a mission. As a reminder, Leon was framed by the cops and wrongfully imprisoned for 25 years—10 of which he served in solitary confinement— for the murder of Kasey Schoen.
Naptown Breakdown:
This week, co-hosts Dani Abdullah and Derek Ford address a range of interrelated issues, from the U.S. war against Iran, the national chauvinism some segments of the “left” recently expressed, last Thursday’s protest against ICE at the Hampton Inn, and Wednesday night’s rally against IMPD terror organized by PSL Indianapolis, the spokesperson of Dalys Jett’s family, Rev. Scruggs, and others.
As the price of crude oil increases from $101 to $120 a barrel, there’s no relief at the gas pump in sight. The sharp increase in oil comes as Houthi rebels launched a successful counterattack against U.S. client state and brutal dictatorship Saudi Arabia, which has been bombing the country for over 11 years. Despite the catastrophic damage inflicted on the Yemeni people, the Houthi forces (formally known as Ansar Allah) are still holding their ground. The U.S., under both Biden and Trump, directly bombed Yemen as a result of the country’s steadfast support for the Palestinian struggle, including military operations and drone attacks, naval and aerial blockades, and more. Trump was forced to acknowledge that the U.S. population is suffering as a result of the country’s imperialist war against the sovereign nation of Iran but absurdly added that “oil prices will drop precipitously, like everything else is dropping (but more!), when we WIN the war with Iran.” The U.S., the most powerful military in the world, has not defeated Iran over the last seven months and will certainly not win a military conquest. Iran maintains control of the Strait of Hormuz and continues dealing devastating military blows against the U.S. This is not only a war against Iran but a war against all independent countries willing to stand up to the crumbling U.S. Empire.
They contrast this analysis with the “Open Letter to Iran’s Political Prisoners” published in The Guardian and signed by a few prominent academics and, unintentionally, by Mumia Abu-Jamal. Derek links this to the recent episode on the Black Belt Thesis and shows it is a manifestation of national chauvinism at its finest. The timing of the letter is one issue while the other is the false equivalency asserted between the U.S./Israel and the Iranian Republic. Notably, however, Mumia sent a message written on two paper plates that articulated a correct position on the letter and the war that read, in part, “Iran is showing the world… how to fight against the Empire… They remind me of Vietnam [a] poor country that whipped the most powerful army on earth… That’s where we are today.”
The people, lacking sophisticated weaponry, can defeat U.S. imperialism abroad and at home. Recent evidence of this when, at a moment’s notice, dozens of people descended on the Hampton Institute where ICE agents were trying to sleep after re-invading our city. After several hours, the protesters went home in a strategic retreat. Yet hours later several were back on the scene to ensure ICE got the message.
Finally, they discuss the Sept. 9 protest against the IMPD’s killing of Dalys Jett, a young man, father, college student, worker, and beloved community member. The IMPD has repeatedly lied about the killing and recently-leaded video evidence clearly shows Jett rightfully running from the killer cops as they shot him nine times in the back. That the IMPD had no response to this video and still hasn’t accounted for how a gun fired from Dalys’ weapon ended up in an officer’s protective vest, means they’re backed into a corner. After the protest, the large multinational grouping went to the Public Safety and Criminal Justice Committee meeting to voice their opposition to Chief Tanya Terry’s request for $400 million dollars to these cops. City-County Councilor Leroy Robinson, who chairs the Committee, ordered deputies to escort people out using violence and handcuffs in what is another reminder that there are two sides: the people and the system. The people will continue to fight and, with enough determination and sacrifice, win.
Leon Benson on Common Unity: From a Tradition to a Mission:
This week we were fortunate to have Leon Benson, who was framed by IMPD cops and falsely imprisoned for 25 years—over half of his life—before being exonerated in March 2023. Leon discusses the history of Common Unity, which started with a “Re-Birth” Celebration at the Indy Liberation Center on the anniversary of Leon’s exoneration, marking his first return from Detroit to Indianapolis since his liberation. Common Unity 2 entailed a concert and a press conference with Leon and Kolleen Schoen-Bunch, the sister of Kasey Schoen who Leon was framed for killing, discussing their joint lawsuit against the City and several of the crooked cops who framed Leon and let the real killer go free. Although they know who killed Kasey, Ryan Mears stated his office has no intention of pursuing the matter any further.
Common Unity is no longer about Leon but about the countless others who still need to be exonerated. Common Unity 3, organized by Leon and Indy Liberation Center, included several events that featured survivors of solitary confinement who are on both sides of the prison wall and a “Letters of Gratitude, Hours of Flowers” ceremony where Leon thanked the people who helped win his freedom. Most notably, a plaque signed by Michigan’s Governor to the recently deceased Honorable Shatrese Flowers, a judge that made it her mission to exonerate Leon. Her best friend received the award on her behalf.
Circle City Shout Out:
This week, Dani gives the Circle City Shout Out to queer, lesbian, nonbinary poet, and artist Imani Lehtè. Imani graced the Indy Liberation Store with her presence recently for a poetry workshop, which evidenced how her artistry builds community through praxis and to make peace, love, and war against and within a system that is made to harm us at our core and divulge hope.
Events:
Sat., Sept. 12: Circle City Sangha Mindfulness Meetup
Sat., Sept. 12: Heal Indy Presents “The Summit”
Sun., Sept. 13: Reading with Comrades: Socialist Reconstruction (pt. 1)
Sun., Sept. 13: Emancipatory Motions: Yoga for Liberation
Sat., Sept. 26 – Sun., Sept. 27: Indiana Prison Networking Conference
Show Notes:
Support Naptown People’s Radio
Indy Liberation Store
Indianapolis Liberation Center
PSL Indianapolis
Party for Socialism and Liberation
Closing Song:
Voice of the People, Courtesy of EL BENTLY 448