Indiana Veterans and Servicemen to Refuse Deployment

As Trump considers using the "Insurrection Act" to justify his deployment of National Guardsmen, many of whom are surrounding our state pending Court proceedings, veterans and active-duty servicemen in Indiana are already organizing to refuse any illegal and unconstitutional orders to participate in the reign of terror against immigrant, working-class, and oppressed communities. Lucas Lee, an anti-war veteran organizer with About Face and a volunteer with the Indy Liberation Center joins the show to discuss the new campaign.

Indiana now has an annual "Day of LOVE," which was announced at a celebration at Newfields to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Robert Indiana's "LOVE" sculpture's placement at the art museum. Appallingly, Mayor Joe Hogsett, who has been embroiled in one sexual assault and harassment scandal after another, issued the proclamation on October 22. That same day, the Historic Irvington Community Council sent Hogsett a letter asking him not to attend their community's annual Halloween Festival "out of respect for survivors of sexual assault." Meanwhile, his colleagues in the City-County Council are using their individual $1 million from this year's budget to finally take care of the city's atrocious potholes--at least the ones in front of their houses. Finally, the last issue co-hosts Dani Abdullah and Derek Ford discuss in this week's Naptown Breakdown hits on is the recent confirmation by the Indianapolis Airport Authority that ICE is using our airport to three times a week to facilitate their war on immigrants.

As the war escalates, so does the resistance. This week's guest, military veteran Lucas Lee, announces a new organizing effort amongst other veteran and active-duty service members to commit to refusing any deployment orders by Braun or Trump. Lee and Ford discuss the importance of organizing resistance in the military's rank-and-file, the rights of servicemembers to resist unconstitutional orders, why the campaign is starting now, and why it's imperative we stand united in this struggle.

This week's Circle City Shout Out goes to the Indy Gay Market! Indy Gay Market made history in Indianapolis as its first all LGBTQ+ market July 31, 2021. Indy Gay Market uplifts LGBTQ+ artists, makers, and small business owners by providing equitable, artist-led vendor big gay markets in Indianapolis. Through inclusive events, strategic partnerships, and year-round advocacy, they work to create economic opportunities, foster community engagement, and celebrate queer identity. By uniting art, commerce, and activism, Indy Gay Market empowers and strengthens our queer community. The Indianapolis Liberation Center is proud to be one of their community partners.

Finally, Abdullah and Ford urge listeners to call and demand clemency for Kofi Ajabu before November 5!