Featured Segments

empower
independent media

San Francisco Bans Sitting or Lying on Sidewalks

Tuesday, December 7th, 2010

Making Contact’s Andrew Stelzer takes a look at a new San Francisco ordinance that bans sitting or lying on the street.

Paul Boden on SF’s Sit/Lie ordinance and the criminalization of the homelessness

Tuesday, December 7th, 2010

An interview with Paul Boden, organizer with the Western Regional Advocacy Project, about San Franciscos’ Sit-Lie ordinance, & other policies across the country that criminalize the homeless and the poor.

How ‘Quality of Life’ turned Homeless New Yorkers into Criminals

Tuesday, December 7th, 2010

Journalist Sam Lewis volunteered with the homeless led group ‘Picture the Homeless’ over the past two years, recording the voices of New Yorkers without a place to live. Lewis produced this story about how those without homes are criminalized, and how they’re organizing to change the city’s ways.

Women for Women in Juarez

Thursday, October 7th, 2010

In Ciudad Juárez, in the Mexican state of Chihuahua, there have been nearly 500 known cases of femicide in under two decades. Joe Richey speaks to several women in Juarez about what it’s like to live in the most violent city in the world.

New ‘Femicide Law’ in Bolivia Put Forth to Curb Murder of Women

Thursday, October 7th, 2010

In Bolivia, violent crimes against young women have risen dramatically. But a new law that may pass by the end of 2010, would give a sentence of up to 30 years’ prison for the murder of women.

The Life and Death of the Infernal Noise Brigade

Tuesday, September 14th, 2010

While there are now dozens of street bands around the country and abroad, one from Seattle is known to have been an inspiration. The Infernal Noise Brigade debuted at the Seattle WTO protests in 1999.

Street Bands Bring Protest to the Internet through Flash Mobs

Tuesday, September 14th, 2010

Some marching bands are getting more creative about making a political spectacle, by becoming the protest themselves, and using the internet to make their message viral. Making Contact’s Pauline Bartolone knows all about it. Her roommates are in a band called the Brass Liberation Orchestra in San Francisco.

Marching to the Beat of their Own Drums

Tuesday, September 14th, 2010

Marching bands from North Carolina to Portland, Oregon are bringing humor, politics, and a unique sound to the streets – many of them with a message of social justice. Once a year, many of these street bands travel to Massachusettes for the Honk Festival. Sarah Danson has more about the festival, and the historical and political traditions that fuel their music.

Due to Economic Concerns, Gulf Coast Residents Still Support Big Oil

Tuesday, August 24th, 2010

Many of those most closely affected by the devastation of the gulf spill are, in fact, not calling for any change at all.

Turning Farm Workers into Farm Owners

Tuesday, August 24th, 2010

It’s ironic that the workers caring for and picking our food, have the least say about how the farms themselves are run. But a non-profit organization in Central California is working to change that, with a dynamic program that turns farm workers into farm operators and owners.

Browse Archives:

2012,
2011,
2010,
2009,
2008,
2007,
2006,
2005,
2004,
2003,
2002,
2001,
2000,
1999,
or by month.

Featured Segments

Browse Archives:

Browse our shows on: