community-based, non-corporate, participatory media
community-based, non-corporate, participatory media
Rustbelt Radio for July 16, 2012
by Pittsburgh Indymedia: Rustbelt Radio Collecti
Monday, Jul. 16, 2012 at 11:32 PM
radio@indypgh.org
On today's show we continue to look back at the past 8 years of Rustbelt Radio while covering current news such as: A vigil is held in Pittsburgh for a couple shot in Texas; An update on the PNC foreclosure of the Cruz Family home in Minnesota; A look back at our coverage of Juvenile Life Without Parole in light of a recent Supreme Court ruling; A commencement ceremony is held in November for the Initiative for Transgender Leadership, and more in our local and global headlines.
audio link: 
MP3 at 54.4 mebibytes
Rustbelt Radio for July 16, 2012 </h1>
<p>
</p><div class="twikiToc"> <ul>
<li> <a href="#Rustbelt_Radio_for_July_16_2012"> Rustbelt Radio for July 16, 2012 <ul>
<li> <a href="#1_00_Intro"> [1:00] Intro
</li> <li> <a href="#Headlines"> Headlines <ul>
<li> <a href="#Local_News"> Local News <ul>
<li> <a href="#4_21_Texas_Shooting_Vigil"> [4:21] Texas Shooting Vigil
</li> <li> <a href="#5_30_The_Initiative_for_Transgen"> [ 5:30 ] The Initiative for Transgender Leadership
</li> <li> <a href="#Wrapup"> Wrapup
</li></ul>
</li> <li> <a href="#Global_News"> Global News <ul>
<li> <a href="#24_18_JLWOP_overview_and_update"> [ 24:18 ] JLWOP overview and update
</li> <li> <a href="#9_40_US_Social_Forum_2007">[ 9:40 ] US Social Forum 2007
</li> <li> <a href="#Global_Story_3"> [ ] Global Story 3
</li></ul>
</li></ul>
</li> <li> <a href="#Features"> Features <ul>
<li> <a href="#Intro"> Intro
</li> <li> <a href="#10_00_Cruz_Family_Update"> [ 10:00 ] Cruz Family Update
</li> <li> <a href="#Musical_Break"> [ ] Musical Break
</li> <li> <a href="#Feature_2"> [ ] Feature 2
</li></ul>
</li> <li> <a href="#Ending"> Ending <ul>
<li> <a href="#Calendar_of_Events"> Calendar of Events
</li> <li> <a href="#1_00_Outro"> [1:00] Outro
</li></ul>
</li></ul>
</li></ul>
</div>
<p>
</p><h2><a name="1_00_Intro"><a name="_1_00_Intro"> [1:00] Intro </h2>
<p>
Welcome to this week's edition of Rustbelt Radio, the Pittsburgh Independent Media Center's bi-weekly review of the news from the grassroots, news overlooked by the corporate media.
</p><p>
On today's show we continue to look back at the past 8 years of Rustbelt Radio while covering current news such as....
</p><p> </p><ul>
<li> A vigil is held in Pittsburgh for a couple shot in Texas
</li> <li> An update on the PNC foreclosure of the Cruz Family home in Minnesota
</li> <li> A look back at our coverage of Juvenile Life Without Parole in light of a recent Supreme Court ruling
</li> <li> A commencement ceremony is held in November for the Initiative for Transgender Leadership
</li> <li> And more in our local and global headlines
</li></ul>
<p>
Rustbelt Radio is broadcast live from WRCT studios every other Monday at 6 PM on 88.3 FM in Pittsburgh, and the program airs again on WRCT every Tuesday morning at 9AM.
</p><p>
We can also be heard weekly on the following stations:
</p><p> </p><ul>
<li> WSDR 99.1 FM in Pittsburgh
</li> <li> WIUP 90.1 FM in Indiana
</li> <li> WNJR 91.7 FM in Washington
</li> <li> WLRI 93 FM in eastern Pennsylvania
</li> <li> and FRSC 101.1 FM in Santa Cruz, California
</li></ul>
<p>
We're also available on the internet, both on WRCT's live webstream at W-R-C-T dot ORG and for download, stream or podcast from our website at radio dot I-N-D-Y-P-G-H dot org.
</p><p>
Before we turn to local stories, today's show needs a special introduction.
</p><p>
Rustbelt Radio first aired on May 25th, 2004. So this May 25th, 2012 was our 8th anniversary of bringing this area news from a perspective overlooked by the corporate media. Today's show is the second of a two part retrospective where past stories are revisited among contemporary news of a similar nature. Please stay tuned to see a little bit of history from Southwestern Pennsylvania and beyond and celebrate our 8th year of dedication to airing our community's voices and stories.
</p><p>
We turn now to local stories.
</p><p>
</p><h2><a name="Headlines"> Headlines </h2>
<p>
</p><h3><a name="Local_News"> Local News </h3>
<p>
</p><h4><a name="4_21_Texas_Shooting_Vigil"><a name="_4_21_Texas_Shooting_Vigil"> [4:21] Texas Shooting Vigil </h4>
<p> </p><ul>
<li> <a href="https://wiki.indypgh.org/pub/Radio/Shows/2012x07x16/texasshootingvigil.wav" target="_top">texasshootingvigil.wav: (4:21)
</li></ul>
<p>
</p><h4><a name="5_30_The_Initiative_for_Transgen"><a name="_5_30_The_Initiative_for_Transge"> [ 5:30 ] The Initiative for Transgender Leadership </h4>
<p>
Over the years Rustbelt Radio has covered various LGBTQ news, often tragic but at times triumphant as on the November 21st show of last year when The Initiative for Transgender Leadership, or I-T-L, had it's commencement ceremony for their first fellow, Rayden Sorock. For this event, over one hundred people gathered at the Union Project in celebration of Sorock, the ITL and transgender human rights. In addition to speeches and acknowledgments, food was shared, music was played, spoken word was presented and acrobatics performed.
</p><p>
The ITL was formed in 2009 by Madeline Hershey, R.T. Peck and Jen Saffron to provide career and leadership opportunities for trans youth in Pittsburgh. As the ITL fellow, Sorock, age 25, maintained an internship at the Coro Center for Civic Leadership and with a program of Coro Pittsburgh called the Regional Internship Center of Southwestern Pennsylvania.
</p><p>
As the ITL fellow, Sorock wrote forty articles for the ITL blog, fifteen for the Regional Internship Center's blog, and enlisted other authors to write for those blogs as well. Sorock was interviewed by local media outlets, and interviewed local organizations about their internship programs. He performed seven trainings on trans education and attended over 100 community meetings to make connections and build relationships. As an ITL fellow, he also created an LGBTQ "Toolkit" for Coro that will serve as a reference guide for the organization as it builds inclusion. The toolkit includes research on LGBTQ workplace discrimination, rules for etiquette and suggestions for outreach, as well as a list of local LGBTQ organizations. Sorock did all of this as an out trans man, something that the audience was reminded takes courage within this society.
</p><p>
Sorock spoke to the broader importance of having such a program, which can act as a deterrent to violence perpetrated in the name of transphobia - which is the fear and hatred of people who are transgendered. Sorock acknowledged this in his speech:
</p><p> </p><ul>
<li> <a href="https://wiki.indypgh.org/pub/Radio/Shows/2012x07x16/rememberence.wav" target="_top">rememberence.wav: rememberence.wav (0:49)
</li></ul>
<p>
Sorock also reminded the audience of the violence against LGBTQ people in Pittsburgh, the reactions from the media and the necessity of education to combat stereotypes and misinformation:
</p><p> </p><ul>
<li> <a href="https://wiki.indypgh.org/pub/Radio/Shows/2012x07x16/transitioning_is_a_universal_experience.wav" target="_top">transitioning_is_a_universal_experience.wav: transitioning_is_a_universal_experience.wav (1:26)
</li></ul>
<p>
Sorock describes his future role as a post- ITL fellow, as a megaphone for possibility:
</p><p> </p><ul>
<li> <a href="https://wiki.indypgh.org/pub/Radio/Shows/2012x07x16/megaphone_for_possibility.wav" target="_top">megaphone_for_possibility.wav: megaphone_for_possibility.wav (0:59)
</li></ul>
<p>
Up next for the ITL is to review the possibilities of creating another internship and also to begin a mentoring program for trans youth. Sorock will stay on as a advisor for the initiative.
</p><p>
To read the ITL blog that Sorock authored, go to trans youth leaders [dot] blog spot [dot] com.
</p><p>
This story was recorded and edited by Lizzie Anderson; revived from the archives by Emily Laychak.
</p><p>
</p><p>
</p><h4><a name="Wrapup"> Wrapup </h4>
<p>
</p><p>
[ HMB BREAK RUSTBELT - 0:20 (fades down 0:10 in to start global intro) ]
</p><p>
You are listening to Rustbelt Radio, the Pittsburgh Independent Media Center's bi-weekly review of news overlooked by the corporate media. We turn now to other independent news from around the world.
</p><p>
</p><h3><a name="Global_News"> Global News </h3>
<p>
</p><h4><a name="24_18_JLWOP_overview_and_update"><a name="_24_18_JLWOP_overview_and_update"> [ 24:18 ] JLWOP overview and update </h4>
<p>
On June 25th, 2012, the Supreme Court issued a ruling that changed the way this country handles juvenile cases. In a 5-4 split, the court ruled that mandatory sentencing of people under the age of 18 to life without the possibility of parole was unconstitutional according to the 8th amendment, which prohibits cruel and unusual punishment. The Miller v. Alabama and Jackson v. Hobbs created a stir in both the fair youth sentencing and victim advocate worlds, and has also brought media attention to the issue of juvenile lifers without parole.
</p><p>
Over the years Rustbelt has aired multiple stories on the issue of JLWOP (j-l-wop), seeing as Pennsylvania is the leading imprisoner of juveniles serving life without parole, and is the only state in the nation that does not have funding for indigent defense.
</p><p>
In 2008, during the Rustbelt segment 2.3 million and rising, Lizzie Anderson spoke with Anita Colon (cologne) about the issue of Juvenile Lifers without parole. Anita's brother Robert Saleem Holbrook is currently serving a sentence of life without parole for a crime he committed when he was a juvenile, and in fighting for her brother Anita has become an advocate against JLWOP in the state.
</p><p> </p><ul>
<li> <a href="https://wiki.indypgh.org/pub/Radio/Shows/2012x07x16/Anita_2008_set_up.wav" target="_top">Anita_2008_set_up.wav: (1:06)
</li></ul>
<p>
Pennsylvania's mandatory sentencing laws were put into law as a part of a rash of state "truth in sentencing" laws, which reportedly sought standardize sentencing, though resulted in mainly an increase in mandatory minimum sentences. Anita explained how the legislation passed in Pennsylvania allowed for the state to become the leading imprisoner of juveniles, while making sentences less standardized.
</p><p> </p><ul>
<li> <a href="https://wiki.indypgh.org/pub/Radio/Shows/2012x07x16/Anita_2008_clip_2.wav" target="_top">Anita_2008_clip_2.wav: (1:56)
</li></ul>
<p>
Earlier this year Anderson did a series of stories on the issue of JLWOP. The first of story featured audio from Akin Adepoju [PRONOUNCE: AAY – kin ah-dep-oh-ju], an attorney at the federal public defender’s office in Pennsylvania’s western district speaking at an American Civil Liberties Union event on the issue of JLWOP on March 10th at the Northview Heights public housing community. He described watching a 13 year old get processed into an adult prison:
</p><p> </p><ul>
<li> <a href="https://wiki.indypgh.org/pub/Radio/Shows/2012x07x16/clothes.wav" target="_top">clothes.wav: (0:34)
</li></ul>
<p>
Deb Bailey also spoke at the ACLU event, and her story demonstrates how racism and judicial failure pervade the criminal justice system at every stage. Her son was sentenced to life without parole at 15. Both parents have college degrees, and the family had a middle class economic situation. Her son had no prior criminal record, and they hired an expensive lawyer to defend his case. Nevertheless, the story she tells is marked by injustices that appear largely motivated by racial discrimination.
</p><p> </p><ul>
<li> <a href="https://wiki.indypgh.org/pub/Radio/Shows/2012x07x16/deb3.wav" target="_top">deb3.wav: (1:43)
</li></ul>
<p>
In the second story of the series Anderson spoke with Colon again, this time about the beginning stages of the Miller v. Alabama case which was ruled upon on June 25th
</p><p> </p><ul>
<li> <a href="https://wiki.indypgh.org/pub/Radio/Shows/2012x07x16/Anita_legal_beginnings.wav" target="_top">Anita_legal_beginnings.wav: 2:27
</li></ul>
<p>
John Carter was one of the 450 Pennsylvania prisoners serving a JLWOP sentence, he was convicted of a second degree felony murder for taking place in a robbery that resulted in the murder of one man, Carter was sixteen at the time. Carter was not able to know the outcome of the Supreme Court case regarding his sentence because he died in his solitary confinement cell on April 26th of this year, at State Correctional Institute Rockview near State College. Numerous reports from inside the prison revealed that John had been killed by guards using pepper spray and electroshock weapons. Rustbelt spoke with Carter's sister, Michelle Williams in May.
</p><p> </p><ul>
<li> <a href="https://wiki.indypgh.org/pub/Radio/Shows/2012x07x16/michelle-sentence.wav" target="_top">michelle-sentence.wav: (0:44)
</li></ul>
<p>
The investigation of Carter's death is still ongoing almost three months after his death. Michelle has filed a criminal complaint with the district attorney of Centre county, and hopes to find justice for not only her brother but for others who were sentenced to life in the torturous conditions where he brother lost his life.
</p><p>
And now in an update to our continued following of juvenile life without parole sentencing
</p><p>
Rustbelt Radio volunteer, Lizzie Anderson, again spoke with Anita Colon (pronounce cologne) outcome of Miller v. Alabama and the meaning of the June 25th ruling:
</p><p> </p><ul>
<li> <a href="https://wiki.indypgh.org/pub/Radio/Shows/2012x07x16/anita_update_ruling.wav" target="_top">anita_update_ruling.wav: (1:42)
</li></ul>
<p>
Because Pennsylvania is a state with mandatory sentencing laws, every person who is serving life without the possibility of parole who was convicted for a crime as a juvenile can now apply to be resentenced. Colon with more on this:
</p><p> </p><ul>
<li> <a href="https://wiki.indypgh.org/pub/Radio/Shows/2012x07x16/anita_update_PA.wav" target="_top">anita_update_PA.wav: (3:15)
</li></ul>
<p> </p><ul>
<li> <a href="https://wiki.indypgh.org/pub/Radio/Shows/2012x07x16/anita_update_PA_2.wav" target="_top">anita_update_PA_2.wav: anita_update_PA_2.wav (3:31)
</li></ul>
<p>
Given PA has these mandatory sentencing laws, this puts them in a challenging place for dealing with people who are currently on trial since the supreme court ruling does not create the necessary state laws to properly abide by their ruling, they just say what cannot be done. In response to this, Senator Greenleaf held a hearing on Thursday, July 12th that Colon attended and gave testimony at.
</p><p> </p><ul>
<li> <a href="https://wiki.indypgh.org/pub/Radio/Shows/2012x07x16/anita_update_PA_laws.wav" target="_top">anita_update_PA_laws.wav: (2:48)
</li></ul>
<p>
Colon stressed that the fight for what she, and others who are opposed to the current juvenile sentencing policy, want is far from over. In fact, it has just really begun.
</p><p>
If you or someone you know is serving juvenile life without parole, Colon suggests contacting the Juvenile Law Center to help with the language of the appeal. Their website is jlc.org.
</p><p>
</p><h4><a name="9_40_US_Social_Forum_2007"><a name="_9_40_US_Social_Forum_2007"> [ 9:40 ] US Social Forum 2007 </h4>
<p>
For another look back in still relevant history: the theme of the 2007 US Social Forum was Liberating Gender and Sexuality. Here Andrea Smith incited action against buying in to sexual oppression.
</p><p>
* <a href="https://wiki.indypgh.org/pub/Radio/Shows/2012x07x16/andy_smith.wav" target="_top">andy_smith.wav: (9:30)
</p><p>
This audio was taken from radio4all.net
</p><p>
</p><h4><a name="Global_Story_3"><a name="_Global_Story_3"> [ ] Global Story 3 </h4>
<p>
</p><h2><a name="Features"> Features </h2>
<p>
</p><h3><a name="Intro"> Intro </h3>
<p>
You're listening to Rustbelt Radio, the Pittsburgh Independent Media Center's bi-weekly review of news from the grassroots.
</p><p>
</p><h3><a name="10_00_Cruz_Family_Update"><a name="_10_00_Cruz_Family_Update"> [ 10:00 ] Cruz Family Update </h3>
On Rustbelt’s June 18th show, we reported on a Minnesotan family whose home was being foreclosed by PNC Bank after a bank error. The Cruz family came to Pittsburgh on June 20th after PNC Executive Dan Taylor made several promises to representatives from Occupy Pittsburgh that PNC Bank was looking into rectifying the matter and working with the family behind the scenes. The Cruz family visit in Pittsburgh coincided with other national actions against PNC Bank.
<p>
The morning began with a reoccupation of the family home in Minneapolis, complete with a weather balloon declaring "Evictions stop here" with a giant arrow pointing down to the home. 3 arrests were made by the Minneapolis Police Department.
Later in the day, in Pittsburgh, the Cruz Family, Members of Occupy Pittsburgh, and Occupy Homes marched to PNC headquarters in high spirits, carrying the door of the family home that had been bashed in by Minnesota sherrifs during one of the 3 raids on their home.
</p><p>
PNC representatives Fred Solomon, the head of PR, and Jim Weslager, the head of PNC Security, met the family, and invited them in to hear their case. Executive Dan Taylor was no where to be found.
</p><p>
* <a href="https://wiki.indypgh.org/pub/Radio/Shows/2012x07x16/pncexit.wav" target="_top">pncexit.wav: 1:30
</p><p>
Unsatisfied that they were not granted a good faith negotiation, or able to speak with Dan Taylor, the family and supporters returned the next day to attempt to speak with Mr. Taylor again. At the meet-up point in Pittsburgh's Market Square, advertised only on a Occupy Pittsburgh Facebook Event Page, Jim Weslager, PNC security officers, and uniformed City of Pittsburgh Police were there waiting and watching the gathering of Occupy Pittsburgh, Occupy Homes MN, and the Cruz Family, before they walked towards PNC’s front door. Clearly, the PNC bank and the Pittsburgh Police were monitoring Facebook exchanges relating to PNC Bank and the Cruz Family.
</p><p>
After refusing the Cruz Family entrance to the bank at which they are customers, Jim Weslager explained that Dan Taylor wasn’t available, claiming that PNC Bank was unaware that the family was coming, despite its turn out in force with law enforcement at Market Square. Weslager made it, quote, “real clear” unquote, what PNC Bank thought.
</p><p>
* <a href="https://wiki.indypgh.org/pub/Radio/Shows/2012x07x16/jimpnc.wav" target="_top">jimpnc.wav: 1:17
</p><p>
Confused as to this drastic change of attitude from the previous day’s invitation inside, Anthony Newby asked what he thought was a PNC security agent where they could stand while they waited for an available executive to speak to. This possible security agent turned out to be an undercover police officer, “concerned” about lunch hour foot traffic on the wide downtown sidewalk not even owned by PNC bank.
</p><p> </p><ul>
<li> <a href="https://wiki.indypgh.org/pub/Radio/Shows/2012x07x16/cops.wav" target="_top">cops.wav: 2:28
</li></ul>
<p>
The Cruz family, and supporters waited outside of PNC Bank for 2 hours for any available executive to speak with them. No PNC executives spoke with the family on their June 21st visit aside from Mr. Weslager, who had threatened everyone present with arrest should they enter any PNC Bank.
</p><p>
Members of Occupy Pittsburgh, and one Rustbelt reporter were followed in the streets by PNC bank security officers as they left the downtown area.
</p><p>
As of the time of this broadcast, July 16th, the Cruz family has had no further contact with PNC Bank. Occupy Homes MN continues fighting for the return of the Cruz family home. Rustbelt Radio's calls to Dan Taylor’s office have not been returned. For more on this story, please visit OccupyHomesMN.org. Video from this story can be found at youtube.com/misternunya (N-U-N-Y-A). This story was produced by Don Carpenter.
</p><p>
</p><h3><a name="Musical_Break"><a name="_Musical_Break"> [ ] Musical Break </h3>
<p>
</p><h3><a name="Feature_2"><a name="_Feature_2"> [ ] Feature 2 </h3>
<p>
</p><h2><a name="Ending"> Ending </h2>
<p>
</p><h3><a name="Calendar_of_Events"> Calendar of Events </h3>
<p>
And now we present the Indymedia Calendar of Events:
</p><p> </p><ul>
<li> The Jordan Miles Civil trial, concerning the 2010 Pittsburgh police beating of the CAPA High School honors student, began on Monday, July 16th with jury selection. Members of the public with a valid photo ID are free to witness the proceedings, expected to last for at least 1-2 weeks. The Alliance for Police Accountability has called for a rally to show support for Jordan Miles and his family on Thursday, July 19th at noon, outside the U.S. Courthouse on 700 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. More information about the trial can be found at JusticeforJordanMiles.com
</li></ul>
<p> </p><ul>
<li> Republican Presidential nominee Mitt Romney is coming to Pittsburgh tomorrow, Tuesday July 17th to speak at a fundraiser being held at the Duquesne Club in downtown Pittsburgh, located at 325 6th Avenue. Move On, Planned Parenthood and other groups will be demonstrating outside of this event beginning at 4:30 pm.
</li></ul>
<p> </p><ul>
<li> Planned Parenthood will be holding a phone bank this Wednesday, July 18th from 5:30 – 7:30 PM at our Downtown offices, located at 933 Liberty Avenue. They will be calling Pennsylvania voters to identify Planned Parenthood supporters for the upcoming election. There will be pizza and snacks for those who attend.
</li></ul>
<p> </p><ul>
<li> One Pittsburgh is kicking off their minimum wage raising campaign with a game of low wage limbo and a challenge to our City Council to make Pittsburgh a leader in the fight for a rise up economy by proclaiming Pittsburgh a city in favor of a raise in the minimum wage. This event will be on July 24th from 8:30 am until 10 am in Market Square in downtown Pittsburgh.
</li></ul>
<p> </p><ul>
<li> The Black and White Reunion, the group responsible for the Summit Against Racism, is holding their annual barbeque on Saturday July 28th from 2 until 6 pm at the overlook shelter in Schenley Park. More info at http://www.blackandwhitereunion.org.
</li></ul>
<p>
</p><h3><a name="1_00_Outro"><a name="_1_00_Outro"> [1:00] Outro </h3>
<p>
[ Outro Music ]
</p><p>
Thanks for tuning in to Rustbelt Radio here on WRCT Pittsburgh, WSDR Pittsburgh, WIUP Indiana, WNJR Washington, WLRI LanChester, and FRSC Santa Cruz.
</p><p>
Our hosts this week are [Jessica McPherson ] and [ Hannah Taleb] with contributions from [Don Carpenter, Nigel Parry, Hannah Taleb, Lizzie Anderson, Kayla Slicker, and Emily Laychak ]. This week's show was produced by Shawn Watson. Special thanks to all of our hosts, producers, and contributors.
</p><p>
You can get involved with Rustbelt Radio! To contact us, email RADIO at I-N-D-Y-P-G-H dot ORG. Become our fan on Facebook to receive updates on our latest episode, and follow us on Twitter @pghimc. All of our shows are available on our website at RADIO dot INDY-P-G-H dot ORG and this show can be heard again Tuesday morning on WRCT at 9 AM after Democracy Now!
</p><p>
Tune in next week at this time for another edition of Rustbelt Radio, the Pittsburgh Independent Media Center's bi-weekly review of news from the grassroots.
</p>
Rustbelt Radio for July 16, 2012
by Pittsburgh Indymedia: Rustbelt Radio Collecti
Monday, Jul. 16, 2012 at 11:32 PM
radio@indypgh.org
audio: ogg vorbis at 53.0 mebibytesaudio: ogg vorbis at 53.0 mebibytes
![[masthead]](/images/masthead_140.png)