Empire Files

Full 100-minute episode only at https://www.patreon.com/empirefiles Abby Martin interviews journalist Séamus Malekafzali to get an in-depth look at what is missing from Western media reporting on Iran: the debates within the Iranian political system, changing views of the US in Iranian society, their new approach to the Iran Nuclear Deal, their upcoming election, lasting impact of the Solemani assassination and much more. Follow Séamus on Twitter at @Seamus_Malek, read his Substack at https://malekafzali.substack.com/ and check out his new podcast, "The Greatest Sin." Episode music: 'Diffused Morning' and 'Radiolarian' by Anahedron

Abby Martin speaks to Eugene Puryear to discuss the big picture of US imperialism in Africa: From the Berlin Conference to the subversion of liberation movements to neocolonial puppets and the current sprawl of AFRICOM "counterterrorism." [EXTENDED INTERVIEW + BONUS CONTENT ONLY ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/empirefiles​ ] Find more of Eugene Puryear's work at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiin...​ and https://twitter.com/eugenepuryear​ FOLLOW // https://twitter.com/EmpireFiles​ // https://twitter.com/AbbyMartin​ LIKE //https://www.facebook.com/TheEmpireFiles/​ MERCH // https://empirefiles.store​ FILM // https://gazafightsforfreedom.com

Abby Martin's Empire Update wraps up the last week in US imperialism: Biden breaks major campaign promise to punish Saudi Arabia for Khashoggi murder; US & France extend war in Africa; Bolivia and Venezuela defy US Empire; major bloodshed on the horizon in Afghanistan. Get EXCLUSIVE Empire Files content, and keep us independent & ad-free, at https://www.patreon.com/empirefiles​ FOLLOW // https://twitter.com/EmpireFiles​ // https://twitter.com/AbbyMartin​ LIKE // https://www.facebook.com/TheEmpireFiles/​ MERCH // https://empirefiles.store​ FILM // https://gazafightsforfreedom.com

Biden's Feb. 26 strike in Syria was a crime, and risks major war with three countries. Abby Martin explains. Get EXCLUSIVE Empire Files content, and keep us independent & ad-free, at https://www.patreon.com/empirefiles​ FOLLOW // https://twitter.com/EmpireFiles​ // https://twitter.com/AbbyMartin​ LIKE // https://www.facebook.com/TheEmpireFiles/​ MERCH // https://empirefiles.store​ FILM // https://gazafightsforfreedom.com

Full 2hr episode at: https://www.patreon.com/posts/eyewitness-abby-47977805?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copy_to_clipboard&utm_campaign=postshare

Abby Martin responds to the outcry against Michael Che's joke on last night's episode of Saturday Night Live about medical apartheid in Israel. WATCH more Empire Files episodes on Palestine :: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKFPL9JtA3b-TKAVthwayG6xk_7UG6p6p Get EXCLUSIVE Empire Files content, and keep us independent and ad-free, at https://www.patreon.com/empirefiles​ FOLLOW // https://twitter.com/EmpireFiles​ LIKE // https://www.facebook.com/TheEmpireFiles/​ MERCH // https://empirefiles.store

Amidst mass protests against their US-backed dictator, Abby Martin covers how the American Empire has determined the destiny of the Haitian people for generations. Get EXCLUSIVE Empire Files content, and keep us independent and ad-free, at https://www.patreon.com/empirefiles​ FOLLOW // https://twitter.com/EmpireFiles​ LIKE // https://www.facebook.com/TheEmpireFiles/​ MERCH // https://empirefiles.store/

Abby Martin covers Biden's first arms deals to major human rights abusers Chile & Egypt; another US military base in Okinawa, opposed by majority of residents, threatens unique biodiversity; militia puts US at crossroads of a new Iraq war; Ecuador's presidential election defies US imperialism. Get EXCLUSIVE Empire Files content, and keep us independent and ad-free, at https://www.patreon.com/empirefiles​​ FOLLOW // https://twitter.com/EmpireFiles​​ // https://twitter.com/AbbyMartin​​ LIKE // https://www.facebook.com/TheEmpireFiles​​ MERCH // https://empirefiles.store​

Abby Martin explains what President Biden really means by the duplicitous language in his major Feb. 4 foreign policy speech on ending the Yemen war. Get EXCLUSIVE Empire Files content, and keep us independent and ad-free, at https://www.patreon.com/empirefiles​ FOLLOW // https://twitter.com/EmpireFiles​ // https://twitter.com/AbbyMartin​ LIKE // https://www.facebook.com/TheEmpireFiles​ MERCH // https://empirefiles.store

The Empire Update: Startling new data reveals the true size of the US-led occupation of Afghanistan; Biden's first foreign policy speech threatens war with Russia; new administration begins with major aggression towards China; and more. Get EXCLUSIVE Empire Files content, and keep us independent and ad-free, at https://www.patreon.com/empirefiles​ FOLLOW // https://twitter.com/EmpireFiles​​ // https://twitter.com/AbbyMartin​​ LIKE // https://www.facebook.com/TheEmpireFiles​​ MERCH // https://empirefiles.store

Abby Martin & Mike Prysner explain everything about Biden's first 2 weeks: his major Feb. 4 foreign policy speech, his record-breaking executive actions, broken promises and forecast to how he will be steering the US Empire with a comprehensive country-to-country breakdown from Yemen, to Iran, to China. PLUS: Important updates on the impeachment trial and who is going down for the attack on the Capitol. http://www.patreon.com/empirefiles Episode music by Anahedron: Intro song: Amber Bellows End song: Catalyst [available on Spotify & Soundcloud]

Sneak peek of our Patron-only episode coving hidden, shocking details of Jan. 6 and the likelihood that Trump will go to jail. Get the full episode at Patreon.com/EmpireFiles

Abby Martin and Mike Prysner cover all the facts and angles you're not hearing about Jan. 6. To hear the full 90min episode, become a Patron at Patreon.com/EmpireFiles Music by Anahedron

A breakdown of Biden's new defense cabinet and what it means for war & peace. Who is Antony Blinken, Jake Sullivan, Avril Haines, Lloyd Austin and Linda Thomas-Greenfield? KEEP EMPIRE FILES AD-FREE & INDEPENDENT: https://www.patreon.com/empirefiles FOLLOW // https://twitter.com/EmpireFiles // https://twitter.com/AbbyMartin LIKE // https://www.facebook.com/TheEmpireFiles MERCH // https://empirefiles.store

Was the Venezuelan election rigged? Abby Martin speaks with an election observer. Keep Empire Files independent and ad-free: https://www.patreon.com/empirefiles FOLLOW // https://twitter.com/EmpireFiles // https://twitter.com/AbbyMartin LIKE // https://www.facebook.com/TheEmpireFiles MERCH // https://empirefiles.store WATCH BreakThrough News at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiin... FOLLOW BreakThrough & Kei Pritsker at https://twitter.com/BTnewsroom & https://twitter.com/KeiPritsker

Who was behind the high-level assassination in Iran? Plus: CIA combat death in Somalia reveals hidden fact about US Empire & Pentagon suffers major defeat in Latin America. Keep Empire Files independent and ad-free: https://www.patreon.com/empirefiles FOLLOW // https://twitter.com/EmpireFiles // https://twitter.com/AbbyMartin LIKE // https://www.facebook.com/TheEmpireFiles MERCH // https://empirefiles.store

The Empire Update for Nov. 23 covering the Grand Finale of Trump's promise to end the Afghanistan War; what's really behind the Somalia troop withdrawal; US-backed monarchy sparks new potential war in Africa; State Department takes new action for Israel against BDS movement; and potential for Trump to start war with Iran on his way out. Keep Empire Files independent and ad-free: https://www.patreon.com/empirefiles FOLLOW // https://twitter.com/EmpireFiles // https://twitter.com/AbbyMartin LIKE // https://www.facebook.com/TheEmpireFiles MERCH // https://empirefiles.store

The Empire Update for Nov. 16 covering new US weapons sales to UAE for Yemen war, accelerated Iran sanctions, Pompeo's UN "human rights" speech, and if the firing of Secretary of Defense Mark Esper indicates an end to the Afghanistan War. Keep Empire Files independent and ad-free: https://www.patreon.com/empirefiles FOLLOW // https://twitter.com/EmpireFiles // https://twitter.com/AbbyMartin LIKE // https://www.facebook.com/TheEmpireFiles MERCH // https://empirefiles.store

New developments in Abby Martin's major lawsuit challenging unconstitutional pro-Israel, anti-BDS law in the state of Georgia. Watch the original press conference filing the lawsuit: https://youtu.be/KEMGvl0TfH0 Abby is working with two renowned civil rights organizations, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and The Partnership for Civil Justice Fund (PCJF). Keep Empire Files independent and ad-free: https://www.patreon.com/empirefiles FOLLOW // https://twitter.com/EmpireFiles // https://twitter.com/AbbyMartin LIKE // https://www.facebook.com/TheEmpireFiles MERCH // https://empirefiles.store

What's the solution to this far-right Supreme Court steamrolled over the feckless Democrats? Keep Empire Files independent and ad-free: https://www.patreon.com/empirefiles FOLLOW // https://twitter.com/EmpireFiles // https://twitter.com/AbbyMartin LIKE // https://www.facebook.com/TheEmpireFiles MERCH // https://empirefiles.store

Keep Empire Files independent and ad-free: https://www.patreon.com/empirefiles Abby Martin covers the whole truth about the Afghanistan War, from the CIA construct of the 80's through today's senseless stalemate. Two decades, three administrations, tens of thousands of lives; it's time to #EndTheForeverWar. Listen to Abby's interview with Afghanistan combat veteran for more information about the senseless Forever War: https://soundcloud.com/empire-files/episode-92-the-forever-war-part-i-from-the-killing-fields FOLLOW // https://twitter.com/EmpireFiles // https://twitter.com/AbbyMartin LIKE // https://www.facebook.com/TheEmpireFiles MERCH // https://empirefiles.store MUSIC by Anahedron // https://open.spotify.com/artist/3tmcVmN1xcrQerZLzrYTP0 MUSIC by Fluorescent Grey // https://open.spotify.com/artist/4lPW7QBUGslDak49clmxGL

Keep Empire Files independent and ad-free: https://www.patreon.com/empirefiles Marine Corps infantryman turned anti-war activist tells Abby Martin the hidden reality of the endless Afghanistan War. FOLLOW // https://twitter.com/EmpireFiles LIKE // https://www.facebook.com/TheEmpireFiles MERCH // https://empirefiles.store MUSIC by Anahedron // https://open.spotify.com/artist/3tmcVmN1xcrQerZLzrYTP0 // https://twitter.com/anahedron

Keep Empire Files independent and ad-free: https://www.patreon.com/empirefiles Abby Martin breaks down all the hidden acts of US foreign policy aggression under the cover of the COVID19 pandemic. FOLLOW // https://twitter.com/EmpireFiles LIKE // https://www.facebook.com/TheEmpireFiles MERCH // https://empirefiles.store MUSIC by Anahedron // https://open.spotify.com/artist/3tmcVmN1xcrQerZLzrYTP0 // https://twitter.com/anahedron

Keep Empire Files independent and ad-free: https://www.patreon.com/empirefiles Abby Martin and Mike Prysner discuss the pandemic, how it's being used by the US Empire, and the developments in the Democratic Primary (including Biden missing, Bernie leading, Tulsi's endorsement, Warren's Super PAC & Yang's new job). Use code SOLIDARITY to get 25% off Empire Files t-shirts: https://empirefiles.store Use code LOCKDOWN for 50% off Gaza Fights For Freedom rental: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/gazafights SUPPORT the Empire Files and get unlimited access to our Patron-only livestreams at https://www.patreon.com/empirefiles FOLLOW // https://twitter.com/AbbyMartin // https://twitter.com/mikeprysner LIKE // https://www.facebook.com/TheEmpireFiles

On Feb. 10, Abby Martin filed a lawsuit in federal court challenging a Georgia law requiring all independent contractors to sign a pro-Israel pledge, promising to not participate or advocate the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement against Israeli crimes. Abby is working with two renowned civil rights organizations, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and The Partnership for Civil Justice Fund (PCJF). FULL LEGAL COMPLAINT // http://bit.ly/2tPYjyc OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE & MEDIA CONTACTS // https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Breaking--Civil-Rights-Groups-to-Announce-Federal-Free-Speech-Lawsuit-Against-Georgia-s-Unconstitutional--Israel-Boycott--Law--.html?soid=1103010792410&aid=yDidogygAAQ

Keep Empire Files independent and ad-free: https://www.patreon.com/empirefiles Abby Martin meets with Nithya Raman, progressive candidate for LA City Council in District 4, about her campaign to end homelessness in the nation's epicenter and how local politicians refuse to take easy actions to eradicate the phenomenon–but refuse to in the interests of big real estate developers. LA's City Council election is Super Tuesday, March 3rd, the same day as the Democratic Party primary. Learn more about Nithya's LA City Council campaign at https://nithyaforthecity.com/ FOLLOW // https://twitter.com/nithyavraman // https://twitter.com/EmpireFiles // https://twitter.com/AbbyMartin LIKE // https://www.facebook.com/TheEmpireFiles

Watch the full livestream by becoming a Patron at https://www.patreon.com/empirefiles Abby Martin discusses with Mike Prysner the long history of misogyny by Joe Biden, as the media focuses all its attention on the absurd accusation that Bernie Sanders is a sexist. FOLLOW // https://twitter.com/EmpireFiles // https://twitter.com/AbbyMartin IG // https://www.instagram.com/empirefiles LIKE // https://www.facebook.com/TheEmpireFiles MERCH // https://empirefiles.store

Keep Empire Files independent and ad-free: https://www.patreon.com/empirefiles Abby Martin sits down with Dan Kovalik, human rights attorney and author of the book "The Plot to Attack Iran," to discuss the context to Trump's recent attacks, the most common myths about the country, and the history of US plots. FOLLOW // https://twitter.com/EmpireFiles // https://twitter.com/AbbyMartin LIKE // https://www.facebook.com/TheEmpireFiles MERCH // https://empirefiles.store BUY THE BOOK // https://bit.ly/2Rdb0dW

Keep Empire Files independent and ad-free: https://www.patreon.com/empirefiles Abby Martin is joined by legendary British-Iraqi rapper and political activist Lowkey. They discuss the recent election loss by Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour Party but go beyond the headlines, discussing the legacy of the British Empire, neoliberal austerity, how the military and intelligence agencies interfered in the elections, the role of Israel, and the lessons the Bernie Sanders movement can learn from the left-wing loss. LOWKEY // https://twitter.com/Lowkey0nline // https://youtube.com/lowkeyonline FOLLOW // https://twitter.com/EmpireFiles // https://twitter.com/AbbyMartin LIKE // https://www.facebook.com/TheEmpireFiles MERCH STORE // https://empirefiles.store

Keep Empire Files independent and ad-free: https://www.patreon.com/empirefiles Abby Martin sits down with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author Chris Hedges to discuss the ignored reality behind Trump, the bipartisan road from neoliberalism to fascism, how the Democratic elite are an institution of corporate power, and how there's no way out through the #2020election without destroying the system. FOLLOW // https://twitter.com/ChrisLynnHedges // https://twitter.com/EmpireFiles // https://twitter.com/AbbyMartin LIKE // https://www.facebook.com/TheEmpireFiles MERCH STORE // http://empire-files.myshopify.com

Keep Empire Files independent and ad-free: https://www.patreon.com/empirefiles Abby Martin sits down with renowned Marxist Economist Richard Wolff to discuss the growing popularity of socialism under Trump and its historical roots in America, misconceptions about Russia and China’s economic success and Marx’s theory of alienation and monopoly capitalism. [[ Watch Abby's first interview with Richard Wolff in 2016: "Marxism 101" https://youtu.be/6P97r9Ci5Kg ]] FOLLOW // https://twitter.com/EmpireFiles // https://twitter.com/AbbyMartin LIKE // https://www.facebook.com/TheEmpireFiles

Keep Empire Files independent and ad-free: https://www.patreon.com/empirefiles The global expanse of US military bases is well-known; but it's actual territorial empire is largely hidden. The true map of America is not taught in our schools. Abby Martin interviews history Professor Daniel Immerwahr about his new book, 'How To Hide An Empire,' where he documents the story of our "Greater United States." FOLLOW // Daniel Immerwahr @dimmerwahr BUY 'How To Hide An Empire': https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780374172145 MUSIC by TELEVANGEL Intro track: Soonerlater Closing track: Spectacle FOLLOW // @EmpireFiles // @AbbyMartin LIKE // www.facebook.com/TheEmpireFiles

Abby Martin sits down with Peter Phillips, former director of Project Censored and professor of Political Sociology at Sonoma State University. His new book “Giants: The Global Power Elite” details the 17 transnational investment firms which control over $50 trillion in wealth—and how they are kept in power by their activists, facilitators and protectors. “Giants” is available at Seven Stories Press: https://www.projectcensored.org/product/giants-the-global-power-elite/ Keep Empire Files independent and ad-free! Patreon: www.patreon.com/empirefiles FOLLOW // @EmpireFiles // @AbbyMartin LIKE // www.facebook.com/TheEmpireFiles

Abby Martin interviews former Technical Director of the National Security Agency, Bill Binney, who blew the whistle on warrantless spying years before Edward Snowden released the evidence. They discuss the US empire's mass surveillance program and dangers of the Intelligence Industrial Complex. Keep Empire Files independent and ad-free! Patreon: www.patreon.com/empirefiles FOLLOW // @EmpireFiles // @AbbyMartin LIKE // www.facebook.com/TheEmpireFiles

On the eve of another US war for oil, Abby Martin debunks the most repeated myths about Venezuela and uncovers how US sanctions are crimes against humanity with UN Investigator and Human Rights Rapporteur Alfred De Zayas. Keep Empire Files independent and ad-free! Patreon: www.patreon.com/empirefiles GoFundMe: www.gofundme.com/keep-empire-files-going FOLLOW // @EmpireFiles // @AbbyMartin LIKE // www.facebook.com/TheEmpireFiles

With General “Mad Dog” Mattis out of the White House, he’s been praised by liberal media and politicians. Abby Martin shows who he really is, and what his resignation means for the war machine. Keep Empire Files independent and ad-free! Patreon: www.patreon.com/empirefiles GoFundMe: www.gofundme.com/keep-empire-files-going FOLLOW // @EmpireFiles // @AbbyMartin LIKE // www.facebook.com/TheEmpireFiles

In Part II of our series Trump Expanding the Empire, Abby Martin addresses the surprise order from Trump that he was "ending the war" in Syria. Having drastically escalated the war in Syria and Iraq, find out what's behind the supposed troop withdrawal and the hidden facts in the policies. Transcript & Links: https://bit.ly/2sphM4r Keep Empire Files independent and ad-free! Patreon: www.patreon.com/empirefiles GoFundMe: www.gofundme.com/keep-empire-files-going FOLLOW // @EmpireFiles // @AbbyMartin LIKE // www.facebook.com/TheEmpireFiles

In the first installment of this multi-part series, Trump Expanding the Empire, Abby Martin debunks the notion that Trump is an anti-interventionist president, outlining his first two years of aggressive foreign policy that has expanded US wars and occupations. From the biggest military budget in history, to removing its restrictions to “bomb the hell out of” Iraq and Syria, to ramping-up brutal economic sanctions, to becoming America's 'Arms Salesman-In-Chief.' Transcript & Links: https://bit.ly/2CiAI9G Keep Empire Files independent and ad-free! Patreon: www.patreon.com/empirefiles GoFundMe: www.gofundme.com/keep-empire-files-going FOLLOW // @EmpireFiles // @AbbyMartin LIKE // www.facebook.com/TheEmpireFiles

In this exclusive extended interview, Randy Credico tells his side of the story on his role in the Russia investigation, his upcoming interview with Special Counsel Robert Mueller, and true nature of his relationship with Trump campaign advisor Roger Stone. With never before revealed details about Roger Stone and the Mueller investigation, Credico details his long-standing ties to the political operative and answers the hard questions about his alleged coordination with Wikileaks. The interview highlights the larger context of the multi-front assault on Julian Assange, Wikileaks and the future of press freedom. Keep Empire Files independent and ad-free! Patreon: www.patreon.com/empirefiles GoFundMe: www.gofundme.com/keep-empire-files-going FOLLOW // @EmpireFiles // @AbbyMartin LIKE // www.facebook.com/TheEmpireFiles

Since October 2017, America experienced three of the deadliest mass shootings in modern history. This epidemic coincides with a frightening resurgence of white nationalism. Sometimes the two trends overlap. But why here? Both phenomena can be explained by a common historical thread—to unravel it Abby Martin sits down with indigenous scholar Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz to discuss her latest book “Loaded: A Disarming History of the Second Amendment”. Keep Empire Files independent and ad-free! Patreon: www.patreon.com/empirefiles GoFundMe: www.gofundme.com/keep-empire-files-going FOLLOW // @EmpireFiles // @AbbyMartin LIKE // www.facebook.com/TheEmpireFiles

The week of Venezuela's presidential election, John Oliver dedicated an ENTIRE episode of his HBO show "Last Week Tonight" to the country—full of distortions and highly misleading to progressive-minded people. Responding to Oliver's major points, Empire Files producer Mike Prysner walks us through the most glaring omissions and misrepresentations. This video response is an essential guide for progressives to understand the reality in Venezuela, the most common myths used to discredit the Chavez movement, and the role of the US government. [[ Prysner is an Iraq war veteran and journalist. He spent a month in Venezuela during the height of the protest movement in 2017, covering the riots and economic crisis. He has been a Venezuela solidarity activist since 2006. Watch the many documentaries and interviews he produced from Venezuela at TheEmpireFiles.tv ]] Keep Empire Files independent and ad-free! Patreon: www.patreon.com/empirefiles GoFundMe: www.gofundme.com/keep-empire-files-going FOLLOW // @EmpireFiles // @AbbyMartin LIKE // www.facebook.com/TheEmpireFiles

Recently, the struggle for Palestinian human rights gained international attention surrounding a new icon of resistance--16 year old Ahed Tamimi. While in the West Bank in late 2016, Abby Martin interviewed Ahed Tamimi about her hardships and aspirations living under occupation and it becomes clear why her subjugators are trying to silence her voice. Her brother Waad and father Bassem also talk about their experiences with Israeli soldiers harassing their village and targeting their family. In this exclusive episode, Abby outlines the Tamimi family's tragic tale and unending bravery in the fight for justice and equality in Palestine and how the story of their village of Nabi Saleh is emblematic of the Palestinian struggle as a whole. Keep Empire Files independent and ad-free! Patreon: www.patreon.com/empirefiles GoFundMe: www.gofundme.com/keep-empire-files-going FOLLOW // @EmpireFiles // @AbbyMartin LIKE // www.facebook.com/TheEmpireFiles

In 2017, murders of social leaders, union organizers and indigenous activists in Colombia hit a new high since the historic peace agreement. Abby Martin goes to Colombia to document the increasingly deadly situation for human rights activists. Hear from an Afro-Colombian union leader under threat of assassination, and how the US Empire created this epidemic today. Keep Empire Files independent and ad-free! Patreon: www.patreon.com/empirefiles GoFundMe: www.gofundme.com/keep-empire-files-going FOLLOW // @EmpireFiles // @AbbyMartin LIKE // www.facebook.com/TheEmpireFiles

On October 5, 2017, police opened fire on unarmed farmers in Tumaco, Colombia. Eight were killed, with dozens more shot. The massacre was part of a crackdown on coca farmers in the "War On Drugs" despite an agreement for crop substitution--and amidst new threats from Trump, ordering the government to use more force or face consequences. The Empire Files goes on-the-ground to investigate the massacre, interviewing witnesses and casualties. Abby Martin visits recently-destroyed farms, uses hidden cameras to confront soldiers about the operations, and explores the context of such a killing less than a year after the historic peace deal ending the country's 53-year civil war. Keep Empire Files independent and ad-free! Patreon: www.patreon.com/empirefiles GoFundMe: www.gofundme.com/keep-empire-files-going FOLLOW // @EmpireFiles // @AbbyMartin LIKE // www.facebook.com/TheEmpireFiles

In 2016, more than 50 bills were introduced in Congress targeting Trans people. Since Trump took office, dozens of pieces of landmark legislation have been cancelled, severely rolling back Trans rights. To explore this wide-ranging assault, Abby Martin speaks with two leading voices and activists in the Trans community: Chase Strangio, attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union, and Jennicet Gutiérrez, founding member of La Familia: Trans Queer Liberation Movement. Keep Empire Files independent and ad-free! Patreon: www.patreon.com/empirefiles GoFundMe: www.gofundme.com/keep-empire-files-going FOLLOW // @EmpireFiles // @AbbyMartin LIKE // www.facebook.com/TheEmpireFiles

The Holy Land Foundation Five are Palestinian political prisoners sentenced up to upwards of 65 years in US prison for providing aid to refugees. Although no proof exists for the organization providing support for terrorism, it was targeted in the Bush administration's post-9/11 dragnet, setting an alarming precedent for activists in the US. Abby Martin sits down with an expert on the case, Miko Peled, to learn more about this little-known case. Miko Peled is an Israeli-born activist for Palestinian rights, and the son of a famous Israeli general. He is the author of "The General’s Son: Journey of an Israeli in Palestine" and "Injustice: The Story of the Holy Land Foundation Five." Keep Empire Files independent and ad-free! Patreon: www.patreon.com/empirefiles GoFundMe: www.gofundme.com/keep-empire-files-going FOLLOW // @EmpireFiles // @AbbyMartin LIKE // www.facebook.com/TheEmpireFiles

There are 26 registered lobbyists for every elected representative on the hill, with experts suggesting the true amount is closer to 100,000. Yet transparency laws that people believe help combat this system of pay-to-play politics have been weaponized against them to further cement corporate control. Congressional researcher James D’Angelo argues how the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970, which opened up politicians voting records–has only helped special interests and corporations. Keep Empire Files independent and ad-free! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/empirefiles GoFundMe: www.gofundme.com/keep-empire-files-going FOLLOW // @EmpireFiles // @AbbyMartin LIKE // https://www.facebook.com/TheEmpireFiles

On top of overtly genocidal threats, the Trump Administration has announced new terms: that they "will never accept a nuclear North Korea." But, the Democratic Peoples' Republic of Korea already has nuclear weapons. Does that mean a war is imminent? While the bipartisan warmongering is receiving no push-back from the mainstream media, Abby Martin interviews Tim Shorrock--journalist and expert on US-Korea relations--to learn what is left out of the debate and the potential cost of a new war. Keep Empire Files independent and ad-free! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/empirefiles GoFundMe: www.gofundme.com/keep-empire-files-going FOLLOW // @EmpireFiles // @AbbyMartin LIKE // https://www.facebook.com/TheEmpireFiles

Nov. 7, 2017 marks the 100th anniversary of the seizure of power by workers and peasants in the Russian Revolution, regarded as the most world-altering event in the history of civilization. To understand the context of this first socialist experiment, how it happened and what caused the many problems it faced, Abby Martin sits down with Brian Becker, long-time socialist organizer and co-author of the new book “Storming the Gates: How the Russian Revolution Changed the World.” FOLLOW // twitter.com/empirefiles LIKE // https://www.facebook.com/TheEmpireFiles

At Trump's inauguration, around 200 protesters and journalists were mass arrested and now face up to 70 years in prison on baseless charges. Many other legal assaults on civil liberties are in the works around the country, from treating anti-fascists as "domestic terrorists", to legislation protecting drivers who run over peaceful marchers. To explore what this means for U.S. activists today, Abby Martin sits down with constitutional rights lawyer Mara Verheyden-Hilliard, head of the Partnership for Civil Justice Fund (JusticeOnline.org), a premiere legal organization defending protest rights. Verheyden-Hilliard has litigated, and won, several cases against the U.S. government for mass arrests and other types of repression. FOLLOW // twitter.com/empirefiles LIKE // https://www.facebook.com/TheEmpireFiles