Just 20 minutes north of Birmingham on Interstate 22, Brookside, Alabama is a working-class town with less than 1,300 residents. From 2018 to 2020, income from traffic fines and forfeitures increased 640%, making up 49% of the town’s revenue. In 2019, Brookside saw its first lawsuit that included allegations of racism and police misconduct. It caught national attention for being a predatory speed trap in 2022 and now facing a class-action federal lawsuit. Thank you to our podcast partner, 70 Million, for the story “Highway Robbery: How a Small-Town Traffic Trap Became A Legal Black Hole.” 

Like this story? Support independent journalism: https://makingcontact.networkforgood.com/projects/207120-newsmatch-2023, NewsMatch will double your donation up to $1,000!

Making Contact, https://makingcontactradio.org, is an award-winning, nationally syndicated radio show and podcast featuring narrative storytelling and thought-provoking interviews. We cover the most urgent issues of our time and the people on the ground building a more just world.

Learn more about the story and find the transcript on https://www.radioproject.org/2023/11/not-just-speed-traps-alabama-community-fights-back-against-for-profit-policing

Featuring: Pulitzer Prize winning journalist John Archibald, Brookside residents Sandra Harris and Ashley, Leah Nelson, Alabama Appleseed’s research director, Birmingham Criminal and civil rights lawyer Bill Dawson, Adam Danneman, head of the Jefferson County Public Defender's Office and Joanna Weiss, Fines and Fees Justice Center’s co-director. 

70 MILLION EPISODE CREDITS: Episode reporter Rhana Natour, editor Monica Lopez and Juleyka Lantigua, host Mitzi Miller, sound designer Erica Huang, photo editor Michelle Baker, staff writer and designer Kori Doran, lead fact checker Haylee Millikan, lead producer Pamela Kirkland, episode photographer Amarr Croskey, creator/executive producer Juleyka Lantigua

MAKING CONTACT: Host Anita Johnson, producers Anita Johnson, Salima Hamirani, Amy Gastelum, and Lucy Kang, executive director Jina Chung. 

MUSIC: Blue Dot Session - Curiously, Curiously Quiet Orchestra - My Friends

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Not Just Speed Traps: Alabama Community Fights Back Against For-profit Policing (Encore)

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Saeglopur - Sigur Ros (SOOHAN's Early Morning Remix)

11 million. That's the estimated number of people living in the U-S who are undocumented. During his first weeks in office President Donald Trump signed orders to build a border wall, ban travel from countries with largely Muslim populations, and deny federal funds to sanctuary cities and states. In this show we'll look to previous administrations to see how they treated people who were undocumented, and how immigrant movements of the past responded.

11 Million Undocumented: A Look at Sanctuary and Immigration Policy in the Trump Era

PICK YA FACE UP (Courtnee Roze The Culture)

Vocals by Christopher Nicholas
Composition/Piano by JooWan Kim
Engineered by Jeremy Goody
Recorded @ MegaSonic Sound

Agitato

At this time of year, we tend to indulge our desire to order-in. In New York City, all it takes is a few taps on your phone and dinner will be on its way to your doorstep. But the ease of this process can erase the effort behind it. In this segment Dylan Heuer reports on the challenging conditions delivery workers are facing in NYC, from healthcare to police crackdowns on electric bikes.

This story was originally featured on Meat + Three on Heritage Radio Network. Listen to the full episode here: https://heritageradionetwork.org/podcast/dead-of-winter/

The Real Cost of Ordering In: Challenging Conditions for Delivery Workers This Winter

This is the Global Soul Music show with Ian Friday from April 26th, 2019.  Play Loudly!!

GSM show with Ian Friday 4-26-19 Part 1

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In honor of International Anti-Street Harassment Week, an event hosted by Catcalls of NYC encouraged New Yorkers to share their experiences with catcalling. Students, in particular, arrived eager to speak out, expressing a strong desire to eliminate harassment on the streets and in their schools. 

This story was originally featured on WBAI Evening News.

Chalk Back!: NYC Students Speak Out Against Street Harassment

New York's status as a sanctuary city has not kept Immigration and Custom Enforcement agents out of the five boroughs. As ICE raids continue, activists are making longer term plans to provide sanctuary. One institution using their privilege to protect immigrants, is synagogues. 

This story was originally featured on WBAI Evening News.

A map indicating houses of worship involved with the New Sanctuary Coalition.

The Sanctuary symbol hangs in the front window at Congregation Beit Simchat Torah. 

The lobby of Congregation Beit Simchat Torah displays pride flags and posters sponsored by T'ruah.

Music: Scott Holmes, Together We Stand, Free Music Archive

In the Face of ICE Raids, Synagogues Serve as Place of Sanctuary

Jewish people across the country took to the streets on Sunday to protest the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. In New York, protesters shut down the Amazon Book Store in Midtown Manhattan because of the company’s strong ties to ICE. This act of civil disobedience resulted in the arrest of nearly 50 people. Dylan Heuer reports on momentum behind this local action. 

This story was originally featured on WBAI Evening News Monday August 13, 2019.

#JewsAgainstIce Shutdown Amazon Books on Day of Mourning

A dancehall/rap/hip hop/pop beat, purchase license for this via Beatstars:https://www.beatstars.com/beat/coastline-reading-3198606

Coastline Reading

Making Contact is an award-winning, nationally syndicated radio show and podcast featuring narrative storytelling and thought-provoking interviews. We cover the most urgent issues of our time and the people on the ground building a more just world.

Not Just Speed Traps: Alabama Community Fights Back Against For-profit Policing (Encore)

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