Greetings! 

The following is my interview with Black Lives Matter organizer Chanelle Helm describing the circumstances behind fellow activist Jaison Gardner's Aug. 1 arrest.

Since the interview, questions have arose regarding the story such as why was it newsworthy. To answer that let me say in the immediate aftermath many prominent activist voices took to social media saying Gardner's arrest by Louisville police officers was due to his activism.

That by itself would be newsworthy. They then launched a #FreeJaison online effort to raise money for Gardner, who is an important voice in the social justice movement.

However, as the interview shows, Helm told me that Gardner's activism had nothing to do with the arrest (7:20 mark). She also said that despite what another fellow organizer, Gary Brice, had said earlier on Facebook that Gardner's arrest was due to his activism that people (Brice, activist Molly Shah, U of L professor David Owen, etc.) had "jumped the gun too quickly." (8:11 mark)

Since that time Gardner has suggested the story I co-authored with reporter Matt Glowicki was an attempt to get him fired from co-hosting his public radio show, Strange Fruit. Eck! Wrong. Rather it was get to the truth of allegations police were conducting surveillance and then became one to clear police after activists said they were wrong. The pursuit of truth is not easy or pretty. 

The full 14:03 interview with Ms. Helm is presented here without being edited or altered in any way.

Chanelle Helm #FreeJaison Interview

At least one person really, really, really opposes the idea of rental property owners having to register with the city of Louisville, Ky. (see here: http://cjky.it/2cLqYLA)

Angry Caller #1

A caller named Chester did not like my story (see here: http://tinyurl.com/jdcm2nw) on the anti-Trump rally in downtown Louisville. 

He also wants me to know he doesn't like "white niggers...black niggers" and he doesn't know any "niggers" but that he isn't racist. Listen.

Angry Caller #2

A caller defends Councilwoman Dan Johnson, who is accused of groping fellow Democrat Jessica Green. The caller says she is making a mountain out of an ant hill and that he's sure "this isn't the first time someone has patted her on the ass." See the timeline of stories here: http://tinyurl.com/y9ammopf

Angry Caller #3

A caller didn't like Quintez Brown's editorial on Juneteenth, especially because he couldn't pronounce his first name.

Phillip M. Bailey