42 Comments
User's avatar
Susan Myers's avatar

How I appreciate this forum of information -- and yes, there are too many who don't know what's going on.....one of my fellow-volunteers, didn't know what No Kings Rally was all about -- DISMAYING!

Expand full comment
Michael G Baer's avatar

I was buying my groceries this afternoon and the check out clerk asked about my weekend. I told her about No Kings, and she hadn't heard about it. But after I explained it as the counterweight to Trumps birthday tank parade she was very interested. I mentioned nokings.org, she said she would check it out and definitely attend. She sounded totally sincere.I didn't have to push it, and it seems like it added one more person to the street tomorrow.

I was listening to Ezra Levin of Indivisible today and he said studies have shown repeatedly that if 3.5% of the population consistently protests, the autocracy can't be sustained. That's approximately 11 million people regularly out on the streets. April 5 HANDS OFF protest was 3.5 to 4 million, and the expectation is that we will significanty build on that tomorrow.

I was surprised too that she didn't know about it, but rather than be dismayed... seize the opportunity to build it brick by brick and person by person.

Expand full comment
MaryCFM's avatar

Ezra is right. It is the math formula used by business to tip the market in their favor. Focus on 3.5% and others follow.

Expand full comment
Paula R Strawser's avatar

Heads up. This is part of a report from TNR: "In a new letter that’s gotten almost zero media attention, six of them effectively reveal that they now see Trump’s deportations as a political problem along exactly those lines. Democrats who worry about taking on this issue should ask themselves: If even Republicans are showing fear on it, isn’t it time to drop the skittishness and engage already?

The letter—which six House Republicans sent to acting Immigrations and Customs Enforcement Director Todd Lyons—openly calls on ICE to redirect its deportation resources toward “convicted criminal aliens” and away from undocumented immigrants who are not convicted criminals."

Expand full comment
Learn about beads's avatar

What is TNR? I just tried Google -- sorry I'm new to all the lingo.

Expand full comment
Thomas's avatar

The New Republic. And the link to the reference article -- (paywalled perhaps.)

https://newrepublic.com/article/196817/trump-deportations-house-republicans-memo

Expand full comment
terri's avatar

Beautiful, truthful information about the real story of immigrants and how much they contribute to this nation!

Expand full comment
Elizabeth H's avatar

Of concern is the fact that the Mad King has essentially Federalized the National Guard so can call them up in any state tomorrow. Desantis essentially has threatened protesters that he will “make an example of protesters” who challenge law enforcement. Add to that the Proud Boys activation and there could be trouble. Regardless, I’ll be there peacefully protesting. Be safe out there everyone and take back our flag 🤗🤗🇺🇸🇺🇸

NOTE: Simon has corrected me on the Federalization of the National Guard. It’s only in CA.

Expand full comment
Simon Rosenberg's avatar

It not true that he has Federalized the National Guard. He did so in this case due to the clashes, as illegitimate as that was. He does not right now control any national guard other than California, and I am not sure for how long.

Expand full comment
Elizabeth H's avatar

Thanks, Simon. I thought that’s what I heard on the “news.” Appreciate the clarification!

Expand full comment
Learn about beads's avatar

Have written to Colorado's AG. AGs have joined together " Colorado joins states opposing Trump military deployment in California" https://coag.gov/press-releases/attorney-general-phil-weiser-trump-military-deployment-california-6-12-25/

Expand full comment
Susan Dalby's avatar

sometimes when 2 year olds are angry they have tantrums

Expand full comment
Janineb9's avatar

Thank you for this first hand report… Leon & Simon!!!

Disgraceful… unprecedented … total optics for Drumpt!!! 🙏🏼🇺🇸

Expand full comment
VictoriaLynn26's avatar

The big beautiful bill still has billions for immigration and the creation of the office of remigration in the state department points to an even more dangerous chapter of ethnic cleansing

Expand full comment
Kent Boyer's avatar

The thought of young people protesting to protect their parents and grandparents who are frozen in terror brings tears to my eyes as a college professor teaching these very types of kids who I care deeply about. God love them and their passion and fearlessness. I also teach a course in the Holocaust and this is no doubt 1933. My stomach curdles at this happening here and makes me furious.

Thank you for knee surgery well wishes. Surgery went well and the pain is manageable. Go make a statement tomorrow and I will be with you in spirit. <3

Expand full comment
MLRGRMI's avatar

Great interview. I am very pleased that identifying the targeted population in these raids as “PEOPLE” is essential. As is PEACEFUL protesting.

Expand full comment
Steven Klebe's avatar

Awesome interview!!!

Expand full comment
Millie Polli Haskell's avatar

Millie Polli Haskell....Good Evening, I was ready to send in my report today until I saw the Recording of Simon and Leon Krauze was available. It was a fascinating conversation. Thank you both. It has been a very busy 2days and you covered a lot of great articles Simon. Anyway I spoke to someone in Sen. Rick Scott's ofc..and repeated some of the standard "Kill the Reconciliation Bill" etc.. and some words of my own choosing.(Nothing Nasty) This weekend will be another Test for All. Most of Our Country is in a State of Desiderium, but hopefully not for long! Everyone have a good safe weekend.

Expand full comment
Michael G Baer's avatar

I had to look that one up. Desiderium... a deep longing for what is absent. As in Consequences for Felons? Equity, fairness, sisterhood, brotherhood and support for the common wealth of community and country? Its on the horizon...

Expand full comment
Cindy May's avatar

Thanks for the def. I didn’t know what it meant either.

Expand full comment
Joan Lederman's avatar

Amazingly moving interview for sincerity, heart, and generosity.

Expand full comment
Deborah Potter's avatar

Wow! I watched this interview live and again tonight. Thank you, León Krauze, for sharing your journalistic perspective about the cruel and terrorizing treatment of workers, students and families in LA and beyond. Legal and political consequences are coming to bear. Thank you, Simon, for bringing this discussion to Hopium and challenging us to thoughtfully elevate the speech we use to describe the plight of the people who are suffering this terrible mistreatment. That Florida State Senator Ileana Garcia, a Founder of Latinas for Trump, is denouncing this awful administration is encouraging. In the face of this injustice, more people than ever know that Senator Alex Padilla is a hero in his daily life and in this moment in time. The world is watching to see how America responds.

Expand full comment
Karen Meneghin's avatar

This was one of the most touching exchanges identifying the grave human toll this administration is inflicting on the people of the USA with a premeditated vengeance.

Expand full comment
Emily H's avatar

Thank you, Simon, for showcasing the beautiful analysis of this wonderful and wise man, Leon Krauze.

Today we had a plumber in the house fixing lots of stuff which kept me from crying over the brutality visited upon my Senator Padilla, or and worrying about as-yet-unsubstantiated rumors that ICE would be up in our Ruby red Northern California town for tomorrow’s demonstrations. My self reporting has to do with loading camp chairs into my car for our county DCC info table and hydration station, settling transportation logistics to pick up a DCC colleague tomorrow who doesn’t drive, and hauling out my Spanish language learning materials.

If we are going to share stories we must learn the language of those stories.

Expand full comment
Cindy May's avatar

Learning Spanish now is such a great idea for these times . Can you recommend the materials you are using? I’m thinking about giving it a go. I tried Duolingo a few years ago and didn’t get anywhere with it.

Expand full comment
Emily H's avatar

Hi Cindy, I have a set of old Pimsleur c.d.s that I got started on before COVID hit. Back then I was in a teaching job where I could practice with the Hispanic administrators. I was released when the classes went 100% online and during the shut down I lost steam. I just learned that a gentleman at my current church served Spanish-speaking congregations back when and he has agreed to let me practice with him. So I’ll get back to work on it. My school French isn’t too awful, so it’s a matter of gearing up my brain again.

Expand full comment
Cindy May's avatar

Thanks Emily. It looks like Pimsleur is all online, app based subscription delivery now. I studied French in school too and haven’t had any reason to use it since. I’m seriously considering Pimsleur for Spanish.

Expand full comment
Emily H's avatar

I actually had some Senegalese students and a few from Ghana who spoke French. And I few times I was in a language minority with a van load of Frenchwomen as eager to try out their English as I was my French 🤓. Since I’d had seven years of it in school, we had fun.

Expand full comment
Elizabeth T.'s avatar

Sign up for a course at your local community college if you can. Self study can be helpful, but most people do better in a classroom setting. (Spanish professor chiming in!)

Expand full comment
MaryCFM's avatar

Sometimes I have to give people names to keep myself sane. Like Nasty Noem the Liar. Is it useful to make calls demanding her resignation?

Expand full comment