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Mission Nurses’ Strike on the Horizon

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By Malachi Mena

Mission nurses are talking of a potential strike due to staffing issues. Activists in the area are attempting to help these nurses by raising money in case of a strike.

On Open Air’s series, People’s Radio Hour, Rosemary Lord joined Jennifer Hampton to discuss the strike and how they’re working to support the Mission nurses union. Lord explained that as a longtime socialist, supporting workers is one of her key values. After Lord moved to Asheville, they heard about how Mission Hospital had changed after being purchased by the Hospital Corporation of America, which they described as a major issue for the community. It was really important to Lord to be a part of the effort that would help the nurses organize for a new contract.

Hampton went on to describe Lord as a “powerhouse of an organizer,” mentioning all their work with Asheville Food & Beverage United, the Asheville chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, and the canvassing efforts for the tourism taxes for affordable housing. Lord responded, claiming that the affordable housing issue and the Mission nurses issue seemed connected. They said, “It’s all about the fact that Asheville could easily be a place that works for working people. There’s enough money coming in here. There’s enough resources for everybody, but the problem is it’s not distributed in an equitable way.”

The two then went on to discuss why the nurses need a strike fund and Mission’s policies and regulations. For more on the topic, listen to the second half of this week’s episode of Open Air.

Check the Asheville for Nurses Linktree for information about how to donate to the strike fund, volunteer to canvass, and more.

Family-friendly fundraiser for the Mission Nurses Strike Fund at One World Brewing West.
Sunday, July 28, noon–4 p.m.
Featuring performances by Monster Wave and the Rich Nelson Band, speeches by nurses, and a raffle.

Community Picket at Mission Hospital.
Tuesday, August 6, gathering at 5:30, starting at 6
All community members (and their pets!) are welcome to join and show support for Mission nurses. Signs provided or make your own!

AFBU General Membership meeting
July 30, 7 p.m.
12 Baskets
Open to members, and new membership can be established at the meeting.

Private Housing Caucus Group Meeting
July 30 at 6 p.m.
Email Jen to find out more.

WNC Workers Assembly Organizing 101
August 1, 5:30 p.m.
West Asheville Park, 198 Vermont Ave.
Email Jen to register and learn more.

Contact Jen: [email protected]


More Posts for Show: Open Air

Elizabeth Alvandi – a victim with a dutiful desire to speak up

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Written by Jordan Lenoir

Please note descriptions of physical and sexual violence may be triggering for some listeners/readers.

In this fresh new episode of People’s Radio Hour on Open Air, host Jennifer Hampton is joined by Elizabeth Alvandi to discuss her recent feature in a Citizen Times article (published last Sunday) in which she discussed the violence in public housing communities and the lack of response from the Housing Authority or the Asheville Police Department.   

Alvandi herself is a public housing resident, whom Hampton says has faced “some pretty harrowing instances of violence and assault, and if not for her incredible talent for documentation, there would likely have been no consequences for her attacker.” Alvandi asserts that “one of the reasons I am speaking up about my story is not necessarily because it’s so unique. I think what’s unique is that I am maybe a bit better positioned to speak out. I have experienced a bit of retaliation.” She goes on to say, “[The] Housing [Authority] should do more.” It is not only women who have experienced this violence, but men as well. Alvandi “believes this is something a lot of people have experienced.” 

In this episode of Open Air, Alvandi also shares a traumatic event she experienced on September 20th, 2022, when she was violently assaulted outside her home in Deaverview. She shares that she had had a number of run-ins with her attacker, Jeremiah Jenkins, and instantly recognized him. 

Alvandi then goes on to share that even though Jenkins was banned from the community, she and other residents still spotted him occasionally. She states, “I told my site manager that I had been threatened by this man… And instead of informing me that he’s on the ban list [and] he shouldn’t be here, she said, ‘Oh, that doesn’t sound like him,’ indicating she knew of him and thought he was better than that.” 

Thank you, Elizabeth Alvandi, for sharing your story and spreading awareness about public housing violence. 

For more on this topic, listen to the rest of this week’s Open Air episode.


More Posts for Show: Open Air

Positive Vibes – Tickets!! – DAYTRIPPIN’ IN PARADISE SUMMER TOUR – Iration / Pepper / DENM / Artikal Sound System – the Salvage Station – Wednesday July 24th show – 103.3 AshevilleFM / streaming at www.ashevillefm.org – Tune in for your chance to win!! Tuesday, July 23rd – 8 to 10am

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TUNE IN TUESDAY FROM 8-10AM – FOR A SPECIAL TICKET GIVE AWAY –

IT’S A PAIR OF TICKETS TO THE DAYTRIPPIN IN PARADISE SUMMER TOUR FEATURING – IRATION / PEPPER WITH DENM AND ARTIKAL SOUND SYSTEM – THIS WEDNESDAY, JULY 24TH AT THE SALVAGE STATION – DOORS AT 5PM / SHOW STARTS AT 5:30PM  – REGGAE VIBES AND DANCING BY THE RIVER!!  KILLER SHOW!!

– PLUS SOME GREAT WORLD WIDE REGGAE AND LOCAL MUSIC VIBES…   POSITIVE VIBES ON 103.3 AshevilleFM  – TUNE IN FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN..  SMITTYMON

 


 

Positive Vibes

103.3 AshevilleFM
8-10AM

 @djsmittymon


More Posts for Show: Positive Vibes

Direct action abortion services in Latin America (ACAB 2023)

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Direct action abortion services in Latin America

photo from a pro abortion rally in Argentina "TFSR 7-21-24 | Direct Action Abortion Services in Latin America (ACAB 2023)

This week, we’re sharing audio from the presentation “Direct action abortion services in Latin America” 2023 Another Carolina Anarchist Bookfair in so-called Asheville, NC.

Thanks to the volunteers who re-recorded the presenter and audience questions where permission to share their voices was not granted and a transcription. Keep an eye out in August for our youtube video to include the slides from the actual presentation this recording was made from. Audios from the 2024 ACABookfair will be online in the near future on the bookfairs website, https://acabookfair.noblogs.org/


More Posts for Show: The Final Straw Radio

The ADA – A deep dive

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Written by Malachi Mena

The ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) was passed in 1990. Local disability educator and activist Priya Ray of DIYabled notes that many non-disabled individuals aren’t aware of the ADA and its policies, and makes an effort to raise awareness this Disability Pride month!

On Open Air’s series, This Crip Life, Priya Ray was joined by Vicki Young, a disabled law student to discuss and deep dive into the ADA. Ray began by defining it. She stated “the ADA prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in several areas, including employment, transportation, public accommodations, communications and access to state and local government programs and services.”

Young went on to explain that there are 4 titles within the ADA. Title one is employment, title two is State and Local Governments, title three is Public Accommodations and Commercial Facilities, and title four is Telecommunication. Young stated that according to title one, employers cannot discriminate against a qualified disabled individual. She emphasized the word qualified, making it understood that if one lacks the merit or qualifications needed for a position, they are not guaranteed or entitled to such a position. Ray chimed in to point out that the ADA is in place to give disabled people equal rights, not an advantage.

Young mentioned that the ADA gives small businesses and religious institutions a pass on upholding these policies whilst encouraging these groups to do their best at providing equal treatment to disabled individuals. The two went on to discuss accessible housing, religious facilities and more regarding the policies of the ADA.

For more on this ADA conversation, check out this week’s episode of Open Air.

Additionally, local community sponsors are helping Asheville celebrate Disability Pride this July. Checkout diyabled.com for more on the events taking place throughout Asheville.


More Posts for Show: Open Air