Indivisible CLT Podcast

Empowering civic activism in Charlotte, North Carolina
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Society & Culture
  • Weekly

Empowering civic activism in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. Indivisible CLT defends democracy through local action. indivisibleclt.substack.com

  1. Oct 17

    No Kings CLT on October 17, 2026

    On Saturday, October 17, 2026, Wes Fryer urges viewers in the United States—especially in North Carolina and Charlotte, to stay informed, avoid mis- and disinformation by relying on trusted voices, and make a plan to vote early in the fall 2026 election. He highlights a coalition of Charlotte community organizations connected through nokingsclt.com, formed in the wake of events including Operation Charlotte’s Web, and encourages supporting local civic groups and community events. He notes that Indivisible Charlotte has an event starting at 11:00 AM in Stumptown in Matthews and says Indivisible has shifted its focus from protest to voting and encouraging early turnout. He asks viewers to talk with their networks and help others get to the polls. https://nokingsCLT.com 00:00 Welcome and Purpose 00:19 Vote Early Now 00:24 Visit No Kings CLT 00:31 Why Trusted Voices Matter 00:37 Community Coalition Update 01:08 Events and How to Join 01:18 Indivisible Charlotte Meetup 01:35 Final Call to Action Link to the Indivisible CLT Voter Guide. Please join our work with Indivisible Charlotte. Subscribe to our podcast on Substack and YouTube! This video short is also available on YouTube: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit indivisibleclt.substack.com

  2. Oct 15

    Ep 11: Protecting the Vote in North Carolina

    Indivisible Charlotte hosts an “In The Know Live” conversation on protecting the vote in North Carolina as voting begins, featuring Sailor Jones (Common Cause NC), Stefanía Arteaga (Carolina Migrant Network / Comunidad Colectiva), and journalist Billy Ball (Cardinal & Pine). The panel discusses new State Board of Elections guidance affecting absentee ballot “spoilage” rates, North Carolina’s use of DHS’s SAVE database and potential impacts on voters, and the line between lawful poll observation and intimidation. Guests share practical steps for voters and poll workers, including documenting incidents, notifying election officials, and using the nonpartisan hotline 888-OUR-VOTE. They address misinformation and disinformation, concerns about federal agents near polling places, and preparations for the post–Election Day certification period, including potential ballot challenges and legislative actions. * 00:00 Welcome and Purpose * 01:11 Meet the Panelists * 02:44 Absentee Ballot Spoilage * 05:31 SAVE Database Concerns * 07:53 Observers vs Intimidation * 10:32 De-escalation Volunteers * 13:36 Recording and Law Enforcement * 16:21 Misinformation at the Polls * 20:54 Building Trusted Sources * 22:43 Federal Intervention Fears * 23:13 ICE at Polls Myth * 24:43 Know Your Voting Rights * 25:55 NC Laws and ICE Limits * 27:47 Young Latino Voter Energy * 30:09 Post Election Certification Window * 31:25 Ballot Challenges and Power Plays * 34:48 Fighting Disinformation After Election * 37:30 Certification Disputes Explained * 41:58 How Advocates Can Help * 45:46 Election Protection and Hotlines * 48:00 Vote Safe and Easy * 49:19 Final Thanks and Resources Referenced Links: * Indivisible CLT Voter Guide * Please join our work with Indivisible Charlotte * Subscribe to our podcast on Substack - YouTube - Spotify - Apple Podcasts * Common Cause North Carolina * Carolina Migrant Network * Comunidad Colectiva * Cardinal & Pine This podcast episode is also available on YouTube: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit indivisibleclt.substack.com

  3. Aug 29

    Ep 10: Remembering ICE Shooting Victims & Building Community Action: First Ward Park Vigil

    On August 17, 2026, Wes Fryer interviews Tony Siracusa, media director for Indivisible Charlotte, about the July 25, 2026 community vigil in First Ward Park held with the Carolina Migrant Network and 501501 following ICE killings of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo (July 7) and Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero (about a week later). Siracusa describes his activism background, including escort/security leadership at Charlotte Planned Parenthood, and explains how the coalition formed to prevent the deaths from being forgotten in a fast-moving, “fractured” media environment. They recount the vigil’s memorial atmosphere—candles, flowers, choir, speakers, reading names of 23 people killed by ICE this year—and extensive local and national media coverage. They connect the event to concerns about a newly confirmed ICE detention center in Hartford County, emphasizing oversight, documentation, and accountability, and encourage viewers to join Indivisible Charlotte’s all-volunteer efforts.00:00 Meet Wes and Tony00:32 Tony Activism Roots01:19 Planned Parenthood Security03:44 Joining Indivisible Charlotte05:22 Vigil Coalition Forms07:21 Why the Vigil Mattered12:13 Fractured Media and Trust15:37 On the Ground at First Ward17:11 Media Strategy and Visuals20:03 After Coverage Whats Next22:31 Storytelling for Movements22:56 Saying Their Names23:21 Who Lorenzo and Johan Were24:37 No Consequences for ICE26:31 Raids Targeting Workers28:37 Civics and Extraordinary Times30:34 Hartford Detention Center Dots33:04 Monitor and Document Conditions34:26 Cruelty and Accountability39:00 Why Indivisible Matters41:41 How to Get Involved44:28 Community Creates Change45:48 Final Thanks and Call to Action This podcast is also available on YouTube. Please subscribe to our Indivisible Charlotte Podcast on Substack, YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts!Connect with Indivisible Charlotte! This video is also available on YouTube. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit indivisibleclt.substack.com

    Ep 10: Remembering ICE Shooting Victims & Building Community Action: First Ward Park Vigil

  4. Jul 31

    Ep 9: Justice Anita Earls on Voting Rights, Fair Maps, and Public Education in North Carolina

    Indivisible Charlotte’s In The Know Live hosts North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Anita Earls, a veteran civil rights litigator seeking re-election in November 2026, to discuss her background and key issues before the court. Earls describes growing up in a mixed-race family affected by discrimination, her work with Julius Chambers, her DOJ service, and founding the Southern Coalition for Social Justice, and explains why state courts matter amid federal rollbacks of individual rights. She details recent North Carolina vote-suppression efforts, including the Griffin–Riggs dispute and attempts to discard military and overseas ballots, and clarifies the legal difference between racial and partisan gerrymandering. Earls discusses the Leandro education case, her dissent after the court ended the litigation, and argues courts must enforce students’ constitutional right to a sound basic education. She addresses judicial ethics “weaponization,” utility rate cases, her opponent Sarah Stevens’ record, and ends with hope for future court changes, noting three Republican seats are up in the next cycle. Please subscribe to our Indivisible Charlotte podcast on YouTube, Substack, or wherever you listen to podcasts. 00:00 Welcome and Housekeeping 01:16 Meet Justice Earls 02:45 Personal Story and Civil Rights Roots 06:10 Why State Courts Matter 08:27 Voting Rights and Suppression 16:26 Gerrymandering Explained 19:56 Path to Fair Maps 23:00 Leandro and Public Schools 30:03 Rights and Court Independence 34:55 Energy Rates and Consumers 37:55 Ethics and Dark Money 43:22 Opponent Contrast and Campaign 46:00 Audience Q&A and Canvassing 53:45 Hope and Closing Remarks This video is also available on YouTube. Please join our work at Indivisible Charlotte! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit indivisibleclt.substack.com

  5. May 1

    Timothy Snyder on Building Freedom, Resisting Tyranny, and Defending Democracy

    Indivisible Charlotte hosts a webinar discussion with historian Timothy Snyder about his book On Freedom, contrasting “negative freedom” (freedom as removing barriers or acting on impulse) with “positive freedom” (collectively building social and political conditions—like education, healthcare, and solidarity—that enable dignified lives and moral self-creation). Snyder explains the book as an answer to what resistance to tyranny is for, arguing that imagining a future is essential and that “futurelessness” functions as a governing strategy benefiting oligarchs. The conversation links these ideas to current events: “superpower suicide,” the Supreme Court’s weakening of the Voting Rights Act, organizing and messaging for voters, possible pre-election “stunts” such as war, religious claims, or manufactured terrorism, and concerns about ICE and military politicization. Snyder cites anti-corruption coalitions and the protest–election connection in Poland and Hungary as lessons for U.S. democracy. 00:00 Welcome and Setup 01:15 Meet Timothy Snyder 03:55 Why Write On Freedom 06:24 Negative vs Positive Freedom 08:59 Freedom as Moral Project 10:14 Superpower Suicide Explained 13:05 Canvassing Freedom Policies 15:40 Reclaiming a Future 20:22 Politics of Eternity 21:34 Voting Rights Act Fallout 24:46 Mobilizing for Midterms 26:13 Next Coup Attempt Stunts 29:16 Hungary Terrorism Stunt 30:50 Defanging Fear Tactics 32:39 ICE Intimidation Scenarios 34:44 Poland Hungary Winning Playbook 38:42 Protests Power Elections 40:47 Winning Big Then Act 41:49 Ukraine Trump Putin Lens 46:57 Math Literacy And Power 49:16 National History Curriculum Debate 51:23 Military Purges Coup Fears 56:10 Closing Call To Organize Please subscribe to our Indivisible CLT Podcast on YouTube and Substack! This podcast episode is also available on YouTube! 📚 Books by Timothy Snyder * “On Freedom” by Timothy Snyder * “On Tyranny” by Timothy Snyder * “Thinking the Twentieth Century” by Tony Judt with Timothy Snyder 📝 Other Works by Timothy Snyder * Substack essay: “The Next Coup Attempt and How to Stop It” * Timothy Snyder’s Substack: snyder.substack.com 🏛️ Organizations & Platforms Referenced * Indivisible Charlotte * Mobilize (for upcoming Indivisible events) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit indivisibleclt.substack.com

  6. Apr 29

    Operation Charlotte's Web: Community Leaders on the 2025 Immigration Enforcement Surge

    Indivisible Charlotte’s In the Know Live, hosted by Freda Zeh and Wes Fryer, features a recorded panel with community leaders Rachel Salo (Indivisible Charlotte), Hector Vaca (Action NC), Stefanía Arteaga (Carolina Migrant Network), and Marcelle Vielot (Charlotte Metrolina Labor Council) on the November 2025 immigration enforcement surge in Charlotte, dubbed “Operation Charlotte’s Web.” Panelists describe the operation as a targeted campaign of fear by CBP, discuss why Charlotte was selected, and explain distinctions between CBP and ICE. They outline coalition organizing through the Charlotte Immigrant Protection Alliance, including verifier networks, live alerts to 70,000 people, street patrols, school watches, mutual aid, Know Your Rights trainings, protests, and pressure on local officials. They address workplace disruptions, limited legal protections and capacity, ongoing documentation of civil rights violations, upcoming May Day organizing, lessons about impacted-community leadership, cross-movement solidarity, and the importance of self-care. 00:00 Welcome and Format 01:00 Meet the Panelists 02:39 Why Charlotte Was Targeted 05:32 Community Pushback Wins 06:33 Under Siege and Alerts 09:51 Coalition Mobilizes Fast 12:44 ICE vs CBP Explained 18:09 Action NC Organizing Playbook 22:47 Labor Impacts at Worksites 29:00 Legal System Failures 31:05 Legal Aid Hit Hard 32:06 State Response Gaps 33:58 Intakes Surge Fast 35:36 Coalition Coordination 41:36 Lessons From Hector 45:12 Economic Impact Question 46:39 May Day Mobilization 48:21 Labor Lessons And Story 55:22 Community Unity And Joy 58:15 Self Care To Sustain 59:33 Closing Thanks And Links This podcast is also available on YouTube: Show notes / referenced links: * Indivisible Charlotte * Indivisible CLT Substack (podcast & newsletter) * Indivisible CLT Podcast on Substack https://indivisibleclt.substack.com/podcast * Indivisible CLT Podcast on Spotify * Indivisible CLT Podcast on YouTube * Indivisible CLT Podcast on Apple Podcasts * Action NC * Carolina Migrant Network * Charlotte Metrolina Labor Council This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit indivisibleclt.substack.com

  7. Mar 29

    Great Replacement Theory and the “Chain of Humanity” - Resisting Authoritarianism

    Speaking at the No Kings 3 Rally and Protest in Charlotte after traveling from Houston, Ibram X. Kendi describes encountering ICE agents at the airport and reflects on how many Americans still support authoritarian measures. Citing survey results showing significant openness to dictatorship and expanded power for Trump, they argue that the strongest predictor of today’s anti-democratic attitudes is belief in Great Replacement Theory—the idea that progressive elites are enabling people of color to “replace” white people, requiring authoritarian protection. Drawing on an 1767 warning about rulers binding people by “the chain of their own ideas,” the speaker links modern Trumpism to racist and xenophobic beliefs and traces the term’s popularization by French writer Renaud Camus. They conclude by urging a shift from the “chain of ideas” to a “chain of humanity” to defeat oligarchs and authoritarians and build an anti-racist democracy. 00:00 Welcome to Charlotte 00:44 Airport Chaos and ICE 02:58 Why People Choose Kings 04:28 Great Replacement Explained 06:33 Meritocracy and Obedience 08:26 Chains of Ideas Story 10:55 Origins in France 13:51 Trump and Replacement Politics 16:27 Breaking the Chain 17:43 Chain of Humanity Finale Learn more about all our coalition partners for No Kings 3 in Charlotte on nokingsCLT.com. Learn more about Indivisible Charlotte and join our work on indivisibleCLT.org This video is also available on YouTube and Facebook. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit indivisibleclt.substack.com

  8. Feb 6

    Ep 5 "Giving Up is Unforgivable" with Joyce Vance

    Watch and listen to this recording of Indivisible Charlotte's 'In the Know Live' webinar from February 3, 2026 over Zoom, featuring Joyce Vance, former U.S. Attorney and esteemed legal expert on criminal justice and civil rights. In this engaging discussion with members of our Research Team, Vance discusses her book, 'Giving Up is Unforgivable: A Manual for Keeping Democracy,' which provides essential guidance for defending democratic principles. The conversation explores critical issues including the health of the DOJ, voter suppression tactics, and the importance of civic engagement, particularly among younger generations. Vance shares insights into the importance of due process, free and fair elections, and how community activism plays a pivotal role in maintaining democratic integrity. This enlightening conversation empowers citizens to participate actively and intelligently in their democracy. To learn more about Indivisible Charlotte and participate in future live events, visit www.indivisibleclt.org. Please subscribe to our podcast on Substack, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts. 00:00 Welcome and Introduction 01:45 Housekeeping Notes and Program Format 02:56 Introducing Joyce Vance 05:32 Joyce Vance on Writing Her Book 09:43 The Importance of Civic Engagement 18:50 Challenges Facing the DOJ 22:55 Engaging the Younger Generation 29:45 Protests in Maine and Youth Involvement 31:11 Trump’s Midterm Election Controversy 33:04 Ensuring Free and Fair Elections 35:05 Voter Suppression Tactics 39:43 The SAVE Act and Its Implications 41:57 Trump’s Legal Tactics and Lawfare 46:32 Supreme Court and Judicial Concerns 50:05 Epstein Documents and Victim Protection 54:14 Personal Resilience and Closing Remarks Connect with us and join our work at Indivisible CLT! This podcast episode is also available on YouTube. Subscribe to and share our podcast on both YouTube and Substack. Also find links on our main website, indivisibleclt.org/podcast. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit indivisibleclt.substack.com

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About

Empowering civic activism in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. Indivisible CLT defends democracy through local action. indivisibleclt.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    Empowering civic activism in Charlotte, North Carolina
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Indivisible CLT
  • Show Website
    Indivisible CLT Podcast

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