palestine flags waving behind tree

KEEPING OUR EYES ON GAZA

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In the midst of everything else going in the world, yes, it takes work to remain engaged.

Yes, it’s not fair to you.

Nonetheless, yes, simply remembering is still one of the most important acts we can take part in as citizens of the world.

Earlier this week I was fortunate enough to be connected to Shmily Shatha, an artist from none other than Gaza whose life has been upended going on nearly two years now, yet who still finds a way to express hope through her artwork. Along with her friends in Los Angeles, Shmily is selling her original illustrations, one sticker and tee shirt at a time. To learn more about her and how you can support, please find her heartfelt message below.

A map of historic Palestine overseen by a white dove. Shmily Shatha, November 2024.
ShmilyDownload


J.T.

FROM L.A. TO KHAN YUNIS: ALL EYES ON GAZA

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LET THE CITY KNOW:

You can also watch this episode via YouTube.

In this installment of J.T. the L.A. Storyteller Podcast, guest David Cowen and I discuss his being diagnosed with bipolar disorder as early as when he was 21 years old, Kabbalah and Zionism, Israel’s genocide through forced starvation in Gaza, as well as rising homelessness in Los Angeles and California.

We also shout out a special fundraising campaign for Khaled, only five months old as his family flees south from Gaza to the border with Sudan due to Israel’s latest campaign against the Palestinian people, known as “Operation Gideon’s Chariots II.” To learn more about Ibrahim and Nagham’s campaign for Khaled, please do so here.

From David: “Dave Cowen turns the religious into humor, finds the ​s​piritual in the digital, and makes serious comics fun. His popular series of comedy Haggadahs for the Jewish holiday of Passover have been featured in The New York Times and include parodies of Trump, Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Mel Brooks, Kanye West, and The Office. His debut graphic novel, 11 years in the making, AN IMPERFECT UNION, is available on his Substack SerioComics, which also includes Q&As with the best makers of ​g​raphic literature today such as Pulitzer Prize winner Tessa Hulls, Eisner winner Shannon Wheeler, ​Melissa Chan and Badiucao, Sina Grace, Yasmeen Abedifard​, etc.​ Follow his stories and more on Instagram at (@_davecowen_).”

Thank you also to Nicolas Jara (@nicthejara) for video, Jacob on Sound (@fuller.sound), and Esteban (@marsbuiltstudio) for sharing his space for this discussion.

J.T.

CAN THIS PALESTINIAN-AMERICAN BECOME A SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE IN L.A. COUNTY?

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Los Angeles could definitely use more Public Defenders in the County’s Superior Court, where judges overwhelmingly hail from the prosecutorial side. Before you leave the Superior Court Judge section of your ballot blank, tune into this podcast to learn about Natasha Khamashta’s write-in campaign and that of her colleagues’, the Defenders of Justice.

Natasha Khamashta is a Palestinian-American Public Defender who’s served in this role for over 20 years; she is running for Superior Court Office No. 93. The only thing an eligible voter needs to do is write in “Natasha” in the write-in ✍🏽 candidate section on this part of the ballot to elect her for the seat. Recall that any eligible voter in L.A. County, no matter the zip code, can cast a vote for the 10 Superior Court Judge offices up for election this Tuesday, March 5th; you can also vote this Sunday or Monday, depending on what’s better for your schedule through your local Vote Center, which you can locate here.

(0:02) Welcome Natasha Kamashta to J.T. the LA Storyteller Podcast!
(0:24) A race quite unlike any other for elections taking place this Tuesday, March 5th for L.A. County voters
(0:43) How one finds themselves running as a Write-In Candidate for a Superior Court Judge Office
(2:00) Natasha Kamashta’s Palestinian American heritage as a major influence on her decision to run
(6:50) Just to be sure, how do voters actually write in a candidate for a political office?
(8:19) For the record, what does an L.A. Superior Court Judge actually do for people who live in Los Angeles?
(12:00) Remember, any eligible voter, regardless of where they live in L.A. County, can vote for Superior Court Judges
(12:52) Historically, most Judges at the Superior Court have actually been former prosecutors
(15:05) For the record, what inspired Kamashta to become a Public Defender to begin with?
(18:38) Kamashta’s visit to Palestine during law school was another big factor in leading her to become a Public Defender
(21:02) Why do Public Defenders actually seem to be overwhelmed by the amount of cases they’re assigned?
(24:37) Despite its continual shortcomings, are there still some strengths to the judicial system?
(26:29) The judicial system can and does save lives, especially in terms of gender and those who face major challenges with their families
(28:16) For the record, what would separate Kamashta from her opponent when it comes to this Superior Court office?(31:59) With all this said, how do we vote for Kamashta for Superior Court Judge Office No. 93 again?
(33:41) Thanks once again and “see you” on Election Day, Tuesday, March 5th!

Learn more about Natasha at www.natasha4judge.com, and keep up with her campaign’s Cuentos on IG here. To make a one-time donation to my nonprofit, Quien Es Tu Vecindario, please do so via onevecindario.org. To support the production of J.T. the L.A. Storyteller Podcast, check out my PATREON.

J.T.

CHILDREN’S MARCH FOR PALESTINE IN DOWNTOWN L.A.

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(0:37) We are 5.4 million renters in Los Angeles County, which is the richest county in the nation by a long shot. But about 3 million of us are rent-burdened, or paying more than half our monthly income on rent

(2:16) BTW: Remember to check out the latest from Making a Neighborhood

(2:44) Ron DeSantis and Gavin Newsom debate. Why does it matter?

(3:21) Yes, there were more important things to do besides watching this debate. At the same time…

(3:55) Dianne Feinstein’s sudden death while in office is, or should be, instructional

(4:49) Feinstein’s passing has led to a brand new race for CA-30’s Congressional District, among other things

(5:29) If Feinstein can pass away while still in office like she did, so can Joe Biden; that’s why Newsom is out there

(7:27) For what it’s worth, Newsom definitely left DeSantis in the dust through the debate

(9:09) To most people, politicians are hacks and grifters; while there’s a lot of merit to this, there are also tens of thousands of people who are employed or not depending on which one of them is office. That’s also what we vote on

(10:06) A good example of this is Rick Caruso vs Karen Bass. Bass was the standout choice for too many voters not just for her personality, but for her broader network with and for communities of color

(11:20) Speaking of Los Angeles, INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING IS COMING TO L.A. IN 2024

(12:28) This is a moment for all the advocates, for all those who’ve called out L.A. City Hall’s back-room deals on city and community mapping over the last few decades

(13:14) Now, as for expanding the number of L.A. City Council seats; that’s still a work in progress…

(14:04) Think about it though: L.A. City Hall already struggles to provide services with 15 Council Members; if 10 more are suddenly added, what’s to guarantee that their offices wouldn’t also be understaffed?

(15:36) For more on this and other ways of remaking L.A. City Hall, check out L.A. Forward

(16:00) BTW: Have you subscribed to Making a Neighborhood yet??

(18:02) The latest from Making a Neighborhood is on JVP’s Ceasefire March and Rally in Hollywood!

(19:20) As for more actions for Palestine this weekend, consider the following…

(20:21) BTW: These marches are against the U.S.’s war on the people of Gaza, not just against Israel; it’s U.S. tax dollars which fund Israel’s military

(21:04) Children’s March for Palestine: Saturday at 12 PM at Grand Park in downtown L.A.; supporters include: Students for Justice in Palestine: IVC, Latino Musulmana de America, Our Califas Brown Berets, and more

(21:49) Writers for Palestine: Saturday at 6:30 PM at Beyond Baroque in Venice. Fundraiser for the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund: Readers include Rhys Langston, who we’ve interviewed on the show, Armine Iknadossian, Paasha Motamedi, and more

(22:56) Gentrification and Genocide: Sunday at 9 AM at the Normandie Recreation Center. Organizers include: The L.A. Tenants Union and Palestinian Youth Movement

(24:25) Oh, and before I forget: We have another critical guest interview coming up soon concerning L.A. City Council and the upcoming ballot. Stay vigilant and stay tuned. And let the city know.

(25:23) Remember to follow/subscribe to J.T. the L.A. Storyteller Podcast! You’re gonna need it, especially through 2024

To make a one-time donation to my fundraiser for the 9th anniversary of JIMBO TIMES, please do so through jmbtms.com. To support the production of J.T. the L.A. Storyteller Podcast, please check out my PATREON.

J.T.