As KPFK launches its year-end fund drive, Dino and producer Nella invite listeners to sustain truly independent radio while highlighting featured thank-you books on Epstein, Trump and Palestine. Then Dino speaks with Lydia Camarillo of Southwest Voter Registration Education Project about the Supreme Court’s shadow-docket ruling that lets Texas Republicans deploy a racially discriminatory congressional map in 2026.
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TRANSCRIPT
This is a rush transcript. Copy may not be in its final form.
00:00:00:08 - 00:00:27:15
ANNOUNCER
It's here and fund drive from December 2nd through the 19th, aiming for 500 new monthly sustaining members by December 31st. This critical goal provides a reliable income needed for more core operations, engineering the tower staff and equipment, allowing the station to stop patching holes and start rebuilding Kpfk with more local reporting, original shows, and digital tools. A monthly gift provides essential stability.
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ANNOUNCER
Please become a sustainer today at $10 or $20 a month by calling 818955725 option two or donating online at Kpfk Dawgs. Donate.
00:00:43:15 - 00:00:51:08
ANNOUNCER
Eight.
00:00:51:10 - 00:00:58:03
ANNOUNCER
This is Ghezzal Flores from the bank at Saad, and you're listening to Kpfk 90.7 Los Angeles.
00:00:58:05 - 00:01:10:07
MUSIC INTRO
The whole run by a handful of greedy bankers and CEOs who nobody elected. What can't possibly last?
00:01:10:09 - 00:01:14:07
MUSIC INTRO
And I'm going to tell you what I'm saying.
00:01:14:09 - 00:01:21:01
MUSIC INTRO
But you really only have to remember your two words.
00:01:21:03 - 00:02:10:12
DINO
Good afternoon. And when I start this, welcome to another episode of The Signal. I'm your host, Dino. And today we bring you another important update on what's happening at the Supreme Court level. As the country prepares for what is undoubtedly going to be one of its most significant and important political periods in recent history. The Supreme Court has recently just a couple of days, in fact, handed down a deeply, deeply consequential decision allowing Texas Republicans to implement a new congressional map that multiple previous lower courts found likely discriminates against Latino and black voters by lifting the injunction and letting the map take effect.
00:02:10:14 - 00:02:43:11
DINO
The court has given Republicans a structural advantage, ladies and gentlemen, and the next House elections potentially adding multiple seats even as Texas becomes more and more diverse and politically competitive. This is a ruling that has been widely condemned by civil rights advocates and others as a highly prejudicial act, and undoubtedly an effort on the part of the GOP to remain in power.
00:02:43:13 - 00:03:25:04
DINO
We bring you these type of topics. We cover these types of issues precisely because you, the listener, support us. Support this program. The Signal news, information and analysis with your host Dino. Yours truly. And that is why this, this episode starts off reminding all of you that we are in our year end Kpfk fun drive. We need you to call 189855735818985 Kpfk press that little number two and make a donation, folks, because without your donations, without that contribution, we aren't out of here.
00:03:25:06 - 00:03:57:16
DINO
The program you just heard and all the other programs for that matter, whether it's on an eco hot car or Amy Goodman and everybody else who contributes their time, who volunteers their efforts, who provides this important news, information and analysis, who has our program director Gary Baca said these programs are essential to giving you, informing you, providing you the information necessary for you to make an informed decision on this opportunity for you to provide support.
00:03:57:18 - 00:04:21:13
DINO
It's more important than ever before we ask that you become a sustaining member. $5, $10, $15 a month. What you pay for coffee. What you pay for a beer. In fact, both those items are probably cost you more these days. And we are saying, hey, make that donation five, ten, $15 a month, whatever suits your budget. We understand times are hard.
00:04:21:15 - 00:04:48:06
DINO
We're very conscious of that and that is why we say whatever you can. However, the $25 basic membership can go a long way for us $50. You get a copy of K Grocery Tote, $65 you get a KPFA mug, A for $65, you get a Kpfk t shirt, y'all. So go ahead and call (818) 935-5735. And of course you can always go online at Kpfk.
00:04:48:06 - 00:05:13:02
DINO
Talk forward slash donate. Today we're going to be offering an important book, something that we've talked about before for a pledge of $125, a book by Barry Levine, our program director, mentioned it just before we went on air. And that is the spider inside the tangled web of Jeffrey Epstein and just sell Maxwell. Now, this has been a hot topic for months, years.
00:05:13:04 - 00:05:40:06
DINO
So it is the time. The time is now for you to support us and donate. But let me turn it over to my producer extraordinaire, our Nella Barbara, as I know her, nella, who is one of our biggest fans here on at the station and you know, of course, helps me develop this program that brings you information every hour, every Saturday at 12 noon.
00:05:40:08 - 00:05:42:15
DINO
Nella, welcome back on the air.
00:05:42:21 - 00:06:07:07
NELLA
Thank you, thank you. Muchas gracias. Dino. All are Dino. Good afternoon everyone. When I started this family. This is the signal on Kpfk 90.7 F.M. with your host, Dino. Dino, I have to say that because you are so mighty and you are doing such a wonderful job for people. And. Right beside him, as he calls me every day in LA.
00:06:07:07 - 00:06:43:01
NELLA
Your producer in LA, Barbara, you can call actually right now at 81898557358189855735. Let me say one more time. 818985 Kpfk option two option to or donate online at kpfk.org/donate. Again, I have to say Kpfk that organ donate to this show defends human rights, workers rights, truth and justice and we need you to power it. The book, The Spider The Truth About Epstein.
00:06:43:01 - 00:07:26:13
NELLA
We bring you the spider, the Truth about Epstein exposing trafficking, corruption, power, and silence. For a pledge of $125, you will receive this book. So call (818) 985-5735 or donate at kpfk.org/donate. Why we need you Dina works every week preparing like guys I'm talking about the entire week preparing the strongest stories and having strongest and incredible guests. Me, I work behind the scenes producing this show with everything I have.
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NELLA
We are alive for you, but can only exist if you call (818) 985-5735 option two or give at kpfk.org/donate. We are not NPR. We are not funded by a corporations or the government. We are funded only solemnly by people, you, our listeners, tax deductible. Everything is tax deductible. Every donation is 100% tax deductible. You can donate an old car running or not, but you have to call each 189855735 or visit kpfk.org/donate again for a donation of 125.
00:08:16:17 - 00:08:53:22
NELLA
Today you receive the book The Spider The Truth About Epstein. So call (818) 985-5735 option two or go to Kpfk Dawgs. Donate I have to tell you, we cannot exist without you. If the signal ever informed, inspired, or lifted you, please stand with us right now. Call (818) 985-5735 or option two, of course, or donate online at kpfk.org/donate. Thank you.
00:08:54:02 - 00:09:09:02
NELLA
We love you. We appreciate you. This is the signal with Dino. Armando with Dino here because you keep us alive. And now Dino, back to you.
00:09:09:04 - 00:09:47:22
DINO
Thank you. And you know, look, folks, I, you know, I've been working with this station in one capacity or another for 20 plus years. I came here as a guest, I think in the early 90s. And, and prior to that, I was familiar with the station but hadn't really participated. And, you know, I was hooked. It was a place that for me as, somebody who aspired to work in journalism, worked in media, and I have I've worked in television and radio and, print.
00:09:47:24 - 00:10:21:00
DINO
It is you. It is really uniquely one of a kind. One of a kind. As I said, you know, we're not in PR, and this is not a dig at our friends and colleagues over at NPR. But when you look at the ideological spectrum in this country, especially today, when you look at the landscape, the media landscape in particular, when you look at and listen and read and watch where your news, information and analysis comes from, it doesn't take long.
00:10:21:00 - 00:10:26:10
DINO
It doesn't take much to realize just how important.
00:10:26:12 - 00:10:33:10
DINO
An organization like ours, a venue, a news source like ours.
00:10:33:12 - 00:11:08:23
DINO
And why it's so important because we don't take funding from the government. We don't take corporate funding. We are. We nurture strategic partnerships with like minded individuals, like minded organizations. We are supported by others who see the value in what is a unique form of public radio, unlike any other. This year in fund drive, you know, we're looking to increase that support more than ever before as venues begin to shut down.
00:11:08:23 - 00:11:30:00
DINO
There's other smaller public radio stations across the country who were almost entirely dependent on money from the federal government. And when the current administration came in and eliminated that for no reason other than fear of an educated populace. A lot of those places are now closed and we're not exempt. Yeah, we're in the LA market. Yeah, we're much larger.
00:11:30:00 - 00:12:03:01
DINO
How our signal goes across Santa Barbara, San Diego County, Ridgecrest, China Lake, and of course, Los Angeles by my estimates as well, over access to well over 20 million people. L.A. County alone is about 10 million people. So we need your support for a basic membership. This $25 cost $50, gets your grocery, tote bag and of course, if you want the mug or the t shirt, it's a $65 donation, which is on these days, you know, less than what you pay for a night out.
00:12:03:06 - 00:12:31:05
DINO
For dinner, drinks, a couple of cups of coffee. (818) 985-5735 support for the signal with dinner comes in part from our listeners like you. And today we're presenting the book The Spider by Barry Levine, which covers the issue of Jeffrey Epstein. We're offering for a pledge of $125, this important book that really provides the added and necessary information.
00:12:31:05 - 00:13:20:01
DINO
So without further ado, we'll get right back to our programing. But I want to encourage you one more time. We are on the air because of supporters like you, because of guests like the one I'm about to have on today, we're actually going to revisit a topic. We're going to revisit a topic we've covered here before. We've covered, some variations of this particular topic, extensively, the Supreme Court, the Supreme Court on December the 4th, just a few days ago, voted in a what is now regular or usual pattern, six three, with the conservatives in the majority and the three liberals dissenting.
00:13:20:03 - 00:13:57:10
DINO
The court ruled in favor of Texas Republicans and allowed their newly drawn congressional map to take effect for the 2026 elections. Now, this map had previously been block by the federal courts for likely diluting the voting power of Latino and Black communities. Now, you all may recall we've had this topic here before. This is what prompted the challenge and what became our own proposition here, which was voted and approved by voters to initiate our own redistricting here in California.
00:13:57:12 - 00:14:08:02
DINO
The Supreme Court handed down this deeply consequential decision allowing Texas Republicans to implement these new congressional maps.
00:14:08:04 - 00:14:59:05
DINO
Any ruling that was widely or is widely being condemned by civil rights advocates who see it as a green light for racial gerrymandering and a direct threat to minority voting power. The court's intervention does not reshape political does more than reshaping political lines in Texas. It sends a national signal to other Republican states. Republican led states, including North Carolina, included Missouri, that they may now pursue similar mid-decade redraws, accelerating a nationwide effort to entrench Partizan control through map manipulation and, in effect, keeping the current administration in power.
00:14:59:09 - 00:15:29:14
DINO
This is what's at stake, ladies and gentlemen. Politically, the ruling provides a significant momentum for the Trump administration and its Republican support base. It's demonstrated that in a challenging midterm landscape, secure in favor of favorable maps like this is a key strategy for maintaining power and control. Ladies and gentlemen, this is a textbook tactic used by authoritarian regimes.
00:15:29:16 - 00:16:00:12
DINO
We've seen it in other countries. We're seeing it here. And that is why we're bringing back Lydia Camarillo, president of the Southwest Voter Registration Education Project, who is based out of Texas. They have multiple offices across the southwest, also partners, with the organization, the Willie C Velasquez Institute. Now, let me give you a little context as to why, why Lydia and her organization have demonstrated time and again, in fact, I'm not even going to do it.
00:16:00:12 - 00:16:05:00
DINO
Let's bring, Lydia and Lydia, welcome back to the signal.
00:16:05:02 - 00:16:06:19
LYDIA
Hi. Thank you for the invitation.
00:16:07:00 - 00:16:36:15
DINO
So, Lydia, one of the things that I was going to mention right now was how your organization, the work that you've done since you took the helm, of SVP, you helped register Latino voters from about 5.4 million in 1994 to a whopping 18.6 million in 2020. First of all, that is an incredible accomplishment, so kudos to you on that.
00:16:36:17 - 00:16:45:04
DINO
So, you know, you clearly know what you're talking about. Tell us about this consequential decision that just came down on the fourth.
00:16:45:06 - 00:16:48:11
LYDIA
Well, it's,
00:16:48:13 - 00:17:41:06
LYDIA
Not a surprise. Disappointing. Of course. The good news, if there's any good news, is that the vote, of 6 to 3 by the United States Supreme Court to overturn this, that El Paso federal court, 2 to 1, which included Jeffrey Brown, a Trump appointee, that agreed with our position, which is that the five matched five congressional districts that they are dismantling, eliminating, they're all Latino majority that they are violating the Voting Rights Act and that they're eliminating based on racial gerrymandering and and not on the arguments that the Supreme Court, in Texas, try to argue that it's strictly, partizan manipulation as a result of what, Trump has asked them
00:17:41:06 - 00:18:10:16
LYDIA
to do in eliminating the five districts that are drawn as Latino majority of districts that provide for Latino voters to decide the future of who's going to be elected in those districts. We are basically in a state that is considered a majority minority state. There's 31 million more or less, because every day somebody else, is born or dies.
00:18:10:16 - 00:18:54:03
LYDIA
And so it's 30. There's 31 million people in Texas, 13.1 million are Latino, 12.4 million are white, 3.6 million are African-American, 1.7 million are Asian, and 360,000 are mixed races. In that reality, which is it's a maybe no majority. I'm sorry, a minority majority state with Latinos making the largest population number even even higher than whites. The state has 38 congressional districts, of which 80% are being, white voters, despite the future.
00:18:54:03 - 00:19:32:08
LYDIA
Now, having said that, the elimination of the five congressional districts, wipes out an opportunity for Latinos not only to elect a candidate choice, but also those candidate, those those members that are in Congress, right now are all Latino, or in the case of CD 33, which is is, Dallas and Fort Worth and African-American and the and the adjacent congressional districts are also being impacted because when you move one district, the districts around to create a change.
00:19:32:10 - 00:20:13:13
LYDIA
So what we're seeing is that at the request of Trump, the state of Texas decided to draw in midterm mitigate the congressional districts that then, other states are following suit that includes North Carolina, Utah, Florida, Indiana, Missouri, Ohio, Louisiana and other states. There's not enough controlled by Democrat states to try to balance the offset of what these states will do when they take when they change congressional districts in a Partizan way, but also ultimately destroying the Voting Rights Act in some cases where this would apply.
00:20:13:15 - 00:20:46:21
LYDIA
And and clearly, the prop 50% in California is going to try to offset the five seats. City 29 in Houston is, Sylvia Garcia, which is considered one of the most important districts where Latinos have a choice of electing their kind of choice. And they've elected Garcia consistently now for a number of years, that district will no longer probably, have Garcia, probably because you're likely lose even in the primary.
00:20:46:23 - 00:20:51:08
LYDIA
And clearly it was drawn so that a Republican would win. So we'll have to see.
00:20:51:10 - 00:21:13:06
DINO
Essentially, what you're saying is that in a situation like, the Congress, woman Sylvia Garcia, which, by the way, we did reach out to try and invite her. But as you can imagine, for our listeners, this congressman who is now poised to essentially lose her job, for no reason other than being a Latina representative in the state of Texas.
00:21:13:08 - 00:21:27:05
DINO
Unfortunately, they couldn't join us. So, essentially, what is now a majority Latino district, it will become majority white because of the way it was redrawn. Is that accurate?
00:21:27:07 - 00:22:11:24
LYDIA
But I guess but but I think what's important is that the way that these districts were drawn, they were drawn to, they were drawn using the voting Rights Act, section two. When they eliminate those districts and the way that they're drawn, it's basically violating the voting rights. Section two and and the United States Constitution, which let's go back to the the El Paso federal judge, Jeffrey Brown, was appointed by Trump, and he voted in favor of he's part of the 2 to 1 in that agreed with our position that by eliminating those districts in the way that they were drawn and they made in the Latino majority districts and the way they were drawn,
00:22:12:01 - 00:23:03:12
LYDIA
they were in fact, gerrymandering based on race and not drawing the districts simply because they would have been Partizan, which is what they're arguing. And Jeffrey Brown, an appointee, a judge appointed by by Trump, his style is following the letter of the law. And his point was I'm following the letter of the law. So the only thing we can do here is, in fact, rule according to what the plaintiffs want in law, like versus obey the which South is voter is one of the plaintiff groups and there's several individuals as well asking the court to to block there's, these maps from being taken effect in 2026 that the, the, the Supreme Court in
00:23:03:12 - 00:23:28:23
LYDIA
a 6 to 3 ruling says they can do it. And so, therefore, until we figure out the merits of the case in 2026, we're going to voters in Texas will be using the mid-decade redistricting maps that violate in our brief from our perspective, and according to the federal court, including Jeffrey Brown, in a 2 to 1, violates the Voting Rights Act of section two.
00:23:29:01 - 00:23:58:01
DINO
So so let me let me for our listeners out there, you know, and what Lydia has pointed out, let me reintroduce here. My guest is Lydia Camarillo, president of the southwest voter Registration Education Project, who's here. And we're discussing the ruling that came down a few days ago on December 4th, in which the United States Supreme Court struck down a lower court's decision to press pause on the redistricting.
00:23:58:01 - 00:24:26:02
DINO
Redistricting that is happening in Texas, a decision that has implications that extend far beyond Texas. And what Lydia is sharing with us is, Judge Brown, a Trump appointee, who was previously a judge in the Southern District of Texas, and then went on to be appointed, by President Trump. He himself said, hey, let's press pause on this.
00:24:26:02 - 00:24:54:19
DINO
This is racially motivated. Now, it's important to note for our listeners. And again, this is a topic we've covered rather extensively here, that this decision to press pause or to allow Texas to move forward with this, redistricting maps was done, in fact, through what is now becoming the perhaps the go to favorable way in which the Trump administration is attacking democracy.
00:24:54:21 - 00:25:20:16
DINO
And that is the Supreme Court shadow docket. The shadow docket, folks, is the emergency docket the Supreme Court uses for cases that require what is described as urgent or a need for expedited rulings outside of the normal process. It typically involves an application in which, usually the losing side, and in this case, it was Texas submit an application.
00:25:20:16 - 00:25:55:24
DINO
It says we need emergency relief, such as that request to block a lower court's ruling. And in this case, Texas court, a lower court, including, Judge Brown said what the Republicans are doing in Texas is, in fact, racially motivated. And as such, you need to stop. They filed their emergency docket and went to the Supreme Court. And in that case, the Supreme Court then takes a look at this emergency application.
00:25:56:01 - 00:26:22:00
DINO
The application is first sent to the individual justice assigned to the circuit who can make the immediate ruling. It's considered what's called an expedited process. Decisions are decisions are made quickly without, ladies and gentlemen, the four months long process of oral arguments, extensive briefings, detailed opinion writing that is characterized by what is otherwise considered the merit docket.
00:26:22:02 - 00:26:59:20
DINO
In short, these are temporary rulings that are often designed to press, pause or allow something to continue to happen. The Trump administration has used. This has essentially weaponized the shadow docket in a way that is allowing this current administration to continue to fulfill its agenda, synonymous with authoritarian rule. So that is a brief description of what the shadow docket and what my guess is, discussing with us with regard to the implications, the decision will have, not only in Texas but across the country.
00:26:59:20 - 00:27:18:22
DINO
So the idea let's get back into this, the consequences of this decision for not only Texas in the 2026 elections, but some of the long term consequences that this might this ruling might, cause for communities of color.
00:27:18:24 - 00:27:51:16
LYDIA
It's it's, it's it's an attack on democracy because the consequences of this Supreme Court ruling. Well, we have, as I started to say earlier, as when we started this interview, I said that there's there might be some good and the good is that we do have an opportunity to litigate on the merits why this, decision is wrong and that they should be following the lower court, decision to block the 2025, maps.
00:27:51:18 - 00:28:37:10
LYDIA
However, for 2026, we've got those bad maps and then we're going to continue to fight. And perhaps in 2028, that the Supreme Court will do the right thing, as, did Judge Brown in the lower court. And so we have to fight that. And the sad thing also is that if if it stands in 2028 and we by then we have a determination by the Supreme Court, then what we're finding is that the Supreme Court is giving a, a green light to all the states to decide that they can have redistricting at any, any time that they want to in order to have, what I would say, whatever
00:28:37:10 - 00:28:59:19
LYDIA
they want to win. So if they're, Republicans, they want control of the House, and so they're going to do it at any time, which then creates chaos. It basically, eliminates the the conversation about why we should follow the letter of the law. Let's remember that redistricting is supposed to be done right after the census count every ten years.
00:28:59:19 - 00:29:48:19
LYDIA
Not one of those, like, I know, whenever we feel like it. And so I think I think that that, that, that creates, a situation that I think is anti-democratic. Let's go back to, Jeffrey Brown. Jeff, the, the Judge Brown. Yeah, he, he, he is a Trump appointee. So the fact that he says, I'm following the letter of the law should say it all, and, the, the sense both from Sotomayor and, and, and Kagan, Elena Kagan, they are basically saying that, the Supreme Court, by taking the steps that they did in the 6 to 3 ruling, is that they're being disrespectful.
00:29:48:21 - 00:29:51:11
DINO
No, no. There. We lose it. Oh, there we you know.
00:29:51:13 - 00:29:57:24
LYDIA
Hold on a second.
00:29:58:01 - 00:30:28:20
DINO
So what? So we're talking about Jeffrey. I was going to say Jeffrey Brown. No, no, no, no. Judge Brown. Justice Jeff Brown, who is, who was who presided over the decision to press pause in the Texas, redistricting plan. For a while, a Politico magazine, did a great cover in which they titled that meet the Trump appointed judge who could cost Republicans the House.
00:30:28:24 - 00:31:20:22
DINO
And indeed, Judge Brown did move forward and what he called a, quote, grave and difficult conclusion. Brown ruled that the county's plan was, quote, fundamentally inconsistent with section two of the Voting Rights Act. And indeed voted to press pause on that, only to have it turned around on, the fourth of this month by the US Supreme Court, as they did, initiated a stay, and are now allowed to move forward and essentially usurped the power of the Constitution and democratic principles of this country, allowing the Texas, Republicans to discriminate based on race and its, redistricting plan.
00:31:21:02 - 00:31:23:11
DINO
Lady, are you back?
00:31:23:13 - 00:31:54:07
LYDIA
Yeah. Yeah. The the what I was trying to say is that, Elaine, Kagan, this Supreme Court member, that it was part of the three dissent vote in her in her ruling, she argues that the court is basically being disrespectful to the federal court ruling because they have followed the letter of the law. And what we're creating is an attack on democracy.
00:31:54:09 - 00:32:22:00
LYDIA
So we are, obviously very, very concerned with this. The court, has done an injustice to Texas voters. And when you have five congressional districts that are being dismantled and where Latino voters and African-American voters and voters of color cannot determine the future of their districts, you're basically saying that you don't value voters unless they're white voters.
00:32:22:02 - 00:32:48:02
LYDIA
That's basically what we're seeing with this, ruling. And then the second part to it is this, as I said earlier, it's giving a green light to other states to do the same thing, which we already know they're being pressured by Trump to do. So, rather than, than following the tradition of only holding redistricting efforts every ten years following the count of the US census there.
00:32:48:02 - 00:33:33:15
DINO
Yeah. Let's take a quick break. My guest is Lydia Camarillo, president of Southwest Voter Registration education Project. And today, the topic of discussion is the United States Supreme Court. Striking down the lower court's ruling, in favor of Texas Republicans that are now allowed to utilize the recently redrawn congressional maps that will take effect for the 2026 elections, essentially undermining not only the Constitution and the democratic principles of this country, but essentially eliminating power from both the Latino and Black voters in a state where, in the case of Texas is a majority minority, state.
00:33:33:15 - 00:33:50:00
DINO
That is to say, that combined with Latinos, African-Americans and other minority groups, they constitute the majority at this point, I'd say, rather significant majority of the state stay where there was. We'll be right back.
00:33:50:02 - 00:33:53:05
MUSIC INTRO
And I'm going to tell you the numbers that.
00:33:53:07 - 00:34:02:07
ANNOUNCER
You are listening to, but you really only have to remember, I could talk to a signal. There's a signal.
00:34:02:09 - 00:34:12:04
ANNOUNCER
Coming with Mighty Dino only on Kpfk, 90.7 FM.
00:34:12:05 - 00:34:28:19
ANNOUNCER
Los Angeles I in the US. I live in Beaumont. That same yours say never stop Houston. And I said I can get inside and let you get up outside.
00:34:28:21 - 00:34:33:00
NELLA
You're listening to the signal. Okay. Medical center. It's in.
00:34:33:00 - 00:34:33:04
NELLA
The.
00:34:33:04 - 00:35:12:02
NELLA
280. No call now. 81829855735818985 Kpfk option two or donate online at kpfk.org/donate today's featured the spider the truth about Epstein we are offering a vital investigation. The spider, the truth about Epstein this book exposes the trafficking network, global corruption in the structures that enable Epstein for a pledge of $125. This book is yours. Call (818) 985-5735 or donate at Kpfk.
00:35:12:02 - 00:35:16:22
NELLA
That organ donate. All right, you can stop that.
00:35:16:24 - 00:35:57:23
DINO
Once again, welcome back. Today we're talking Supreme Court allowing Texas Republicans to implement a congressional map that lower court said likely harms Latino black voters by diluting their political power. My guess is Lidia Camarillo from president of the Southwest Voter Registration Education Project. And, you know, part of this particular story that we're covering today really kind of narrows in on the Trump administration use of the shadow docket and really the use of the Supreme Court, a court that is, was essentially stacked by the Trump administration, starting with the first term.
00:35:58:00 - 00:36:29:16
DINO
And, and that has essentially been a mouthpiece for the administration since Trump took office. There have been now something north of 530 lawsuits challenging some of the decisions that have been, taken by the Trump administration, many of which have ended up, at the Supreme Court over the past few years, the Supreme Court has dramatically expanded the use of the shadow docket.
00:36:29:18 - 00:36:58:01
DINO
And that is something we're seeing today, excuse me, this year and unprecedented levels to put it in perspective, since January 20th, the Supreme Court has issued about 25 decisions, give or take. I don't remember exactly, but as of October, I recall it was 23, and you count the one yesterday and a few others, let's say 25 for discussion sake.
00:36:58:03 - 00:37:36:21
DINO
20 of those decisions, 20 plus have ruled for the administration, or at least partially. That is to say that a overwhelming majority of the decisions handed down by this U.S. Supreme Court have indeed favored the Trump administration. Three of those ruled against the administration, seven were not even accompanied by any written explanation. Most other rulings, including, included maybe a brief analysis sometimes, and in some cases, a short sentence.
00:37:36:21 - 00:37:53:01
DINO
Ladies and gentlemen. So it is important to keep that in context as we cover this issue and continue, and we'll continue to cover this issue. Lydia, back to you on this. How is the community reacting in Texas?
00:37:53:03 - 00:38:23:23
LYDIA
Well, we we are obviously very frustrated and disappointed, and we know that the fight has to continue. December 8th is the next the date that candidates will decide where they're going to run. We are really beginning to see a sense of what's going to happen. Says the, congressman says that Sarah and City 35, which is from San Antonio to Austin, has decided to run instead of in CD 37, which is target's current seat.
00:38:24:00 - 00:38:48:06
LYDIA
They target. And Lloyd Doggett has decided to retire rather than to fight another fellow progressive. So I don't know the consequences of anything yet. In terms of the vote, we do know that in 2026, to the the people that lose are the voters because they're going to be voting in districts that aren't that are not giving them the opportunity to elect any choice.
00:38:48:08 - 00:39:14:07
LYDIA
The voting rights, loses. And at the end of the day, democracy, is clearly under attack. And we all lose when it when we lose this. But we cannot lose sight of the fact of why all of this took place in the first place. Congress, Congress. Shit in in in years where the president in charge in control is in office, they usually lose seats.
00:39:14:07 - 00:39:40:11
LYDIA
And and in this case, it means that in 2026, Trump is worried that the House, which is currently controlled by Republicans, will shift to the Democrats. And when that happens, if it happens, they then have control to investigate Madigan or our policies that do not coincide with following the letter of the law and protecting voters. And so that's what he's worried about.
00:39:40:13 - 00:40:10:15
LYDIA
And so that's why he called for midterm mid-decade redistricting. That's another point that I think is very relevant, very important. And we cannot lose sight of it. Do you do we still think that that the five districts that have been eliminated will end up being in the, Republicans winning? Some argue that that will happen because Latinos, the districts are drawn thinking Latinos were going to vote like they did in 2024, which is some moved over to the Republican column.
00:40:10:17 - 00:40:31:12
LYDIA
I don't think that's going to happen. And now we're beginning to see that across the country, but also we're seeing it in polls that, originally some of the folks that we're thinking of voting in favor of Trump or voted in favor of Trump was because they liked the idea that we had more conservative issues on the immigration question.
00:40:31:14 - 00:40:52:19
LYDIA
But now we know that they're saying, wait a minute, you're picking up even U.S. citizens, right? Even U.S. citizens are being attacked, and it's an attack. The other thing that they were worried about is the economy. And they they were promised the economy was growing better. And whether we like it or not, groceries is even more expensive than it has been.
00:40:52:21 - 00:41:26:05
LYDIA
So given that reality, we still don't know what ultimately happened in 2026 on that point. But we cannot let go of the fact that the changes and the redistricting were made and will are still being made by other states, because Trump is very worried about the Democrats taking control of the House and ultimately investigating him on a number of policy issues that are either contrary to law or, or or violate, the civil and voting rights of communities across the United States.
00:41:26:11 - 00:41:40:00
DINO
And it's so it's fair to say that you and other, other community leaders, national leaders, are, in fact, expecting other states to attempt similar maps now that Texas has the court's approval.
00:41:40:02 - 00:41:59:04
LYDIA
Well, I think that we've already are seeing that North Carolina and Utah are going to do it, that Florida is saying they're going to do it. Virginia is following California's, suit. And so if they end up doing the change, because they do have to do something similar to what California had to put, put it on the ballot.
00:41:59:06 - 00:42:25:15
LYDIA
You know, we'll see. Some states have more time because, like California, their primaries are in June, Texas primaries. And that's why the court acted so quickly and decided not to deal on the merits and allowed for the bad map to take place in 2026. Our primaries, Texas primaries are in March, and the deadline to file to run for particular districts is, as I said, December 8th.
00:42:25:17 - 00:42:57:24
DINO
And Liddy and your extensive, decades long experience and working on, this key issue to American democracy, which is voter registration, voter engagement, voter participation. As we see the voting polls open up. And now these newly redrawn districts in the next couple of years, are you expecting to see folks be so disillusioned that why go vote?
00:42:58:01 - 00:43:17:03
LYDIA
Well, there's always that fear that when people vote and the results, are contrary to what they expected, that why bother to show a vote? You know, when we had poll taxes, people said, why am I going to spend my money, if not only if I don't have the money, but if I vote, my votes are not going to count.
00:43:17:05 - 00:43:42:22
LYDIA
There's always that reality. But I think that it's itself is voter in groups that are trying to mobilize Latino voters and other voters that are they care about communities. We are not going to stop the fight. The fight continues. The fight continues on the ground. The fight continues at the city halls and, and and in state levels, because we can work and change policy at the state level, particular electoral politics.
00:43:42:24 - 00:43:44:24
LYDIA
So what force in the courts?
00:43:45:01 - 00:44:19:06
DINO
So what are the strategies? What what is what are your colleagues on the ground in Texas? What is that V.P., doing to prepare to protect some of the voter power concerns that are coming into and the elections? Help us understand how and I say this in the context of, you know, providing perhaps guidelines, additional, information or for local communities to know how to use that local angle or that local effort to help advance additional protections for the community.
00:44:19:08 - 00:44:42:16
LYDIA
Well, the first thing is that Texas is the superstar state of voter suppression. So every every time we move a few step forward, we move up your steps back. But but for southeast voter our strategies is is twofold. One, to continue the litigation on this case. Before the Supreme Court, we're going to be dealing with the marriage.
00:44:42:18 - 00:45:16:21
LYDIA
And obviously Maldef is is our legal representative, and they always do an extraordinary job. And I'm so glad there are lawyers. And I know at the end of the day, I'm, I'm hoping that, the delivery of the court is ultimately what, Judge Brown ultimately said at the grassroots level, we have to register voters, and we we are targeting the the districts, to register and mobilize 10,000 voters in those five districts, which we're also going to be doing the same thing in California so that voters have a chance to decide and change the dynamics.
00:45:16:21 - 00:45:37:12
LYDIA
It might not happen. Right away, because, as I said, they were drawn as districts where Latinos do not have the power to decide the future of this elections. But we must stand the fight. We also have to educate the community that how can we be in a state where it's a majority, minority state and yet we have no voice?
00:45:37:14 - 00:45:42:01
LYDIA
And at the end of the day, we're violating the Voting Rights Act. We have to continue the fight.
00:45:42:06 - 00:46:11:02
DINO
And, you know, that's the part that really blows my mind on this topic, you know, because when I hear you describe just the sheer amount of folks. Right. If I if I remember correctly, you said 31 million in the state, 13 million Latino, 12 million, white, 3.6 million black. And when you add some of the other communities at lower levels, it is clearly, a majority, without a doubt.
00:46:11:04 - 00:46:19:08
DINO
And yet, what representation do, do we have of white, political officials in Texas? So, you know.
00:46:19:10 - 00:46:57:10
LYDIA
Well, we don't have the same political power that we have in California. So there are less, folks, when California began to shift immediately, you begin to see, candidates that were Latino winning. And also you began to see policies that reflect their interests. That is not the case here in Texas. And that's what I mean. It's a state that every time you have a chance to move forward, for instance, we have the voter ID, the court also, the lower court also said that it discriminated when we filed the lawsuit.
00:46:57:12 - 00:47:25:23
LYDIA
And then, Shelby, the the Shelby Supreme Court ruling said we don't have discrimination anymore until the court decides that until Congress decides to reinstate section five of the Voting Rights Act, you have no power, no, no, no need to call this an issue. And therefore it was reversed. And we now have we have the voter ID. Well, we proved in court and the court stated that it was unconstitutional and it was done with intent to discriminate.
00:47:26:00 - 00:47:49:24
LYDIA
There are so many laws like that where we have that in Texas, for instance, with Covid, we couldn't vote. With ballots, Mail-In ballots. We still cannot do that unless you're 65 and older. And it's hard for a 65 and older voter to to get that. If you cannot do not speak the language well or you have issues and you need assistance, you're not allowed to do that.
00:47:50:01 - 00:48:12:05
LYDIA
We could have in the past, but every time Texas cast a shot and I mean the Texas majority, a majority, which are Republicans to stop the vote from moving forward, and Latinos and blacks having a voice, they find a way to block it. And of course, we continue to fight on some cases we won and have and when and in other cases we lose.
00:48:12:07 - 00:48:14:06
LYDIA
But the fight continues to make sure.
00:48:14:08 - 00:48:39:16
DINO
Fantabulous. Well, Lydia, I want to I want to thank you and congratulate you on not only helping lead this fight, but, you know, remaining so optimistic, that this, you know, we have to we have no choice but to remain optimistic that this fight will not only continue, but that it will prevail. With time and as we close out, you know, I'd like to ask you one important question.
00:48:39:16 - 00:49:01:01
DINO
And this is really meant for our audience here in California, as you all continue to fight such a significant struggle out in Texas. Why why should people outside of Texas, particularly folks here in California, pay close attention to this, the ruling and what's coming up in the next couple of years in Texas.
00:49:01:03 - 00:49:25:03
LYDIA
Where they we want we should all care because it's an attack on democracy. It's an attack on Latinos. And as we learned in California, when California leads the rest of the East, follow. We don't want Texas to lead in a negative way. And other states follow. Democracy is under attack. Latinos aren't under attack. We have to stand with groups, states that need our help.
00:49:25:05 - 00:49:48:15
DINO
Lydia Camarillo, president of Southwest Voter Registration Education Project, has been my guest discussing the Supreme Court ruling that has now allowed Texas Republicans to implement a congressional map that the lower courts said likely harms Latino black voters by diluting their political power. Lydia, thanks for being on the signal. We wish you luck and hope to have you back soon.
00:49:48:17 - 00:49:51:00
LYDIA
Thank you. I think it's a lot to sort of.
00:49:51:02 - 00:50:41:08
DINO
So what do survives? Thank you. And ladies and gentlemen. So listen, it goes without saying. This is precisely why this, station, these topics, the folks that work here, you are defenders of democracy, defenders of free speech need to support this station because it provides these unique opportunities for us pundits and talking heads like myself, like my producer, Nell, Sly rivers, who also has a program here to be able to come here, every Saturday at 12 noon and take this opportunity to defend democracy by going on the air and providing this important news, information and analysis.
00:50:41:10 - 00:51:06:09
DINO
Today we are, a couple of days in and our winter fun drive the final one of the year. And you know, this the topic we just covered is precisely why you need to support the station support for the signal, what do you know comes in part from our listeners like you. And today we're presenting several items with your, donation, your contribution to help us stay on the air.
00:51:06:09 - 00:51:36:07
DINO
We're presenting the book to Spider by Barry Levine. For more information on this, you can actually go to Simon and schuster.com. But you can, you know, before that, stop, stop on by at kpfa.org forward slash donate. And you can look at any one of the many opportunities for donation and support. We got Tom Hartman the last American president, a broken man, a corrupt party, and the world on the brink, a book for $100 donation.
00:51:36:09 - 00:52:00:19
DINO
And, you know, one of my favorite, analysts out there today, Chris Hedges A Genocide Foretold Reporting on Survival and Resistance in occupied Palestine for $120 donation. And let me, let me bring back in, the woman that makes this program happen, my producer nella, who is, one of the best pitchers out here, from what I understand.
00:52:00:21 - 00:52:13:19
DINO
Maybe competes with Gary Black, our program director. But, you know, nella, you know, you've been at this, a long time, and, you know, tell our listeners why it's important to support this program and the entire station.
00:52:13:23 - 00:52:34:14
NELLA
Yes, I will, and thank you for saying that. Actually, my mentor is Gary Baca, and I would like to take this moment to say thank you for teaching me everything. That's very true. Thank you so much. I want to take a moment to share something very personal with you. I, was here yesterday until 10:30 p.m..
00:52:34:14 - 00:52:58:07
NELLA
All day, sitting by the phones, waiting for your calls, waiting for your donations. Because I believe in this station's so very much. I volunteer my time here, I volunteer my voice here, I volunteer my heart here. And I'm not the only one. We all do. This station is fueled by people who give everything they have to keep truth alive.
00:52:58:09 - 00:53:33:23
NELLA
Now it's your turn. I'm speaking with you, our listeners, to give a little of that love back to us. You need to go back to the phone. You need to pick up that phone right now and call 8189855735818985 Kpfk option tool and call. Now we have people waiting in our subscriptions, our volunteers as well. And if it's easier, you can donate online any time at Kpfk, Dot org's donate.
00:53:34:00 - 00:54:13:15
NELLA
Thank you so much. Your support keeps us going. Your support keeps this station alive. Your support keeps truth on the air. So the only thing you need to do is call. Now know that donations are tax deductible. Call (818) 985-5735 option two or visit kpfk.org/donate. Let me repeat one more time. We are offering Barry Levine, the spider inside the criminal web of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell book.
00:54:13:17 - 00:54:52:11
NELLA
It's $125 donation. It is, It shines a light into the darkness, the darkest, pardon me corners of Epstein world, including Epstein's young adulthood and earliest accusations of sexual misconduct. We are offering Tom Hartman, the last American president, a broken man, a corrupt party, and a world on the brink book for a $100 donation. Addressing more than President Trump's past, Hartman's latest book is about America's future, America's Future.
00:54:52:11 - 00:55:36:07
NELLA
You hear that, Chris Hedges A Genocide Foretold, a reporting on survival and resistance in occupied Palestine. Hedges is a Pulitzer Prize winning former Middle East bureau chef chief. Pardon me for The New York Times is an Arabic speaking who spent seven years covering the conflict. It's for $120 donations. So get to your phones right now and call 8189855735818985 Kpfk, option two or donate online Kpfk that August.
00:55:36:07 - 00:56:03:22
NELLA
Donate and do it right now. Get to the phones. Otherwise you will not hear Kpfk, nor the Signal, nor any shows that you usually hear nowadays. This is Kpfk 90.7 FM Los Angeles. We are in our end of the year fund drive, so give us some of that love back and do it now again. (818) 985-5735 option to do it.
00:56:03:22 - 00:56:05:19
NELLA
Now. Back to you, Dino.
00:56:05:21 - 00:56:41:18
DINO
You know, as we close today's program, remember that what we are witnessing in Texas and indeed across the country is not an isolated event. Ladies and gentlemen, it is part of a national pattern where the rules of democracy are being rewritten in real time, right before your eyes. When the Supreme Court allows maps to dilute minority voting strength, it becomes even more important that independent voices step forward to help explain, to provide that news, that information, that analysis of what is happening and why it's happening, why it matters.
00:56:41:20 - 00:57:01:17
DINO
That is why Kpfk in The Signal exists. We are here to break down these rulings. We are here to give space to community leaders, to amplify truth, to make sure our listeners understand the stakes, ladies and gentlemen. But we can only do that with your support. And dependent media has no corporate sponsors, no political backers, and no safety net.
00:57:01:19 - 00:57:30:01
DINO
You are our safety net. We have you. If you value honest analysis, if you have, if you value community centered reporting and a platform that refuses to look away when democracy is threatened, please support the station during our fund drive. Every contribution keeps the work alive. Every donation strengthens the power of community radio, and together we continue the fight for a more just, informed and democratic future.
00:57:30:03 - 00:57:57:02
DINO
So please go to Kpfk, talk forward, slash, donate and make that contribution. Barry Levine, The Spider Inside the Criminal Web of Jeffrey Epstein for $135 donation. Tom Hartmann, the last American President, a broken man, a corrupt party and the world on the brink for $100 donation. And of course, my favorite, Chris Hedges A Genocide Foretold reporting on survival and resistance in occupied Palestine.
00:57:57:04 - 00:58:17:19
DINO
Ladies and gentlemen, I'm your host, Tino. This is the signal news, information and analysis. I want to thank Sylvester Rivers, our Nala, Nala, Barbara, my producer, and everybody at KPFA. But most importantly, I want to thank you, the listener, the supporter, the defender of democracy and free speech. See you next week.
00:58:17:21 - 00:58:22:10
MUSIC INTRO
Two words.
00:58:22:12 - 00:58:25:22
MUSIC INTRO
Come on.
00:58:25:24 - 00:58:31:06
DINO
The forget, ladies and gentlemen. Car shows up next.
00:58:31:08 - 00:58:36:04
MUSIC INTRO
I'm not just the American government.
00:58:36:06 - 00:58:52:08
MUSIC INTRO
But government in general. I in the US living on Monday saying your staff forgotten. And I said I don't get it inside.
00:58:52:10 - 00:59:03:00
ANNOUNCER
It's loopy. I listen to you guys every morning. And I've been listening to you guys since I was 19 years old. I listen to Democracy Now! And, the one in the afternoon.
00:59:03:00 - 00:59:04:04
ANNOUNCER
I always forget,
00:59:04:06 - 00:59:06:18
ANNOUNCER
Background briefing. There you go. Yeah, that's.
00:59:06:18 - 00:59:11:08
ANNOUNCER
Where I loop around.
00:59:11:10 - 00:59:34:02
ANNOUNCER
The first time I heard KP of K, it was in the wee wee hours, maybe 2 a.m.. Roy of Hollywood was on, right? And he was playing Alan Watts. And it was so surreal. I was like, what is this? What is this is what kind of radio is this? You know, I mean, it just blew my mind. And I got hooked right.
00:59:34:02 - 00:59:40:06
ANNOUNCER
Away at Kpfk.
00:59:40:08 - 01:00:03:17
ANNOUNCER
Hi, I'm Andrea Martin. You might forget me from the 80s. Kpfk is listener supported public radio in Los Angeles that refuses to take money from corporations. They didn't refuse, however, to take money from me. And all I have left to show for it is a biodegradable tote bag to store all my other biodegradable tote bags in and a bumper sticker which.
