In the lead-up to May Day, the two most recent episodes of Naptown People’s Radio covered various aspects of what is globally and, again in the U.S., celebrated as International Workers’ Day. Listen in!
Ep. 15: The Recent, Hidden History of Labor Struggles in the Region
As we prepare for May Day 2026, producer Dakota Fronterhouse joins the show to discuss a recent incident in which several of his fundamental rights were defended by his union. First, co-hosts Dani and Derek turn to recent regional labor struggles, and particularly the historic 2011 battle in Madison, Wisconsin. During the early months of that year, workers occupied the Capitol Rotunda and took to the streets for 29 consecutive days to protest anti-union legislation. Along the way, they debunk some common myths about unions.
Derek interviews Dakota about his experience in the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Union. After working for several days on the floor of Lucas Oil Stadium, Dakota was questioned about his political affiliation. A union representative came to his defense almost immediately.
Next, Dani and Derek discuss just how expansive the concept of “worker” was for Marx and is for us. Contrary to the mythology that “Marx only cared about white male industrial workers,” they show how, even in his book, Capital, Marx’s concept of the working class includes those with or without jobs, with or without waged work, incarcerated or “free,” etc.
Finally, this week’s Circle City Shout Out goes to
Danny Ortiz. We had Danny on the show a few episodes in which he let us know about the medical neglect taking place at Miami Correctional Facility, also known as the Speedway Slammer.
It takes guts, it takes revolutionary optimism, to speak up against the cops but even more so when you are behind enemy lines. He didn’t just speak about his own struggles–his enforced inability to get out of his bed for months, the cancelled visits–but about the other inmates, including the ICE inmates. He told us they banded together and that they were the ones who looked out for each other. Not only has he made a difference for listeners by raising our consciousness but there is now a lift in the facility.
A few days ago we received this word from Danny’s close friend, the last one to visit him: “Danny a/k/a Jose Ortiz and I want to thank everybody for calling and/or emailing the IDOC regarding the broken Hoyer Lifts as the problem has now been rectified as a new Lift came in this week at Miami for the medical unit inmates.”
Shout out to Danny Ortiz!
Ep. 16: The Resurgence of International Workers’ Day in the U.S.
In the final segment in our May Day series, co-hosts Dani Abdullah and Derek Ford ask: How and why did May Day (or International Workers’ Day), which originated in the U.S. in the late 19th century, only reappear in popular U.S. consciousness 20 years ago?
But first, the Naptown Breakdown follows up on several stories we’ve covered. The first is the IDOC settlement of roughly $1.2 million to 31 inmates who were forced to live in dark, dank cells with covered windows and no lights. Some of the cells had live wires hanging from the ceiling, resulting in electric shocks. The ACLU of Indiana filed the lawsuit around five years ago. Next, we pay tribute to two of our previous guests, Veronika Williams and Keanda Young who, at an April 2 press conference at the Indianapolis Liberation Center, broke the real story about the March 7 downtown robbery. Since then, the media has covered news of IMPD terror and brutality with at least a little bit of skepticism. Finally, we remind our listeners about who exactly VOP Osili is, the sexist regime he upheld, and his support for data centers.
Our main segment features an in-depth lesson and conversation on the history of May Day and the reasons for its resurgence in the U.S. exactly 20 years ago. We travel from the Chicago Haymarket Affair to the Founding Congress of the Second International all the way to the Sensenbrenner Bill.
Show Notes:
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