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Welcome to this explosive, comprehensive episode of Light ‘Em Up. As we come to air with this episode, another person has been shot and killed in Minneapolis, MN, this time by Border Patrol agents. The tension and the stakes in the streets couldn’t be any higher. Tonight, we shine the antiseptic light of the truth and examine in-depth the killing of Renee Good, 37, mother of 3, by an Immigration & Customs Enforcement Officer during a large immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis on January 7th. As Minnesota state officials demand an end to the Trump administration’s divisive, brutal “immigration crackdown” in Minnesota: Renee Good should still be alive today. This episode confronts the deadly consequences of deploying federal officers into U.S. cities as a political ploy rather than a public‑safety necessity. When federal power is used as a stage prop, communities become collateral damage, and human lives become expendable. In this episode: —     We’ll examine what the landmark Supreme Court decision Graham v. Connor, 490 U.S. 386 (1989) is and what is says, as it will certainly be applied to this case.  —     We’ll introduce the legal concept of “officer induced jeopardy” which argues that police officers should be held liable—criminally or civilly—when their own, unjustifiable, or reckless tactical choices create a dangerous situation that forces them to use deadly force.  It posits that police cannot intentionally escalate a situation to a point of fatal risk and then justify shooting as self-defense. We dig deeper into the Supreme Court-crafted “qualified immunity” concept. As we examine the authority of the police to use force -- as it represents one of the most misunderstood powers granted to representatives of law enforcement by the public at large -- we will ferret out just what is meant in this process by being “objectively reasonable”, again, which very few people outside of legal scholars truly understand. —     And we’ll analyze and break down frame by frame the fateful shooting. The Feds have failed to cooperate with Minnesota officials as countless details remain in dispute.  President Trump, just moments after the shooting, already put his thumb on the scales of justice by saying that the “agents had acted in self-defense”. This comes from a man who has lied on and vehemently demonized innocent immigrants who were in this country legally and in a legal and protected status in Springfield, Ohio, saying that they were “eating the dogs and the cats” there.  Through careful reporting, historical context, and a clear-eyed look at the federal government’s expanding use of force, this episode asks a fundamental question: What happens when political theater is backed by a gun and a badge? There is an epidemic of moral cowardice in this country. No one is safe from ICE. Many people probably believed that even in “Trump’s America”, citizens would still have inviolable liberties to stand up to the jack-booted, masked agents who have swarmed upon the communities where they call home. This is what happens when the Federal government sends troops into our cities. Did anyone learn anything from the tragic events at Kent State University on May 4th, 1970? All of our “rights” have been eroded.  How does that sit with you? Is this what you voted for? We’ve got “on the scene audio” as it was happening. We’ve got boots on the ground in Minneapolis.  Tune in to our sponsors Newsly & Feedspot! We want to hear from you!  We want to hear from you! Support the show

Happy New Year!  Welcome back for the kickoff of Season 7 episode 1 of Light ‘Em Up. In this debut episode: We welcome back to the witness stand a dear friend of the show. Sarah Cintron. Sarah is the mother of Juan Cabrera.  We were honored to sit and interview her on March 30th of 2024 as we shined the antiseptic light of the truth on a 2019 murder case out of the State of Michigan.  That case was, The People v Cabrera (Juan Cabrera, her first born son). Our first episode that we shared together is entitled: “My Son Was Judged to be Guilty Before He Ever Stepped One Foot in the Courtroom”: Life Lessons, Revelations & Preventative Awareness from the mother of a Son Convicted of 1st Degree Pre-meditated Murder. You can find that episode here:  https://www.buzzsprout.com/823981/episodes/14787590-my-son-was-judged-to-be-guilty-before-he-ever-stepped-one-foot-in-the-courtroom-life-lessons-revelations-preventative-awareness-from-the-mother-of-a-son-convicted-of-1st-degree-pre-meditated-murder.mp3?download=true Juan was convicted of premeditated intentional murder at the age of 18 by a jury that only took 120 minutes to decide on a charge that mandated him by statute to serve Life in Prison Without the Possibility of Parole (LWOP) — for a murder where the actual “video evidence” in the case did not in any way, shape or form show the face, clothing, nor any single, solitary identifying physical characteristic of the shooter. How does a jury reach a unanimous decision of “beyond a reasonable doubt with “evidence” such as this? This case cries out for a fair and unbiased look at it — something that has not happened to date. Seven years her son has been behind bars for a crime he and his mom maintain he did not commit.   Seven long, difficult years. Since day one Sarah has become an advocate for her son.  She has worked hard to educate herself regarding the brokenness of the criminal justice system and specifically the egregious errors in her son’s case. The criminal justice system's "brokenness" stems from deep-seated issues like mass incarceration, extreme racial disparities (disproportionately affecting Black and Brown communities), forcing innocent people into plea deals, and a cycle of poverty/re-offense for non-violent offenders. Inefficiencies arise from slow processes, lack of data uniformity, and outdated technology, leading to high costs, lost public trust, and poor public safety outcomes. Up to her last breath on this earth, she has vowed to continue to advocate for her son’s innocence and for those who find themselves buried, battered and overwhelmed in, by and among a corrupt system. Using her voice and her social media platforms, she is educating and empowering those who find themselves in a similar situation. She works tirelessly demanding reform to address systemic bias, harsh sentencing, and unequal accountability. Just after midnight on February 16, 2019, a group of teens gathered at a hotel to celebrate the belated birthday of a mutual friend. Two of the party attendees have a verbal altercation in the hallway right outside of the room.  A fight ensued.  All hell breaks loose, and lives are changed forever. Tune in to our sponsors Newsly & Feedspot! We want to hear from you! We want to hear from you! Support the show

As we close out another fantastic, record-breaking year filled with one accomplishment after another for us — which included new sponsorships, new underwriters and new listeners — we wanted to focus on what is most important to us other than searching out the truth. We wanted to take some special time to recognize you, our listeners for your “TSL” (time spent listening) to us throughout this past year. We thank you for another fantastic year of growth and achievements and express our appreciation for your wonderful engagement and your role in helping us grow to 147 countries globally as we close out Season 6. Most podcasts never make it this far. We never thought this kind of success would be something that we could attain, and we were never concerned about our growth at the inception of this project. Initially we set out to tell the truth about topics of importance in the U.S. criminal justice system — and look what it has become! We have been able to advocate for so many people. The corporate plan is to take the remainder of the year off to rest and recover and enjoy some quality time with our families (returning on either January 3rd or the 10th 2026). We then will begin the process for Season 7 of Light 'Em Up where we strive to achieve new goals and break even more records with the reach of our podcast. We are adding a new Listener Support Program whereby our most loyal and dedicated listeners can now take a financial interest in seeing that this program continues. We have labored tirelessly to dig deep, vast and wide to bring you a special insight that you really won’t find anywhere else regarding the U.S. criminal justice system. We're loyal, consistent and dedicated to you, our listeners.  We are truly here for you and because of you! Our commitment to you here on Light 'Em Up is that we’ve endeavored to tackle real topics that touch your daily lives. We’ve worked tirelessly to try to be the "voice of the people". Please consider joining our Criminal Justice Foundation Justice Rolls Down and its page found on Facebook as well as our worldwide presence on YouTube at:  Rizzo's Protective Group. Here is our complete catalogue.  Here is our last full-length episode of the year regarding the concept and legality of governmental extra-judicial killings — summarily executing people. Extrajudicial killing is the deliberate killing of a person without legal authority from a judicial process. Thank you to Feedspot — online at Feedspot.com as we are featured in their top 50 poll of the 50 Best Criminal Justice Podcasts.  Visit their blog at www.Feedspot.com or simply follow this link: 50 Best Criminal Justice Podcasts You Must Follow in 2025 (feedspot.com) And for all your news and current affairs check out our friends at Newsly by visiting https://newsly.me.  Use the promo code L1GHTEMUP to launch your 10% savings. We look forward to you joining us in 2026! Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad & Happy Hanukkah and a Happy and Prosperous New Year to each and every one of our listeners. We want to hear from you! We want to hear from you! Support the show

Welcome to this incendiary, shocking and investigative episode of Light ‘Em Up! As we rapidly approach the end of the calendar year, we’re so glad that you’ve joined us! Share us with a friend.  We’re being actively downloaded in 146 countries, globally. Contact us at:  [email protected] Tonight, we examine the concept and legality of governmental extra-judicial killings — summarily executing people. Extrajudicial killing is the deliberate killing of a person without legal authority from a judicial process. It is “extra” “judicial” … or outside the scope of the normal route where a person is arrested, charged and given a trial before a verdict is rendered. In fact, as we go to air with this episode, the Trump administration has embarked on a deadly serious campaign of openly targeting and killing people who have only been clandestinely labeled as “drug smugglers” — within the administration’s small, secretive, circle without offering any hard evidence, nor extending to these people a single solitary ounce of due process of law. At the time of recording, since the 1st of September, when President Trump announced the first strike on a boat he claimed – without providing evidence – killed 11 “Tren de Aragua narco-terrorists” under the control of Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro, through the end of October, the U.S. had claimed to have killed 64 alleged drug smugglers on 16 boats. This situation is fluid and difficult to track, however, to date, since September 2, Donald Trump has summarily executed 70 civilians suspected of drug trafficking in 17 separate airstrikes in the Caribbean and Pacific Ocean. The administration admitted in a closed-door briefing to Congress that they don’t even know the identities of the people they’ve killed. How in the hell is this possible?  Congress has abdicated its power(s), duties and responsibilities to the public. To support our claims — as evidence, we’ll provide historical examples of other governmental extra-judicial murderous actions. And we ask the question has America under Trump become even more of a pariah on the world’s stage? We’ll expose the risky behavior in how governmental extra-judicial killings trigger a cascade of destabilizing consequences across legal, political, social and psychological domains. These effects can: —   erode democracy and democratic institutions —   inflict trauma on the populace —   and can perpetuate further cycles of deadly violence. Two people who survived boat bombings were released back to their home countries because the Trump administration lacked sufficient evidence to even arrest them. In the words of one member of Congress who attended the briefing, “This is just murder.” We are shining the antiseptic light of the truth further exposing Trump’s illegal killing spree.  Some analysts now believe Trump has tasked “his generals” with planning a full-scale regime change war against Venezuela. So much for Trump’s campaign claim of never entering into endless wars. Democracy is dying right in front of us. Justice isn’t about laws … it’s about lives! In a time of crisis — facts matter most! Tune out the world and tune-in to Light ‘Em Up — Right here and right now! Also, please tune in and follow our sponsors Newsly & Feedspot! We want to hear from you!

Welcome to this explosive, investigative, fact-finding edition of Light ‘Em Up! We are incredibly pleased you decided to join us for one of our most comprehensive episodes to date! Tonight, we shine the antiseptic light of the truth at the intersection of hate speech and the violence that stems from it. While a great many people on the right strongly disagree with the truth, and struggle to accept it, the fact that the radical right is far more violent than the left is unwavering. Far-right attacks continue to outpace all other types of terrorism and domestic violent extremism. As a kid do you remember expressing the children’s rhyme that says, “Sticks and stones can break your bones, but names can never hurt you?” While this is a nice thought — it isn‘t true. Words matter; words can hurt — words can lead to murder. In the Holy Bible, the Book of Ephesians (4:29) advises: “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, which may benefit those who listen.”  We need only look to the country of Rwanda in 1994 and the genocide that took place there. Collectively and pejoratively, the Tutsis were referred to as “cockroaches”.  Who acts neighborly or welcomes a cockroach into their home? Some 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed in 100 days. (The Tutsi and Hutu are ethnic groups established primarily in Rwanda and Burundi.) Evidence shows that the use of radio impacted and effected mobilization for violence in the Rwandan genocide. For more than a decade we’ve been exposed to the hate filled vitriol of Donald Trump. The words he willingly and intentionally chooses are often filled with hate. It is evident from his outward behavior; Donald Trump is not happy.  Barack Obama haunts him in thought, word, and past deed. Trump regularly refers to anyone who isn’t in his “in-group” as “the enemy of the people” … “animals” and “scum”, you name it. His targets have been the press as a whole and individual journalists, immigrants, Blacks, LGBTQ+ people, Democrats, and whomever he chooses in the moment. His third-grade vocabulary has no filter. His political party does nothing to hold him to account for his vile, hate-filled rhetoric, even opting to echo and use it often. Rarely does he open his mouth without denigrating, dehumanizing, blaming, or accusing another person of doing something with no evidence. In this explosive episode we will highlight: —    As a case study we’ll examine how hate speech can and does facilitate violence. From the genocide that took place in 1994 in Rwanda we offer a special feature in hearing from Henriette Mutegwaraba, survivor of the genocide and founder of the Million Lives Genocide relief fund. —    Multiple examples of the vile, hateful, and demagogic language that Donald Trump spews with regularity and comparing and contrasting his words with that of the Rwandan genocide. And much, much more! “The enemy of the people” are words Adolph Hitler used to describe the Jews before his “final solution” was put into effect which killed some 6 million people. This is the language of insecure, fascist, racist, dictatorial demagogues, and it is extremely dangerous. In his book entitled Behemoth, first published in 1942, Franz Neumann wrote that violence served to establish totalitarian control over German society. Violence throughout the Third Reich was used as a rational instrument of political power. Donald Trump’s administration does the same. Democracy is dying right in front of us. Tune out the world and tune-in to Light ‘Em Up — Right here and right now! Tune in and follow our sponsors Newsly & Feedspot! We want to hear from you!

Welcome to this explosive, fact-finding edition of Light ‘Em Up! We’re very pleased you decided to join us! With the nation abuzz with the shooting of Charlie Kirk — his shooting recalls a disturbing pattern: Even the champions of “pro-gun” politics are not immune to America’s epidemic of gun violence. We’ve been flooded with requests from our clients to address in-depth Special Event Contingency Planning for Public Safety Agencies — and that’s exactly what we are going to do. In an era where public discourse is increasingly polarized and high-profile events carry heightened risk; the shooting of Charlie Kirk raises urgent questions about how we protect both speakers and attendees. This episode explores the intersection of Special Event Contingency Planning and political symbolism, unpacking how public safety agencies can—and must—design protocols that anticipate threats without compromising civil liberties. We examine the anatomy of a well-executed safety plan, the psychological dynamics of radicalized environments, and the strategic blind spots that can turn a rally into a crisis. Whether you're a public safety professional, a communications strategist, or simply someone concerned with the fragile balance between free speech and public harm—this conversation is for you. This episode will provide essential guidance for event planners, speakers and ticket holders/(spectators). This episode is an in-depth, thorough examination of how to keep events like Charlie Kirk’s safe, for all involved. Physical Security is the focus of Rizzo’s Protective Group, Ltd. As education is always a key pillar of Light ‘Em Up, by the end of this episode if we achieve our learning objectives in full, you will: Understand clearly and be able to: Define what qualifies an event as being “special” and —    Identify for your own edification and knowledge what a special event contingency planning team consists of and looks like. —   You’ll be guided in conducting a hazard analysis for a special event. —   You’ll hear how the incident command system (ICS) can be used in response to an incident at a special event. —   We’ll give examples of special events (providing clear direction on how you must prepare for them as a provider and spectator). Mark my words, clearly, security measures are going to change and change drastically following this incident. Special Event Contingency planning involves creating a formal document with detailed procedures, responsibilities, and actions to address potential emergencies or hazards during a public gathering, such as at a festival, concert, or sporting event. A few of the main aspects, goals and strategies when conducting a thorough hazard analysis are to: —    identify risks, —    develop a response strategy, —    establish a command structure with assigned roles, —    and define communication protocols for both internal and external stakeholders, including attendees and emergency services. —    The primary goal is to prevent injury, suffering, or death by ensuring the event is safe and successful despite unforeseen circumstances. Don’t move a muscle! Tune out the world and tune-in to Light ‘Em Up.  Right here and right now! You can listen to us:  on-the-go, at work, home or when resting. Remember that we are here for you and because of you! In a time of uncertainty, facts provide clarity … even if they upset you! This episode is rated “E” for EVERYONE! Tune in and follow our sponsors Newsly and Feedspot! We want to hear from you!

Welcome to this brand-new episode of Light ‘Em Up! We’ve had our cake and ate it too  (and it was delicious) celebrating achieving our 100th episode! Now it is time to get back to work.  Thank you to all of our previous guests, listeners and fans who contacted us, sharing warm, caring and nice thoughts about the show. We are truly here for you and because of you! On this fact-finding, incendiary and investigative episode of Light ‘Em Up, we’ll interrogate the question: —     Why does someone join a cult? Is it because of their: —      desire for belonging, —     search for purpose or —     emotional vulnerability … Some of these, none of these or ALL of these and more? Is the MAGA movement a cult?  What does MAGA mean to America? And we examine charismatic leadership. —     What makes a person charismatic to where countless people revere, worship, follow them, perhaps ultimately giving their lives for what THEY believed in? We’ll explore all of this through the intersection of violent extremism and the radicalization process with a little Greek history lesson sprinkled into the mix — as we continue our quest to use data to improve democracy! Cults, like gangs, fall in the realm of deviance, and both types of groups encourage members to become situationally dependent on the "group identity." Both gangs and cults recruit members based on the human need to be accepted and a part of a group that will affirm personal significance. The fact pattern shows it clearly: Militant, nationalistic, white supremacist-violent-extremism has increased in the United States. According to the American Psychological Association’s Dictionary of Psychology, a cult is “a religious or quasi-religious group characterized by unusual or atypical beliefs, seclusion from the outside world, and an authoritarian structure. Cults tend to be highly cohesive, well organized, secretive, and hostile to nonmembers.” Hardened through years of social upheaval, conspiracy rhetoric, and loyalty tests, the voting bloc known as the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement, has evolved into a subculture marked by deep emotional identification with Donald Trump, and his: —     rejection of institutional legitimacy, and —     a worldview shaped less by shared policy preferences than by a shared sense of grievance and defiance. At the heart of the MAGA movement lies a narrative of persecution and betrayal. For many Trump supporters, their embrace of the 34-times-convicted felon, despite his endless stream of observable falsehoods and incendiary rhetoric, is not rooted in traditional (Ronald) Reagan-like conservatism but in a belief that he alone articulates their alienation. They seem to need a Superhero. He is their “revenge”.  He has said as much, as well.  MAGA members feel violated and offended by everyone that isn’t them. This sentiment is frequently reflected in the language of victimhood: Are MAGA members perpetually victims? In 2024, Trump was not merely a candidate, but a martyr under siege by “corrupt elites” … according to him and his “Klan” of followers and supporters. We’re calling on you to employ your critical thinking skills throughout this entire episode as we examine in depth behavior that explains the step-by-step process in becoming a tyrant and behaviors that would normally repulse traditional voters, which is celebrated by MAGA supporters as authenticity. Tune in and follow our sponsors Newsly and Feedspot! We want to hear from you!

Welcome!  We’re thrilled and excited that you joined us as we celebrate an enormous milestone — our 100th episode of Light ‘Em Up. This achievement has been 5 years in the making and something we honestly never envisioned accomplishing when we started this project in January of 2020. Email us here, [email protected] and let us know how you first heard of us and when you began tuning in to our podcast!  Are you a regular listener? Thank you! Tonight, our focus takes us to the Pelican State of Louisiana (a state where several of our dearest friends reside) as we continue our pursuit of speaking truth to power. Louisiana is Pro-life. Louisiana is pro-death penalty.  We call hypocrisy on this! Louisiana has enacted some of the most restrictive abortion laws in the country, effectively banning the procedure in nearly all circumstances with only very limited exceptions and no provisions for rape or incest — creating significant obstacles for those seeking abortion care. The same lawmakers that have gone this far to stress their “pro-life” credentials then turn around and sound almost bloodthirsty in their support for capital punishment, which is, after all, the ending of a human life. How does one reconcile these hypocritical, polar opposites? We’ve got our hip-waders on and we’re going’ deep to examine this contradiction. Are we picking a fight? No!  We’re turning the spotlight on how the good people of Louisiana have adopted a rather puzzling set of policies. In other words, how does a state so hostile to a woman’s right to choose to have a medical procedure performed on her body, which proudly boasts of its hostility to abortion and calls itself “pro-life” because of it, at the same time not only permits capital punishment, but boasts of it, and goes so far as to adopt an experimental method of choking the life out of a condemned prisoner as to pump pure nitrogen into his body? Louisiana currently has 55 people on death row. The state just recently resumed executions after a 15-year hiatus. We’ll confront as best we can with the time we have issues asking: —   Does the death penalty deter crime? —   We’ll examine the 8th Amendment, which prohibits the federal government from imposing excessive bail or fines, and cruel and unusual punishments. —   Is the death penalty applied in a grotesquely unfair, arbitrary and capricious manner that disproportionately impacts individuals of color? Does your: —  race, —  socio-economic status, —  who you kill and —  where you kill them (geographically) play MORE of a role in getting the death penalty than anything else? Ultimately, examining and asking: — Should the death penalty be abolished? All this and many, many more germane and critical questions … on topic as we challenge your critical thinking skills and abilities. It’s a matter of life or death and we’ll unpack all of it right here and right now on this historic and memorable 100th episode of Light ‘Em Up! How can you be pro-life and pro-death penalty? Louisiana:  Pro-life, pro-death penalty, hypoxia and hypocrisy. Tune in for all the powerful facts and figures. Follow our sponsors Newsly and Feedspot. Drop us a note to say hello and suggest a future podcast episode.  Let us know what we are doing well and what we need to fix or address. We want to hear from you! Support the show

We welcome you to this in-depth, investigative, fact-finding episode of Light ‘Em Up. Thank you for joining us — as we march one step closer to achieving an enormous milestone, our 100th episode! In this episode we are diving into complex and impactful topics. We’ll drill down on the concept of Birthright Citizenship — enshrined by the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.  The 14th Amendment does not equivocate. It states, “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof are citizens of the United States.”  A president cannot change those facts with a stroke of his pen. We will introduce to you in detail the concepts of jus soli and jus sanguinis. Jus soli: The principle of law also known as birthright citizenship is the principle that a person’s citizenship is determined by the place of their birth, regardless of the parents’ nationality. It contrasts with jus sanguinis, which determines citizenship based on parentage. On January 20, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order trying to end birthright citizenship. Specifically, the order states that after February 19, 2025, citizenship will only be granted to babies born in the United States if at least one parent is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. Birthright citizenship stems from the principle of jus soli, that all children born in the United States are U.S. citizens. Birthright citizenship has remained a bedrock of our country and was enshrined in our constitution in 1868 when the states ratified the Fourteenth Amendment. The Fourteenth Amendment was ratified to repudiate the infamous Dred Scott decision that denied Black people the protections of U.S. citizenship. In 1898, the U.S. Supreme Court confirmed that children born in the U.S. to immigrant parents were entitled to U.S. citizenship in the case United States v. Wong Kim Ark. Over 250 years ago our founding fathers, in the constitution, established 3 separate branches of government: the Executive, Judicial and Legislative. The Supreme Court (and the MAGA 6 on the court) have ceded a great deal of the other 2 branches’ power to the Executive Branch — doing tremendous harm to the country. Chief Justice John Marshall famously said, “It has always been the duty and responsibility of the Federal Judiciary to say what the law is, both as to constitutional and statutory law” The Federal Judiciary is not a political role, at all.  Donald Trump has sought to “weaponize” the law and the judiciary to appease his whims.  Rich people can afford their whims. We examine in depth how Trump’s large-scale deportations will have devastating impact on employment across our nation.  The nativist Trump administration is waging a war against the rule of law. When all the migrant workers who pick and process the oranges in sunny Florida are arrested, detained and deported and when a glass of orange juice at your golf course county club will cost $35 — you’ll clearly understand the true costs and the real human effects of Trump’s campaign of xenophobic arrests, detentions and deportations will have on the economy and workforce of the U.S. Barely 2 months into his administration he has issued over 100 executive orders. More shenanigans will ensue.  Trump has declared war on the Federal Judiciary and the rule of law. America is in a crisis, and many aren’t even aware of it.  The Constitution is being tested like never before.  Will it break?  Will the Supreme Court continue to help make Donald Trump a dictator?  The courts gave power to Adolph Hitler and Benito Mussolini. Those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Tune in for all the powerful facts and figures. Follow our sponso We want to hear from you!

As we rapidly approach another enormous milestone — our 100th episode (currently #98) we’ve e-x-p-a-n-d-e-d our global footprint to 131 countries. ONLY through your unyielding support could this achievement have been realized. Thank you! Immigration is a “3rd rail” hot topic in the U.S. The issues of immigration decided the ’24 presidential election.  At his core, whether you like to hear it or not, Donald Trump is a xenophobic segregationist that truly makes the former four-time Governor of Alabama, George Wallace, appear to be benign, benevolent and innocent like a choir boy. On this explosive episode, we’ll investigate: —  Trump’s hatred towards immigrants in a country full of immigrants. —  The GEO Group (a private prison firm that has received significant negative press regarding its operations and alleged shady business practices) and the Trump administration; and —  The Trump administration's stance on immigration, which has been widely criticized for its negative impacts on children of immigrant parents, including documented, undocumented, and US-citizen children. Here's how these policies have reportedly caused harm: Increased Fear and Anxiety: —  Family Separation: The "zero-tolerance" policy, in particular, involved separating thousands of children from their parents at the border, a practice widely condemned for its traumatic effects. This policy has led to long-term harm, with many children still not reunited with their parents years later. —  Fear of Deportation: The threat of deportation and increased immigration enforcement created pervasive fear and distress among children and their families, regardless of legal status. This fear led to children worrying about separation from parents and potentially having to leave their communities. —  Toxic Stress: Exposure to this chronic fear and uncertainty has helped to cause "toxic stress" in young children, potentially altering brain development and negatively influencing their physical, cognitive, and emotional well-being. This can have lifelong consequences, impacting their ability to cope with adversity and achieve future success. —  As well as bans and bars to badly needed health care services, means of preventing food insecurity and essential care and support. In the U.S. the “corporation” has always been “king” – where large corporations and big financial donors hold significant influence and power to shape government policies and societal structures. The Trump administration is notorious for pampering its “friends” and attempting to punish its enemies and those who would dare to hold him and the administration accountable. Republicans, including Trump, initially criticized the use of the CBP One app, particularly as it was used under the Biden administration, to facilitate asylum appointments at the border. They argued that the app enabled unauthorized immigration and was an abuse of parole.  Now, they swear by it and have embraced and rebranded its core functionalities into CBP Home, focusing on incentivizing voluntary departure as a tool for immigration enforcement. A 360◦, hypocritical move that only MAGA Republicans have perfected. As we celebrate Independence Day (2025) we now have a king.  The Supreme Court has paved the way for this, by a string of decisions that subvert the judiciary, undermining the integrity, independence, and effectiveness of the court system.  Its actions have directly challenged the judiciary's ability to operate impartially and fairly, potentially leading to a complete breakdown of the rule of law. Tune in for all of the explosive details. Without fear or favor we follow the facts and tackle the topics that touch your lives. Follow our sponsors:  Newsly & Feedspot. We want to hear from you!

Welcome to this educational and explosive, brand-new edition of Light ‘Em Up! Share us with a friend!  We are now being actively downloaded in 131 countries! We continue our intense focus on how the Rule of law and democracy are being endangered. Democracy hangs in the balance and is under constant daily attack — threatened on every front. What better example than the current Department of Justice (DOJ) ordering its civil rights division to halt the majority of its functions, including a freeze on pursuing any: —      new cases —     indictments or —     consent decree settlements. For civil rights this is a crisis!  It has only been 59 years since the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was passed. This was a landmark piece of legislation that helped to dismantle many discriminatory barriers and enforce the voting rights of African Americans.  Imagine having that office shut down during the LBJ Administration!  The KKK would have won! In a democracy, the majority can wield immense power, potentially leading to the suppression of dissenting voices and the marginalization of minority groups. You had better begin to ask yourself the tough question: Are you okay with your civil rights being suspended until 2028 and maybe beyond? White people, too, can have their civil rights violated.  Are you ready for that? Will the police be able to simply continue to brutalize people and get away with it as the Louisiana State Police did on May 10th, 2019, with Ronald Greene? Greene was an unarmed 49-year-old black man who, on a dark night in Monroe, Louisiana, 6 members of the LSP “goon squad” tazed, punched, kicked, pepper sprayed, and dragged face down on the concrete, only to place him in a chokehold until he died. Good night and good luck! Under this current Trump administration your civil rights will be “enforced” like his were. We are staring in the face of “soft despotism" or "soft tyranny". This occurs when a powerful, centralized state, while not overtly oppressive, gradually takes over the responsibilities and decision-making of individuals and communities. The state becomes like a benevolent but overbearing parent, providing for citizens' needs and ensuring their well-being, but in doing so, it diminishes their capacity for independent thought and action.  We’ve arrived there, stop fooling yourself otherwise. We’ll discuss and analyze the current push from the ultra-conservative-talk-show host, Ben Shapiro to petition the adjudicated felon Donald Trump to federally pardon Derek Chauvin, the felon, former police officer — who drove his knee into the neck of George Floyd for more than 9 minutes, hastening his death on May 25th, 2020. We have passed the 5-year mark of this deadly encounter on the streets in Minneapolis, MN and tell me, what has changed for the better? Shapiro clearly sees this as an opportunity to continue to support his white, racist agenda as it gins up his base of white nationalist followers.  MAGA-folk and beyond! We ask out loud: Could a president do that? What would it matter, since Chauvin also is in prison on state charges? And we’ll wrap things up looking at what happens to democracy when police regularly brutalize its citizens as the “politics of policing” has changed drastically since George Floyd’s’ death. The truth is under attack!  The truth is worth defending! Tune in for all of the explosive details. Justice comes to those that fight, not those that cry! Without fear or favor we follow the facts and tackle the topics that touch your lives. Follow our sponsors:  Newsly & Feedspot. We want to hear from you!

Welcome to this explosive edition of Light ‘Em Up! In these critical and delicate times that we find ourselves in — democracy is in clear and present danger. As nothing feels certain or safe and everything appears to be in “transition” we interrogate and examine the Trump Administration and its efforts to suspend the “great writ” of Habeas corpus. Habeas corpus is a legal doctrine whose original purpose was to contest detention by the king. The origins of the writ, or “written order” (its Latin name means, loosely, “produce the body”), can be traced to 13th century England. On June 15, 1215, at Runnymede, the barons who had banded together to impose legal restrictions on King John's power forced him to affix his seal to the Magna Carta. One of its curbs on the sovereign’s power reads, in part, “No free man shall be seized or imprisoned…except by the lawful judgment of his equals or by the law of the land.” The writ of habeas corpus appears in the U.S. Constitution. Article 1, section 9, clause 2 includes this single sentence: “The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.” Habeas corpus requires a jailer to produce a prisoner in a court of law so the basis for detention can be reviewed. The Constitution presupposes this right, but its use has been sharply restricted during past wars. Fast forward to the present, as Donald Trump continues on his “revenge tour” — his administration has shown itself to be big on conducting legal proceedings without due process for the defendants it pursues, just as George W. Bush did with “enemy combatants” at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, post 9-11. The Trump White House continues to break things like “Wreck it Ralph”— and has floated the idea of suspending Habeas corpus in the context of an “alien invasion” as it pertains to immigration, sparking widespread and grave concerns about the erosion of fundamental rights and the separation of powers. With mass deportations taking place without due process and the suspension of Habeas corpus, the rule of law and democracy itself is under a serious threat. While the Constitution allows for the suspension of Habeas corpus in cases of rebellion or invasion where the public safety is at stake, it is a power that must be exercised sparingly and only in extraordinary circumstances. Circumstances that we clearly are NOT in. With this probing, penetrating and pointed look … we ask out loud if we are on a collision course with the tyranny that brought about a coup d’ état in Chile in 1973, where the military ousted then President Allende, General Agusto Pinochet seized power, democracy collapsed and repression, murder and great suffering followed (all backed and funded by the US CIA & State Department in the Nixon administration). As we challenge you to think critically, we probe further, examining the historical suspension of Habeas corpus, we think you’ll be surprised to hear that one of the Presidents considered to be the “GOAT” (greatest of all time) suspended the writ of Habeas corpus, and we’ll deliver the facts not the fiction surrounding this. We’ll itemize some of the “pitfalls” and potential terrible consequences of decisions such as this, as we’ve learned through a FOIA request that the FBI has ordered its agents to scale back white-collar crime investigations to pursue more immigration crime instead. The rule of law and democracy are endangered! Previous Supreme Courts have held in reverence and referred to Habeas corpus as, “the fundamental instrument for safeguarding individual freedom against arbitrary and lawless state action.” We want to hear from you! Support the show

Tonight, on this explosive, educational, investigative episode of Light ‘Em Up we will explore in-depth the issues of: — The treatment of migrants & refugees — Criminal Immigration — How the radical right-wing politicized and took advantage of the death of Laken Riley when in reality they really didn’t give a single, solitary care about her — taking advantage of and using her death as a political football. With this, our 95th episode, we are now heard in 122 countries around the globe. Again, we challenge you to listen and think critically to this episode.  With the recent passing of Pope Francis, at the age of 88, on Monday April 21st -- the day after the Christian world celebrates Easter — we wanted to examine in-depth the “theory” of those people who claim to be “Christian” yet use race, color and country of origin as a sledge-hammer for fascism. Whether they claim to be: —  Christian Nationalists —  Christian Fascists —  Christian Conservatives —  Evangelicals You name it … people who claim to be “doing the work of Jesus Christ” while steadily: —  Denigrating —  Persecuting and prosecuting migrants … the foreign born —  LGBTQ individuals and —  People of color. “Othering” pretty much everyone who isn’t them. April 30th marked 100 days of Donald Trump’s second term — over the past three months, the president has issued more than 100 executive orders that aim to bypass Congress and change policy through unilateral action.  His administration has: — Imposed sweeping tariffs on virtually every country in the world — Withdrew the United States from the World Health Organization — Declared a national emergency at the southern border — It has purported to rewrite election rules and end birthright citizenship. — It is attacking major law firms and universities and much, much more. But we ask, has this flurry of orders affected fundamental change? To date, there have already been 46 challenges to executive orders pending in court, and the administration has had no outright victory in any of them.  Judges appointed by presidents of both parties have put the brakes on Trump’s fascist plans for change. Will the courts continue to thwart his lawless agenda? This is a pivotal moment in the history of this country that will affect it for all time going forward — as the Trump administration strives to keep the politics of fear and panic alive. Without fear or favor we follow the facts and tackle the topics that touch your lives. Tune in for all of the explosive details. Follow our sponsors:  Newsly & Feedspot. Promised links found within the body of the podcast audio file: Criminal Alien Statistics | U.S. Customs and Border Protection Letter of The Holy Father Francis to the Bishops of the United States Of America - The International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC) We want to hear from you! Support the show

Tonight, on this explosive, educational, investigative episode of Light ‘Em Up. We debut in 121 countries around the globe!   Is that sick, or what? Tonight, we challenge you to listen and think critically as we examine in-depth the Venezuelan transnational criminal organization called: Tren de Aragua. Its origins can be traced to its foundation in 2014 inside Tocorón Prison, Aragua state, Venezuela. It has expanded exponentially: Spread across Colombia, Peru, Chile, and the US, exploiting Venezuelan migrants. The gang’s growth has made it a transnational criminal organization. A transnational criminal organization or (TCO) is a group of individuals who operate across national borders (not just in one country) to achieve gains in power, influence, or money through illegal means, often engaging in activities like: —  drug trafficking —  human trafficking (including smuggling of migrants) —  arms trafficking —  money laundering —  counterfeiting —  trafficking in firearms, counterfeit goods, wildlife and cultural property and sex and cybercrimes. Suddenly we’re hearing this gang’s name blaring over the airwaves of MAGA-favoring “news” outlets like NewsMax or what I call the Fox “Entertainment News” Network … and among: —   Christian fascists, —   Christian nationalists, —   Members of the radical right, —   Trump Republicans who stand in front of the camera regurgitating GOP party talking points, —   White supremacists and xenophobes. Among these select groups of people they know very few words in the Spanish language … and they don’t wish to learn any of the language or learn about its culture because they think people who speak Spanish certainly aren’t of the (Aryan) “master race”. The Oath Keepers, Proud Boys and the 3 Percenters … and people of this ilk wouldn’t even see these people as human beings — because of their brown skin. Tonight, unlike what one is likely ever to hear on one of those networks, without fear or favor we’ll deliver to you the truth about: Tren de Aragua. —   We’ll examine the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 … —   And we’ll relate how civil rights, civil liberties and hard-fought protections are being destroyed … under the guise of Making America Great Again! Do you value your civil rights? Do you think civil rights ONLY pertain to people of color? If yes, you are dead wrong.  If one individual’s civil rights are being oppressed — then every person’s rights are being oppressed and diminished.  This happened after 9/11 and it is happening again, today! To know the present, you must be aware of the past. "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it" is a famous aphorism attributed to the philosopher George Santayana, emphasizing the importance of learning from history in order to avoid repeating mistakes. You’d never hear the truth about Venezuela, its past, or its present.  Venezuela is a country that is in crisis. Its people are affected directly by the widespread political and civil unrest that has plagued their nation. Their people need help. The situation has become a humanitarian crisis. The current U.S. administration has willfully turned a blind eye to the plight of the Venezuelans. U.S. homeland security advisor and White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller and his cronies are good at overlooking the suffering of others — yet claiming to be pious. Don’t move a muscle —tune in to hear all the explosive details and the facts … not the fiction, about Tren De Aragua! Follow our sponsors:  Newsly & Feedspot. Follow this link to the We want to hear from you! Support the show

Welcome to this explosive and investigatory episode of Light ‘Em Up. Our global audience has reached 119 countries. Spread the word!  This is the story of the tragic death of an “All-American Girl” and the sloppy investigation that ensued. Out of Aubrey, Texas, we shine the antiseptic light of the truth to investigate the death of Haley Cheney, a 24-year-old, new mother who was found sitting in her car in the driveway of her boyfriend’s home early on December 3, 2023 — with a bullet in the right temple of her head. We’re honored to sit and talk with (Mrs.) Jackie Stewart Alvarado, Haley’s aunt.  According to Jackie, “Haley had the biggest, bluest eyes and she gave THE ABSOLUTE BEST hugs. She always greeted everyone with the words, “hello beautiful”.  She never met a stranger, and she absolutely loved, loved, loved animals.  Haley loved life. She was filled with hope, promise and potential.  She loved fully and completely her family and those around her.  She was one of the most selfless individuals.”   Haley was thrilled to be a new mother — she adored her baby boy.  Her life had barely just begun. Haley had to work very hard in order to maintain the peace and to encourage a positive perspective in the relationship with her boyfriend. She wanted to be loved by her boyfriend, yet time and again, she was confronted with threats of physical violence by him.  We'll showcase just one of many verbal threats made by Kristopher Winston, as was posted on Facebook (according to members of Haley’s family). The City of Little Elm Police Department caught this case.  That may have been one of the most detrimental and injurious factors in the case. Police departments are entrusted with a diverse set of tasks requiring a high degree of integrity within their agencies. Without that integrity, bad things happen, and people and cases suffer. Determining the correct cause and manner of death are among the chief responsibilities of the forensic pathologist, not a street cop or even a Detective Sgt.  When confronted with a case having a questionable manner of death, it is important for scene evidence, witness statements, and forensic autopsy findings to be thoroughly reviewed before certifying the manner of death. We examine the factors that hurt a thorough investigation and led to a rush to judgement that this case was a suicide.  Haley’s family vehemently disagrees with this finding. There’s nothing common about murder nor a suicide. Each case has its unique aspects and signatures. Every case, victim and member of the surviving family deserves to have their loved one’s case investigated to its fullest extent. The investigative process involves both science and art.  For an investigation to be effective it must follow a few basic principles.  Following the acronym “T-A-R-O-T” (just like the card) ... The incident must be investigated in a: Timely, Accurate, Relevant, Objective & Thorough manner.  We'll break down each aspect of a proper investigation and discuss the 5 F's of Murder.  We educate on IPV & IPH (Intimate Partner Violence and Intimate Partner Homicide). 3 women are killed every day at the hands of those who "claim" to love them. You can judge for yourself if that's what transpired in this case.  We deliver the facts ... not the fiction.  Tune in to hear all of the explosive details. Follow our sponsors: Newsly & Feedspot. For case history, updates and more detailed information follow this page on Facebook We want to hear from you! Support the show