Welcome to Gorilla Radio, recorded September 24, 2025
It’s said, “Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures”, and who could argue the times are anything but ordinary everywhere? But the old saw is especially pertinent for Venezuelans, who despite having grown used to the bellicose rhetoric directed at them by the United States, are less accustomed to a U.S. attack fleet floating off the coast.
Amidst this unusual circumstance, a ‘Special Plenary of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela Congress’ was convened earlier this month by the ruling PSUV to strategize against the latest Yankee aggression. Canadian activist Tyson Strandlund was there, attending as a delegate to the Extraordinary Plenary Session and JPSUV youth Congress. Tyson’s a Metis activist and serves as General Secretary to the Popular Democracy Movement, formed here in Victoria last year.
Tyson Strandlund in the first half.
And; Monday, Italy’s major unions staged a general strike in defiance of their government’s assistance in Israel’s genocide against Palestine. Ports, train stations, civic buildings, schools and other essential services shut down in multiple cities, for multiple days effectively bringing the nation to a halt. As opposition grows, in Europe and around the globe, Israel’s is unrepentant, employing every tactic it can to shut up critics and turn back the rising tide. Palestinian scholar, author, and journalist Ramzy Baroud is one in the crosshairs. He and his publication, The Palestine Chronicle are accused of aiding terrorism; an application of Lawfare deployed in defense of the rogue state.
Dan Kovalik’s a lawyer, educator, labour, peace, and justice activist, democracy defender, journalist, author, and filmmaker. Dan represented unions whose membership were targeted by Colombia’s far right death squads, and has taken on Ramzy’s and The Palestine Chronicle’s case.
Dan’s book titles include: ‘No More War: How the West Violates International Law by Using ‘Humanitarian’ Intervention to Advance Economic and Strategic Interest’, ‘The Case for Palestine: Why It Matters and Why You Should Care’, and his latest, co-authored with Jeremy Kuzmarov, ‘Syria: Anatomy of Regime Change’, is set for release next week.
Dan Kovalik in the Lawfare trenches in the second half.
But first, Tyson Strandlund and extraordinary Venezuela; resisting Empire after all these wars.
Artist: David Rovics
Songs: ‘I Support Palestine Action’
‘Charlie Kirk’ (Remix)
Chris Cook hosts Gorilla Radio, broad/webcasting since 1999. Check out the Archive at GRadio.Substack.com, and the GR blog at: https://gorillaradioblog.blogspot.com/ and on Telegram at: https://t.me/gorillaradio2024
