Lily Baran on Activism, Advocacy, Anarchism and Mutual Aid

If you have been paying attention to any of the big news stories in Reno for the last few years, you’ve probably heard a lot from the local activist community. 

From the protests following the police killing of George Floyd in 2020, to the Stop the Sweeps protests and rallies which picked up steam last year, all the way up to the recent community meetings about development and the Jacobs’ Neon Line project, the voices of our local activist community have been a common presence.

This week on Renoites, Conor speaks with Lily Baran about the meaning of activism in a city like Reno. Last year, Lily and several other activists were cited for protesting at a park outside city hall (the charges were dropped- it was apparent the protesters were unfairly targeted by police). She also appeared at a recent Propublica forum to discuss affordable housing in Reno, has provided public comment at countless City Council meetings, and is generally a prominent figure in the local activist community.

On this episode, Conor and Lily discuss what activism really means, the difference between performative and action-based activism, the role of social media in spreading ideas, accountability and difficult conversations, creating alternative systems of mutual aid and power, what defunding the police should actually look like, building relationships slowly and sustainably, her Hampton House mutual aid garden project, and so much more!

Thank you so much for listening! Come to the Renoites Anniversary Party on March 10 at the Brewer's Cabinet Production Facility! Details and RSVP here: 

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/renoites-1-year-anniversary-party-tickets-268336059377

 

Lily’s Recommendations for learning more about the topics we discussed:

Instagrams:

Dr. Ayesha Khan: https://www.instagram.com/wokescientist/

The Nap Ministry: https://www.instagram.com/thenapministry/

 

Books:

The Body is Not an Apology 

by Sonya Renee Taylor

https://thebodyisnotanapology.com

 

Abolition. Feminism. Now.

by Angela Y. Davis, Gina Dent, Erica R. Meiners, and Beth E. Richie

https://www.haymarketbooks.org/books/1546-abolition-feminism-now

 

Six by Ten- Stories from Solitary

Edited by Mateo Hoke and Taylor Pendergrass

https://www.haymarketbooks.org/books/1186-six-by-ten

 

Begin Again- James Baldwin’s America and its Urgent Lessons for Our Own

by Eddie S. Glaude Jr.

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/575725/begin-again-by-eddie-s-glaude-jr/

 

What about the Rapists?

An Abolitionist FAQ

https://www.interruptingcriminalization.com/what-about-the-rapists