Behind the Bastards: It Could Happen Here Weekly 217 (January 31, 2026)

Overview

This dense, multi-segment episode intertwines global authoritarian trends, on-the-ground reporting from Minneapolis’ anti-ICE organizing, reflections on resistance tactics, and a discussion of doxxing Nazis. The central focus is how authoritarian “conflict management” and ethnic cleansing are becoming normalized around the globe—with Gaza and Minneapolis as case studies—and how grassroots solidarity and community defense offer both hope and resolve. The episode features in-depth interviews, discussion among the hosts, and timely analysis of recent state violence.

1. The Gaza “Peace” Blueprint and Authoritarian Doctrine

Featuring Dana Al Kurd (01:32–16:30)

Main Points

• Recent Developments in Gaza:

  • After the latest Israeli assault and a partial ceasefire, Israeli military control and ethnic cleansing in Gaza continue.
  • 449 Palestinians killed since the ceasefire; humanitarian access sharply restricted; land grabbed behind the newly enforced “yellow line.”
  • Aid is insufficient; basic safety and movement remain denied to Palestinians.

• US/Trump Administration’s “Board of Peace”:

  • Phase Two of the US-sponsored ceasefire deal launched: a Board of Peace for Gaza run by a technocratic “transitional” Palestinian administration.
  • Trump declared himself chair, with Tony Blair, Marco Rubio, Kushner, and international oligarchs invited, all required to pay $1 billion each.
  • Critics call it a "Trump United Nations" with no mention of Gaza in its founding charter, aiming for neocolonial oversight to enforce compliance, demilitarization, and enable business-led “reconstruction.”

• Global Trends & Doctrine:

  • This is seen as a prototype for managing global conflict: might-makes-right, legitimized ethnic cleansing, and using war as a business opportunity.
  • “Reconstruction as a business opportunity. To review, might is right, ethnic cleansing is A-OK, and war is a prime real estate development opportunity.” (Dana Al Kurd, 08:55)
  • Parallel drawn to “Don Roe Doctrine”—each state claims a sphere of influence; conquest and territorial aggression now openly condoned.

• Palestinian & Local Responses:

  • Palestinian bureaucrats express commitment to peace, democracy, and justice, but little changes on the ground.
  • Gaza journalist Hind Khoudari: “There is no change. … Palestinians are frustrated. They’re very disappointed. They thought phase two would give them freedom of movement, reconstruction of Gaza … But on the ground, nothing happened, nothing changed.” (14:44)

“Gaza is only the test case. In this new form of authoritarian conflict management, the world will operate without any pretensions under the premise of might is right.” (Dana Al Kurd, 09:03)

Timestamps:

• 01:32 – 16:30: Dana Al Kurd’s Gaza analysis

2. Minneapolis: Mutual Aid, Rapid Response, and General Strike

With Margaret Killjoy, James Stout, Robert Evans & guests (17:05–134:55)

On-the-Ground Narrative

The Situation

• ICE and Border Patrol are conducting quasi-military immigration raids.
• Locals have launched decentralized mutual aid and rapid response networks to protect neighbors and push back.
• The city unites in strikes and direct action, culminating in a general strike and mass protest—even as temperatures dip below -30°F.

Core Insights

1. Community Defense/Mutual Aid:

   • Hyper-local Signal groups organize street-by-street rapid response.
   • Grocery co-ops, daycares, and businesses publicly join the strike in support of migrants.
   • All informal, anarchic networks—no one group controlling, just neighbors helping neighbors.
   • Volunteers provide food, childcare, rides, school runs, and support blocked businesses.

   “The thing that people are building here are really incredible. And people know that they’re holding down ICE here in a way no one would have expected.” (Margaret Killjoy, 21:14)

2. Rapid Response in Practice:

   • ICE moves evolve: from big raids to quick, surgical abductions within 2–3 minutes.
   • City residents respond with whistles, honks, and outdoor presence at a moment’s notice—rushing out, even in pajamas, to stop abductions.

   “The only time we have seen here, the only person who has expressed any negativity about what is happening is a person in a truck today who was honking at a large protest…” (James Stout, 52:01)

3. Unity, Scale, and Impact:

   • Striking is neighborhood-wide and politically mixed: “That Republican business is closed. My neighbor, very conservative, is pissed as hell...” (Margaret, 61:36)
   • Even “What Would Ronald Reagan Do?” sign holders join, because the government crossed a line.
   • Every block has a watcher; whistles are the “sword” of defense—simple, but collectively powerful.

   “You hand someone a whistle, you’re handing them responsibility. You are now a defender.” (Margaret Killjoy, 57:12)

4. Reflections on Trauma and Beauty:

   • Despite daily violence (people pulled from cars, children targeted at schools), the shared struggle creates deep community.
   • “People step up.” (67:40)
   • Minneapolis “passing the open-note test of history”—refusing to be quiet in the face of fascism.

“Minneapolis isn't failing the open-note test ... When it comes down to it, we do what's right.” (Margaret Killjoy, 64:51)

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• “If people could see the cruelty, they would care and they would do something. And this confirms that for me.” (James Stout, 69:25)
• “Solidarity gets so much further than 'what took you so long.'” (Margaret Killjoy, 62:31)
• “I've never seen unity like this.” (Margaret, 37:02)
• “This is more evidence ... in hard times, we can build beautiful things.” (Robert Evans, 22:50)

Key Segments

• 17:05–41:42: Arrival in Minneapolis; scale & spread of ICE; witness rapid response first-hand
• 42:01–70:22: Digging into mutual aid and neighborhood networks; “tanking” ICE via unity
• 70:23–134:55: General strike, mass protest, officials' violence; lessons for organizing elsewhere

3. General Strike & Direct Action: Living Resistance

Margaret, James, Robert in Minneapolis (76:02–134:55)

Highlights

• General strike brings out 10,000 people in -30°F weather; businesses close or shift to offering free resources to protesters and migrants.
• Action at Whipple federal building: protesters kettled and arrested; police employ strong-arm tactics; some pressed with cold more threatening than tear gas.
• Coffee shops and mutual aid groups act as organizing hubs, continuously supporting those on the streets.

Takeaways

• Diverse tactics (rowdy shield walls to peaceful clergy) exist in harmony—“There isn't time for that [infighting], we've got shit to be doing.” (87:34)
• Everyone can contribute, even if only by sharing resources or comfort.
• The ability to sustain this for months depends on ongoing solidarity, shared leadership, and building systems of care—starting by simply knowing your neighbors.
• Lessons from Minneapolis can be applied anywhere: “You just show up. Spread a culture of neighborliness. Solidarity is not charity—it’s in your own self-interest.” (126:08)

4. Anti-Fascist Intel & Doxxing Nazis

Interview: Molly Conger & Christopher Mathias (136:38–190:35)

Main Points

• "To Catch a Nazi": Chris Mathias’s new book explored, detailing how anti-fascist activists doxx and infiltrate white supremacist groups, leveraging community defense over state surveillance.
• Key Tactics:
  • Doxxing as the digital equivalent of unmasking Klansmen—enforcing social consequences for public fascism.
  • Antifa’s unpaid, risk-heavy research is more effective at destabilizing Nazi groups than media, academia, or law enforcement.
  • Modern “outside agitator” narratives are recycled tools to delegitimize grassroots resistance.

"These organizations can't survive sunshine. And they're so aware of that that ... people have been killed for this." (Molly Conger, 153:30)

Notable Quotes

• “I will always trust an anti fascist infiltrator over an FBI agent.” (Molly Conger, 158:50)
• “You create a social cost for being a fascist. … Your girlfriend’s going to dump you, your family might not talk to you. … They were creating a social cost for being a fascist.” (Christopher Mathias, 147:36)

5. Executive Disorder: Updates on State Violence, Media, & Resistance

Garrison Davis, Mia Wong, James Stout, Robert Evans, et al. (191:19–245:56)

Key Segments

• ICE/CBP Killings in Minneapolis (192:56–203:22)

  • Alex Preddy, an ICU nurse, is killed by CBP agents while filming an ICE raid. Video contradicts official account; officers lied, executed him after disarming.
  • Nationwide outrage erupts, with broad swaths of the public—including NFL stars and fans—condemning the killing and administration's lies.
  • DHS, Fox News, and administration initially falsely label Preddy a terrorist; narrative crumbles as footage spreads.

  “For years, they've skirted by in situations where ... depending on what you bring into it ideologically, that can look like two different things. That's not the case … It's very clear what's happening.” (Mia Wong, 214:10)

• Public Uprising, Political Fallout (210:48–218:02)

  • NFL games, other public events echo with chants of “Fuck ICE;” even Patriots’ jet used for deportation is called out.
  • The mass outrage prompts the administration to backtrack, fire/transfer officials, and announce token reviews while deportations and raids continue.

• Surveillance, Intimidation, & Movement’s Response (231:24–236:45)

  • Reports surface of ICE constructing databases of protesters (“You're now considered a domestic terrorist”).
  • Organizers emphasize these tactics aim to intimidate & chill dissent—don’t spread panic, keep organizing.

• Ilhan Omar Attacked (237:57–240:58)

  • MN Rep. Ilhan Omar is physically assaulted at a town hall; attack condemned broadly, including by Republicans.

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• “You don't have to help them [spread fear]. … The government, generally, courts have found, should not do things that have a chilling effect on First Amendment speech. Don't help them.” (James Stout, 236:28)
• “They tried to deploy a narrative which after, after enough circulated documented footage contradicted … public opinion formed in strong opposition to administration claims.” (Garrison Davis, 208:47)

6. Practical Lessons & Closing Recommendations

• Start building trust and networks with your neighbors now—don’t wait for a crisis.
• Ensure every network is decentralized and gives autonomy to local participants.
• Solidarity is both morally necessary and practical self-interest—no one is truly free until everyone is defended.
• Everyone can play a part—organizing, provisioning, documenting, showing up, or just offering a warm drink.
• Use Minneapolis (and Gaza) both as a warning of creeping authoritarian doctrine and as a model for how radical, inclusive solidarity can save lives and transform communities, even in dark times.

Episode Takeaway

The episode is a primer in both resisting authoritarian repression and building lasting grassroots solidarity. The guests and hosts demonstrate that even in extreme adversity—facing government violence, ethnic cleansing, and mass abductions—cooperative defense, mutual aid, and diverse tactics can genuinely protect, inspire, and sustain communities. Their stories are both a warning and an invitation: the tactics of the state are both ancient and newly bold, but so too are the capacities for resistance and community-driven hope.

Notable Quotes, Moments, & Timestamps

| # | Timestamp | Speaker | Quote or Event | |---|-----------|---------|---------------| | 1 | 08:55 | Dana Al Kurd | "Reconstruction is a business opportunity. Might is right, ethnic cleansing is A-OK, and war is a prime real estate development opportunity." | | 2 | 14:44 | Hind Khoudari | “There is no change. … Palestinians are frustrated. … On the ground, nothing happened, nothing changed.” | | 3 | 21:14 | Margaret Killjoy | “People know that they’re holding down ICE here in a way no one would have expected.” | | 4 | 31:06 | James Stout | “...Everyone is carrying whistles around their necks. ...It makes you a defender.” | | 5 | 57:12 | Margaret Killjoy | “You hand someone a whistle, you’re handing them responsibility. ...You are now a defender.” | | 6 | 69:25 | James Stout | “If people could see the cruelty, they would care and they would do something. And this confirms that for me.” | | 7 | 61:36 | Margaret Killjoy | “That Republican business is closed. My neighbor ... very conservative, is pissed as hell.” | | 8 | 64:51 | Margaret Killjoy | "Minneapolis isn't failing the open-note test... When it comes down to it, we do what's right." | | 9 | 87:34 | Margaret Killjoy | “There isn't time for that [infighting], we've got shit to be doing.” | | 10 | 147:36 | Christopher Mathias | “You create a social cost for being a fascist. … Your girlfriend’s going to dump you, your family might not talk to you.” | | 11 | 153:30 | Molly Conger | “These organizations can't survive sunshine. And they're so aware of that that ... people have been killed for this.” | | 12 | 208:47 | Garrison Davis | “They tried to deploy a narrative, which after, after enough circulated documented footage contradicted, ... public opinion formed in strong opposition to administration claims.” | | 13 | 236:28 | James Stout | “You don't have to help them [spread fear]. ... Don't help them.” |

For those seeking actionable models for resisting state repression and building resilient communities, this episode offers both moving testimonies and concrete lessons.