Stopping Cop City: Siihasin's Story - a podcast by Avery Smith

Learn about the Movement to Stop Cop City and Defend Atlanta's Forest through the stories of forest defenders for whom queerness and faith intertwine with activism. In this first episode, Siihasin describes their experiences as a Diné nádleehi, frontliner, and land defender.

Siihasin was one of around 20 Indigenous two spirit persons invited to the latest Stop Cop City Week of Action to facilitate conversations around Indigenous sovereignty, land rights & protection, and Black liberation & solidarity. How can activist movements work to protect and center their most vulnerable members?

Click here for an episode transcript.

Click here for more information about the Movement to Defend Atlanta's Forest.

Support the fight to Stop Cop City by donating to the Stop the Swap lawsuit fundraiser, or to the Atlanta Solidarity Fund.

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Talking Points:

(0:00 - 8:50) Avery offers a basic introduction to the Movement to Stop Cop City and Defend Atlanta's Weelaunee Forest.

(8:51) Siihasin is a two spirit nádleehi of the Diné nation; invited to Weelaunee Forest to help facilitate conflict management among defenders

(15:00) Navigating connection and tension — diversity of the forest defenders; Muscogee ceremonies surveilled by police

(23:00) The Week of Action showcased a wide spectrum of action, from camping & skillsharing to youth marches — all recognizing that all forms of life are under attack from Cop City

(25:38) What it’s like to be Native while camping in the forest — targeted by police; remembering Tortuguita

(32:30) The myth of “outside agitators”; recognizing Afro-Indigenous solidarity as central to all our liberation

(41:32) What it means to be two spirit — an Indigenous umbrella term; targeted by colonizers

(48:00) Siihasin’s personal experience as a nádleehi centered on protecting their people — growing up problematized by Western medicine; learning they are not broken from Diné family

(57:45) Intra-movement conflict management and respecting intersections is crucial to liberation

This show's theme song is "Aetherium" by Leah Horn. This episode also makes use of "Reality Cartwheeled" by Doctor Turtle.

Further episodes of Blessed Are the Binary Breakers

Further podcasts by Avery Smith

Website of Avery Smith