No Kings Day of Defiance, Criminal Justice Reforms & Worker Power Rising

In this episode of Good News for Lefties, host Beowulf Rochlen serves up a delightful assortment of stories that highlight the power of grassroots activism and progressive reforms. We kick off with the announcement of the "No Kings Nationwide Day of Defiance," set for June 14, 2025, coinciding with Donald Trump's planned military parade. Activists across the country are organizing marches and rallies to reject authoritarianism and celebrate democracy, with over 100 events already registered. This movement emphasizes that true power lies with the people, not with any one leader. Next, we delve into Delaware's progressive criminal justice reforms, including a bill that allows courts to waive fines for low-income defendants, recognizing the cycle of debt that often ensnares vulnerable individuals. This initiative aims to create a fairer justice system while ensuring public safety. Additionally, Delaware lawmakers are advancing legislation to create felony charges for discharging firearms into occupied spaces, further enhancing community safety. In Connecticut, lawmakers are making strides to limit non-compete agreements, empowering workers and promoting fair competition. The proposed House Bill 7196 seeks to make such agreements unenforceable for lower-wage employees, reflecting a growing trend toward worker-friendly reforms. Massachusetts is also taking action against rising prescription drug costs, with a new budget amendment that gives the state's Drug Price Review Board the authority to set limits on high-priced medications, aiming to make healthcare more affordable for residents. Listeners will be inspired by a listener-suggested story from Alonzo in Ann Arbor, highlighting a significant drop in violent crime across the U.S., with preliminary data showing a 21% decrease in homicides in major cities. This positive trend offers hope for safer communities nationwide. Finally, we touch on the brewing labor dispute among grocery workers at Safeway and Albertsons in Colorado, as union members prepare to vote on strike authorization amid stalled contract negotiations. Join us for this empowering episode filled with stories of hope, resilience, and the ongoing fight for justice and equity in our society! This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try and get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/Lefties If you have thoughts, ideas, or more good news to share, we’d love to hear from you! Call or message us at 202-656-6271, or drop us a line at beowulf@twosquaredmediaproductions.com You can find out more about GNFL 's daily news stories here: https://indivisible.org/statements/indivisible-and-partners-announce-no-kings-nationwide-day-defiance-flag-day-during https://www.delawarepublic.org/politics-government/2025-05-21/bills-advance-to-create-fee-waiver-for-low-income-defendants-felony-for-shooting-into-a-house https://www.hartfordbusiness.com/article/ct-lawmakers-revive-bill-to-restrict-use-of-noncompete-agreements https://pluribusnews.com/news-and-events/mass-senate-adds-budget-provision-to-strengthen-drug-price-review-board/ https://www.economist.com/united-states/2025/05/15/violent-crime-is-falling-rapidly-across-america https://www.yahoo.com/news/safeway-albertsons-union-workers-vote-211739690.html More good daily news for democracy on Facebook , Bluesky , and Instagram . If you like Justice Matters with Glenn Kirschner, IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson, The MeidasTouch Podcast, and Pod Save America, you'll LOVE Good News For Lefties! Thanks to Rosabelle Heine and Aaron Watson for production assistance. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/good-news-for-lefties-daily-news-for-democracy--6256627/support .