This Saturday in #nerdland, we’re going global.
Thursday night in Belgium, counterterrorism police killed two suspects and arrested a third in a raid on a cell of returnees from Syria who officials said were planning a major imminent attack. The raid and others highlight a heightened sensitivity in the wake of terror attacks in France. We’ll discuss how European nations are rushing to respond to the threat from radicalized extremists with ties to terror networks in the Middle East.
And does France truly believe in the free speech championed in a Unity Rally last weekend in Paris, meant to show solidarity with the victims of attacks on satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo? Our panelists will explore how French officials can in one breath say “Je Suis Charlie” and in the next, crack down on the speech and protest of others. Our guests include:
- Laura Flanders, host and founder of Grittv.org
- Michael Kay, foreign affairs correspondent
- Negin Farsad, social justice comedian
- Euny Hong, author of “The Birth of Korean Cool“
Then, to West Africa. Ebola has killed thousands and Boko Haram may have too. Host Melissa Harris-Perry will have an update on the deadly virus that is still ravishing the region. Also, Rona Peligal, deputy director of Human Rights Watch’s Africa Division, will join us for a discussion about the recent massacre in Nigeria and the underlying politics making the fight against the terrorist group more difficult. Check out these resources for more information about Boko Haram’s tactics and destruction:
- In Nigeria, New Boko Haram Suicide Bomber Tactic: ‘It’s a Little Girl’
- Nigeria: Massacre Possibly Deadliest in Boko Haram’s history
- Nigeria Is Letting Boko Haram Get Away With Murder
We’ll make our way back to domestic politics and dispel the idea that democracy is about “whose turn is next.” We’ll also discuss why the House GOP determined it’s not necessary to enact a legislative fix to the Voting Rights Act.
All that, plus the Supreme Court takes up marriage equality, and Foot Soldiers who organized a Freedom Concert in response to the non-indictments of the officers responsible for the deaths of Michael Brown and Eric Garner.
Be sure to read what we’ve linked above, and watch Melissa Harris-Perry Sunday at 10am ET on msnbc. Join the conversation—share your thoughts about these issues on Facebook and Twitter with the hashtag #nerdland.
Victoria Asbury