FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MNN Contact
Rachel Voorhees • (212) 757-2670 ext. 315 • [email protected]

Free Speech TV Contact
Nina Henderson Moore • (303) 542-4825 • [email protected]

Free Speech TV and Manhattan Neighborhood Network to Broadcast Elections 2018 — The Progressive Path Forward: Deep Grassroots

Dr. Christina Greer hosts panelists discussing grassroots activism

New York, March 14, 2018 — Manhattan Neighborhood Network (MNN) and Free Speech TV (FSTV) are premiering the second episode in the monthly series, Elections 2018 — The Progressive Path Forward: Deep Grassroots, this Thursday, March 15 at 8:30 pm ET on both MNN-FSTV (Spectrum channel 1301 and FiOS channel 39 for Manhattan viewers or streaming online worldwide at mnn.org) and Free Speech TV (DISH 9415, DIRECTV 348, and streaming on Roku, Apple TV and freespeech.org).

Donald Trump’s radical presidency, and his repeated attacks on immigrants, people of color, women and other marginalized groups, quickly led to a groundswell of protests and passionate progressive activism.  This movement is resulting in many first-time candidates running for office at every level. Are these new insurgent organizations, activists, candidates, and organizers the future of the Democratic Party?

“The 2018 midterm election cycle is seeing a dramatic surge in decentralized, bottom-up organizing. In large numbers, women, people of color, young people, and folks completely new to politics are running for office at every level. This episode of our election series, The Progressive Path Forward, takes a deeper dive into the grass roots,” said Ron Williams, Executive Director of Free Speech TV.  

Moderated by Dr. Christina Greer, Associate Professor of Political Science at Fordham University and author of Black Ethnics: Race, Immigration, and the Pursuit of the American Dream, the episode is produced by Globalvision and taped at the MNN El Barrio Firehouse Community Media Center in East Harlem. Featured panelists in the Deep Grassroots episode, the second in this series, include:

• Jane Kleeb, Chairperson of the Nebraska Democratic Party
• Winnie Wong, a radical media maker, founding organizer of Occupy Wall Street and Occupy Sandy, and co-founder of The People for Bernie.  
• Nathan Rubin, founder of Millennial Politics, a member of the Executive Committee of the Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats, and a concerned citizen who hopes to inspire others to get involved in our democracy.

This episode also features an interview with Steve Phillips, founder of Democracy in Color, senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, and author of the New York Times bestseller Brown is the New White: How the Demographic Revolution Has Created a New American Majority.  

“As two independent, non-profit media organizations, we are in a unique position to provide unfiltered views and news on key issues that simply aren’t available on commercial cable networks,” said MNN CEO and President Dan Coughlin. “Our goal is to keep voters engaged and informed so that we all can make informed decisions this November.”

Elections 2018 — The Progressive Path Forward: Deep Grassroots will premiere on Thursday, March 15 at 8:30pm ET on MNN-FSTV (Spectrum 1301 and FiOS 39 for Manhattan viewers or streaming live online worldwide at mnn.org) and on Free Speech TV (DISH 9415, DIRECTV 348 or streaming on Roku, Apple TV and freespeech.org). During the broadcast, MNN (@MNN59) and FSTV (@freespeechtv) will host a live Twitter chat with Jane Kleeb and Nathan Rubin, using hashtag #ProgressivePath18.

Broadcasts are scheduled as follows:

• Thursday, March 15, 8:30 pm ET (Premiere)
• Friday, March 16, 3:00 am ET
• Saturday, March 17, 2:00 am ET
• Sunday, March 18, 3:00 am ET
• Sunday, March 18, 4:00 pm ET
• Tuesday, March 20, 4:00 am ET
• Sunday, March 25, 6:00 am ET
• Sunday, March 25, 6:00 pm ET
• Saturday, March 31, 1:30 am ET
• Saturday, March 31, 5:00 pm ET
• Sunday, April 1, 8:00 pm ET   

About Manhattan Neighborhood Network

Founded in 1992, Manhattan Neighborhood Network  is New York City’s free public-access cable network. Operating seven channels (Community, Lifestyle, Spirit, Culture, HD Community, MNN-FSTV and NYXT.nyc) and reaching over 600,000 cable subscribers in the Manhattan area, MNN is the largest public-access cable network in the nation, with programs airing in more than 40 languages. Find MNN on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and at mnn.org.

In 2012, MNN opened a state-of-the-art community media center at the old Engine Co. 53 Firehouse on East 104th Street in East Harlem. The facility features three HD production studios, including a three-camera studio, as well as editing services and a Youth Media Center. The Firehouse offers classes in English and Spanish and hosts community events throughout the year.

MNN also produces the cable and digital channel NYXT.nyc (pronounced next dot N.Y.C.). Presented in partnership with more than 60 Manhattan community-based organizations, NYXT.nyc shines a spotlight on groups that are working to connect people and build neighborhoods. NYXT.nyc is available on TWC 1992, FiOS 38, and online at nyxt.nyc.

About Free Speech TV

Free Speech TV is a national, independent, nonprofit news network committed to advancing progressive social change. As the alternative to media networks owned by billionaires, governments and corporations, Free Speech TV elevates unique perspectives through daily news programs, independent documentaries and special events coverage.

Free Speech TV reaches over 38 million households nationally on DISH (channel 9415), DIRECTV (348), and over 150 community cable affiliates. Free Speech TV streams live at freespeech.org and is available on Roku, Apple TV, and maintains an active presence on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Free Speech TV believes a more just and democratic world is possible when the media empowers people with the information they need to fight for what matters.

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