In this livestream interview, Lee Camp speaks with Medea Benjamin, the co-founder of the female-led anti-war group CODEPINK. Benjamin has been on a tour of late, discussing her most recent book, " War in Ukraine: Making Sense of a Senseless Conflict." The book delves into the ongoing conflict and aims to raise awareness and inspire grassroots activism to prevent a potential World War III.
The interview begins with Camp mentioning some of his previous interviews with notable figures such as Julian Assange's wife, Stella, and Julian's father, John Shipton.
Camp then plays a video of Benjamin's most recent disruption, which took place at an event hosted by a Washington think tank and featuring Adam Smith, the hawkish head of the House Armed Services Committee. In the clip, Benjamin can be heard shutting down Smith's speech and bringing attention to the dangers of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the potential for nuclear war.
Benjamin explained that Smith was giving a talk at the Brookings Institute about his work, but she felt it was important to bring attention to the fact that the ongoing conflict in Ukraine - fueled by billions of dollars in military spending - is taking us to the brink of nuclear war. She references the chair of the Joint Chief of Staff, Mark Milley, who said that negotiations are necessary to prevent war.
Throughout the interview, Camp and Benjamin continue to discuss the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the dangers of escalating military spending. They also touch on the importance of peaceful negotiations and the role of grassroots activism in preventing war. The interview ends with Benjamin encouraging viewers to read her book and get involved in the movement to prevent war and promote peace.
Benjamin also speaks about her experiences as an anti-war activist and the challenges she has faced along the way. Mainstream corporate media refuse to cover issues related to war and peace properly, so it falls to activists and alternative media to raise awareness of the most important stories of our time.
Tirelessly committed to non-violent resistance in achieving change, Benjamin notes that one of the key factors holding society back is the lack of transparency and accountability in government. By keeping the public in the dark about the true costs and consequences of war, politicians can continue pushing for military spending and escalating conflicts without facing any real opposition. She calls on the public to demand more from their representatives and to hold them accountable for their actions.
International cooperation, Benjamin insists, is absolutely crucial in addressing the extinction-level threats of nuclear war and climate change. She argues that the current system, in which nations act in their own self-interest, is unsustainable and leads to conflicts and war. Instead, what must be built is a system in which nations work together to find peaceful solutions to global issues.
The interview provides a thought-provoking and insightful look into the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the dangers of escalating military spending. "War in Ukraine: Making Sense of a Senseless Conflict" is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the conflict and the impact it has on the world. Benjamin's message of peaceful activism and grassroots mobilization is sorely needed in today's world, and her dedication to raising awareness and promoting peace is an inspiration to us all.
Lee Camp is an American stand-up comedian, writer, actor and activist. Camp is the host of Behind The Headlines' new series: The Most Censored News With Lee Camp. He is a former comedy writer for the Onion and the Huffington Post and has been a touring stand-up comic for 20 years.