Keith Boykin, Cicely Gay, and Rev. Barber on Government Overreach

Contrarian News | The Tea with April Ryan featuring Keith Boykin, Cicely Gay, and Rev. William Barber on ICE raids, federal force, and the fight for democracy. In this Contrarian News edition of The Tea with April, April Ryan brings together author and Democratic strategist Keith Boykin, Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation chairwoman Cicely Gay, and Rev. William Barber of Repairers of the Breach to examine ICE raids in Los Angeles, the deployment of the National Guard and Marines, the handcuffing of U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, nationwide protests, and the moral, political, and human consequences of government power being turned inward on the people. Watch, then drop your take: 1) What does the treatment of elected officials like Senator Alex Padilla signal about the current state of democracy? 2) Are federal force and military presence being used to protect public safety or to intimidate dissent? 3) How should communities respond when protest, policy, and power collide? Resources mentioned: • Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation • Repairers of the Breach / Moral Mondays • Indivisible movement • Medicaid and Medicare policy impacts Chapters: 00:00 April Ryan opens The Tea with April and frames the national moment 02:01 ICE raids in Los Angeles and warnings of force against protests 03:20 Detention and handcuffing of U.S. Senator Alex Padilla 03:43 Introduction of Keith Boykin 05:04 Boykin reports from Los Angeles on protests and National Guard presence 07:20 Media narratives versus conditions on the ground in downtown LA 07:50 Pattern of lawmakers being removed, arrested, or threatened 16:12 Introduction of Cicely Gay, Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation 17:09 Historical parallels to civil rights–era state violence 18:18 Strategy, resilience, and community care amid escalation 20:46 LAPD horseback footage and echoes of past abuses 23:02 Manufactured crises and federal overreach 29:25 Introduction of Rev. William Barber 30:35 No Kings Day protests and concerns over military parades 31:27 Moral framing of fear, authoritarianism, and resistance 40:16 Medicaid, Medicare, and the human cost of proposed legislation 52:03 Call to action for Moral Mondays and organized nonviolent protest 57:45 April Ryan reflects on humanity, self-care, and civic responsibility 59:17 Closing remarks and looking ahead If this conversation moved you, share it with a friend and keep the dialogue going.