Karishma Manzur: Running a Grassroots Campaign for Senate (Live at Auspicious Brew)
Summary
Host Marissa welcomes Dr. Karishma Minzer to celebrate the One Quick Thing podcast’s one-year anniversary. Minzer shares her personal history, including the 1971 Bangladesh genocide and her family’s immigration journey, to contextualize her advocacy for humane immigration reform and the abolition of ICE. She discusses the financial and moral costs of endless wars, urging voters to oppose the Lake and Riley Act and support ranked choice voting. The episode concludes with practical advice for civic engagement, emphasizing the importance of voting in the upcoming primary election.
Topics discussed
Introduction: The money game and community organizing
One-year anniversary and guest introduction
Dr. Karishma Manzer's background and motivation to run
Practical steps for civic engagement and voting
Personal history: The 1971 Bangladesh war and family trauma
The cost of endless wars and national debt
Immigration experiences and the Bedford incident
Critique of ICE, Laken Riley Act, and humane immigration
Early activism: Veganism and anti-war protests
Volunteering at Ground Zero after 9/11
Balancing activism with family and local nonprofits
Economic issues: Housing, wages, and healthcare
Campaign strategy: Out-organizing and rejecting big money
Call to action: Volunteering and donor ethics
Closing thoughts on hope and the fight ahead
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