On the September 8, 2026 episode of Mic Check, host Mike Merli sat down live in the studio with Jon Phillips.

Jon is a Bethel resident, father, and longtime technology executive. He is a volunteer with Bethel Defends Democracy, a grassroots progressive group that has brought neighbors together for 80 consecutive weeks of peaceful rallies in the center of Bethel.

Jon believes democracy depends on ordinary people showing up, speaking out, and staying engaged in their communities, and that even in deeply divided times, we should never lose sight of the fact that we are all neighbors.

Bethel Defends Democracy holds a weekly rally, open to all, every Saturday from 11am to 12:30pm, at the corner of Greenwood Avenue and Library Place in Bethel, Connecticut.

For more on Bethel Defends Democracy, and to sign up for their newsletter:

http://bethelrallies.org

bit.ly/BethelRalliesNewsletter

Questions and Feedback for future rallies is always welcome at:

BethelDefendsDemocracyRallies@gmail.com

BLACK AUGUST MIXTAPE 2026 - VOLUME 2
{Originally broadcast on WPKN on August 27, 2026}

On the August 3, 2026 episode of Mic Check, Mike Merli interviewed Shaenna Taylor. During the discussion, they spoke about the Bridgeport Police murder of Dyshan Best last March, as well as the subsequent prosecution of, not the officers involved, but Dyshan’s friend Joseph Thompson aka Joe Grits. Joe is a beloved community activist, and a close friend of Shaenna's and Dyshan's. Joe's grief was criminalized, and he became a political prisoner, sentenced to 7 years suspended after 3.

Letters of solidarity for Joe can be sent to:
Joseph Thompson
#322513
Corrigan CI
986 Norwich-New London Turnpike
Uncasville, CT 06382

Throughout the second half of August, host Mike Merli used two Mic Check episodes to honor Black August, which is an annual month-long observance that is rooted in the recognition of those who made profound sacrifices in the lineage and struggle for Black liberation.

Black August was launched in 1979 by incarcerated members of the Black Guerrilla Family in San Quentin Prison, as a way to honor the lives of brothers Jonathan Jackson and George Jackson, both murdered by the state, in August of 1970 and 1971, respectively. There are many individuals within the Black liberation movement who have been honored during Black August observances over the past several decades. Many were killed by police or other government agents. Many were incarcerated and spent decades behind bars as political prisoners. The annual observance is a means to honor the sacrifices of those who came before, while re-committing to supporting those who are behind bars today (both political and social prisoners).

During this program, we hear Black August Mixtape 2026 - Volume 2, dedicated to Joe Grits, who is sitting in prison right now a political prisoner.

In the first half of the program, we hear a segment from host Mike Merli's June 9, 2026 interview with Joe, before his sentencing hearing took place. Joe speaks about his journey, his music and activism, and the unthinkable and tragic murder of his friend Dyshan Best by Bridgeport Police Officers on March 31, 2025.

The second half of the program features an interview that Shaenna Taylor conducted over the phone with Joe, after his prison sentence began. Speaking from Corrigan Correctional Institution in Uncasville, Connecticut, Joe meditates on the conditions he has experienced and observed in Connecticut’s prison system. And he reflects on his hopes and dreams for himself and his loved ones, Bridgeport, and Dyshan Best’s family.

This program is a collaboration between host Mike Merli and Abolition Ummah, a Muslim-led grassroots organization that organizes in solidarity with incarcerated folks here in Connecticut.

The music featured in Black August Mixtape 2026 was produced by Captain Pharo, and provided for this purpose by Alyssa Hughes.

BLACK AUGUST MIXTAPE 2026 - VOLUME 1
{Originally broadcast on WPKN on August 18, 2026}

On the August 3, 2026 episode of Mic Check, Mike Merli interviewed Shaenna Taylor. During the discussion, they spoke about the Bridgeport Police murder of Dyshan Best last March, as well as the subsequent prosecution of, not the officers involved, but Dyshan’s friend Joseph Thompson aka Joe Grits. Joe is a beloved community activist, and a close friend of Shaenna's and Dyshan's. Joe's grief was criminalized, and he became a political prisoner, sentenced to 7 years suspended after 3.

Letters of solidarity for Joe can be sent to:
Joseph Thompson
#322513
Corrigan CI
986 Norwich-New London Turnpike
Uncasville, CT 06382

Throughout the second half of August, host Mike Merli used two Mic Check episodes to honor Black August, which is an annual month-long observance that is rooted in the recognition of those who made profound sacrifices in the lineage and struggle for Black liberation.

Black August was launched in 1979 by incarcerated members of the Black Guerrilla Family in San Quentin Prison, as a way to honor the lives of brothers Jonathan Jackson and George Jackson, both murdered by the state, in August of 1970 and 1971, respectively. There are many individuals within the Black liberation movement who have been honored during Black August observances over the past several decades. Many were killed by police or other government agents. Many were incarcerated and spent decades behind bars as political prisoners. The annual observance is a means to honor the sacrifices of those who came before, while re-committing to supporting those who are behind bars today (both political and social prisoners).

During this program, we hear Black August Mixtape 2026 - Volume 1, which features reports from two incarcerated Muslim brothers here in Connecticut: Brother Jabbar and Brother Jamil.

Letters of solidarity for Jabbar can be sent to:
Kenneth Brown
#326008
Cheshire CI
900 Highland Avenue
Cheshire, CT 06410

Letters of solidarity for Jamil can be sent to:
Jamil Khidr
#143853
Bridgeport CC
1106 North Avenue
Bridgeport, CT 06604

This program is a collaboration between host Mike Merli and Abolition Ummah, a Muslim-led grassroots organization that organizes in solidarity with incarcerated folks here in Connecticut.

The music featured in Black August Mixtape 2026 was produced by Captain Pharo, and provided for this purpose by Alyssa Hughes.