All In With Chris Hayes Season 2018 Episode 33 Jason Kander, Mark Barden
- Not Rated
- February 21, 2018
- 383 min
On episode 33 of the 2018 season of All In With Chris Hayes, host Chris Hayes sits down with two special guests: Jason Kander and Mark Barden. Kander, a former Army Intelligence Officer and Missouri secretary of state, is the founder of Let America Vote, an organization dedicated to protecting voting rights against voter suppression efforts. Barden is the co-founder and managing director of Sandy Hook Promise, a nonprofit organization focused on preventing gun violence in schools and communities.
Throughout the episode, Hayes dives into the work that both Kander and Barden are doing to combat some of the most pressing issues facing the United States today. Whether it's fighting back against restrictive voting laws that disproportionately impact marginalized communities, or advocating for common-sense gun reform in the wake of repeated mass shootings, Kander and Barden are at the forefront of some of the most important battles in American politics.
One key topic of discussion during the episode is the role that young people are playing in advocacy efforts today. Kander explains that he has been inspired by the young activists who have emerged in the aftermath of events like the Parkland shooting, and who are leading the charge for change in areas like gun control and voting rights. Barden echoes this sentiment, noting that Sandy Hook Promise is largely driven by the voices of young people who are demanding a safer future for themselves and their communities.
Hayes also delves into some of the challenges that both Kander and Barden have faced in their work. For Kander, the biggest hurdle has been the onslaught of voter suppression tactics that he has seen in his home state of Missouri and beyond. From strict voter ID laws to purging of voter rolls, Kander says that these efforts are part of a deliberate attempt to silence certain voices and maintain the status quo.
Barden, meanwhile, has had to navigate a political landscape that has been resistant to many of the reforms that Sandy Hook Promise is advocating for. However, he remains steadfast in his commitment to the cause, and believes that there is a groundswell of support building for common-sense gun laws that will help to prevent future tragedies.
Throughout the episode, Hayes brings his trademark insight and rigor to the conversation, pushing Kander and Barden to clarify their positions and explain how they plan to achieve their goals. The result is a compelling and informative discussion that sheds light on some of the most important issues facing our country today, and highlights the work of two inspirational advocates who are making a real difference in the world.