Access To Democracy

Mike Ciresi, is recognized as one of the nation’s premier attorneys. As an “Access to Democracy” guest for two decades now, he is a fountainhead of the law and social issues facing not only the legal profession, but the nation. Mike was the attorney in the famous tobacco case which resulted in tens of millions of dollars recovered for the state of Minnesota, following which he established a Foundation which has provided legal education for dozens of underprivileged youths. He discussed current problems and events being faced not only in the profession, but in the state and nation.

Anthony Andler is the well-known proprietor of Heimie’s Haberdashery in St. Paul. He talked of the battle retailers have had since the pandemic began, and the steps that he took to innovate the methods and practices to keep his employees working during the yearlong shutdown. With an online presence (www.heimies.com), the manufacture of masks for health providers, and increasing his leather goods business online, he offset the loss of many of his clothing providers, and he is looking forward to the re-opening of society and the struggle back to normalcy.

John Gordon, executive director of MN ACLU, returned to our show to discuss topics he and Alan didn’t get to during the February interview. Among the issues they covered were protection of free speech, disinformation, police detention of journalists and peaceful protestors, voter suppression activities around the nation and the state, attorney representation for protestors, cases the ACLU gets involved in, and the victory in the Myriam Parada case vs. Anoka County protecting immigrants’ rights.

Tom Gegax and Mary Wescott, co-producers of the documentary film SPARK [website], are a husband and wife team who recently produced the award-winning documentary film following the George Floyd murder. It was their first documentary effort, financed with a significant amount of their own funds. Mary is a native Minnesotan (the name Westcott should ring a bell) and Tom is the founder of Tires Plus, which grew to over 200 locations when he retired a few years ago. They hope that the film, and its message, will help build a better society and lead the fight to end systemic racism.

Pat Anderson has been a frequent Access to Democracy guest since she was Mayor of Eagan around the turn of the century. She has since held several national offices in the GOP and previously also served as MN State Auditor. When Pat and Alan get together, we are guaranteed spirited and interesting interviews from opposite ends of the political spcectrum, and this meeting didn’t disappoint. As opposed to many of today’s political conversations, they maintain a friendship and employ mutual respect.