New York City has been the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic in the U.S.

African communities in New York City⁠—already hard hit by homelessness, gentrification, police brutality and murder, joblessness, hunger⁠—are bearing the brunt of COVID-19 deaths.

On May 18, The New York Times wrote, “Neighborhoods with high concentrations of black and Latino people, as well as low-income residents, suffered the highest death rates, while some wealthier areas — primarily in Manhattan — saw almost no deaths.”

This week The People’s War radio show goes live to New York City to talk with two long-term black community activists. Malik Shakur and Oronde Shakur are both organizers with the International People’s Democratic Uhuru Movement (InPDUM).

They discuss “essential workers,” “masking while black” and the roots of the high rates of death among African people in the current pandemic.

Hosted by Ticharwa Masimba and Matop Nyungu, the The People’s War weekly radio show features guests covering all aspects of the current crisis—providing health and medical tips and resources, economic survival information, analysis of the political and international impact, how to prepare for the future and organize for community self-determination.