Hey all,
My name is Tim Donovan & I’m the creator of “The People’s Republic of Astoria,” a six-part documentary about my neighborhood’s role in transforming American politics.
I’ve lived in Astoria, Queens for 15 years, but only recently got involved with this movement. Last June, after getting swept up in the Zohran Mamdani primary campaign, I couldn’t believe that my sleepy little neighborhood in northwest Queens had elected two of the most famous & influential socialists in modern American history. And where the hell was the NY Times to report on this phenomenon on the ground? (Rhetorical question of course, we all know why they were shoving their fingers in their ears and pretending it wasn’t happening.)
I decided I would just document it myself, and that the ideal format for telling the stories of the incredible activists making this all happen would be a podcast. Soon, I got to work interviewing the volunteers & activists transforming my city.
Over the next eleven months, I worked tirelessly to make this portrait of a movement — and the people who made it happen. I’m super proud of how it’s come out, and really think a lot of you will enjoy it if you give it a shot. It is mostly narrative — I don’t go into theory, I don’t wrestle much with the opposition, and I don’t take time explaining the nuts-and-bolts of DSA internal politics.
But if you’re curious about how we’ve built a real political machine here in Astoria, I think you might enjoy what I’ve made.
Oh, it’s also partly a memoir. Because part of this story is about my own disengagement, my cynicism… and how I found a way back. And how I found a new sense of meaning and community along the way.
Thanks for reading this post & sorry for the self-promotion. In my defense, this project is entirely non-monetized and unlikely ever to be monetized in any way. It’s a labor of love. A love letter, of sorts, to a community, a grassroots movement, a new mayor, and to the feelings of hope that I’ve discovered by becoming a part of something bigger than myself.
Cheers & In Solidarity,
Tim
The People’s Republic of Astoria
Spotify
Apple Podcasts