Hi habibtis, and welcome back. In this episode, I sit down with Sean Orr—writer, musician, activist, and newly elected Vancouver City Councillor with COPE—for a conversation about politics, activism, and the urgency of global solidarity.
Sean shares his journey from Vancouver’s punk and arts scenes to becoming a sharp political writer and now, a municipal politician. We talk about the challenges of holding radical commitments while working inside political systems, and the complexities of balancing grassroots movements with electoral politics.
We also get into the social and political history of Vancouver, including gentrification, policing, and the Downtown Eastside and some reflections on global struggles against apartheid and fascism—from Palestine to local politics including the win of Zohran Mamdani in New York.
This episode also highlights the importance of not letting activism become abstract, the role of stories in movement-building, and how bringing humor and heart into political spaces can help engage new people without losing sight of the seriousness of the work.
I really loved this conversation—it felt honest, thoughtful, and full of the kind of political clarity we need more of right now. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Follow Sean Orr:
Twitter X: @seanorr
Bluesky: seanorr.bsky.social
Instagram: @seanorrofficial
READINGS
Reading group: AUTONOMIA, OCCUPY, COMMUNISM: LEGACIES AND FUTURES
Spill the Tea: Gentrification of Vancouver Chinatown
Vancouver’s Little Saigon Facing Gentrification?
From dishwasher and punk rocker to city councillor: Sean Orr’s unique path to City Hall
Some highlights from Sean’s Writing
On Rampaging White Men, Dummy Mayoral Candidates, and Even More Problems with the Police
Get to Know: Overdose Prevention Society
On Gas Hoarding, House Hoarding and Finding A New Frequency.
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