Trump’s military strike and capture of Venezuela’s authoritarian leader Nicolás Maduro brings questions of international law and power once again to the forefront (not to mention our recent forays into purchasing Greenland). So, in light of the times, we’re interviewing Laura Dunn, esteemed civil rights attorney, TED speaker, and constitutional law afficionado on the authority of the President to take these types of actions, especially in comparison to previous Presidents’ actions - Gaddafi in Libya (Obama), Noriega in Panama (HW Bush).

Have questions, opinions, or curious what other people think on the matter? Want to ask Laura some tough questions (we certainly do)? Get tickets here to reserve your spot. Next Tuesday, January 27th, 6:30 - 8:30 PM.

Upcoming UNMUTED Events

Tuesday, 1/26: An UNMUTED Interview: Law, Power, and Venezuela (link)

Wednesday, 2/4: An UNMUTED x NY Philosophy Club Dialogue: Social Media and Agency (link)

Wednesday, 2/11: An UNMUTED Salon: Accountability in Politics (link)

Check out all our events here

The events I’ve got my eye on in the next two weeks. Check them out!

🗓 Monday, January 19
•12 PM – MLK Day Celebration: The Whole Human Family
Subject: MLK
Where: Adler Hall, 2 West 64th Street, New York, NY 10023
Who: New York Society for Ethical Culture
What: Multigenerational MLK Day program celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy through music, storytelling, dance, and participatory workshops rooted in justice, dignity, and beloved community. Activities include a family circle with songs and stories, the Ubuntu Dance Parade, Every Voice Choirs community singing for peace and justice, Ubuntu Drum & Dance Workshop, and MLK birthday cake.

🗓 Tuesday, January 20
•6:30 PM – Free to Teach: Democracy, Citizenship and the Search for Knowledge
Subject: Education, Democracy, Social Perspective
Where: The New York Historical, 170 Central Park West, New York, NY
Who: The New York Historical
What: A honest discussion on the state of Higher Ed in light of the Trump admin’s crackdown on universities. Featuring a former Columbia President, this is an analysis of what universities need to reckon with, as well as where the current admin has gone too far.

6:30 PM - Transportation Alternatives Manhattan Committee
Subject: Transportation, Activism 
Where: Location provided upon RSVP
Who: Transportation Alternatives Manhattan Committee
What: Advocacy meeting focused on safer streets, transit policy, and urban mobility. Happens once a month. I don’t usually post these type of action oriented events, but it’s a cool and important area, so if it’s your passion to make New York more walkable and bikeable, this is for you!

🗓 Wednesday, January 21
•6:30 PM – New Amsterdam and Four Hundred Years of History
Subject: History, New York City, THE DUTCH
Where: 35 W 44th St, New York, NY 10036
Who: Harvard Club of New York
What: If you haven’t read that really, really long book Gotham, this is a great way to get a primer on New York City’s early history - all the back to when New York City was called New Amsterdam! Not sure if we’ll save America with this talk, but who knows.

•7 PM – Bridging the Divide: Forming a New Alliance Between the Black and Jewish Communities
Subject: Race, Religion, Bridging Divides
Where: 92NY, 1395 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10128
Who: Race, Religion, Bridging Divides
What: Panel conversation about the evolving relationship between Black and Jewish communities in the United States, exploring historical alliances, contemporary challenges, and strategies for renewed solidarity and joint civic engagement. I’m pretty interested in this, to be honest, and I wonder if they’ll discuss the racial and religious tensions between the two groups in NYC during the 70s, 80s, and 90s and the Left’s relationship with Israel today.

🗓 Thursday, January 22
•6 PM – Understanding Chronic Absenteeism and School Avoidance
Subject: Education, Legal, Policy
Where: 42 West 44th Street, New York, NY
Who: New York City Bar Association
What: A discussion on the causes of chronic absenteeism in school and the policy and legal options we have to combat them.

•6:30 PM – Global Challenge to Democracy and Lessons for Renewal
Subject: Democracy, Solutions, Rule of Law
Where: The Liederkranz Club, 6 E. 87th Street
Who: 1014
What: Countries across the West are questioning long-standing principles of free speech, accountability, and rule of law. What can we learn from recent events in the United States and Europe, as well as from others facing similar challenges around the world? I like this event type because the discussion will be focused around learnings and potential solutions. It’s always easier (but also, always important) to diagnose the problem, but solutions matter too.

🗓 Friday, January 23
•6 PM – How Violence Works: An Introduction to René Girard’s Mimetic Theory
Subject: Philosophy, Violence, Politics
Where: Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (SNFL), 7th Floor Event Center, 455 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Who: New York Public Library
What: Scholar Babak Ebrahimian presents René Girard’s mimetic theory, exploring the mechanisms of conflict, desire, and the roots of violence in human behavior and history. This is the type of event that I typically stay away from, since its philosophy. But political violence is real and it’s getting worse. Understanding where it comes from as a base emotion is important!

🗓 Saturday, January 24
None I found interesting

🗓 Sunday, January 25
•12 PM - Blue Book Club: Stubborn Attachments
Subject: Literature, Politics
Where: Fractal Tech, 111 Conselyea Street, 2nd Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Who: Maximum New York
What: Book club reading Stubborn Attachments: A Vision for a Society of Free, Prosperous, and Responsible Individuals by Tyler Cowen (he is a big contributor of the Free Press). The event includes a timed written exam on the book (12:00–12:45pm), grading and social time (12:45–1:00pm), and a book discussion format afterward based on participation. It’s like going back to school lol. But actually, I might be going…text me if interested (978) 302 5849

🗓 Monday, January 26
•6:30 PM – Ambassador Series: Ibrahim Olabi
Subject: Syria, UN, Ambassador NYC
Where: Penn Club, 30 W 44th St, New York, NY 10036
Who: United Nations Association of New York
What: A members only event (but membership can be purchased…) with the new Syrian Ambassador to the UN. Will be a fascinating look into what the new Syrian regime wants to portray to the rest of the world

🗓 Tuesday, January 27
•6:30 PM – Politics & Policy: Building Strong Ties with the Mamdani Administration
Subject: Policy, Mamdani, NYC
Where: citizenM New York Times Square, 790 Eighth Avenue, NY, NY 10019
Who: Sequoia Baker
What: A meet and greet with members of the Mamdani administration - part show, part tell. Mamdani admin talks about their plans on various parts of government (including Trump, which I don’t really understand what that has to do with NYC), and gives people in the audience time to discuss their concerns or suggestions.

•6:30 PM – An UNMUTED Interview: Law, Power, and Venezuela
Subject: Venezuela, NY-12, International
Where: Jack Demsey’s, 36 W 33rd St, New York, NY 10001
Who: UNMUTED
What: ​Panel discussion and networking mixer focused on navigating the immigration journey as an African. “Hear from experienced voices, gain practical insights, and connect with others within the community.” Not a lot of context otherwise, but seems interesting and useful? Will probably feature immigration lawyers.

🗓 Wednesday, January 28
•6 PM – Safety and Security Summit with Rob Chadwick
Subject: National Security, Public Safety, Law and Order
Where: 122 E 83rd St, New York, NY 10028
Who: Metropolitan Republican Club
What: A discussion with former FBI exec Rob Chadwick, focused on Maduro, Portland, NYC crime, etc. Pretty standard Republican law and order mixed with international politics. Fancy place though! Worth a check.

•6:30 PM – Endangered Lawyers? Attorney Independence in DOJ
Subject: DOJ, Trump, Independence
Where: 42 West 44th Street, New York, NY
Who: New York Bar Association
What: If you know me, I don’t have the MOST sympathy for lawyers. They tend to get in the way of getting anything done, and are obsessed with process over results to a fault. That said, not having independent lawyers is probably bad! This talk will discuss.

🗓 Thursday, January 29
•6:30 PM – Trailblazers in Healthcare 2026
Subject: Comedy, Politics, Propriety
Where: 267 Fifth Avenue (at 29th Street), New York, NY 10016
Who: City & State NY
What: Annual recognition event honoring healthcare trailblazers whose leadership in government relations, advocacy, academia, business, and community impact is shaping the future of healthcare in New York and beyond. Includes welcoming remarks, keynote speakers, honoree presentations, and networking reception. If you’re interested - email [email protected] to see if you can get in!

🗓 Friday, January 30
•9:30 PM – Alternative Medicine: [UNREDACTED] 
Subject: Comedy, Politics, Healthcare
Where: 21A Clinton Street, New York, NY 10002
Who: Caveat NYC
What: A late-night live show about health, science, and culture and pushing against mainstream sentiment. Feels like this might be a bit….RFKy and anti-vaccine? Or not! I don’t know, but I’m….intrigued?

🗓 Saturday, January 31
•10 AM - Current Events in Government & Politics
Subject: Politics, Discussion, Library
Where: 8202 13th Avenue (@ 82nd Street), Brooklyn, NY 11228
Who: Brooklyn Public Library
What: I guess a weekly discussion group for adults focused on current events related to government and politics, offering civic dialogue, community engagement, and shared analysis of contemporary public affairs. The description is pretty barren and if I was making a bet on Kalshi I’d say this is for very liberal retirees.

🗓 Sunday, February 1
None I found interesting!

Show up, think deeper, and as always, stay Unmuted!

The Unmuted Team