Fight Against The Apache Land Grab and Neocolonization!

Russell Means is watching, and even those not in tune to the continued neocolonial acts of the US Government towards American Indians have taken notice of the conflict surrounding Oak Flat.

Borrowed from an Indian Country piece on the issue, "Late last year, Arizona Senators John McCain and Jeff Flake attached a land-swap measure to a must-pass defense bill in which ownership of 2,400 acres of Apache holy land—public lands that were supposed to be immune from such treatment—was transferred to a mining company. Resolution Copper wants what is under that land and is willing to destroy it to get to the prized metals underneath."

As revolting as this is and may seem to some, it's nothing new. Native Americans have been fighting to protect their sacred sites, retain their cultural heritage, and protect traditional resources since first contact. The American Indian Movement (AIM) of the 1970's with the words of leader Russell Means helped lead to a revival of justice during the "Red Power" movement. But with cases like Oak Flat, business as usual continues.

If you stand in solidarity for people and the planet learn more about the history of genocide brought to Indigenous people across the world. Learn more about how even in an age of understanding the atrocities of the past, continued oppression exists through cases like this one centered on Oak Flat. Find out how you can play a part, standing in solidarity with those who have no choice, but to either fight, or succumb to capitalism once again empowered through the political system, viewing people, ecosystems and culture as nothing but a barrier to increased profits. This link highlights the July march on Washington. It is offered here, with this post, as a way to not let the information die, but rather showcase it as something folks that believe in peace, sustainability and justice can rally around to fight and win a battle, in the war for all living things, especially those who continue to be disproportionally dominated.

History Is Made | One Flag Up, One Flag Down

It's been a historic few weeks. With the ever present tone of continued turmoil across the world, let us reflect on a battle fought and won with regards to a symbol of oppression coming down, and a symbol of human rights going up in the U.S.

It's beautiful, isn't it? Such a simple cartoon, yet it's so profound.

If you come across someone who's defensive of the confederate flag, think about passing on this piece. Here, there is undeniable evidence, from the creator of the flag:

I'd say there's not much heritage to protect, unless it's one built on racism, slavery, and oppression through a belief in white supremacy. It's a beautiful thing, that flag has come down in South Carolina, but will it remain exalted elsewhere?

On the flip side, in a movement to support equality for all, sexuality as a tool of oppression took a major hit as the Supreme Court voted to make same-sex marriage a human right. It's a major win for people across the world who believe in peace, justice and sustainability.

Imagine, if you are heterosexual, not being able to freely love the one you love because you are homosexual. Put yourself in someone else's shoes. Think about community, respect, and being human. This is one of the greatest things to come from the Supreme Court in this history of its creation.

The war wages on, but in every war, battles are fought and victories, as small as they may seem in the grand scheme, should be celebrated. One symbol of hate down, one symbol of love and justice up.

In Solidarity.

 

Utah's Strategy for the Homeless: Give Them Homes

This is not the first time we've shared thoughts from the below linked piece, but issues of homelessness or houselessness remain at the forefront of social justice and community health projects across the world. Time and time again the ugly face of elitist environmentalism shows its true colors when issues like these are present. Why is it so difficult for people to see that the houseless population is a part of the population?

Usually, issues of race, class, gender, sexuality, ability and age are central in such discourse. But the rampant manner that so many choose to demonize those who are on the street continues as unabated as the perpetuation of corporate control of American politics. I ask you, the next time you see someone who's houseless, ask yourself, "Do they want this existence?" Believe it or not, many answer yes as a direct result of their disenfranchisement from status quo society.

The other main question is to, like most issues of social justice, and in regards to those who don't want to be in such a position, how did s/he get here? Why are they here? What might support this person in regaining a sense of autonomy over their own life? Whether it's abuse as a child, drugs and crime as a way to escape a plagued reality, or impacts from serving in the military, bringing a sense of well-being to houseless folks across the world is one of the most difficult, important issues in the fight to achieve peace, justice and sustainability.

Take a look at this report from Utah, look outward, and think more critically, with compassion, love and respect the next time you engage with a member of the houseless community. In Solidarity.
 

19 Years of Essential Interviews with Noam Chomsky

It's far from a new report that the folks at Peace, Justice and Sustainability believe Democracy Now! is one of the most, if not the most accurate, justice driven news source in the US. Recently, they've made all of their interviews with globally recognized political activist Noam Chomsky available for video streaming and listening.

Head here to the page in question where you'll find hours upon hours of thought provoking interviews. From calls of accountability, to issues of war and peace, let this post serve as something you can go back to when you're ready to marinate on the critical thought necessary to bring about peace, justice and sustainability to a world fueled by corrupt power, framed through numerous interlocking systems of oppression.
 

Celebrate Labor Rights and Immigrant Rights this May Day, aka, International Worker's Day | May 1st, 2015

Do you celebrate May Day? Ever wonder about its activist history? Salon republished this piece that was originally printer by AlterNet. Check it out, learn about the move to evolve this ancient celebratory day into International Worker's Day, and stand in solidarity for economic justice, labor rights, and immigrant rights. The above photo from 1886 depicts the Haymarket affair, a key event that helped spur the May Day movement.

From Salon/AlterNet: American general strikes—or rather, American calls for general strikes, like the one Occupy Los Angeles issued last December that has been endorsed by over 150 general assemblies—are tinged with nostalgia. AlterNetThe last real general strike in this country, which is to say, the last general strike that shut down a city, was in Oakland, Calif. in 1946—though journalist John Nichols has suggested that what we saw in Madison, Wisconsin last year was a sort of general strike.

When we call a general strike, or talk of one, we refer not to a current mode of organizing; we refer back, implicitly or explicitly, to some of the most militant moments in American working-class history. People posting on the Occupy strike blog How I Strike have suggested that next week’s May Day is highly symbolic. As we think about and develop new ways of “general striking,” we also reconnect with a past we’ve mostly forgotten. So it makes sense that this year’s call for an Occupy general strike—whatever ends up happening on Tuesday—falls on May 1.

May Day is a beautifully American holiday, one created by American workers, crushed by the American government incubated abroad, and returned to the United States by immigrant workers. The history of May 1 as a workers’ holiday is intimately tied to the generations-long movement for the eight-hour day, to immigrant workers, to police brutality and repression of the labor movement, and to the long tradition of American anarchism. Perhaps the first nation-wide labor movement in the United States started in 1864, when workers began to agitate for an eight-hour day. This was, in their understanding, a natural outgrowth of the abolition of slavery; a limited work day allowed workers to spend more time with their families, to pursue education, and to enjoy leisure time. In other words, a shorter work day meant freedom.

It was not for nothing that in 1866, workers celebrated the Fourth of July by singing “John Brown’s Body” with new lyrics demanding an eight-hour day. Agitating for shorter hours became a broad-based mass movement, and skilled and unskilled workers organized together. The movement would allow no racial, national or even religious divisions. Workers built specific organizations—Eight Hour Leagues—but they also used that momentum to establish new unions and strengthen old ones. That year, the Eight Hour Movement gained its first legislative victory when Illinois passed a law limiting work hours.

Continue Reading at Salon 

Baltimore

You can trace the roots of the recent Baltimore uprising back to the LA race riots of 1965 and 1992. What can and should be done when those who are vested with the power to serve and protect the people, continue to show that such power has not only been abused, but it has consistently been abused in a disproportionate manner against people of color?

And to be more specific, when compounded with the rise of the prison industrial complex and its focus on African-American youth, what is to be done when one confronts the uneven orientation towards unnecessarily causing harm, even death to those particular people? Well, the people of Baltimore are not keeping quiet.

The recent civil unrest in the US started on April 25th as a response to the death of Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old African-American who died in police custody after being arrested. As the story goes, Gray was arrested, but later passed due to injuries sustained during his arrest. Six police officers are currently under suspension pending further investigation. Based on protests that erupted after Gray's funeral, thousands of police and Maryland Army National Guard troops have been deployed to Baltimore, a state of emergency has been declared in the city limits, and hundreds have been arrested. What can you do, learn and contribute to what's happening in Baltimore?

Click the links on 1965 and 1992 above and gain some context. Sort through some news feeds to read differing perspectives/thoughts on the matter, then read this. Kirsten Clodfelter speaks wisdom and offers truth.

All the sigs are here. The earth is at a tipping point environmentally, even the fattest fat cat knows capitalism is failing as more and more realize its destructive nature, and more and more, people are not letting oppressive power continue in tyranny without at least a fight.

In respect to all who are loved ones of Mr. Gray, and with the continued hope for a world of equal rights and justice, I hope you can continue searching to find your voce in this movement and contribute. There's never been a better time.

 With love to Baltimore and in solidarity.

Education for Activism and Beyond

There are so many issues in the world, with so many outlets reporting, yet time and time again people ask how they can become more knowledgeable about the various socio-envieonmnetal issues plaguing our planet.

In a much deserved shout out, check out South End Press and AK Press. From there, you'll uncover more literature than you'll know what to do with. Having a tough time reading all that theory? Buy yourself a Slingshot organizer. They're an inexpensive way to stay knowledgeable, activated and to keep up-to-date with historical events that have paved the way for the present.

Zines are another rad way to maintain in this life of oppression and injustice. Just remember, take care of yourself and your health, and when you're ready, continue educating and communicating struggle in any way you can. These inked sources are a gift, and with people like you, there can be another world for us all!

In solidarity