Editor’s Note From Rivera Sun
There are some issues that all nonviolent activists and social movements should work together on to defend the right to organize for change: freeing political prisoners is one of them. (Protecting and expanding the right to protest, assemble, unionize, and free speech are a few others, in case you were wondering.) In the United Kingdom, a coalition of groups including Defend Our Juries, Just Stop Oil, Palestine Action, Extinction Rebellion, Animal Rising and Greenpeace brought together 320 people for a 90-minute sit-in that transformed the road into a photographic exhibition of political prisoners past and present in the UK and around the world. Over 100 prisoners were displayed in this powerful action. It comes at a time when climate and pro-Palestinian activists are facing increasing arrests and longer prison sentences. Standing up for political prisoners, together, is a strategic move for the movements.
In other Nonviolence News, Georgia state prosecutors dropped all 15 counts of money laundering leveled against Stop Cop City organizers in the United States. (This should send a sigh of relief through all US-based activists worried about coordinating bail funds and activist support funds.) And the UK courts delivered a major win to climate activists when it ruled that two Just Stop Oil protesters were ‘not guilty’, and found that gluing themselves to the floor of an art museum was warranted due to the severity of the climate crisis. Domestic workers in California won a piece of historic legislation, gaining safety and occupational hazard protections (OSHA) within private homes. We can also cheer for the flight attendants at American Airlines who threatened to strike and won a 20% raise effective immediately and retroactive pay.
After a rapid strike, 45,000 dockworkers from Maine to Texas won a tentative agreement and returned to work. Thousands of Portuguese residents protested across 24 cities for their constitutional right to affordable housing. Spain launched a general strike against the genocide in Gaza. Thousands of US citizens demonstrated against Netanyahu’s visit to the United Nations in New York. Many diplomats walked out on his speech in a public condemnation of his government’s assault on Gaza and more recently Lebanon.
One story I especially appreciated was the 90-city day of action held by the American Postal Workers Union. What do they want? Not higher wages (though I’m sure they’d appreciate those). They want reliable and prompt vote-by-mail systems to be protected for ballots and elections mail. Given the high stakes of the US’ 2024 election – and the critical role that mail-in ballots play in verifiable elections – the postal workers’ protests are an act of public service for the nation. I commend them.
In solidarity,
Rivera Sun
Labor Laws Have Largely Excluded Domestic Workers. A Movement Is Changing That. Activists in California are celebrating a historic legislative victory for domestic workers and vow to push for more. Read more>>
Dockworkers Suspend Strike After Winning Tentative Deal With 62% Wage Boost: The union representing East and Gulf Coast dockworkers suspended its strike on Thursday after reaching a tentative agreement with shipping giants that reportedly includes a 62% wage boost over six years. “When we STRIKE, we WIN!” said the AFL-CIO, the nation’s largest federation of unions, following the announcement of the deal by the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA). Read more>>
Strike Threat Wins Boarding and Retro Pay at American Airlines: Flight attendants at American Airlines were celebrating September 12 after approving a new five-year agreement by 87 percent, with 95 percent turnout. They won a big retroactive pay package and an immediate wage increase of 20 percent. Read more>>
Georgia’s Repressive Tactics Unravel In ‘Stop Cop City’ Case: In a surprising but significant turn of events, on September 24, Georgia prosecutors have dropped all 15 counts of money laundering against three prominent activists involved in the “Stop Cop City” movement. Read more>>
Ancestral Land Returned to Onondaga Nation: The Onondaga Nation has regained 1,000 acres (405 hectares) of its ancestral land in upstate New York, a tiny portion of the land members say was unjustly taken by the state beginning in the 18th century. The land, which includes headwaters of Onondaga Creek, was transferred by Honeywell International on Friday under a federal Superfund settlement related to the contamination of the environment, according to the Onondaga Nation. Read more>>
Just Stop Oil ‘Turner Two’ NOT GUILTY After Gluing Themselves To Famous Masterpiece: Two Just Stop Oil supporters who glued onto the frame of a Turner masterpiece as part of a wave of actions targeting art galleries in 2022, were acquitted on Wednesday 2 October. They took action demanding that the UK government halts all licensing and consents for new fossil fuel exploration and extraction – a demand that is now government policy. Read more>>
Assange Was A Political Prisoner, Council Of Europe Parliamentarians Declare In Vote: The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe recognized that the WikiLeaks founder had been prosecuted and detained as a political prisoner. The resolution urged the United States to reform the Espionage Act and “make its application conditional to the presence of a malicious intent to harm the national security of the United States or to aid a foreign power” and “exclude the application of the Espionage Act to publishers, journalists and whistleblowers,” especially those who try to inform the public about war crimes, torture, and illegal surveillance. Read more>>
320 Activists Transform Road Into Exhibit of Political Prisoners: 320 members of groups including Defend Our Juries, Just Stop Oil, Palestine Action, Extinction Rebellion, Animal Rising and Greenpeace transformed the road into a photographic exhibition of political prisoners past & present. Read more>>
Thousands In New York City Protest Netanyahu And Bombing of Lebanon: In the last few days, New York City police arrested scores of protesters against the bombing of Lebanon and the presence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the United Nations General Assembly. Read more>>
University Students Rally Behind Expelled Encampment Leader: Over 100 pro-Palestine activists rallied and marched to the office of Case Western Reserve University on Sept. 18 in protest of the expulsion of Yousef Khalaf, a leader of the Gaza Solidarity Encampment. Read more>>
Campaign Nonviolence Updates & Action Reports: With 5,238+ actions and events to “build a culture of active nonviolence”, the Campaign Nonviolence Action Days, Sept 21-Oct 2, shares photos, stories, and actions reports from communities across the US and around the world. Read more>>
Third World March For Peace & Nonviolence Departs: On October 2, Gandhi’s birthday, the Third World March for Peace and Nonviolence departs from San José, Costa Rica. It will return after traveling around the world on January 5, 2025. Costa Rica was chosen as the starting and finishing point of the March because of its characteristic of being a state without an army, a very significant factor in these times of conflicts and wars. Read more>>
Postal Workers Hold Nationwide Day of Action: On Oct. 1 in 90 cities, postal workers held a day of action to promote vote-by-mail and demand First-Class service year-round for ballots and elections mail. “The public has a right to the prompt, reliable service that ballots and election mail receive,” says the American Postal Workers Union. Read more>>
Northern Ontario First Nations Collectively Say No To Nuclear Waste Project: Nine northern Ontario First Nations signed a joint letter to the head of the Nuclear Waste Management Organization on Friday, voicing their opposition to nuclear waste burial in the region. ‘We are united,’ they say. The Nine Chiefs warned that if there’s a leak, the territory will be damaged for generations. Read more>>
Activists Disrupt Occidental Petroleum CEO’s Interview at New York Times Climate Event: The move is part of a string of similar disruptions targeting appearances by oil company representatives and government leaders at Climate Week NYC. Read more>>
Wasteland Warriors Tackle Pollution and Sacrifice Zones: Increasing numbers of people are being set up for sacrifice across the United States. But in these largely forgotten wastelands, you will find working people fighting the hardest for justice and accountability, even as their lives and communities are being sacrificed. Out of the toxic morass of our deregulated dystopia, wasteland warriors are emerging, and they need our help. Read more>>
In the Heart of Wall Street, Rights of Nature Activists Put the Fossil Fuel Era on Trial: What would the world look like if legal systems rendered decisions based on what was best for the integrity of ecosystems? A people’s tribunal on the “rights of nature” is providing a model. Read more>>
Youth Arrested Demanding VP Debate Question on Climate Emergency: The Sunrise Movement wants CBS moderator Norah O’Donnell to ask Republican JD Vance “if his prayers outweigh the millions he takes from Big Oil to deny the climate crisis.” Read more>>
Reuters Holds a ‘Sustainability Awards’ Ceremony – Packed With Big Polluters: Environmental activists have disrupted the Reuters Sustainability Awards ceremony in central London – stacked with big polluters. They aptly branded the event “The Greenwashing Awards” as the likes of corporate climate crisis criminals such as carbon mega-emitter Drax sidled up as finalists. Read more>>
The Californians Rescuing Surplus Produce to Fight Hunger: By swiftly redistributing perishable fruits and vegetables, Food Forward addresses two issues at once: food insecurity and food waste. Read more>>
Aramark Concession Workers Strike at Philly Sports Complex: The unionized workforce that handles concessions at the South Philadelphia Sports Complex started to strike on Monday, September 23. Hundreds of Aramark stadium workers that bargain with the UNITE HERE Philly Local 274 union are demanding new contracts. Aramark, which is headquartered in Center City Philadelphia with a market capitalization value of $9.8 billion, has tried to prevent the unionized workers from qualifying for healthcare plans by dividing their hours between the three stadiums – Citizens Bank Park, Lincoln Financial Field and the Wells Fargo Center. Read more>>
Thousands of Portuguese Protest For the Right To Affordable Housing: Several thousands of people took to the streets in Lisbon and other major cities across Portugal on Saturday to protest for the constitutional basic right to housing. Protests organized by civil society groups were scheduled in 24 cities across the country. Read more>>
Kansas City Tenants Launch National Rent Strike to Demand Federal Rent Cap: Striking renters are protesting dismal living conditions and demanding protection from abusive corporate landlords. Read more>>
The Corporate Campaign To Repeal The New York Stock Transfer Tax Rebate: From 1905 to 1981, New York State collected a tiny one-tenth of one percent tax called the stock transfer tax on the sale of corporate stocks. But since 1981, New York state began giving back one hundred percent of these tax revenues, estimated to be $14 billion annually or $56 million per trading day. Read more>>
Amazon Union Effort in North Carolina Is Latest Attempt to Organize the South: The Amazon warehouse workers are fighting for paid sick leave, a one-hour lunch break and $30 an hour. Read more>>
Paid Sick Leave and Higher Minimum Wage on the Missouri Ballot: “By challenging feelings of isolation and polarization, breaking down division, and creating long-term relationships, we can achieve our goal of building a democracy and economy that works for all of us.” Read more>>
Starbucks Workers Win 500th Union Store In US: Starbucks partners at Old Fairhaven Parkway & 30th in Bellingham, WA who make history as the 500th location to organize with Starbucks Workers United. Read more>>
Campaign Group Fuel Poverty Action Took Action In Parliament On October 1: It was to hand in its #EnergyForAll petition signed by over half a million people. This calls for the guaranteed right to free energy to cover universal basic needs. Notably, the group coincided the hand-in with the day so-called energy regulator Ofgem was increasing the energy price cap, sending bills spiraling ahead of winter. Read more>>
Indigenous Group Asks SEC to Scrutinize Fracking Companies Operating in Argentina: Mapuche communities affected by methane gas extraction in Patagonia are urging the top U.S. securities regulator to inform investors about the “environmental, social and cultural” situation in Argentina. Read more>>
‘A Disgrace’: Italy Issues New Detention Order for Ship Saving Lives in Mediterranean: “This is unacceptable for a country under the rule of law,” said a representative for Doctors Without Borders. Read more>>
Community Groups in Ohio Fight Anti-Haitian Violence Stoked by Trump and Vance: Facing bomb threats and attacks, Springfield residents are organizing to counter anti-Haitian lies from the right. Read more>>
Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Calls for Action to Advance Reconciliation on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: On September 30th, the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak acknowledged the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day, and is urging the Government of Canada to advance progress towards fully implementing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) 94 Calls to Action. Orange Shirt Day began in 1973 when six-year-old Phyllis Webstad entered St. Joseph Mission Residential School wearing a new orange shirt, which was forcibly taken from her and replaced with the school’s institutional uniform. Her story has inspired a national movement to acknowledge the experiences of residential school Survivors. Read more>>
‘It’s About Time’: DOJ Opens First Federal Probe Into 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre: More than a century later, the few remaining survivors and their descendants are celebrating the long-overdue investigation into one of the deadliest racial attacks in U.S. history. Read more>>
‘Only the People Save the People’ – Spain Goes on General Strike against Genocide in Gaza: In a historic showcase of Palestinian solidarity, tens of thousands have flooded the streets, blocked universities and boycotted companies in an attempt to force the Spanish government to cut all ties with Israel. Read more>>
25 Arrested Blocking Netanyahu’s Motorcade to UN General Assembly: “Our world leaders have done nothing to stop Netanyahu and his genocidal administration,” said one organizer. “We must be the ones to stop him.” Read more>>
Hundreds of Unions, NGOs in Spain Call for General Strike in Solidarity with Palestine: Nationwide protests demand action against Israel’s actions in Gaza. More than 200 trade unions and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Spain on Friday initiated a 24-hour general strike titled “Against the genocide and occupation in Palestine.” Read more>>
Milwaukee Anti-War Committee Holds Hands Off Lebanon Protest. Demands U.S. Arms Embargo On Israel. On September 25, roughly 100 people gathered to demand an end to the U.S.-funded attacks on Lebanon and Palestine and an arms embargo on Israel. Read more>>
Mass Walkout as ‘Global Pariah’ Netanyahu Addresses UN General Assembly: A large number of diplomats and other officials walked out of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City on Friday as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepared to defend his nation’s slaughter of more than 41,000 people in the Gaza Strip during the past year and over 700 in Lebanon this week. The public rebuke of the Israeli prime minister, said one observer, “demonstrates the international community’s rejection of genocide.” Read more>>
Amidst War, a Palestinian Nonviolence Movement Grows: Since 2002, Ali Abu Awwad has been working as a peacebuilder, giving talks across Israel, Palestine, and the world. His current work is leading Taghyeer, a Palestinian movement “to take nonviolent responsibility for self-development and forging a path to end occupation.” In this conversation, Awwad gives us an intimate view of his own inner transformation and an inside look at Palestinian identity and self-determination. Read more>>
Inside the Witsuwit’en Nation’s Fight To Defend Their Lands Against Fossil-Fuel Companies: The making of this historical documentary has been over 10 years in the making. With over 1200 hrs of footage guided by the First Nation, the CBC is showing a television version to a Canadian audience the film might not otherwise reach. Read more>>
This Weekend, the Gaza Sunbirds Are Leading Global ‘Rides For Palestine’: A year since the Israeli genocide against Palestinians in Gaza began, the Gaza Sunbirds para-cycling team encourages supporters to take to the streets on their bikes and ride for freedom. 15 cities are confirmed to join the Great Ride of Return solidarity cycle on October 5 & 6. Read more>>
Seattle Festival Celebrates Palestinian Resilience And Resistance: ‘Palestine Will Live Forever.’ In a show of solidarity, thousands attended a Seattle concert, with various artists, to celebrate the resilience of the Palestinian people. Read more>>
This Land is Co-op Land: A hundred years ago, radical Finnish immigrants founded a cooperatively-owned park to escape political repression on Minnesota’s Iron Range. It’s still “a workingman’s paradise.” Read more>>
Pop Culture Sand Art Calls For Green Steelmaking In United Kingdom: Climate activists target Keir Starmer with Gavin and Stacey artwork on Port Talbot beach. Greenpeace and Extinction Rebellion Cymru Wales unveiled a 50m by 50m artwork of Nessa from BBC hit TV series Gavin and Stacey, etched in the sand of a beach at Port Talbot, against the iconic backdrop of Tata’s steelworks. Read more>>
‘Assemble’, A Democracy Group, Calls For Citizen Decision-Makers: Assemblies can ‘make the public a formidable force’ against the ‘doom spiral of neoliberalism’. Assemble is a group working to set up local assemblies around Britain. Its aim is for ordinary people to deliberate on important local, national, and international issues, and on the potential solutions to them. Then, delegates would come together at a House of the People. Read more>>
Thousands March In Brighton Beach Against Gaza Genocide Carrying Blocks-Long Red Banner: A striking march for a ceasefire in Gaza in Brighton Beach brought together hundreds of people to carry a scarlet red strip of cloth that wound through the city. Drone video footage shows its scale. Read more>>
A New Film About George Lakey’s Life Encourages Bravery: “Citizen George” is a well-timed documentary that offers important lessons for navigating today’s era of political conflict with hope and courage. Read more>>
Bangladesh Youth Revolution, One Month After Toppling Government: One month since a youth-led movement forced out PM Hasina in Bangladesh, here’s what’s been going on. Watch here>>
Unsanitize the Genocide: To convince more people of the necessity of a ceasefire, pro-Palestine activists should disseminate graphic images of the war more widely. Read more>>
The Past And Future of Debt Resistance: Ordinary people have struggled under the burden of personal debt since the founding of the country in 1776, and they have struggled against that burden for just as long. Read more>>
How US Trade Unionists Opposed the Dirty War In El Salvador: The Reagan administration enlisted the AFL-CIO to provide cover for its bloody campaign against the Left in Central America. But progressive forces in US labor took a stand in solidarity with trade unionists facing murderous repression in El Salvador. Read more>>
Emergency Relief For Hurricane Helene: Here is a masterlist of mutual aid and disaster relief throughout Appalachia and Florida to assist people in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene’s devastation. Read more>>
Every Life A Universe: Organized by Nonviolence International, these virtual gatherings aim to offer a unified ritual space to process grief, confront the systems of oppression that perpetuate immeasurable suffering, and reframe the crisis in Palestine and Israel by fostering a shared vision of reconciliation, justice, and collective actions to bring about peace. (Oct 6, 7, 8) Learn more>>
Disaster Distress Helpline: The Disaster Distress Helpline is offering free, multilingual mental health support to those affected by the devastation of Hurricane Helene. Learn more>>
2-Hr Intro To Kingian Nonviolence: Join On Earth Peace for an overview of Kingian Nonviolence Conflict Reconciliation. Kingian Nonviolence is an approach to conflict and community leadership that offers values and methods useful for anyone who wants to use conflict constructively in your personal life, in group settings, or in community issues and building a reconciled world. (Oct 19) Learn more>>