Tag: Community Organizing
Colorado high school students post video pleading with local authorities to ban fracking
“We shouldn’t be afraid for our health when we step outside our own houses,” says one of the students in the video. by Brett Wilkins, staff writer Tuesday, December 1, 2020 Students at a Colorado high…
Years of grassroots organizing forged Biden’s Georgia win
Atlanta, often called the “cradle of the civil rights movement,” was the birthplace of Martin Luther King Jr. and made up much of the congressional district represented by the late John Lewis. The story behind how…
Low-income voters showed up for Biden. Now they need relief.
People didn’t turn out in record numbers in a pandemic to vote for a return to normal. By Sarah Anderson, Margot Rathke November 12, 2020 Joe Biden is headed to the White House, and he has…
Georgia, ground zero for the Senate
by Wade Rathke November 13, 2020 Atlanta It took five hours and half a tank of gas for me and two organizers for the ACORN Tenants Union in Atlanta to visit more than a dozen apartment…
Biden given roadmap to revitalize rural America
The plan “lays a foundation for bringing economic vitality to rural communities in the face of racial injustice, economic decline, climate change, and a devastating pandemic.” by Kenny Stancil, staff writer Friday, November 13 Family Farm…
Time for Democrats to betray the donor class—not the people
A great many people did not vote for Joe Biden, they voted against Trump. We have to recognize how narrow this win was. by Naomi Klein Tuesday, November 10, 2020 These have been a harrowing few…
Georgia on my mind
by Wade Rathke November 9, 2020 Washington, DC In politics there is always tomorrow, not necessarily for the same candidate or party, but the people will be served after a fashion, and the positions will be…
‘Small Signs’, a powerful look at the underbelly of a tourist town
by Madrone Kalil Schutten, Ph.D., Guest column for the Meteor Friday, October 23, 2020 Small Signs: A Protest in Flagstaff, Arizona is a documentary on the pulse of the second wave of the civil rights movement….
Police plus shots equal feet on the street
by Wade Rathke October 23, 2020 Little Rock About twenty Georgia State University School of Social Work students watched the film, The Organizer, in Atlanta recently. I zoomed in for a questions-and-answers session after it…
Demanding a nation that ‘Cares for all’ not just the wealthy few, Working Families Party unveils People’s Charter
“The People’s Charter provides folks with something that is outside of [Biden’s] politics to vote for.” by Kenny Stancil, staff writer Thursday, October 8 A coalition of progressive lawmakers, union leaders, and social justice advocates on…
The Indian government’s attack on nonprofits
by Wade Rathke October 8, 2020 New Orleans In recent weeks the conservative, communalist Indian government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken steps yet again to attack nonprofits, especially those with any extensive ties…
Memories and milestones
by Wade Rathke October 4, 2020 Pearl River Tenants all over the world are facing a huge crisis as the dual scourges of the pandemic and economic depression confront them daily. In some industrialized countries, eviction…
2020 Right Livelihood Laureates honored for fighting ‘increasing threats to democracy’ across globe
Human rights defenders in Iran, the U.S., Nicaragua, and Belarus were recognized this year for what is known as the “Alternative Nobel Peace Prize.” by Julia Conley, staff writer Thursday, October 1, 2020 The four individuals…
Marathon protests
by Wade Rathke September 30, 2020 New Orleans There’s something strange and different happening in the world of protests. The average bystander is unlikely to have noticed this, but as a practitioner in this trade,…
Sunrise Movement doubles down on 2020 after RBG’s death, with planet and the future on the line
“This moment is a critical opportunity—not only to activate every young voter in swing states but also to catapult emergent Green New Deal champions running for Senate into the spotlight and secure upsets in red states.”…
Global coalition invites progressives worldwide to attend inaugural summit
‘Internationalism or Extinction’? “The Progressive International is convening this emergency summit… to map our current crisis, to reclaim our shared future, and to strengthen our planetary front to do so.” by Kenny Stancil, staff writer From…
Community land trusts could help heal segregated cities and reduce homelessness
Efforts to build wealth for Black Americans could focus on property ownership. Matt McClain/The Washington Post via Getty Images by Mark Roseland, Arizona State University and Christopher Boone, Arizona State University American cities represent part of the…
Old and New Social Movements
by Wade Rathke Sunday, September 13 Pearl River Every month in the 50th anniversary year of ACORN, I’ve been talking on the radio to veteran organizers and others with unique perspectives on the organization, its history,…
The Climate Crisis is happening right now. Just look at California’s weekend.
Record high temperatures. Record fires. Record smoke. ProPublica reporter Elizabeth Weil spoke to former California Gov. Jerry Brown about the state’s converging apocalypses. by Elizabeth Weil Wednesday, September 9 Two weeks ago, after freak lightning strikes…
Sanders warns nation: Trump is laying groundwork for election result mayhem
“Trump is now using his lies and misinformation to sow confusion and chaos in the election process and undermine American democracy,” says the Vermont senator. by Jon Queally, staff writer Sunday, September 6 Warning of the…
Navigating the eviction relief labyrinth
by Wade Rathke Saturday, September 5 Pearl River All of the headlines read that the Center for Disease Control (CDC) had directed no evictions for the rest of the year. Before we do the happy…
Trump twists warning of election night results delay to suit his narrative, advocacy groups vow to make sure every vote counts
“Donald Trump is not running a re-election campaign. He’s running a power grab.” by Julia Conley, staff writer Wednesday, September 2 President Donald Trump on Wednesday morning openly embraced a theory put forth by analysts earlier…
Tens of thousands attend march in Washington on 57th anniversary of historic Civil Rights rally, today
‘Get Your Knee Off Our Necks’ “We’ve been here before, but this time we know that it is necessary to redefine public safety in order to save black lives.” by Julia Conley, staff writer Friday, August…
Laura shows Lake Charles no love
by Wade Rathke Thursday, August 27, 2020 Pearl River I’m fifteen feet above dirt looking out the window at the water that has risen up from the bayou a few miles from the Pearl River…
