SARAH VAN GELDER – Our history has been one of atrocities — and extraordinary courage. An honest accounting of our nation’s founding injustices gives us the opportunity to make them right. When we do, we won’t need the swagger anymore, because we’ll have something sturdier: the real thing. We can be unified in pride for this country, and unstoppable in coming together to build what could truly be a more perfect union.
Tag: Land rights
Facing imminent demolition orders, a West Bank village calls for international support
CASSIDY KLEIN and ASHLEY VER BEEK – As of Oct. 30, residents of Umm al-Khair have lawyers representing their case against the demolition orders, though the lawyers believe it will be difficult to stop the demolitions through legal action alone. The Umm al-Khair village is calling on the international community to pressure the Israeli government through media attention and by urging their representatives to intervene. They also say a larger protective presence of activists would help right now.
How Women Led a Peaceful Flotilla to Reclaim their Island from the Sri Lankan Navy
LISA FULLER – 100 Sri Lankan community members have permanently moved back to their navy-occupied island of Iranaitheevu. After a quarter century of displacement, they have begun to rebuild the long-neglected, war-ravaged town. Their success was not a result of luck, nor did the navy have a sudden change of heart. Instead, a group of women from the community had developed and implemented a nonviolent strategy that closely resembles techniques implemented by professional civilian peacekeepers in conflict zones across the world.