Story and photos by Pete Shaw Say their names. Lamia Beard. Keyshia Blige. Kandis Capri. Say their names because their lives mattered. London Chanel. India Clarke. Taja DeJesus. Tamara Dominguez. Say their names for their memories and for their friends, families, and lovers. Papi Edwards. K.C. Haggard. Mya Hall. Amber Monroe. Say their names because they…
Tag: Solidarity
Ahjamu Umi’s “The Courage Equation” Probes Race, Violence
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By Pete Shaw Frederick Douglass once stated that power concedes nothing without a struggle, and history certainly bears that out. The struggle to wrest power away from those who hoard it in vast disproportion is a story that is given short shrift in US history textbooks, the preferred narrative being a combination of the myth…
Black Lives Matter Rally Reaffirms Commitment to Stand Against Threat of Police Brutality
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Story and photos by Pete Shaw “They think we’re stupid and we’re just going to accept community court and stop struggling.” Don’t Shoot Portland organizer Teressa Raiford uttered these words a few minutes after pleading not guilty to two misdemeanor charges stemming from her August 9 arrest after a rally marking one year since Michael…
The System Fiddles While We Burn
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Story and photos by Pete Shaw The Fennica has left Portland despite the noble and courageous efforts of the kayaktivists and Greenpeace climbers whose blockade cost Shell Oil two days of profits. But while ultimately failing to keep the boat moored in Portland, they showed people that they can stand up to the large energy…
Opponents Doubling Down Against TPP in Wake of Fast Track
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Story and photos by Pete Shaw While Congress has given President Obama Fast Track authority for negotiating trade laws, the fight against the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) continues with a tighter focus. Prior to Fast Track’s approval, opponents were concentrating on both it and the TPP, understanding that Fast Track was the linchpin since it…
Activism Results in Easing of Restrictive and Inhumane Mother, Child Detentions at US Border
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Story by Pete Shaw Early 2014 saw a marked upsurge in the number of mothers and children fleeing violence in Central America. Troubles with family, gangs and drug cartels (to name a few) in El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala has pushed these families to seek asylum in the United States–the country ultimately responsible for much of…
Torturous Path of the Trans Pacific Partnership: Legislation Creeping Toward Passage
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Story and photos by Pete Shaw The good news is that Senator Ron Wyden keeps backtracking on his support for Fast Track legislation that would let the Congress abdicate its constitutionally mandated authority over trade and give that power to President Obama. The bad news is that he is backtracking further toward the multinational corporations…
15 Now Rally Riding Momentum of Worker Pressure to Raise Wages
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Story and photos by Pete Shaw Building janitors, City workers, and supporters held two coordinated rallies in downtown Portland on June 17 demanding a raise in the minimum wage to $15 an hour and greater respect for workers’ rights to unionize. The rallies marked the most recent of many local actions and were also part…
Keaton Otis Memorial Marks Five Years in Ongoing Struggle for Justice, Police Reform
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Story and photos by Pete Shaw “How on God’s green earth does justice reconcile it?” Emmett Wheatfall asked that question at least three times while reading his poem at a memorial service marking the five years that have passed since the Portland police executed Keaton Otis at the corner of NE 6th and Halsey. The…
New School Breakfast Program a Healthy Alternative to Dominant Culture Pablum
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Story by Pete Shaw Of all things that bring people together, food is among the most potent. Beyond it being necessary for survival, eating can be pleasurable. When done as a community, those pleasures expand and further buttress the values that support that community. Sharing, caring, and understanding—just to name a few—are fostered. Conversations develop…
