Page 432 – Toward Freedom

Beyond the headlines of conflict and catastrophe, this year’s top stories offered us some powerful proof that the world can still change—for the better.

There was something almost apocalyptic about 2013. Typhoon Haiyan slammed into the Philippines, the strongest storm ever recorded on land. It killed more than 6,000 people and affected millions. But it was just one of the 39 weather-related disasters costing $1 billion or more in 2013.

In Australia, record high temperatures forced mapmakers to create a new color on the weather map. Massive wildfires swept through California, historic flooding took out bridges and roadways in Colorado, and tornadoes swept through the Midwest, destroying towns like Moore, Okla. Millions of people are on the move, seeking to escape the effects of climate-related disasters. read more

The Bitter Reality for Farmworkers

David Bacon January 2, 2014 David Bacon

Source: New American Media

As families celebrated Thanksgiving and Christmas, farmworkers across the country who help harvest the food that was prepared this holiday season continue to struggle under bitter working and living conditions. Jose Lopez comes from the Mixteco town of Jicayan de Tovar in Guerrero. He’s worked in the fields for 10 years, but makes so little that he has to borrow money to pay his bills, and has almost none left over to send to his family in Mexico. He told his story to New American Media associate editor David Bacon. read more

South Africa’s Geopolitical Position After Mandela

Immanuel Wallerstein January 2, 2014 Immanuel Wallerstein

South Africa is now on its own, for better or worse – without the special grace afforded by a living icon. What are its present internal conflicts and its present geopolitical position? And what can we expect it to be in the coming decade or two?

World Citizen: Garry Davis vs. National Borders

Greg Guma January 2, 2014 Greg Guma

In September 1948, when delegates to the young United Nations met at the grand Palais de Chailot in Paris, a twenty-something American wearing the flak jacket of a bomber pilot pitched a tent on the Palais steps. Guards descended and angrily ordered him to leave, but he politely declined. I’m no longer in France, the man explained, eyes twinkling. I’m standing on “international territory.”

2014: Failure of Palestinian Authority, BDS Success to Continue

Ramzy Baroud January 2, 2014 Ramzy Baroud

2013 was a year in which the so-called peace process charade was allowed to continue, leading Palestinians on yet another futile journey of broken promises. Meanwhile, the Israeli colonial project in the West Bank and East Jerusalem carried on unabated. But it was not entirely a year of doom and gloom either, for the global boycott campaign (BDS) has taken off like never before.

Subcomandante Marcos Reflects On 20th Anniversary Of Zapatista Rebellion

David Iaconangelo December 30, 2013 David Iaconangelo

Source: Latin Times

La Jornada reports that as the Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN) prepares to celebrate its 20th anniversary in the southeastern Mexican state of Chiapas, Subcomandante Marcos has released a new communique reflecting on how the history of the Zapatistas – and other Mexican political figures – has been written. Marcos dedicates the bulk of his derision to whom he calls “the criminals of the Mexican political class”, but reserves plenty for “the for-pay press.” The paper notes that members of the press will not be permitted to attend commemorations of the Jan. 1, 1994 uprising, during which the rebel group emerged from the Lacandon Jungle and captured several towns, including the city of San Cristobal. read more