We live in a society where people are constantly on the go.  As a full-time student and single parent who is constantly juggling multiple projects, I have become intimately familiar with the feeling of having too many causes and not enough time to dedicate to each of them.  Internet petitions give busy folks like us a way to feel like we are involved in changing the world, that we’re doing something to make a difference and to stand up for what’s right… but are they really effective?  I have clicked “sign” on my share of Care2, Change.org and other online petitions, and while it... (continue reading)

This June 4-11 will be Appalachia Rising: March on Blair Mountain! The march will call for the preservation of Blair Mountain, the site of an historic coal union battle; the abolishment of mountaintop removal coal mining; the strengthening of labor rights; and an investment in sustainable job creation for all Appalachian communities. Please see more information in the blog post below or visit this site for information on participating in the march. The following post was written by Nell Gagnon and was originally published at this site. Cross-posting is encouraged. Here’s something the... (continue reading)

Since an earthquake and tsunami devastated Japan and damaged two nuclear reactors, the world has been attempting to show support and Image via Flickr user karin.noso. condolences for a country that is very much in need.  It’s almost a month later, and the death tolls continue to rise while the full extent of the damage is just being realized.   Unfortunately, the news continues to get worse…. Recently, it was revealed that radiation from the nuclear plants had been leaking into the ocean (the leak has since been stopped), sparking fears of contaminated seafood and prompting the... (continue reading)

Gathering information and statistics for the presentation last Saturday was an unsettling reminder for us of how much is at stake in this battle for the autonomy of forests and forest people, but sharing our palm oil presentation with other steadfastly passionate activists was a positive reassurance: Minnesota’s garden of rabble rousers will “turnip” the heat on any monoculture that threatens peace and justice. On February 12th, members of RAN Twin Cities attended the annual Green Party MN winter meeting to share the work we’ve been engaged in over the past year and to raise... (continue reading)

Image via flickr user Sarah Carr. On what has become known as “The Day of Revolt” — January 25, 2011 — thousands of Egyptians took to the streets to protest the regime of authoritarian leader Hosni Mubarak, and so began one of the most successful and influential peaceful protests in history. Inspired by the effective Jasmine Revolution in Tunisia earlier in January, which succeeded in ousting Tunisian president Ben Ali from power, the Egyptian revolutionaries raised their voices in opposition to the extreme poverty, rampant unemployment, increased police brutality and government... (continue reading)