Category Archives: activism

Jul9

fresh for everyone.

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Pete the Cat is in his bag and he feels safe in there.

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this post is  dedicated to all of the farm workers out there

may they and their families be safe from harm

during this very challenging time

we see you and appreciate you 

 thank you for the hard work you do every day to bring food to all of us.

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‘the people who give you their food give you their heart.’

-cesar chavez

*Cesario Estrada Chavez 1927-1993) was an American labor leader and civil rights activist. Along with Dolores Huerta and Gilbert Padilla, he co-founded the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA), which later merged with the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee  (AWOC) to become the  United Farm Workers (UFW) labor union.

May3

the voice of truth.

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today, may 3rd  is world press freedom day

on this day, in 2025,  361 journalists worldwide are in prison 

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The One Free Press Coalition (#OneFreePress) uses the collective audiences of member organizations to stand up for journalists under attack for pursuing the truth worldwide.  

With journalist freedoms under assault worldwide, the One Free Press Coalition was conceived during a meeting of the International Media Council at the World Economic Forum. Top editors from leading media organizations committed to use their collective muscle—by working together, they could shine a massive light on the plight of threatened journalists all over the world. 

Coinciding with World Press Freedom Day (May 3rd), global media outlets unite as One Free Press Coalition to publish this annual “10 Most Urgent” list, bringing attention to fellow journalists who are being imprisoned for seeking to tell the truth. These ten cases illuminate governments’ efforts at criminalizing journalism, silencing the media, and withholding information from the public.

The list is compiled in collaboration with the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF). According to CPJ data, 361 journalists were behind bars worldwide at the end of 2024 (up from 320 in 2023). 

In August 2024, the One Free Press Coalition celebrated the release of two American journalists—Evan Gershkovich and Alsu Kurmasheva—from Russian detention after their cases topped the May 2024 list of “10 Most Urgent” press freedom cases.

Given the increasing number of journalists detained for simply doing their jobs and seeking to tell the truth, and given the successful 2024 campaign to free Gershkovich and Kurmasheva, the One Free Press Coalition crucially and emphatically unites our collective voices in support of the following individuals and their urgent cases of press persecution.                                                 

10 Most Urgent, May 2025

https://www.onefreepresscoalition.com/list

World Press Freedom Day 2025 is a powerful reminder that journalism is more than just reporting—it’s a lifeline for democracy, justice, and the environment. As we face global crises like climate change, the need for fearless, ethical, and free journalism has never been more critical.

Let’s celebrate, support, and protect the voice of truth — today and every day.

“In every country in which there has been a loss of freedom, where does it begin? It begins in news media, in public print, in books, and on the proscenium. That’s where they attack you first right there. That’s the bread basket.” – Rod Serling

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image credit: unesco

Apr22

we must return it.

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‘even a wounded world is feeding us.

even a wounded world holds us,

gives us moments of joy & wonder.

i choose joy over despair, not because i have my head in the sand,

but because joy is what the earth gives me daily and i must return it.’

-robin wali kimmerer, author, braiding sweetgrass

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today, on earth day, and every day

 

 

 

 

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walking the ann arbor parks, michigan, usa, 2025

Apr19

the herds.

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These animals, crafted from cardboard and plywood, make up “The Herds,” a public art project that recently set off from the Democratic Republic of Congo on a journey through major cities in Africa and Europe. The goal is to raise awareness about how the climate crisis is endangering the very animals represented by the life-size puppets. “We believe thousands and thousands of people are watching us,” project member Siphokazi Mpofu told AFP. “We believe out of these thousands, maybe 10 will take out something on what we are doing and then take it back to their communities, to their cities.” Watch a video of the herd in motion. 

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‘The wildlife and the natural beauty of this earth are the heritage of all generations to come.

We must act as their guardians.’

– Sir David Attenborough

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source credit: AFP

Apr2

“If America hasn’t broken your heart, you haven’t loved her enough.”

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thank you, senator booker

for speaking for 25+ hours in the senate

while standing with no breaks

breaking the previous record

standing for our country

for inspiring all of us

for what is right

for democracy.

 

 

Feb6

‘hope will never be silent.’ – harvey milk

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50 protests/50 states/50  capitols

good to be one small part of 

these peaceful protests

filled with people

refusing to be silenced

in my state capitol of lansing, mi, usa

and all around  the country

people traveling long distances

sharing rides

taking time off of work or school

in cold and bad weather

to show their refusal to sit down

 lawmakers of all ages and races and genders spoke out

this young activist, a local college student

who helped to organize our state’s  protest 

spoke with passion and cried

while addressing 

why this is so important 

already understanding at such a young age

some truths are universal

proud to stand with each and every one of them

on national tv tonight – protests in states across the nation

united in their cause. 

 

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“in matters of truth and justice, there is no difference between large and small problems,

for issues concerning the treatment of people are all the same.’

-albert einstein

Jan20

“what’s going on” – on mlk day.

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Gem/Redfern – Getty Images

January 20, 1971

Marvin Gaye releases hit single, “What’s Going On.”

In early 1971, on the heels of the Civil Rights Movement and in the midst of the Vietnam War, soul singer Marvin Gaye first crooned the words “Mother, mother, there’s far too many of you crying / Brother, brother, brother, there’s far too many of you dying” — heartbreaking lines that would resonate with millions of listeners, then and now. ​ The powerful protest ballad “What’s Going On” skyrocketed to No. 2 on the Billboard charts, the first tune of Gaye’s to overtly tackle political themes and a far cry from his earlier love songs. Produced by the singer himself, the track paved the way for other Motown artists to claim more agency in their careers and helped reinforce the genre’s potential to be a mouthpiece for social justice issues. Listen to the song and learn more about its making.​

January  1960 – Washington D.C., U.S. – Reverend MARTIN LUTHER KING, Jr. preaching at an event; Photo © Keystone/Zuma

 

Feb17

one love.

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always enjoyed bob marley

the new biopic musical film about him

was a bit disjointed

but

 leads were very good

his message stood strong

music was a great bonus

especially loved the real footage at the end.

 

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“love the life you live, live the life you love.”

-bob marley

 

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image credit: paramount pictures

Jan15

humanity.

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our class of 3’s-4’s

met with their learning partners

a 4th grade class

and together

they read a book

learned about what Dr. King

stood for and fought for

in his own peaceful way

talked about

what love, fairness, equality

meant to them

then created

a lovely art piece together

each to become a square

in a large paper quilt

created by the whole school

a beautiful collaboration.

 

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“make a career of humanity.

commit yourself to the noble struggle for equal rights.

you will make a better person of yourself,

a greater nation of your country, and a finer world to live in.”

-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  – March for Integrated Schools, April 18, 1959.

Jun11

where does the rainbow end?

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After their LGBTQ pride flag was stolen twice in recent weeks, a pair of Ann Arbor churches are responding the only way they know how — giving away more flags.

St Aidan’s Episcopal Church and Northside Presbyterian Church, which share a building in Ann Arbor, are launching a “Need A Flag, Take A Flag” event today. The event will feature 300 LGBTQ pride flags and allow anyone in need of a flag  to take home their own handheld versions.

Although the event is in part a Pride Month celebration, the inspiration for it comes from the theft of the churches’ own flags. On April 3, church leadership received an email saying someone had removed the flag and thrown it into the bushes. On June 1, the churches reported the replaced flag had been stolen completely.

“I still haven’t found it,” said the Rev. Thomas Ferguson, vicar at St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church. The Rev. Jenny Saperstein, pastor at Northside Presbyterian Church, told Ferguson, somewhat tongue-in-cheek, that whoever took it must have needed a flag. “She said, let’s answer this with something positive,” Ferguson said.

The churches, which often partner on social justice issues, will have 300 flags available and plan to order more if they run out. Launching the event on a Sunday allows the entire congregation to get involved with the advocacy, Saperstein said. “It’s really this church community that stands for that,” Saperstein said. “Not just the pastors.”

Hearing affirming messaging from churches is especially important for marginalized communities. “We’ll hope to change hearts and minds with love,” Ferguson said. “We’re not going away, and we’re not changing our stance here with the oppressed.”

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Donde termina el arco iris,
en tu alma o en el horizonte?

Where does the rainbow end,
in your soul or on the horizon?

― Pablo Neruda, The Book of Questions

 

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source credit: jordyn pair, mlive, ann arbor news