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The Storm Is Over

Kathy Kelly teleSUR
A glimpse into life in Atwood Hall in Lexington, Kentucky's federal prison where peace activist Kathy Kelly is currently incarcerated for her participation in an anti-drone protest.

Richard Trumka, AFL-CIO's Combative President: 'We Still Punch Far Above Our Weight'

Steven Greenhouse The Guardian
Under Trumka, labor has sought to extend its power by alliances, cooperating with African-American groups, immigrant groups, environmental groups and others as well as car wash workers and day laborers seeking to organizers. He points to the wave of Fight for $15 protests scheduled for April 15 as an example of a new way workers are flexing their muscles.

Reparations Package for Jon Burge Torture Survivors Moves Forward in Chicago

Lisa White Chicagoist
Survivors of torture by Former Chicago Police Commander Jon Burge, along with their families, lawyers, advocacy groups and activists, worked to make an historic reparations ordinance a reality. In addition to $5.5 million fund for eligible victims, the reparations package includes free attendance at City Colleges, specialized trauma counseling, a formal apology, a permanent memorial, and history lessons about Burge torture in Chicago Public Schools.

The New Civil Rights Movement Doesn't Need an MLK

Danielle Allen and Cathy Cohen The Washington Post
With the spread and growth of protests against police violence, two questions have captured the public imagination: Will these events lead to a new civil rights moment? If so, where is the next Martin Luther King Jr.?

Review: Iranian Film "About Elly" -- A Middle Class Enjoying Itself Is Engulfed In Change

Stephen Holden The New York Times
Director Ashgar Farhadi achieved international recognition with the complex and brilliant film A Separation. About Elly was made earlier, won Best Picture at Tribeca in 2009, and has taken six years to work its way back to the U.S. If possible, and now in the midst of the nuclear deal, this devastating film is better and more relevant. Farhadi depicts the strains between strict Islamic traditions and modernism within Iran's affluent, sophisticated middle classss.

The Debt Owed to Eduardo Galeano

Dave Zirin The Nation
He writes, “I go about the world, hand outstretched, and in the stadiums I plead: ‘A pretty move, for the love of God.’ And when good soccer happens, I give thanks for the miracle and I don’t give a damn which team or country performs it.” That’s Galeano: he made you believe it was not only possible to be both an internationalist and fan, but also a necessity if you hope to have your feet planted in this world with your mind on the next.

How Hillary Clinton's State Department Sold Fracking to the World

Mariah Blake Mother Jones
Under Clinton's leadership, the State Department worked closely with energy companies to spread fracking around the globe—part of a broader push to fight climate change, boost global energy supply, and undercut the power of adversaries such as Russia. And according to interviews, diplomatic cables, and other documents obtained by Mother Jones, American officials—some with deep ties to industry—also helped US firms clinch potentially lucrative shale concessions overseas.

Cuba’s Coming Out Party at the Summit of the Americas

Medea Benjamin CounterPunch
Cuba was welcomed and thanked by several of the leaders for the help Cuba has given other countries, but what most Americans fail to understand is the pride felt by so many people in Latin America—even people who don’t like Cuba’s policies—that for over 50 years the tiny island has managed to fend off the attempts by the US Goliath to overthrow it.