Life Has Changed On Ecuador’s Aguarico River Since Chevron’s Arrival

The mighty Aguarico River is where the Cofán people have fished, bathed, and washed for many generations. The river also traditionally provided the community’s main source of drinking water. It was the lifeblood of the Cofán. But the Aguarico now holds a very different meaning for the Cofán and for Emergildo Criollo, a leader in [...]

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As ACORN Falls, Let a Mighty Oak Grow

Following the news over the past couple of weeks has weighed heavily on my heart. I was sickened and saddened watching protesters hurling racist and homophobic invective at members of Congress, including Rep. John Lewis, who has put his life and liberty on the line more than once in the struggle for civil rights and [...]

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Howard Zinn, Presente!

“Civil disobedience is not our problem. Our problem is civil obedience.” Today, one of my heroes and major influences crossed over to the other side. Howard Zinn –radical historian, civil rights acivist, anti-war activist, direct action activist, thinker, doer, fighter for justice and educator- passed away today at 87. I first read “A People’s History [...]

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In Memory of Howard Zinn

The progressive movement suffered a huge loss today. Howard Zinn, the Boston University historian, political activist and writer died of a heart attack today in Santa Monica, Calif. In honor of Dr. Zinn, I thought I would share a bit of his writing that I have kept on hand to continually remind me about the [...]

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It’s Not Just a T-Shirt, It’s a Career

Yesterday, a colleague asked me if I had one of those t-shirts with the little fish ganging up on the big fish. That inspired me to dig it out of my drawer and wear it today. Putting on the t-shirt reminded me of when I bought it – 20 years ago this summer, during my [...]

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Trevor Hall, independent musician, supports RAN with launch of new album

Indie rock sensation Trevor Hall has been an avid supporter of the Rainforest Action Network for many years, performing at a benefit concert for the organization in San Francisco in 2005. Now – Trevor and his label, Vanguard Records are teaming up with ThinkIndie.com to support RAN with some of the profits from the sales [...]

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No to tailings ponds – No to tar sands

In Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada it’s 12 degrees today – well below the point where ice should be solidly frozen. Yet, the Canadian Press Service is reporting that a man fell through thin ice and died. A 49-year-old man has died after falling through the ice on a tailings pond at a former open-pit gold [...]

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Come home to RAN

If you’re like me, you’ve (almost accidentally) started using an iGoogle home page. Now RAN has its very own iGoogle theme! There’s some cool animal and nature shots with a little direct action mixed in. Add or rate our theme so that we can stay near the top of Google’s rankings.

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Now is Our Time

Michael Brune, RAN’s Executive Director, just sent out this email asking all of us to bring our excitement and inspiration from yesterday’s election to a discussion around how we should move forward together. Take a look and use the comments to add your voice. Michael and other RAN staff will join in as the discussion [...]

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“Blues From the Rainforest”: Merl Saunders passes away

Merl Saunders was such a beaming and passionate man. He was so excited to tell me about his trip deep into the rainforest – all the sights and sounds and smells and strange wonderful creatures. He knew what we were fighting to save. He wrote several songs inspired by the forest and named his band [...]

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