March 2018

Six months after Hurricane Maria, blue tarps still cover homes and buildings across Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. The number of people who lack power can be counted in the hundreds of thousands. 

"The suffering continues on the islands and our fellow citizens need help," said Eric LeCompte, Executive Director of the religious development group Jubilee USA. "It's important that Congress voted for relief aid for the islands. Now we need Congress to increase the aid so that the islands can rebuild to withstand the next storms."

Dear Radio Friend,     This week's show features stories from NHK World Radio Japan, Radio Havana Cuba, and Sputnik Radio.        From JAPAN- This past Monday North Korea criticized the US for making people think that sanctions are the reason for upcoming talks between the nations. The Chinese President welcomed news of the upcoming inter-Korean summit, and possible talks between the north and the US. Japanese PM Abe is also pleased with the upcoming inter-Korean talks about denuclearization.

On the 14th of March, Mothers against the Potomac Pipeline blocked one of the MD State House doorways and the blockaders were arrested. This was just days before Governor Hogan is expected to make a decision about whether or not to permit the Potomac Pipeline to proceed.

Video compilation from CCAN's and Katherine Brzozowsk's Twitter clips

On the 12th of March, No Justice No Pride activists held a solidarity protest at the Dept of "Just-Us" for Ohio's Black Pride 4, the first of whom was scheduled to be sentenced the following day.

Video featuring a speaker giving information about the case

On the 9th of March, protesters called to the scene by DC Councilmember Trayon White shut down Bozzuto's Maple View Flats construction site in Anacostia for the second day in a row. One of the anchors of the project is a Starbucks, whose products are not affordable for current Anacostia residents. The protest is because Bozzuto is refusing to hire local residents to work on the project and because gentrification projects are not welcome in Anacostia.

Video: Protesters shut down Maple View Flats construction Day 2