United States

David Moore — Sun, 18 Feb 2007 01:22:06 +0000

Our international partners are, as you might imagine, welcome our support. But they’ve also pressed us: It’s not enough, they say. You have to change the U.S. policies that open the world to U.S. corporations and make it so hard for small producers around the world to protect our livelihoods, they tell us.

Opponents challenge U.S./Mexico border wall 19 years after Berlin Wall falls

Maria Aguiar — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:08:42 +0000

For several years Grassroots International has had a collegial relationship with Carlos Marentes of the Sin Fronteras Border Agricultural Workers Project in El Paso, Texas. Carlos is also a leader of the Via Campesina - North American Region and chair of the Via Campesina's international commission on Migrations and Rural Workers. The Via Campesina understands that most migration is a consequence of the corporate-led global trade model that has exacerbated rural impoverishment in many already poor countries.

The 19th Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall

Carol Schachet — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:04:21 +0000

On November 9, 1989, the German people knocked down the Berlin Wall.

The Berlin Wall had been erected on August 13, 1961 dividing the people of Berlin into two sectors. One sector was controlled by the US and its allies, and the other was controlled by the Soviet Union. German people were not free to cross from one sector to another. Families and friends were separated by the wall for 28 years. During this period of time, about 5,000 escape attempts were made to reunite with relatives, friends or to seek better economic opportunities. Nearly 300 people died attempting to cross the wall.

Opposition Mounts as G-20 meets in Washington

Nikhil Aziz — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 16:13:57 +0000

The world's most powerful "leaders" meet today in Washington to debate what is to be done about the global financial crisis - a crisis they themselves were instrumental in causing. It is their blind devotion to a consistently failed ideology, outright greed, and a slavish willingness to be accountable only to their corporate backers (on the part of almost all that are gathering), and an ambition to get a seat at the table in the country club (on the part of the G-20 minus 7) that has created this toxic mix that we are all being forced to swallow.

Announcing: A New Popular Education Tool!

Carol Schachet — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 14:00:56 +0000

Subheadline

Food for Thought and Action: A Food Sovereignty Curriculum now available for free download

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America’s Farm Bill

Daniel Moss — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 23:03:02 +0000

The tidal wave of American interest in local, sustainable agriculture, and the waves of protest around the world over staggering food prices, seem to have washed over the heads of most members of Congress without them even noticing. The 2008 Farm Bill proves it.

An Open Letter To Congress on the Need for Strategic Grain Reserves

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 17:39:34 +0000

Dear Member of Congress:

All around the globe, food riots have shaken countries from Haiti to Egypt to India to Uzebekistan while rising rice prices cause grief in many Asian countries. A global food crisis threatens to impoverish millions around the world. Here at home, livestock and dairy producers, bakers and food processors have expressed their fears over skyrocketing commodity prices while higher food prices are eating into many family budgets. News reports nervously highlight that U.S. and world grain stocks are at all-time lows since World War II.

Linking Agriculture, Development and Migration: A Critical Look at NAFTA

Paul Venuti — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 01:54:49 +0000

Organized by Heinrich Böll Foundation North America, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, Washington Office on Latin America, Alliance for Responsible Trade, Institute for Policy Studies, Labor Council for Latin American Advancement and Global Exchange.

Speaking Tour of Brazilian Land Rights Activist in Massachusetts

Saulo Araujo — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 20:43:58 +0000

Grassroots International and U.S. Friends of the Brazilian Landless Workers Movement (FMST) are delighted to host Luis Antonio Pasquetti, from the National Committee of the Landless Workers Movement (MST), a member of Via Campesina, during his tour in the United States.

The Threat of Agrofuels

Nikhil Aziz — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 19:10:05 +0000

Wisconsin based Family Farm Defenders (FFD) is a leading member of Grassroots International's ally National Family Farm Coalition. FFD was formed in 1994 and works to create a family farmer-controlled and consumer oriented food system, and has been a leading ally of farm workers and minority farmers including indigenous farmers. John Peck, the executive director of FFD recently wrote an article warning against the threat of agrofuels for family farmers in the Global South and here in the U.S.