activism
Grassroots campaigns have proven instrumental in bringing about political, social or environmental change; you've got to start somewhere-might as well start here.
Modern Day Inhumane Camp
The suffocating, putrid smell of urine and human waste and sweat attack my nostrils, jolts me awake on the floor. The overhead lights sear my retina. How long was I out? I glance at my wrist. No watch. No concept of time. Hell, a small ventilation window mocks me eight feet overhead. Hard to determine the time of day. My stomach groans with emptiness. I know. Why am I here? A man with black curly hair sobs, repeating over and over words I cannot comprehend. He probably misses his family, like I do. Others also sob silently. No privacy. No beds. No means of obtaining proper rest. The lack of food and sleep for three days takes their toll and my body struggles to move. Burning hunger curls inside me like smoke. When are we getting any food? I try to recall my last meal, however my weakened state and the extreme heated conditions of the area create a harsh obstacle for thinking. Mind-numbing silence doesn’t help either. No one dares to speak. Either we lack the energy to talk, or fear stole our voices.
By Iris Harrisabout a year ago in The Swamp
Mahmoud Khalil Files $20 Million Claim Against Trump Administration for Wrongful Detention
Mahmoud Khalil, a prominent pro-Palestinian activist and Columbia University graduate student, has filed a $20 million administrative claim against the Trump administration for wrongful detention. Khalil, a green card holder, was held by ICE for over three months, alleging false arrest, malicious prosecution, and intentional infliction of emotional distress stemming from his activism.
By Kageno Hoshinoabout a year ago in The Swamp
"Under Watch"
Facial recognition technology was only seen in action films and airport security systems a few years ago. By 2025, you can find it in your neighborhood grocery store, on your corner, and even at work. Western democracies have long defended freedom and privacy, but a new age of surveillance, driven by AI, biometrics, and predictive analytics, has begun.
By Tousif Arafatabout a year ago in The Swamp
Trump's Frustration with Putin and the Uncertain Future of the Russia-Ukraine War
The ongoing war in Ukraine continues to test the diplomatic resolve of world leaders, with recent developments highlighting growing frustration in the United States. President Donald Trump, who once vowed to end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours of taking office, now faces mounting obstacles in his attempts to broker peace. Despite multiple rounds of negotiations and increasing diplomatic engagement, a ceasefire remains elusive as Russia intensifies its military campaign against Ukraine. In recent days, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has met twice with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, underscoring Washington's persistent efforts to bring the conflict to a close. These talks, held on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in Malaysia, lasted nearly an hour but yielded no immediate breakthroughs. Instead, they highlighted the widening gap between American aspirations for peace and Moscow’s hardened stance. Trump's public tone towards Russian President Vladimir Putin has also shifted. Previously criticized for his seemingly warm approach to the Kremlin, Trump has lately expressed disappointment over Putin's reluctance to show flexibility. “We get a lot of meaningless talk from Putin. He’s very nice, but in the end, it means nothing,” Trump remarked. This growing frustration has raised questions about whether Trump's stance on Russia is evolving into something more confrontational. Despite these comments, experts remain skeptical about any fundamental shift in Trump’s approach. Analysts argue that previous signs of a harder stance have failed to translate into significant policy changes. While some see an opportunity for a new direction in US foreign policy, others caution against premature conclusions. Trump's unpredictability remains a defining feature of his diplomacy, leaving allies and adversaries alike uncertain about what comes next. Meanwhile, the Biden-era military aid pipeline to Ukraine has continued under Trump’s leadership, albeit with some turbulence. Earlier this month, the Trump administration briefly paused arms shipments to Kyiv, only to resume them days later. Trump explained the reversal by emphasizing Ukraine's need to defend itself amidst Russia’s renewed offensives. However, in a significant change, Trump announced that future weapons would be sold to NATO, which would then transfer them to Ukraine. “We’re sending weapons to NATO, and NATO is paying for them, one hundred percent,” Trump clarified, describing the deal as part of an arrangement finalized during the NATO summit in The Hague. Despite these moves, Trump’s decision to continue arming Ukraine has sparked backlash from within his political base. Several prominent figures in the conservative movement expressed disappointment, questioning the wisdom of further entangling the United States in what they perceive as a costly and unwinnable conflict. For many in Trump’s MAGA (Make America Great Again) base, the Ukraine war represents a distraction from America’s domestic priorities. Alongside military support, Washington is weighing new economic measures to pressure Moscow. A bipartisan bill in Congress seeks to expand sanctions against Russia, targeting not only Russian industries but also countries that continue to purchase Russian oil, gas, and uranium. If passed, this would mark a major escalation in the West's efforts to isolate Russia economically. However, Russia's energy trade with China, India, and Turkey remains robust, limiting the global impact of Western sanctions. Despite imposing over 21,000 sanctions since the invasion began, the Russian economy has endured, buoyed by energy exports to Asia and limited European purchases of critical materials like uranium. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy continues to call on the West to tighten sanctions further, arguing that only sustained economic pressure can compel Moscow to negotiate peace in good faith. Trump has flirted with harsher economic measures, even threatening secondary tariffs on nations buying Russian oil. Yet, these threats have so far remained rhetorical. Whether Trump will ultimately back additional sanctions remains uncertain, given his past reluctance to impose meaningful costs on Russia. At the same time, the Trump administration has hinted at the possibility of disengagement. Secretary of State Rubio recently stated that the US could consider stepping back from the Ukraine conflict if diplomatic efforts fail to produce results. “It’s not our war. We have other priorities,” Rubio said, reflecting a sentiment that has gained traction in some corners of the US political landscape. Trump echoed these thoughts, albeit more cautiously, suggesting that the US remains committed to seeking a resolution but does not wish to remain entangled indefinitely. Nevertheless, the latest diplomatic meetings suggest the US is not abandoning peace efforts just yet. Rubio reported that during his discussions with Lavrov, new proposals for peace were exchanged. Although the specifics remain confidential, Rubio described them as a “different approach” that could open the door to renewed negotiations. Russia, for its part, also struck a cautiously optimistic tone, reaffirming its willingness to engage in dialogue and explore peaceful solutions. The path forward for the Russia-Ukraine war remains fraught with uncertainty. On one hand, intensified US-Russia diplomacy and continued arms supplies to Ukraine signal that Washington is not prepared to let Kyiv fall. On the other hand, growing domestic opposition, economic considerations, and diplomatic frustrations could push the US to recalibrate its involvement. For now, all eyes remain on Trump and Putin, whose complex relationship continues to shape the fate of a war that has already spanned more than three years. Whether through diplomacy, deterrence, or disengagement, the next chapter in the Russia-Ukraine conflict will be defined by the decisions made in Washington and Moscow in the weeks ahead.
By Ikram Ullahabout a year ago in The Swamp
Stop Prioritizing Veterans Over Other Homeless People
Homelessness is on the rise. Certain demographic groups, such as military veterans and disabled people, are at least twice as likely to experience homelessness, through no fault of their own. They deserve better.
By Heather Holmesabout a year ago in The Swamp
An allergy to Peace.🩸
They stand at the podium, still vociferating as everything crumbles around them...so immersed in glorifying themselves, they miss the cracks in the walls of humanity poised to fall on their egotistical heads, crushing them at the earliest opportunity.
By Novel Allenabout a year ago in The Swamp
Daily Life in North Korea!!
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like living under the world’s most oppressive regime, Dhruv Rathee’s video “Daily Life in North Korea” offers a haunting, in‑depth exploration. In a nation where every aspect of life—clothes, food, relationships, even thoughts—is controlled by the state, North Koreans exist under constant surveillance and fear. Yet, amid the darkness, flickers of resistance and hope emerge. This article breaks down key insights and reflections on this hidden world.
By Zabih hijranabout a year ago in The Swamp
Back to Stone Era
In an age where technology reigns supreme and global superpowers flex their military muscles through satellites, artificial intelligence, and hypersonic missiles, a silent force is emerging—one so terrifying that it could erase centuries of human advancement in a matter of seconds. This isn’t fiction. It’s not a futuristic tale. It’s a reality knocking on our digital doors. And it might just send us spiraling back to the Stone Era.
By Keramatullah Wardakabout a year ago in The Swamp
Investors traded a record $6.6 trillion worth of stock in the first half of 2025
In the first half of 2025, "Global Stock Trading Hits Record $6.6 Trillion" Global stock markets witnessed an unprecedented surge in activity in the first half of 2025, as total trading volumes soared to a record \$6.6 trillion. This milestone, the highest half-year figure in history, reflects heightened investor engagement driven by a mix of economic optimism, technological advancements, and a new wave of retail participation reshaping the financial landscape.
By GLOBAL NEWSabout a year ago in The Swamp
A Denunciation
We didn’t do many movies when I was in high school, but I went to see The Hiding Place with my church youth group. I’d read the book, but was not truly prepared to see a family risk everything to hide their Jewish neighbors and then be incarcerated in the Ravensbruck concentration camp on screen. I wondered if I would have been as brave as the ten Boom family.
By Judey Kalchik about a year ago in The Swamp
