Astor Torres

Social movements

Weekly discussion 6

"Northern Arizona U. students launch sit-in as fossil fuel divestment movement seeps country".

            Democracy now reports on students protesting on campus of Northern Arizona University, demanding the University to stop investing in fossil fuel. The students had a sit in on campus grounds as a form of protest, which resulted in the arrest of eight students. The arrests were due to the students refusing to leave after closing hours. Amy Goodman spoke with two planners from the Fossil free protest, Michaela Mujica Steiner and Karina Gonzales. Steiner specifically wants the university to divest from top 200 oil and natural gas corporations. The type of protest these students are exercising are peaceful and very organized, and through the use of framing theory, these students have influenced students from other universities to partake in the same protest. Goodman mentioned that University of Massachusetts and Columbia University have had similar protests. Fossil fuel divestment is a topic that many people agree is good for the environment, which is why I think this movement has been successful in influencing others to fight for their cause. So far the movement has been successful as Goodman quoted Bill McKibben, co-founder of 350.org, as fossil fuel divestment movement growing over the years. http://www.democracynow.org/2016/4/29/northern_arizona_u_students_launch_sit

 

"Alabama prison strike organizer speaks from behind bars: We are engaged in a struggle for our lives"

            Democracy now reports on the end of a strike from Free Alabama Movement and interview the co-founder of the movement, Kinetik Justice. Free Alabama Movement went on strike to protest the harsh conditions that they endure in prison, such as; extreme overcrowding, poor living conditions. They also want the 13 amendment to be applied, because they feel treated like slaves and the 13th amendment bans slavery. Their actions are due to them providing "unpaid labor". The protestors of the movement framed their actions in an organized way. Justice mentioned that prior to striking, they had tried petitioning through the courts first, and attempted to contact legislators to which none responded. "these strikes are our methods of challenging mass incarceration, as we understand the prison system is a continuation of the slave system." Said Kinetik Justice. Not much is said about the movements success, although it does mention that Justice was placed under solitary confinement because he is considered a threat to security of Alabama. http://www.democracynow.org/2016/5/13/alabama_prison_strike_organizer_speaks_from