Call for National Fast for Immigration Reform – Despite freezing temperatures across the East Coast, the hunger strikers outside the Capitol Building keep demanding that Congress vote on immigration reform. With no response from the Republican leadership, union leader Eliseo Medina called for a national fast from December 1st to 3rd to raise consciousness around the country. José López Zamorano has more from Washington, D.C.
Survivor of Abuse Turned Distinguished Advocate – This week marked the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. In the context of this commemoration, we present the story of a woman who went from being a victim of violence in her home to being a notable leader of women and immigrants. After suffering abuse in silence and living in fear for years, one day she decided to break with that life and free herself from the violence. She is now an advocate for women in trouble and she has gone all the way to the nation’s capital to fight for immigration reform. Farida Jhabvala Romero reports from San Francisco, California.
Elders and Youth Tell Native American History through “Bird Songs” – November is national Native American Heritage Month. One of the traditions of Native American peoples of California is to sing “bird songs.” These are collective songs that can last more than 24 hours and tell the story of the creation of the world and the migrations of people to find the promised land. For more than a decade, groups of Native American elders have dedicated themselves to rescuing this tradition. It is now gaining more and more enthusiasm among new generations. Rubén Tapia reports from the annual celebration of bird songs in San Bernardino, California. This feature is part of the series Raíces: Stories About Grassroots Artists.
