The Frontlines Monthly Round-Up

Stories and news I read in July

Jul 30, 2024

Bronx Frontlines is an extremely local project, written from one of the many Caribbean perspectives across our city. The people around me and how they live, exist, love, and survive in New York City—as violent gentrification, collapse, and fires continue—inform the stories I write.

I am also working very hard to understand life outside of New York City and the United States.

The Frontlines Monthly Round-Up will feature stories and news from around New York City and the world I am reading to better understand how our struggles and liberation are all connected.

Puerto Rico

From “Out LUMA!: Puerto Ricans demand an end to the privatization of energy,” by Pablo Meriguet, via Peoples Dispatch:

Hundreds of Puerto Ricans took to the streets of the capital, San Juan, on Wednesday July 3, to demand an end to the controversial contract signed by the government of Puerto Rico with the US-Canadian company LUMA Energy…According to the protesters, there has not been a significant improvement in the electricity service as promised with the privatization. Major blackouts and electricity connection problems continue.

“Conjunto de mujeres ‘Las Doñis’ liderarán caravana contra LUMA Energy,” via Metro Puerto Rico

Haiti

From “Armed Groups in Haiti Target All the Spaces Where Women are Thriving,” by Islanda Micherline Aduel, Nathalie “Talie” Cerin, Vanessa Jeudi, Sabine Lamour, and Nahomie St. Louis, via Hammer & Hope:

I will first speak as a factory worker on the issue of insecurity. Because of the inability to transport materials, 200 people were laid off at the factory. After more time, the plant had to close down altogether. To me, the current climate of insecurity poses the biggest danger to women, especially women laborers who get up early in the morning in the dark to come to work. We are coming from everywhere. There is one woman at the factory who was raped, and two months later, her husband was shot in the same area.

“Haiti solidarity statement from Kenya, Jamaica,” by The Communist Party of Kenya, via Workers World

Palestine

From “Martyrs, mothers and the indelible stain of genocide,” by Haya Hijazi, via The Electronic Intifada:

This appalling situation in Gaza continues.
Medical institutions have completely collapsed, and pregnancy complications due to the genocide are increasing daily: we see three times the normal cases of gestational diabetes, pregnancy hypertension, early miscarriage, fetal deformities, premature placental separation, uterine rupture, postpartum hemorrhage, and even postpartum depression.

“Thousands of Protesters Condemn U.S. Support for Israeli Genocide Outside Netanyahu Address,” via Democracy Now

The Phillippines

From “The Death Squads Hunting Environmental Defenders,” by Alessandra Bergamin, via In These Times:
Between 2012 and 2022, around the world, one environmental defender was killed every other day, according to international human rights group Global Witness. That’s nearly 2,000 peasants, farmers, fisherfolk and activists murdered for defending their land from some of the biggest contributors of greenhouse gas emissions—including mining, logging and agribusiness corporations—as well as hydropower projects, which have their own ruinous environmental impact.
“Central Luzon bears brunt of super typhoon Carina,” by Jun A. Malig and Tonette T. Orejas, via Inquirer.Net