“A New Movement”: The Labor Reckoning in the U.S. Climbing Industry

There is a labor reckoning happening in the climbing industry. A recent mass layoff and slashing of their Yoga and Fitness Programs at Movement Chicago’s location catalyzed the power of the community to craft a petition for justice and accountability of Movement Climbing Gym leadership. Simultaneously, workers at Movement Climbing Gym Crystal City formed the first union in the climbing industry in 2021, but now face continued bad faith bargaining and efforts to sabotage the process from Movement leadership. The rot of capitalism is being exposed and workers and community members are uniting for better work conditions, living wages, and equitable treatment in an effort to cultivate a healthier and safe(r) climbing community overall.

Saving MA Forests: The Fight For Clean Air During COVID-19 and Climate Change

Berkshire County is home to an abundance of beautifully forested land and natural resources. Our forests, parks, and wetlands have become an important pillar of our economic stability, as well as a critical player in our ecological diversity and public health. Yet our state forests are currently standing on the threshold of losing protections against commercial logging, and removal for biomass fuel.

#BoycottBlackDiamond: Everything You Need to Know and How You Can Help

Black Diamond and Pieps are owned by Clarus Company, an under-the-radar, little known growth stock that is in its early stages as Mike Berner describes in his article, “Clarus: Potential Compound Machine in Outdoor Recreation.” The Executive Chairman and controlling shareholder of Clarus Company is Warren B. Kanders who describes himself as an “American businessman and philanthropist.” But there’s nothing philanthropic about this filthy rich white man who is also the CEO of Safariland, the premier maker of equipment for the law enforcement industry. Safariland is a U.S. based manufacturer that sells law enforcement and “security products,” including tear gas. On August 4, 2016 Safariland proudly announced a $7.3 million sale of ballistic equipment to the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”).

"There Are Going to be Such Explosions": What Constitutes Violence in a Settler Colonial Society, the Unethical Use of Tear Gas, and the Importance of Media Literacy

Today, in 2020 we are experiencing the largest civil rights movement in the world, and as Ericka Hart says, “This is a civil war.” All 50 states plus 18 countries have participated in protests against police brutality in defense of Black Lives as of June 3. More than 450 protests have been organized. The demand is simple: Defund the police.

Tear gas, flash-bang grenades, pepper spray, and rubber bullets are supposedly “non-lethal,” but these violent tools of war indeed are deadly. Tear gas increases respiratory illnesses and can have fatal consequences on those with pre-existing conditions like asthma. Although tear gas is explicitly prohibited in warfare, police are using it excessively to quell and silence the valid outcry of people who are fed up with a punitive system and police force that disproportionately targets and kills Black people.

Where to Donate That Stimulus Check

Real scarcity is not having enough $ for food or rent, swimming in debt, no family/parental safety net, no access to federal or state benefits. I invite my owning class friends to join me in rethinking scarcity and give bigger. Together we can take care of each other. Fuck capitalism, smash the state, community care for the win!