Saturday June 10 at 2:30pm, during a counter-summit on the environment called “Ambiente alla base, non al vertice!” at Bologna’s September 11 Park, journalists from Pressenza Italy will participate in an encounter-debate on a topic previously introduced in Milan: the importance of creating much needed networks between activists and journalists dedicated to nonviolence.
The very specific topic of this June 10 encounter has been given a lot of space over the last few months in various international editions of Pressenza: the movement at Standing Rock that, for months, opposed the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline. Under the self-given title of “Water Protectors”, these Native Americans created an extraordinary phenomenon by combining nonviolence, spirituality and social justice work. They allied themselves with other movements, launched effective campaigns to demand banks and financial groups divest from the Pipeline and were able to reach an international audience. All of activity has opened up new possibilities, regardless of the present defeat – indeed the Pipeline became operational due to Trump’s support.
A delegation of Native Americans is currently traveling around Europe to reinforce international ties. They will be in Italy with appointments in Bologna, Rome and Naples. The events in Bologna will include the June 10th encounter-debate. The Water Protectors’ experiences and those of Pressenza’s nonviolence-focused journalism will offer insight into finding new paths to mutual support between activists and independent journalists.
Presenters:
Anna Polo, Italian journalist at Pressenza
Rafael Gonzales alias Tufawon, rapper and producer, Standing Rock activist
Liane Arter, of Women’s March Milan, activist in the awareness campaign and protests aimed at getting Italian bank Intesa Sanpaolo to divest financially from the Dakota Access Pipeline
Copies of the book “Diritti all’informazione” – a collection of select interviews, editorials and photos published on Pressenza from 2014 to 2016 – will be made available.
