Watching the Shadows

Obama’s final year: a CounterVortex scorecard

With a Trump despotism looming, CounterVortex offers its final assessment of Barack Obama's record in addressing the oppressive legacy of the Global War on Terrorism.

North America

New pipeline showdown brews in New Jersey

The Ramapough Lunaape tribe in Mahwah, NJ, is protesting the proposed Pilgrim Pipeline that would carry shale oil down the Hudson Valley through their lands.

North America

Dakota Access pipeline blocked —for now

After weeks of protest, the Army Corps of Engineers denied approval for the last remaining easement needed for the Dakota Access Pipeline—but the company pledges completion.

North America

Dakota Access CEO cheered by Trump victory

Trump has holdings in the company building the Dakota Access pipeline, whose CEO says he is "100%" confident construction will be completed under the new administration.

Planet Watch

Police repression at Dakota Access protest camp

More than 140 were arrested as over 300 riot police backed up with armored vehicles and helicopters cleared the camp erected to block construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline.

Planet Watch

Mohawk band forms indigenous legal system

The Mohawk band council of Akwesasne introduced its own legal system independent of Canada's federal system, marking the first such indigenous judiciary in the country.

Planet Watch

Lakota protesters block pipeline construction

Native Americans, ranchers and farmers  launched a blockade of a highway in North Dakota to bar crews from reaching the construction site of the Dakota Access Pipeline.