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GLOBAL UPRISING
Confronting the Tyrannies of the 21st Century
Stories from a New Generation of Activists
by Neva Welton and Linda Wolf

Global Uprising is an exciting piece of contemporary history. It brings us the voices of some of the finest young people of this generation, accompanied by the commentaries of veteran activists and scholars . . . For anyone despairing of the rule of money and power over human life, here is a testament to the spirit of resistance, a reason to hope.”
—Howard Zinn

In late November of 1999, more than 50,000 people and 700 organizations demonstrated in Seattle to protest the World Trade Organization’s (WTO’s) corporate agenda and the new round of closed-door trade talks that govern the global economy. Seattle residents Neva Welton and Linda Wolf and were planners, participants, and witnesses of those transformative days for the global justice movement.

“We wanted to know more about the people behind the blockades, lock-downs, and banner-hangs. We wanted to know about the struggles of those who traveled halfway around the world to march in the streets of Seattle and about those who couldn’t, but whose lives are dedicated to peace and justice,” they say.

Thus, a book was born. Global Uprising: Confronting the Tyrannies of the 21st Century (New Society Publishers; November 2001; Paperback; $17.95) depicts activists around the world: ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances who have found within themselves the courage, conviction, and power to rise up, take action, and work to better their lives and the lives of others. Readers will become acquainted (or re-acquainted) with people whose stories represent a myriad of separate-but-connected movements, all fighting against corporate greed and global inequities. People who have witnessed horrific human rights abuses. People who enjoyed privileged lives until realizing that their privilege came on the backs of others. People who rally their local communities to protest educational inequity and environmental destruction. Brave new activists. Committed veteran activists. Tree-sitters. Banner-droppers. Students. Teachers. Laborers. Poets. All have a place in Global Uprising.

Because it cannot be easily divided into categories such as social, economic, political, or environmental activism, the diverse material in Global Uprising is loosely organized by tabs in the margin indicating Context, Tactics, Mentor, Witness, Organization, or Resources (of which there are many). Many of the pieces offer “Links” to related websites, and short quotations sprinkled throughout offer “Another Voice,” the thoughts or observations of individual activists. Striking black-and-white photographs capture the visible spirit and passion of activists at work and at rest.

For those unfamiliar with the issues, Global Uprising offers succinct explanations of the history of the WTO, IMF and World Bank; affinity groups and their significance; the history of U.S. imperialism; and more. But, ultimately, what makes Global Uprising remarkable are its stories: stories that must be told, evocative stories that amplify the strong voices of activists and powerfully express the many injustices and atrocities in the world today.

GLOBAL UPRISING
Confronting the Tyrannies of the 21st Century
by Neva Welton and Linda Wolf
New Society Publishers
November 2001
Paperback / $19.95
ISBN 0-86571-446-0
Visit www.newsociety.com and www.youthactivism.org.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
Linda Wolf is a distinguished photographer and writer, and author of Daughters of the Moon, Sisters of the Sun. Neva Welton, MA is a community organizer, youth advocate, facilitator, and writer. She is the co-founder of the Kitsap Citizen Action Network. Both are social activists living in Seattle.