If 2020 was the year for activism, 2021 may be following its lead.Despite the fact that many protests last year were held online due to the pandemic, people took to the streets in face masks to voice their disapproval at police violence and racism. COVID-19 vaccinations this year have made it possible for more people to advocate for those who aren't privelege IRL.We are about half way through the year and we are moving into a new normal. Workers' rights, reproductive health, racial justice, and workers' rights will all be important issues. The pandemic forced the world to acknowledge many social inequalities that were present but had been largely ignored.Here are some notable moments that have occurred so far in 2021 when people stood up to help the sick. These photos, while not complete and in no particular order illustrate what can happen when we as a group are courageous enough to support those who are least powerful.1. 1.India's farmers protestCredit: RAJK RAJ / HINDUSTAN TIME / SHUTTERSTOCKIndian farmers protested against new laws they claimed would harm their livelihood. These protests were referred to as some of the most significant in world history and lasted into 2021. The government shut down internet access at protest sites in New Delhi as a response to February's marches. The Delhi police launched a criminal investigation into the creators and maintainers of an online toolkit that was intended to help farmers. India's agricultural sector employs over half of its population.2. 2. Colombians protest against tax increasesProtesters took to the streets of Colombia at the end of April after the government raised taxes because citizens were complaining about not being able to afford food. COVID-19 had caused havoc in Colombia's economy. After 42 deaths in the mass protests, officials reversed tax markups days later. Demonstrators called for increased public education funding, better job opportunities, and improved healthcare.People protest against tax reforms proposed by the government. (Photo by Daniel Garzon/VWPics/Universal Images Group via Getty Images. Credit: VW Pics/Universal Images Group.3. Alabama Amazon workers attempt to form a unionAmazon workers in Bessemer, Alabama attempted to form a union in April but it was defeated. Amazon had previously hired a law firm known for its union busting skills.Credit: Elijah NouvelagE/Getty Images4. Rep. Cori Bush describes the racism she encountered while pregnantCori Bush, a representative from Texas, shared her personal experiences as a Black mother in a hearing about the Black maternal mortality crisis. Black Americans are three times more likely to die before or after giving birth than whites. Bush tweeted that "Everyday, Black babies and their birthing parents die because our doctors don’t believe our pain," after the hearing.Credit: TOM WILLIAMS/CQ-ROLL CALL/GETTY IMAGES5. McDonald's workers fight for $15 minimum wageIn May, McDonald's workers marched in Fort Lauderdale for $15 minimum wage. McDonald's announced last month that it would raise its hourly wages to compete for workers. The entry level staff at corporate stores start at $11 an hour, while shift managers start at $15 an hour. The company anticipates that the average hourly wage (but not the minimum) will be $15 by 2024.Credit: CHANDAN KHANNA / GETTY IMAGES6. Reflection was encouraged across the country on George Floyd's one-year anniversary.Cities across the country and internationally hosted commemorative events on May 25 to mark the anniversary of George Floyd’s death. Officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty of his murder just weeks before the anniversary.Angela Harrelson (an aunt of George Floyd) and Paris Stevens (a cousin of George Floyd), can be seen in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on May 25th. See the photo below.Angela Harrelson (an aunt of George Floyd) and Paris Stevens (a cousin of George Floyd), spoke in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on May 25, to mark the one-year anniversary Floyd's death. Credit: BRANDON BELL / Getty Images7. Texas valedictorian condemns 'dehumanizing abortion law'Paxton Smith, a valedictorian from a high school, gave an unapproved graduation speech in protest of Texas' heartbeat bill. This would have banned abortions after six weeks. It is a time when most women don't know that they are pregnant."I have dreams and hopes and ambitions. She said that every girl who graduates today has these dreams. "And we have worked our whole lives towards our future. Without our input and without our consent, that future is now ours."8. Supporters of Palestine rally at Lincoln MemorialSupporters of Palestine gathered at Washington's Lincoln Memorial to demand that the U.S. stop funding Israeli weapons and provide general aid. They also wanted to raise awareness about the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. After 11 days of fighting between Israelis & Palestinians that saw more than 200 Palestinians killed, almost a third of them children, and 12 Israelis including two children, the demonstration was held. The fighting also caused the destruction of water and sewer. The fighting also destroyed electricity and water systems in Gaza. Widely criticized, Israel responded in adisproportionate manner to rocket fire from Hamas militants. Israeli officials have defended their actions and the U.S. President Joe Biden once said that Israel was not overreacting.TOPSHOT - On May 29, 2021, supporters of Palestine held a rally at Washington's Lincoln Memorial. Saturday's rally in Washington saw more than 1000 people demonstrate in support of Palestinians, and call for the end of US aid to Israel. The Lincoln Memorial protest was a sign of a ceasefire, which ended 11 days worth of fighting between Israel's Islamist movement Hamas in Gaza. (Photo taken by ANDREW CaballeRO-REYNOLDS / AFP). (Photo taken by ANDREWCABALLERO–REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images). Credit: AFP via Getty Images9. Tulsa Race Massacre survivors meet on 100-year anniversaryThree of the last survivors of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre (when a white mob set a Black community on fire and killed hundreds) gathered together in June to commemorate the tragedy. Together with Rev. The survivors and a large crowd sang in honor of the anniversary to Dr. William J. Barber.The crowd sang, "Ain’t gonna let any racism turn me around." "I'm going to keep walking, keep talking, and walking towards freedom land.Three survivors of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre (when a white mob set a Black neighborhood ablaze and killed hundreds) sing together at the end of a rally to commemorate the 100th anniversary. Credit: BRANDON BELL/ Getty Images10. 10.Activists protest the oil sands pipelineIn early June, police in riot gear detained environmental activists at the Line 3 pipeline pumping station near Itasca State Park in Minnesota.For years, environmentalists and indigenous groups have been resisting the Line 3 oil pipeline worth $4 billion.Environmental activists were arrested by police in riot gear at the Line 3 oil sands pipe pumping station, near the Itasca State Park in Minnesota, on June 7. Credit to KEREM YUCEL / Getty Images11. Keystone XL pipeline is shut downAfter more than a decade of resistance by ranchers, environmentalists, Indigenous tribes, and local environmentalists to the Keystone XL pipeline, the developer pulled the plug in June. The pipeline, which ran 300 miles, was built to transport oil from Canada into the U.S. Gulf Coast.According to NPR, Larry Wright Jr., Chairman of the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska said, "It's great day for Mother Earth."After a decade-long struggle by Indigenous tribes, environmentalists and ranchers to stop the Keystone XL Pipeline, the developer officially ended it on June 9, 2021. Credit: Bloomberg via Getty Images12. Marching for trans youthIn support of Black trans youth and gender nonconforming youth, demonstrators gathered in New York for the Brooklyn Liberation March. The signs they carried included "Protect Trans Youth," Black Trans Lives Matter and "Trans Youth Power." This march was organized in protest of a series of state laws that target trans youth and prevent them from accessing healthcare and participating in school sports.Credit: Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images13. A high school graduate tells his coming-out storyHigh school valedictorian kept telling his coming out story and talking about his mental health struggles during his June graduation speech. The principal tried to stop him from doing so, but he refused to stop him. New Jersey's Bryce Dershem said that he was happy to recite the speech he had memorized in order to help others feel less alone.
