Author: Abby Martin

Empire Files: Constituent Assembly Dictatorship Or Democracy In Venezuela?

Empire Files: Constituent Assembly Dictatorship Or Democracy In Venezuela?

Posted by | Jul 25, 2017 | , , , , , , |

On July 30th, Venezuelans will elect a people’s body called the “Constituent Assembly” comprised of hundreds of representatives across the country with the power to redraft the constitution. U.S. politicians, press and opposition in Venezuela are calling the process a “coup” that should be boycotted by all. Abby Martin addresses the criticisms with Head of the Presidential Commission to oversee the Constituent Assembly process, Elias Jaua, speaks to supporters and participants of the Assembly, interviews historian Chris Gilbert and explains what is at stake in Venezuela if the social programs instated under Chavez are terminated by the...

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Modern-Day Slave Trade By Human Rights Diplomats – The Empire Files

Modern-Day Slave Trade By Human Rights Diplomats – The Empire Files

Posted by | Jul 17, 2017 | , , , , |

Human trafficking is a hidden industry that brings in $150 billion in illegal profits every year. In the United States, tens of thousands are trafficked annually—the biggest clients being major hotel chains and foreign diplomats. The Philippines is one of the largest labor exporters in the world. 6,000 Filipinos—mostly women—leave the country every single day to work, because of mass unemployment and poverty. Tricked by placement agencies, thousands end up living as virtual slaves. Damayan, a New York-based organization led by Filipina domestic workers, is fighting this underground crisis. Abby Martin speaks to several members of the organization about...

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Empire Files: Abby Martin In Venezuela – Supermarkets To Black Markets

Empire Files: Abby Martin In Venezuela – Supermarkets To Black Markets

Posted by | Jul 15, 2017 | , , , , , |

Abby Martin talks to Venezuelans on the streets of Caracas and investigates the main claim that there’s no free press, and that there is no food in the supermarkets. Using hidden cameras, she takes you through local grocery stores and the underground black market currency exchange, the main source of inflation in the country. Abby sits down with economist Pasqualina Curzio to learn more about the nature of the black market and chronic shortages of goods. Knowing that world leaders are calling for foreign intervention, Abby finds out if locals...

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Empire Files: The Roots of the Philippines Trafficking Epidemic

Empire Files: The Roots of the Philippines Trafficking Epidemic

Posted by | Jun 21, 2017 | , |

In this sequel to The Empire Files’ report on trafficked Filipina domestic workers, Damayan’s Linda Oalican provides a deeper context to the epidemic of human trafficking by guiding us through the history of colonialism, resistance and US domination of the islands. From the centuries of Spanish rule and decades of US brutality, through the evisceration of the Philippine economy, this episode is a must-watch primer on why human beings are now the nation’s top export. Watch Part I here....

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