http://www.janson.com/television/show_program.php?pid=1463 Hosted and narrated by Robert Redford, Global Focus features intimate portraits of passionate and dedicated activists from around the world who have placed themselves in harm’s way to battle authoritative governments and powerful corporations to safeguard the Earth’s natural resources from exploitation and pollution.
Episode 101
Rudolf Amenga-Etego | G H A N A
A public interest lawyer, Amenga-Etego gained international recognition for suspending a major water privatization project that would have further impeded access to clean drinking water, a crisis linked to high rates of disease in low-income communities.
Rashida Bee and Champa Devi Shukla | I N D I A
On the 20th anniversary of the 1984 Union Carbide gas leak that killed 20,000 and injured more than 150,000 in Bhopal, these women successfully led a class action suit demanding clean up and compensation for affected individuals.
Manana Kochladze | G E O R G I A
Her tenacity in the face of widespread government corruption and multinational industry interests won critical concessions to protect local villagers and the environment in the former Soviet republic from the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil export pipeline.
Demetrio do Amaral de Carvalho | EAST TIMOR
A founding father and environmental hero of the worlds newest nation, de Carvalho spearheaded the progressive inclusion of environmental justice tenets in East Timors constitution.
Margie Eugene-Richard | U N I T E D S T A T E S
Eugene-Richard secured agreement from Shell Chemical to reduce its toxic emissions by 30 percent, contribute million to a community development fund, and finance relocation of her Old Diamond neighbors.
Libia Grueso | C O L O M B I A
A social worker and activist, Grueso secured more than 5.9 million acres in territorial rights for the countrys Afro-Colombian communities despite life-threatening circumstances.
Homegrown, honest and committed are three ways to describe Ruben Wills. Disgusted by ineffective and selfish leadership, Ruben Wills is a candidate for the United States Congress, 6th District, which includes Jamaica, St. Albans, Hollis, Queens Village, Adesleigh Park, Cambria Heights, Far Rockaway, Richmond Hill, Ozone Park, South Ozone Park, Laurelton & Rosedale. Reared from humble beginnings, Ruben Wills grew up in South Jamaica Houses. He attended Public School 40, Thomas Edison High School & Long Island University where he pursued a double major in Political Science and Psychology. Life has not always been simple or smooth for Ruben. As an adolescent, Ruben Wills ran into trouble with the law. This experience gave him firsthand knowledge in relating to and mentoring at-risk youth. Ruben Wills has always been an independent thinker. In 1992, at the age of 21, Ruben started R & W Painting and Contracting Co. Through his company Ruben Wills trained and hired local young adults, focusing on those with arrest records and felony convictions. Some of their projects included International House of Pancakes (Hillside Avenue), X-Mas in April under former Mayor David Dinkins, and the Queens Supreme Court House. By 1997, Ruben Wills was teaching men and women ages 18 — 26, trades specific to the construction industry for the New York City Department of Youth & Community Development through Montessori Progressive Learning Center. Ruben also worked as a workshop facilitator for the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development. In 1999, Ruben Wills founded the Christian Basketball League uniting more than 60 churches. The league, still active, provides a safe atmosphere and mentorship program which focuses on at risk males. In 2003, Ruben served as the Confidential Assistant to Councilman Leroy Comrie. It was there Ruben became intimate with troubles and ills of the community. He gained a full understanding of how government does and does not work. Understanding that a community is only as strong as its institutions, in 2004, Ruben Wills created New York for Life, a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing awareness on issues such as Obesity, Single Parenthood, Civic Involvement and Education. Currently Ruben Wills is the Executive Chief of Staff to State Senator Shirley L. Huntley in 10th District. In this position Ruben has stood next to Senator Huntley on the front line in battles against the mortgage foreclosure crisis, predatory lending and contracting, unfair treatment of veterans, rising asthma rates in South East Queens and other issues that threaten our community’s well-being. Ruben’s vision is to serve with integrity, provide equity and bring back community involvement in government. He truly believes that “Everyone matters & Everyone counts.” Our expectations must be restored by spreading the message that it is, once again, alright to HOPE! Ruben Wills lives in Saint Albans, Queens with his loving wife Marcia.
