On April 3, Tropical Cyclone Seroja hit East Nusa Tenggara, bringing historic flooding, landslides, and heavy winds to the southernmost province of Indonesia. More than 184 people were killed. Tens of thousands lost their homes. Farms, fields, and cattle critical for food and livelihoods were destroyed—further devastating communities still dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. 

On June 19, 1865 – more than two years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation – word finally reached Galveston, Texas that slavery had been abolished. For more than a century, people have celebrated “Juneteenth” as the end of slavery in the U.S. 

At first, Antonia wasn’t sure about getting the COVID-19 vaccine. Like many people, the retired Florida farmworker had heard some negative things about it.  

Libby Chase works on the Civic Space Global Initiative, addressing the increasing closing of civic space around the world.