Janessa Schilmoeller

Janessa Schilmoeller is a Mint Press correspondent and staff writer based in Southern Africa. Janessa has worked with intercultural education programs for several years and focuses on topics of international relations, social change and human rights. She has previously lived in Jordan and has traveled to various countries in the Middle East. Janessa is currently reporting from Southern Africa where she coordinates study abroad programs focused on nation building, liberation theology and decolonizing the mind while reporting on social and political issues in the region. Follow her on Twitter at @jschilmo

21st Century Continental Congress a Dividing Issue Among Occupy Protesters

(MintPress)–The 99% Declaration Working Group, a branch-off group from the Occupy movement, will host a 21st century Continental Congress this summer to prepare and ratify a petition for a redress of grievances to address the issues of economic greed and corruption at the core of the Occupy protests that began in September. The announcement of […]

Janessa Schilmoeller
By Janessa Schilmoeller
A Occupy Wall Street volunteer hands out printed copies of the Declaration of Occupy New York (Photo by Palinopsia Films)

(MintPress)--The 99% Declaration Working Group, a branch-off group from the Occupy movement, will host a 21st century Continental Congress this summer to prepare and ratify a petition for a redress of grievances to address the issues of economic greed and corruption at the core of the Occupy protests that began in September. The announcement of

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Man Arrested in Attempted Suicide Attack at U.S. Capitol, Terrorist or Victim of Entrapment?

(MintPress)— When Amine el-Khalifi was arrested on Friday, he thought he was wearing an explosive devise intended for a suicide attack on the U.S. Capitol. El Khalifi was unaware that the explosives were actually inoperable and provided by undercover FBI agents, not al-Qaeda operatives. The federal involvement in the attempted terrorist operation resulting from interactions […]

Janessa Schilmoeller
By Janessa Schilmoeller
This artist rendering shows Amine El Khalifi before U.S. District Judge T. Rawles Jones Jr. in federal court in Alexandria, Va., Friday, Feb. 17, 2012. El Khalifi, a 29-year-old Moroccan man was arrested Friday near the U.S. Capitol as he was planning to detonate what he thought was a suicide vest, given to him by FBI undercover operatives, said police and government officials. (AP Photo/Dana Verkouteren)

(MintPress)— When Amine el-Khalifi was arrested on Friday, he thought he was wearing an explosive devise intended for a suicide attack on the U.S. Capitol. El Khalifi was unaware that the explosives were actually inoperable and provided by undercover FBI agents, not al-Qaeda operatives. The federal involvement in the attempted terrorist

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Pakistan Civilian Casualties Mounting in Obama’s Drone War

  (MintPress)— Between 464 and 818 civilians have been credibly reported as killed, including 175 children, as a result of U.S. drone attacks in Pakistan, according to an in-depth investigation by the British Bureau of Investigative Journalism (TBIJ). In total, the report claims that over the past eight years, the United States’ undeclared drone war in […]

Janessa Schilmoeller
By Janessa Schilmoeller

  (MintPress)— Between 464 and 818 civilians have been credibly reported as killed, including 175 children, as a result of U.S. drone attacks in Pakistan, according to an in-depth investigation by the British Bureau of Investigative Journalism (TBIJ). In total, the report claims that over the past eight years, the United States’ undeclared

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From California to the Middle East, Hunger Strikes Still a powerful tool for prisoners

(MintPress)— Protesters across the United States took part in the National Occupy Day in Support of Prisoners on Monday, February 20th. The day of action follows a wave of hunger strikes that have swept through California prisons starting last summer, reportedly resulting in the death of one prisoner earlier this month. Hunger strikes, a form of […]

Janessa Schilmoeller
By Janessa Schilmoeller
Protesters in Oxford, England tape their mouths shut in solidarity with Palestanian prisoner Khader Adnan. (Photo by Charlotte-Anne Malischewski)

(MintPress)— Protesters across the United States took part in the National Occupy Day in Support of Prisoners on Monday, February 20th. The day of action follows a wave of hunger strikes that have swept through California prisons starting last summer, reportedly resulting in the death of one prisoner earlier this month. Hunger strikes, a form of

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Trend Towards Fewer Mental Health Services May Increase Problems for Prisons

Alabama will close the majority of its mental health hospitals by spring 2013 in face of significant budget cuts. The decision is consistent with a national trend to cut spending on mental health, forcing hundreds of patients back into communities, and possibly into prisons. Nearly 1,000 employees will be laid off as a result of […]

Janessa Schilmoeller
By Janessa Schilmoeller

Alabama will close the majority of its mental health hospitals by spring 2013 in face of significant budget cuts. The decision is consistent with a national trend to cut spending on mental health, forcing hundreds of patients back into communities, and possibly into prisons. Nearly 1,000 employees will be laid off as a result of Alabama’s

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The “Old” Monsanto is Back Again: 300,000 farmers Suing Monsanto Over Biotech Seeds

(MintPress) — Over 300,000 American farmers are awaiting a trial date for a landmark lawsuit filed last year against giant biotech company, Monsanto. The case, Organic Seed Growers & Trade Association, et. al. v. Monsanto, is one of dozens of lawsuits faced by Monsanto in the past decade over patents, biotechnology, and safety. In March 2011, […]

Janessa Schilmoeller
By Janessa Schilmoeller
Monsanto herbicide to be sprayed on food crops. (Photo from the USDA via Wikimedia Commons)

(MintPress) -- Over 300,000 American farmers are awaiting a trial date for a landmark lawsuit filed last year against giant biotech company, Monsanto. The case, Organic Seed Growers & Trade Association, et. al. v. Monsanto, is one of dozens of lawsuits faced by Monsanto in the past decade over patents, biotechnology, and safety. In March

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Private Military Contractor Deaths on Rise Despite Declining Troop Presence Abroad

  (MintPress)—Private Security Contractor (PSC) deaths are on the rise as U.S. troops prepare to withdraw from Afghanistan. In 2010, civilian contractor deaths exceeded U.S. military casualties in war zones for the first time in history. A study by Steven L. Schooner and Collin D. Swan from the George Washington University Law School, reported that between […]

Janessa Schilmoeller
By Janessa Schilmoeller
Blackwater Security guarding U.S. State Department employees at the Republican Palace in Baghdad

  (MintPress)—Private Security Contractor (PSC) deaths are on the rise as U.S. troops prepare to withdraw from Afghanistan. In 2010, civilian contractor deaths exceeded U.S. military casualties in war zones for the first time in history. A study by Steven L. Schooner and Collin D. Swan from the George Washington University Law School,

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