USRESIST NEWS is an independent news organization that provides investigative journalism into the public policies, programs, people, and eventsthat shape our country
- We are optimists. “We believe real change is possible. But only if enough well-informed, well-intentioned — and just plain fed up and fired-up — people demand it.”
- We work to spark action by revealing systemic injustice and providing a platform for transformative ideas, through in-depth investigative reporting and critical analysis.
- We seek to always provide access to reliable information, nonpartisan journalism, and real-time tools to inform and engage our readers.
James Madison, the Father of our Constitution, once said, “Knowledge will forever govern ignorance, and a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives.”
Our Mission
The mission of U.S. Resist News is to report on the policies, programs, and people that are needed to rebuild America and renew its spirit.
We aim to help our readers make informed choices about the public policy issues that affect their lives and support all efforts currently underway to improve and strengthen our practice of democratic governance.
We hope to see political leadership, public policies, and programs developed to deal with the crises that our nation faces in areas such as healthcare, education, the use of technology, income inequality, racial justice, environmental degradation, and climate change.
We believe that together we can attain a renewed democracy.
How Your Support Matters
Thinkers such as Amartya Sen argue that democratic values are essential to successful development, pointing out that no substantial famine has ever occurred in an independent and democratic country with a relatively free press. He cites the example of India, where the last famine in 1943 took place under British colonial rule.
Your support helps us be a leading light for and a champion of America’s free press. It enables us to continue to do the vital work of publishing quality, inciteful, and engaging independent journalism. We cannot do this without support from you – our readers and subscribers. Whether you can give $5 or $10 a month or $10,000 a year, your gift provides the sustainable funding that U.S. Resist News needs to continue amplifying the voices of democracy across the nation.
Contributing Writers
The staff who work for and volunteer many long hours for U.S. Resist News are from the people and for the people. They are lawyers, teachers, young researchers, and activists who believe that free and independent media is one of the pillars of our democracy.
The journalists who write for U.S. Resist News are from the people. They are lawyers, teachers, young researchers, and activists who believe that free and independent media is one of the pillars of our democracy.
Ron Israel
Managing Editor
Ron Israel is a leader in the field of human capacity development and education, both in the formal and non formal sectors. He formerly headed Education Development Center’s (EDC) International Development Division. He has worked with groups of scholars and teachers from countries around the world, facilitating projects within a broad array of cultural settings. He has more than 20 years of consulting and project management experience in the fields of education, health, the environment, democracy and civil society programs, and has consulted for clients including the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), United Nations Development Program, UNESCO, UNICEF, World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Bank.
Erika Shannon
Social Justice Analyst
Erika Shannon has a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Northeastern Illinois University. Erika was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois where she currently resides. She worked as a writing tutor at her university and was also actively involved in the Organizing for America grassroots campaign for Barack Obama in 2012. Erika also has past involvement with service organizations, such as Epsilon Sigma Alpha Foundation. Her future goals are to obtain a master’s degree in public policy and disaster policy. When not reading or writing, Erika enjoys spending time with her daughter, exploring nature with her dog, or cooking.
Geoffrey Small
Health & Gender Policy Analyst
Geoff Small is a recent graduate of UMass Boston’s Master of Public Policy and Administration Program. Currently living in Massachusetts, Geoff also works for a Medicaid funded organization called Adult Foster Care of the North Shore, where he serves individuals in his community with disabilities living in a caregiver’s home. Aside from spending over a decade in the health care and social services field, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two children in the City of Gloucester.
Ibrahim Castro
Foreign Policy Analyst
Ibrahim Castro is a foreign policy analyst and Latin America researcher with a Bachelors degree in International Relations, a minor in Political Science, and certificates of study in Latin American and South Asian studies from Florida International University. He is anticipating pursuing a Masters Degree in International Development in fall 2021 at the University of London. His research areas of focus include U.S. foreign policy, Latin America, neoliberalism, and nationalism.
Inijah Quadri
Copywriter
Inijah Quadri is a talented writer with a passion for storytelling. He studied English Literature at the University of Denver and has since honed his writing skills, publishing his work in various literary journals and magazines. Inijah’s writing style is unique, with a keen attention to detail and a gift for crafting vivid and compelling stories. Whether he is writing fiction or non-fiction, Inijah has the ability to transport readers to new worlds and leave them with a lasting impression. In addition to his writing, Inijah is an avid reader and traveler, always seeking new inspiration for his work. His love for language and storytelling shines through in everything he does, and he is excited to share his talents with the world.
Jacob Morton
Environmnetal News Analyst
Jacob Morton has a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Since undergrad, he has been working in farm management for various small, diverse, organic farms in California and Hawaii. Jacob now lives in Maine where he is pursuing a graduate degree in Policy, Planning and Management at the University of Southern Maine. Jacob believes many of the solutions to a healthier planet and healthier people reside in our ability to plan and design with the understanding that everything is connected in some way. His current goals are to work with city planners to design cities and communities that contribute to carbon sequestration and the production of local food. Jacob loves to surf, cook, garden and spend time with his dog.
Mindy Spatt
Technology Policy Analyst
Mindy Spatt is a published essayist and freelance writer whose work has appeared in numerous newspapers and magazines including the San Francisco Chronicle and Lambda Book Report. She has also worked as an indexer and legal editor at California Continuing Education of the Bar, and as Communications Chief for a statewide nonprofit advocating for fair energy and telecom policies. She received her BA from the State University of New York and holds a law degree from Antioch School of Law/DC University.
Reilly Fitzgerald
Foreign Policy Analyst
Reilly Fitzgerald is a licensed public school teacher in the state of Maine in World Languages and Social Studies. Reilly has a Bachelor’s Degree in International Affairs from the University of Maine, and a Masters of Science in Education (MSEd) from the University of Southern Maine. He worked, prior to teaching, as a Physical Security Planner and Emergency Preparedness Consultant for a large consulting firm. He has traveled extensively throughout Europe, Canada, and the United States. He is an avid skier, and endurance sports enthusiast. Reilly lives in Maine, with his wife and family.
Rudolph Lurz
Policy Analyst
Rudolph Lurz received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Florida. He holds a doctorate in Administrative and Policy Studies from the University of Pittsburgh. He has taught and coached for 13 years in Florida, Virginia, Illinois, and Wisconsin. In his spare time, he enjoys golfing and exploring breweries. He lives in Wisconsin with his wife, daughters, and cat.
Rodney A. Maggay
Civil Rights News Analyst – Senior Writer
Rod Maggay is an attorney and a social activist. Rod is originally from Southern California and attended the University of Southern California (USC) for his B.A. in Political Science with a Minor in International Relations. He also attended Whittier Law School in Costa Mesa, California where he earned his J.D. and a Certificate in Intellectual Property Law. Rod formerly worked for the U.S. Department of Justice in the Civil Rights Division and the Securities & Exchange Commission (S.E.C.) in the Division of Enforcement. Rod is a former rugby player who enjoys international literature and watching college sports and is always looking for ways to stay active and on the move.
Todd J. Broadman
Environmental News Analyst
Todd writes from his perch in northern Idaho where he has resided since the year 2000. After graduating from the Thunderbird School of International Management in 1985, he masqueraded as a corporate executive in the data communications industry and oversaw projects in China, Hong Kong, India, and England. His “soul work” was spent with Hospice and Special Olympics. The deepest connections in his life are the natural world and his two children. Since 2012, his passion to further understand how the globe’s gears turn has fueled his Op-Ed newspaper columns, and now, US Renew Policy Briefs.
Yelena Korshunov
Multinews Analyst
Yelena Korshunov is a Ukraine-born educator and journalist. She earned her academic degrees in education, linguistics, and journalism overseas and in the United States. She lived and worked in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Today Yelena is an assistant principal at the school for children with special needs in New York, US. She publishes developmental workbooks and creates curricula for early childhood education. Yelena is also a founder and president of LAMAD/Brilliant Kids NYC. She has a sincere passion for education, advocating for teachers and students, traveling, and promoting a healthy lifestyle for kids and adults.