This is the first in a series of essays with illustrations by the brilliantly talented Frederick Noland. This is work that grows out of our 2019 animated feature, Priced Out: Why You Can’t Afford to Live in San Francisco.

Friends, family and supporters including local politicians gathered before dawn on Saturday to welcome back home wounded journalist and activist, Brandon Lee. Lee was born and raised in San Francisco and was shot outside his home in the northern Philippines in August of this year.

On a day meant to be a worldwide celebration, in San Francisco there was a tearful reminder that defenders of indigenous people are under constant threat. Dozens rallied in grief and prayer in front of San Francisco’s City Hall to express support for Brandon Lee, a journalist and activist from San Francisco’s Sunset District who was shot and critically wounded just three days prior at his home in the Philippines.

Nearly 200 protesters from the Filipino community, faith groups, and civic organizations gathered in front of the Philippine Consulate in downtown San Francisco on April 5, calling for justice and demanding accountability for the Philippine government’s violent action against protesting farmers on April 1 that resulted in two deaths and 116 injured in Kidapawan, Philippines.

Middle school student from Mendota in western Fresno County breaks down the impacts of the California drought on farm workers in one of People Power Media's best interviewees.

Undocumented farm workers are hit the hardest because of California's extreme drought. We went to the heart of the Central Valley, west Fresno County, to talk to residents about how they're surviving the massive job losses.

A look at grassroots organizations helping Typhoon Haiyan victims in the Philippines.

First Nations and environmental activists interrupt Enbridge’s pipeline plans at a National Energy Board hearing in Toronto regarding Line 9B, a pipeline that conveys crude oil between Sarnia, Ontario and Montréal, Quebec.

National Nurses United lead protest against Keystone XL pipeline highlighting possible health impact.