Biden calls for global unity against common threats
President Joe Biden on Tuesday delivered his debut address to the annual gathering of world leaders at the United Nations amid strong new doubts about his ability to vault the United States back into a position of global leadership after his predecessor’s promotion of “America First” isolationism.
Speaking to a smaller-than-usual audience of his peers because of the still-raging COVID-19 pandemic, Biden called for a new era of global unity against the coronavirus, emerging technological threats and the expanding influence of autocratic nations such as China and Russia.
“No matter how challenging or how complex the problems we’re going to face, government by and for the people is still the best way to deliver for all of our people,” he said, insisting that the United States and its Western allies would remain vital partners.
“Our security, our prosperity and our very freedoms are interconnected, in my view as never before,” Biden said.
Calling for the world to make the use of force “our tool of last resort, not our first,” he defended his decision to end the U.S. war in Afghanistan, a chaotic withdrawal of U.S. troops that left allies blindsided.
“Today, many of our greatest concerns cannot be solved or even addressed by the force of arms,” he said. “Bombs and bullets cannot defend against COVID-19 or its future variants.”
But Biden’s efforts to move America past former President Donald Trump’s more confrontational policies come amid growing frustration among allies with his administration’s diplomatic approach.
like Sprouts or Trader Joe’s to the neighborhood could be effective, a more productive route would be to teach residents simultaneously about the healthy food they would be buying from these stores, Kyle said. Japanese eggplants, for example, might not be part of a resident’s diet and therefore they would not know how to prepare it, she said.
“I do feel like it’s integral for all people to know how to feed themselves, but especially where people are underserved,” Kyle said. “It helps them to be less reliant, and that does something to build up the morale of those individuals.”
Make the Road Nevada, a nonprofit that connects with working class and immigrant communities, is also promoting environmental justice in underserved Las Vegas communities.
Last week, the group played host to a resource fair for street vendors near its headquarters on Bonanza Road. The COVID19 vaccine was available to participant, and the fair provided information on housing, banking guidance for undocumented immigrants and other resources.
The first 15 recipients of the vaccine received a $100 gift card to Smith’s grocery store, said Audrey Peral, organizing director of Make the Road Nevada.
Street vendors, who sell goods such as produce and souvenirs, are some of the most susceptible to increased temperatures because of climate change in Las Vegas, according to Make the Road Nevada. Some sell outside all day, setting up shop on the side of busy roads. Many of the vendors are undocumented immigrants, Peral said, and often do not know how to access resources to help their businesses and themselves.
“Part of the way we’re approaching environmental justice is very much through a people-centered lens,” Peral said. “The idea is for us to continue to uplift and empower and engage, in the future come together to talk about policy and how can we push for a greener and safer and better Nevada.”
Street vendor Letty Cruz, who sells clothing from Letty’s Construction Ware, said she heard about the event through Peral. The availability of vaccines and housing information appealed most to her, she said.
“I don’t currently own a house, but I’m seeking to,” Cruz said. “There’s all the requirements and different programs, so I can learn more about that.”
Las Vegas resident Heliodoro Ramirez said his sons had been urging him to receive the vaccine. When he saw them available at the fair, he felt motivated to get his first dose.
Ramirez said he would speak with Lalo Montoya, Make the Road Nevada’s housing organizer, about a CARES Housing Assistance Program application — another resource at the fair.
“Something in my heart was pounding and telling me I should go back,” he said in Spanish, translated by Peral. “(I’m) so sure that God sent (me) because there’s other resources that (I) really needed.”
The fair also featured Fifth Sun Project, a local nonprofit that raises money for community members in need.
In July, the group raised approximately $1,600 through a dance contest, and at Make the Road’s fair, the group distributed all the funds to street vendors.
“I think it’s important to let the community know that there’s resources for them,” said Xochitl Garcia, vice president of the Fifth Sun Project. “I know for a lot of people in low-income neighborhoods, they’re unaware of the resources that are available to them, so I think it’s really important to have all these things available.”