Working people across the globe are continuing to feed off of each other's momentum as waves of international protest have strengthened in recent weeks. Demonstrations, marches and diverse kinds of protest have catalyzed communities on all continents, propelling international social movements into an open fight for human rights, educational opportunities and an end to wars. As the mainstream media remains nearly silent about these waves of protest, activist communities are increasingly recognizing their shared power in this one world struggle. After May Day protests on May 1 sparked the spring offensive across the world, here are some other events that marked the international surge of resistance the past two weeks:

• More than 1,500 Palestinian prisoners have participated in a mass hunger strike in the occupied territories of the West Bank and Gaza to oppose the wrongful imprisonment of thousands of Palestinians, horrific prison conditions and inhumane treatment during their incarceration without formal charges. Ten hunger-strikers were hospitalized by the end of the hunger strike. Israeli officials compromised a deal to allow solitary confinement prisoners to be returned to the other areas of the prison as well as to allow family visits.
• 106 activists were arrested outside of Quebec’s liberal party headquarters demanding an end to tuition hikes. Three were hospitalized, and one protester lost the use of an eye as police shot rubber bullets and fired tear gas at protesters.
• Inspired by the student movement in Canada, hundreds of Czech students mobilized on the streets to protest tuition hikes and education budget cuts, as well.
• On May 16, hundreds of protesters took the streets of Chile as a part of the Chilean Student Movement to demand free education.
• Student movements continue with momentum as dozens of California public university students went on a hunger strike until their demands – including a five-year moratorium on student fees and a decrease executive salaries – are met.
• Los Indignados of Spain celebrated their one-year anniversary with tens of thousands filling the streets to stand up against poverty and unemployment rates throughout the country in the anti-austerity movement.
• About 20 protesters were arrested in Nepal after the Nepali government forcefully evicted residents in Katmandu. Dozens were injured as riot police demolished homes and forced families to relocate.
• Thousands marched in Tahrir Square in Egypt to oppose the country’s brutal military rule as police violence left at least nine dead in the streets of Cairo.
• Hundreds marched outside of the Bank of America shareholders meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina to protest foreclosures across the country. Four people were arrested.
• A dozen Russian writers led a protest of more than 10,000 people to oppose the Putin regime. The march stopped traffic for miles, and no arrests were made.
• Hundreds mobilized in Addison, Texas to fight against the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which some say is a revised version of the NATO treaty.
• Thousands of Palestinians commemorated Nakba Day, which marks the day in 1948 when the state of Israel was established and began the displacement, murder and imprisonment of thousands of Palestinian families.
• Despite evictions and arrests, Occupy Moscow hangs on. Tens of thousands have joined in anti-austerity and anti-Putin marches.
• Houston activists gathered at the county court house to demand justice for black 15-year-old teenager Chad Holley, who was beaten to death by a white former police officer who was acquitted of all charges earlier this week.
• Countless protests have begun as NATO negotiations take place in Chicago. Thousands of activists have descended upon the city to protest against the Afghanistan war and immigration practices and in support of worker unions.
• Hundreds of thousands have taken to the streets of Quebec in protest of a 75% tuition increase over the next five years.

Graciela Razo writes for The People’s Record.