Retro Report

19 hours ago | retroreport.org | Anne Checler |Scott Michels |Sarah Weiser |Meral Agish

Today’s debates over sanctuary cities have roots in the 1980s, when churches defied the law to shelter refugees fleeing civil wars in Guatemala and El Salvador. When the government refused to grant asylum to those escaping the violence, church leaders took matters into their own hands, smuggling families across the border, hiding them in churches and helping them resettle. Federal prosecutors launched undercover investigations, ultimately convicting eight sanctuary activists.

2 weeks ago | retroreport.org | Scott Michels |Anne Checler

The bomb’s long-term effects were not acknowledged by the authorities for years. Hibakusha like Masako Wada later became activists, helping to build a worldwide movement. “We still have two major demands,” she said. “One is the abolition of nuclear weapons, and the other is national compensation.”The risks of nuclear conflict remain high, with more than 12,000 nuclear weapons stockpiled globally, some many times more powerful than the ones dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

2 months ago | retroreport.org | Jill Rosenbaum |Brian Kamerzel |Karen M. Sughrue |Cara Anthony |Jill Rosenbaum Meyer

With 300+ short-form documentaries and dozens of educator-approved lesson plans, Retro Report brings history to life in your classroom. Register for free to access classroom materials and student activities. Already have an account?

Jan 24, 2025 | retroreport.org | Kit R. Roane |Brian Kamerzel |Cole Cahill

Supreme Court rulings on gun laws reflect an ongoing national debate over how to balance individual rights and public safety. This video considers the perspectives of gun rights advocates, scholars, and those pressing for stricter firearms regulation as it explores how the court has reinterpreted the Second Amendment. Experts underscore pivotal developments, including the Founding era’s focus on “a well regulated militia” and the 2008 ruling in District of Columbia v.

Jan 10, 2025 | retroreport.org | Sarah Weiser |Heru Muharrar |Scott Michels

New York City’s renewed efforts to tackle homelessness and untreated mental illness is raising complex questions about civil liberties, public safety and effective care. When Mayor Eric Adams announced a similar plan in 2022, critics like Sam Tsemberis, the founder of the Pathways Housing First Initiative, argued that the approach missed the bigger picture.“This is just a smokescreen,” he said, emphasizing the need for systemic solutions.