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2016's Most Memorable Moments in the US and Canada

IN PICTURES: As 2016 draws to a close, teleSUR takes a look at the year's most shocking, empowering and troubling moments in the United States and Canada.

2016 was a momentous year for both the world as well as the North American continent.

The United States and Canada both saw a strong upswing in resistance by Native American and First Nations peoples to the continued legacies of genocide, colonialism, and land theft, as well as the reckless exploitation of remaining native territories by extractive industries.

Both countries also experienced extreme weather events related to the El Niño climate cycle as well as global warming.

The United States witnessed the continuation of the powerful struggle by Black communities against police terror and state violence, with high-profile officer-committed killings galvanizing grassroots rage and new waves of social movement organizing.

Electoral politics consumed the attention of people in the United States, as the hopes of a youthful left-wing reform movement were dashed amidst the dramatic rise and humiliating defeat of liberal Democratic socialist Bernie Sanders by a Democratic Party establishment acting in favor of preferred candidate Hillary Clinton.

Clinton herself subsequently faced a crushing defeat on Election Day at the hands of eclectic billionaire Republican candidate Donald Trump, who rode to victory on a right-wing platform steeped in immigrant-bashing, dog-whistle racism, and "America First" rhetoric that has caused anxiety not only in oppressed communities within the United States but in foreign capitals as well, who are preparing themselves for the potential repercussions of President-elect Trump's unpredictable and tough-talking foreign policies.

As 2016 draws to a close, teleSUR takes a look at the year's shocking, empowering, and troubling moments in the United States and Canada.

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Flames rise in Industrial area south Fort McMurray, Alberta, May 3, 2016. An uncontrolled wildfire rapidly spread in the area, causing the entire city to be placed under a mandatory evacuation.
Flames rise in Industrial area south Fort McMurray, Alberta, May 3, 2016. An uncontrolled wildfire rapidly spread in the area, causing the entire city to be placed under a mandatory evacuation. Photo:Reuters
Lester Duplessis walks down a flooded street to his house Aug.16 in Gonzales, La. In August 2016, rainfall in southern parts of the U.S. state of Louisiana resulted in major flooding that affected thousands of houses and businesses.
Lester Duplessis walks down a flooded street to his house Aug.16 in Gonzales, La. In August 2016, rainfall in southern parts of the U.S. state of Louisiana resulted in major flooding that affected thousands of houses and businesses. Photo:AFP
Youths from three First Nations communities cross the frozen Attawapiskat river during a march on April 7, 2016, in support of efforts to tackle a sharp rise in suicide rates, in Attawapiskat, Ontario, in this picture provided by Jackie Hookimaw-Witt.
Youths from three First Nations communities cross the frozen Attawapiskat river during a march on April 7, 2016, in support of efforts to tackle a sharp rise in suicide rates, in Attawapiskat, Ontario, in this picture provided by Jackie Hookimaw-Witt. Photo:AFP
A Trump hat burns during a protest near where Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump held a rally in San Jose, California on June 02, 2016.
A Trump hat burns during a protest near where Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump held a rally in San Jose, California on June 02, 2016. Photo:AFP
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto, and U.S. President Barack Obama attempt a 3-way handshake – with awkward results.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto, and U.S. President Barack Obama attempt a 3-way handshake – with awkward results. Photo:Reuters
Inconsolable Bernie Sanders supporters were heartbroken as it appeared that the Vermont senator was putting the brakes on his so-called
Inconsolable Bernie Sanders supporters were heartbroken as it appeared that the Vermont senator was putting the brakes on his so-called "political revolution." Photo:AFP
A man sits and cries after taking part in a candlelight memorial service the day after a mass shooting at the Pulse gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, June 13, 2016.
A man sits and cries after taking part in a candlelight memorial service the day after a mass shooting at the Pulse gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, June 13, 2016. Photo:Reuters
Protesters walk in the streets downtown during another night of protests over the police shooting of Keith Scott in Charlotte, North Carolina, Sept. 22, 2016.
Protesters walk in the streets downtown during another night of protests over the police shooting of Keith Scott in Charlotte, North Carolina, Sept. 22, 2016. Photo:Reuters
On July 8, sniper Micah Johnson killed five Dallas police officers and wounded another seven at the site of a Black Lives Matter protest following the extrajudicial slaying of two Black men by police.
On July 8, sniper Micah Johnson killed five Dallas police officers and wounded another seven at the site of a Black Lives Matter protest following the extrajudicial slaying of two Black men by police. Photo:Twitter
In August, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick refused to stand during the playing of the U.S. national anthem during a pre-season game against the Green Bay Packers to protest racism in the country. The move inspired a wave of protests against police brutality and racial injustice. Fellow NFL players, soccer player Megan Rapinoe and high school sports teams took part in the protest, putting racial injustice in the spotlight.
In August, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick refused to stand during the playing of the U.S. national anthem during a pre-season game against the Green Bay Packers to protest racism in the country. The move inspired a wave of protests against police brutality and racial injustice. Fellow NFL players, soccer player Megan Rapinoe and high school sports teams took part in the protest, putting racial injustice in the spotlight. Photo:Reuters
Smoke towers over Los Angeles skyline as fresh wildfires erupted across California during the summer.
Smoke towers over Los Angeles skyline as fresh wildfires erupted across California during the summer. Photo:Xinhua
Fans gather at Grant Park to celebrate the Cubs' championship.
Fans gather at Grant Park to celebrate the Cubs' championship. Photo:Chicago Cubs/Twitter
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton makes a concession speech after being defeated by Donald Trump.
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton makes a concession speech after being defeated by Donald Trump. Photo:AFP
The 44th president shared a handshake in the White House with President-elect Donald Trump as they met for the first time two days after the election.
The 44th president shared a handshake in the White House with President-elect Donald Trump as they met for the first time two days after the election. Photo:Reuters
Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets of Los Angeles, California, on Nov. 12 to denounce the results of the election and express their willingness to continue to fight to defend communities from anti-immigrant, anti-LGBTQ, white supremacist and anti-worker measures under the incoming Trump administration.
Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets of Los Angeles, California, on Nov. 12 to denounce the results of the election and express their willingness to continue to fight to defend communities from anti-immigrant, anti-LGBTQ, white supremacist and anti-worker measures under the incoming Trump administration. Photo:EFE
Police use a water cannon on protesters during a protest against plans to pass the Dakota Access pipeline near the Standing Rock Indian Reservation, near Cannon Ball, North Dakota, Nov. 20, 2016.
Police use a water cannon on protesters during a protest against plans to pass the Dakota Access pipeline near the Standing Rock Indian Reservation, near Cannon Ball, North Dakota, Nov. 20, 2016. Photo:Reuters
Veterans march with activists near Backwater Bridge just outside the Oceti Sakowin camp adjacent to the Standing Rock Indian Reservation, near Cannon Ball, North Dakota, December 5, 2016.
Veterans march with activists near Backwater Bridge just outside the Oceti Sakowin camp adjacent to the Standing Rock Indian Reservation, near Cannon Ball, North Dakota, December 5, 2016. Photo:Reuters
Published 29 December 2016
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