Stories about Digital Activism from February, 2011
Jordan: Demands for Response to Libya Answered
Jordanians joined the rest of the world in condemning the heinous acts of Colonel Muammar Al Gaddafi against Libyans. On Twitter, their anger mounted as the government continued to remain silent. Their solidarity and calls for a reaction finally paid off, when Jordan issued a statement strongly condemning Libya's attacks on civilians.
China: Playing Revolution on Twitter
Two small protests on Sunday have been declared the beginning of China's own revolution, and yes, it all started on Twitter. Many felt leading up to the protests that they would prove to be little more than performance art, but now wonder if the heavy-handed response from authorities has created something bigger.
Cuba: The Memory of Zapata
“Sometimes the end of person cements his name in history forever”: Generation Y blogs about Orlando Zapata Tamayo on the first anniversary of his death.
Guinea: The First Blogcamp in Conakry
The first Guinean blogcamp took place February 2nd at the Press House in Coléah, a suburb of Conakry. In a nation striving for a national dialogue after tumultuous years of political strife, ICT might play an important role in building consensus.
Bahrain: Jailed Blogger Ali Abdulemam Free
Jailed Bahraini blogger Ali Abdulemam is finally free. The news was welcomed by netizens from around the world, as tweeps posted pictures of a smiling Ali being greeted by family and friends.
Puerto Rico: A Student's Life Broadcast Through Youtube
Christian Ortega published the first episode of his regular web series "La Cabeza de Christian" back in the summer of 2009. Through LCC, as it is known for short, Christian generally speaks his mind about Puerto Rican politics, headline news, and his life on the island for seven to nine minutes at a time each week. Alfredo Richner interviews Christian about his online success, Puerto Rico's blogosphere, and the student strike at the University of Puerto Rico, among other topics.
Ukraine: “Undressing… With an Excuse”
Good Girl Gone Ukrainian explains her disappointment with what FEMEN, a Ukrainian “female protest group known for its provocative bare-breasted acts,” has evolved into over the years.
Europe: EU and Social Media
Kosmopolito writes on the ways in which the “EU institutions [should] engage with bloggers” and on the need to have a bigger “euroblogosphere.”
Russia: One-Person Rallies by the Embassy of Libya
LJ user notavailablenow reports (RUS) on an hour-long series of one-person pickets held across the street from the Embassy of Libya in Moscow on Tuesday by two citizen activists, who took turns holding up a poster that read “Stop state terrorism.” First, however, the activists had to educate and argue...
Egypt: Social Media in the Middle East as a Tool for Incremental Change
In this post, we reflect on Egyptian blogger Hani Morsi's writing about technology driven activism and the role social media plays in providing incremental societal change. Hani's core argument focuses on the long term effects of social media.
Iraqis Calling for Change
Uprisings and demonstrations are currently occurring all over the Arab world. In Libya, Algeria, Morocco, Bahrain and other Arab countries, people are arranging to protest; some are looking to topple their existing regimes, some are willing to simply fix them. Iraq is no different, and its people are calling for change.
Cuba: Masses for Tamayo
Uncommon Sense reports that “State Security agents this week have been warning parishes in Havana to not celebrate Masses to commemorate the anniversary of the death of Orlando Zapata Tamayo.”
Iran: VOA Hacked by “Cyber Army”
Iran's “Cyber Army” hacked Voice of America's website today and left a message for Hilary Clinton: “Mrs. Clinton, Do you want to hear the voice of the oppressed nations? The Islamic nations would no more be tricked by the US, and we want you to stop interfering in the Islamic...
Gabon: Mourning Unrest's First Casualty, as Bongo Meets Sarkozy
Gabon is mourning its first casualty since the beginning of the country's political unrest. The cause of Marie Memdome's death is still in dispute, as Ali Bongo travels to France to meet with French President Sarkozy. Protesters against Bongo in Paris were dispersed by police forces with tear gas.
Portugal: Fight against prejudice on transgenderism
In her blog, Eduarda Santos – a portuguese advocate for transgender rights – points several examples [pt] of transphobic prejudice by the mainstream media. In January she had posted a thorough analysis [pt] of President Cavaco Silva's enactment against the change of name and gender of transsexual people.
Poland: Best Blogs of 2010 Announced
Jakub Górnicki reviews the winners of this year's Polish "Blog of the Year" contest.
Poland: Ex-PM Jarosław Kaczyński Starts Blogging
On Feb. 18, Jarosław Kaczyński, leader of Poland's national conservative Law and Justice party, started a blog, and his first post has generated over 1,650 comments in just two days. Below are some examples that show how many emotions surround this new blogger.
Peru: Wikileaks Cable Stirs Electoral Campaign
Juan Arellano in Globalizado [es] reports on reactions to a 2005 cable released by Wikileaks, which reveals that “Fernando Rospigliosi, former Minister of Interior in the administration of Alejandro Toledo, asked for the collaboration of the United States Embassy to carry out a campaign against Ollanta Humala.”
Costa Rican Movie “El Regreso” Reaches Funding Goal Through Crowdfunding
Cristian Cambronero from Fusil de Chispas [es] updates readers on the crowdfunding initiative for Costa Rican movie “The Return” on Kickstarter: the goal of $40,000 was reached in a little over 5 days, 41 days before the deadline on April 2.
Uruguayan Politicians on Twitter
Federico Lorenzo [es] provides a list of Uruguayan politicians on Twitter, grouped by their political party.
Chile: Social Media Reactions Against Coal Mining Project
The approval of a coal mining mega-project in Isla Riesco, nature and protected species sanctuary in southern Chile, reveals a serious environmental conflict of interests that is being analyzed and denounced on the active Chilean social networks.
