Stories about Digital Activism from August, 2011
D.R. of Congo: End Congo Rape Campaign Launched Online
End Cong Rape online campaign has been launched: “The aim of this site is to inform people on the plight of women in the east of the Congo, as well as to encourage people to get involved and donate.”
Iran: Regime called Google+ dangerous
Head of internet unit in the Iranian Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance called Google+ is one of the most dangerous social networking for Iranian users.
Spain: Brutal Police Repression Against Journalists Covering “Secular March”
Pope Benedicto XVI's recent visit to Spain sparked a civil "Secular March" in protest against the use of public funds for religious acts in a secular state. The encounters between secular and religious individuals resulted in a wave of police repression against the journalists covering the events. Global Voices presents a selection of videos of the protests.
Brazil: Construction Starts on Controversial Belo Monte Dam
Despite the protesting voices of indigenous populations and traditional settlers of Volta Grande do Xingu region, construction on Brazil's Belo Monte hydroelectric plant has begun. Protests against the project will take place in 10 Brazilian cities and 16 countries on August 20.
Myanmar: Facebook ‘mini-revolution’
An article in Mizzima written by Tun Tun reveals how Myanmar internet users are able to use Facebook to share political ideas and campaign messages.
Uganda: Ugandans Take Fight to Save a Rainforest to Internet
The Mabira Forest is found in central Uganda near the capital Kampala. It’s one of the few natural rain forests that remain after years of degradation. Ugandans are fighting their government's move to sell the land off to a sugar corporation.
Curaçao: “The re-enslavement of Tula”
Controversy is brewing over a film about Curaçao's “liberation warrior Tula” – read why, here.
Cuba: The Life of an Exile
Pablo Pacheco Avila blogs about “swim[ming] in the sad and difficult waters of the Cuban exile.”
Cuba: From the Mouths of Las Damas
Pedazos de La Isla has an account of “physical blows, shoving, threats, deportations, and arrests” against members of the Ladies in White.
Iran: A blogger was beaten up in jail
Human rights activists say [fa] Hossein Maleki Ronaghi, a jailed blogger, was beaten up in prison, after writing a letter to Iran's judicary authorities, by a guard and sent to a hospital. This blogger has been sentenced to 15 years jail.
Cuba: Pablo Milanés’ Voice
Generation Y blogs about the upcoming Pablo Milanés concert in Miami, which some in the diaspora are agitating to boycott: “The troubadour who proposes to sing in Florida in a few days is a man who has grown and matured artistically and civically, conscious, as well, of the need for...
Jamaica: Marcus Garvey's Birthday
Diaspora litblogger Geoffrey Philp posts a poem to honour the anniversary of Marcus Garvey's birthday.
Global Voices Partners With Ashoka on Citizen Media Competition
Global Voices is proud to be partnering with Ashoka Changemakers on its ‘Citizen Media Innovation Competition' with Google. Four winners will be awarded US$5,000 each for citizen media projects that make the world a better place.
Uganda: Minister Claims Opposition Using Social Media to Prepare for War
Uganda’s Minister for Security claims that Ugandan activists are using Twitter, Facebook and YouTube to wage a campaign against the country's security forces and to prepare young people for war.
Bulgaria: Mapping Crime and Electoral Violations
Bulgarian blogger Boyan Yurukov has set up Bulgaria's first Ushahidi-based site, Crime.bg, whose goal is to collect signals of crimes and irregularities, via the site itself as well as through mobile applications, Twitter and Facebook. On his blog, Yurukov explained the reasons [bg] for creating Crime.bg: “1. People's lack of...
Vietnam: Blogger Pham Minh Hoang Sentenced to 3 Years in Prison
On August 10, 2011, Pham Minh Hoang, a math teacher and political blogger, has been sentenced to 3 years in prison and an additional 3 years of house arrest; he was charged with “attempt to overthrow the [vietnamese] goverment” reports Reporters Without Borders [fr]. Hoang, who has been in pre-trial...
Trinidad & Tobago: Tweeting for Anya
“trinidadian beauty queen turned superstar designer anya ayoung-chee is mashing up the competition and she needs our support”: inkblot*photography is drumming up online support for Trinidad and Tobago's hopeful in Season 9 of the fashion reality show, Project Runway.
Malawi: Confusion and Uncertainty Over August 17 Vigil
With hours to go before August 17, the day set aside for follow-up nation-wide demonstrations in Malawi, a cloud of uncertainty hovers over the country. One team has announced a postponement, another team has indicated they are going ahead. Online reactions range from relief to frustration, confusion to defiance.
Egypt: The Verb “To Mubarak”
After a San Francisco transportation provider shuts down mobile networks in anticipation of a protest, Egyptians rallied online in support, noting the similarities between events in Cairo and the Bay Area.
Armenia-Azerbaijan: Unlikely Pen Pals?
Tamada Tales comments on an exchange between the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, and an Armenian child living in the breakaway territory of Nagorno Karabakh. Tensions between the two ethnic groups remain high, but the exchange ended with an invitation from Aliyev to the 13-year-old girl to visit the oil-rich...
Cuba: First “Gay” Marriage
This past weekend, a gay man and a trans-sexual woman, got married. In Cuba - on the same day that Fidel Castro turned 85. Bloggers weigh in on the landmark event, including Cuba's most well-known netizen, Yoani Sanchez, who acted as matron of honour.
