Stories about Digital Activism from May, 2012
Spain: Many Reasons to Take to the Streets on 12M
On 15 May in Spain the first anniversary of the 15M will be commemorated. The events begin on 12 May (12M) in cities and neighborhoods. Spanish netizens have been anticipating the commemoration for days. The hashtags #YoVoy12M (I'm Going 12M) and #ALaPlaza (To The Square) have been TTs in Spain and throughout the world.
Brazil: Homeless Movement in Belo Horizonte Surrounded by Police
“Ocupação Eliana Silva” [pt], a camping site of around 300 families in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, which had been occupied mostly by homeless workers [pt] on April 21, in protest against lack of housing conditions, was sieged by the military police today, May 11. Journalist Adriano Ventura (@adrianoventura) is tweeting photos...
Robert F. Kennedy Award Will Recognize Social Media Journalism
One of the foremost international human rights organizations, the Robert F. Kennedy Center, is calling for nominations to a new Journalism Award on International Photography and International Social Media hosted by their European office in Florence, Italy.
Mozambique: Space for Human Rights Debate Launched on Facebook
A new online space that aims to “sharpen critical awareness and the promotion of citizenship, human rights and access to information” in Mozambique was launched today, May 11, on Facebook by CODD – a Center of Studies and Promotion of Citizenship, Human Rights and the Environment. On their welcoming message...
Cuba: Remembering the Dissidents
This week, members of the Cuban diaspora have been blogging about two main things: the one-year anniversary of the death of dissident Juan Wilfredo Soto, and the re-arrest of human rights activist Jose Daniel Ferrer Garcia.
Video: Robot Shows us How to Stay Safe Online
Online security is a complex issue that is sometimes hard to understand or to know how to face. Using a lovable animated robot, the Tactical Tech Collective is trying to get more people aware on how to stay safe online through short online video animations.
Zambia: Bloggers Form Zambian Bloggers Network
Zambia bloggers have formed a network called the Zambian Bloggers Network with the help of HIVOS. The network's aim is to help generate local content, mentor and train upcoming bloggers.
Spain: #NoMoreEuros for Bankia
The web in Spain has been seething since it was reported that the government is preparing a plan to inject public money into Bankia, the fourth largest bank in the country and the most exposed to the real estate market. Since the crisis started in 2008, the government has supported Bankia with more than 33 billion euros. The current bail-out plan could be as much as 10 billion.
Zambia: Netizens Question Judges’ Suspensions
When Zambian president Michael Sata suspended a Supreme Court judge and two high court judges and set up a tribunal to probe their alleged misconduct, he probably did not foresee the intense offline and online public debate the issue would attract, even threatening the tenure of his Director of Public Prosecutions.
Russia: Ustream.tv Attacked Over Russian Blogger
On May 9, unknown parties launched a DDoS attack on the live feed website Ustream.tv. The attack was carried out from thousands of unique IPs based in Russia, Kazakhstan, and Iran, and was centered on one particular user, reggamortis1, who for the past four days has been covering opposition rallies and protests in Moscow.
South Korea: Broadcasters’ Strike Marks 100th Day of Protest
South Korea's major broadcasting station, MBC marked 100th day of protest on May 9, 2012. Its union workers uploaded another Youtube video [ko] blaming its president of embezzlement and filtering news criticizing the current government and its anchors tweeted photos of their protest/fundraising event today.
Russia: Charity Crowdfunding
There is no lack of successful 'people' projects, financed by private philanthropy. While much activity exists only in cyberspace, the effects of charitable organizations' work is quite tangible and real, and confidence in these groups is undiminished. The proof: the Tugeza ("Together") community
Cuba: Lady in White Faces “Disobedience” Charges
A member of the Ladies in White has been charged with “disobedience” and could face prison time for marching with the dissident group; bloggers hope to raise awareness of the case.
Video: Adobe Youth Voices Aspire Awards Voting Open
Young underprivileged youth learning multi-media tools are showcasing their work through The Adobe Youth Voices Aspire Awards. Entries include documentaries, music videos, poetry, audio, graphic design, narrative, animation and photography.
India: Online Cartoon Exhibition Protesting Repression
The arrest of Ambikesh Mahapatra, a professor of Jadavpur University, for circulating West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjees's cartoon has enraged many online activists. A cartoon exhibition protesting her acts is available online.
Saudi Arabia: Twitter Hacking Prevention Tips
Online accounts are frequently hacked and stolen. We often hear of those who hacked someone's email or stole someone's email password. Twitter is no different, so the Saudi tweep and blogger Manal Al-Sherif, who has worked as a Information Security Consultant in an oil company for years, shared her tips...
Brazil: Blog Countersues Newspaper Over Web Domain
Another chapter in the legal dispute between the Brazilian newspaper Folha de São Paulo and the satirical blog Falha of São Paulo is being written. However, this time, Falha is the one who decided to file a lawsuit against the newspaper.
Russia: Surprise Resignations Threaten New Governor Elections
On April 25, the Russian Duma passed a law that restored direct elections of federal governors, reversing a policy of direct presidential appointments. A few days later, Medvedev accepted the resignations of two governors, leading to fears that the Kremlin is reneging on promises to loosen its grip on central power.
Yemen: How Many Women Have Been Subject to Sexual Harassment?
An article published in pan-Arab newspaper Al Hayat on May 2, claiming that 90% of Yemeni women have been subject to sexual harassment, has caused a stir online.
South Korea: Fearing Mad Cow Disease, New Protests Against US Beef
Thousands of South Koreans held candlelight vigils this week to demonstrate against continued beef imports from the United States. After mass protests four years ago, the government promised to halt imports if mad cow disease was ever detected again.
Greece: Rise of Neo-Nazi Group ‘Golden Dawn’
Facebook group ‘Leme OCHI sti Chrysi Avgi‘ (We say NO to Golden Dawn) [el] already has more than 11,000 likes. Created on December 2011, the anti-fascist group declares that “Fascism is gangrene, either you rip it off or it kills you”. Group members try to persuade people not to vote...