Stories about Protest from January, 2012
Romania: “I, the Citizen”
Street protests in Romania have been going on for over a week now. The protesters are demanding early elections; they do not yet have a leader, but they nevertheless have a powerful voice. Oana Maria Dan reports.
Egypt: revolt's anniversary at Tahrir
Egyptian Twitter-sphere reports that jailed blogger #Maikel Nabil has just been released, while people are gathering for tomorrow's big rally at #Tahrir to celebrate the revolt's first anniversary: “feels chaotic...
China: Tibet Burns, But Where Are the Chinese Public Intellectuals?
Since 2009, there have been at least 17 Tibetan self-immolation incidents in China. The public discussion about Tibetan protests is dominated by state controlled media, while those who usually speak out against injustice online often remain silent.
Cuba: More on Wilman Villar Mendoza
Bloggers continue to share their thoughts on the death of Cuban dissident and hunger striker Wilman Villar Mendoza.
Cuba: The Loss of a Decent Man
“We are 11 million common criminals, whose misdeeds range from buying milk on the black market to having a satellite dish”: Generation Y says that “now, with the death of...
Europe: Radio Documentary to Chronicle Long-Term Effects of Crisis
Chronicles of a European Winter is a radio documentary series project focused on the actual effects of austerity measures amongst the populations of different European countries. It will be shot...
Madagascar: Exiled Former President Ravalomanana Refused Return
Since January 18 2012, former president Marc Ravalomanana has announced that he would return to Madagascar soon after being in exile in South Africa for three years. On January 21, the capital city anxiously anticipated his return as thousands gathred on the roads leading to the airport waiting for the plane to land. However, a few minutes after the plane entered the Malagasy airspace, the plane was told to divert from its route and land in a different city. Malagasy citizens reacted in real time to the tumultuous event.
Cambodia: Video of Military Assault Against Land Protesters
Licadho, a Cambodian human rights organization, uploads a video of an alleged military assault against rural villagers who were being evicted from their land in Kratie's Snuol district.
Indonesia’s Teenage Thief and ‘Sandal Scandal’
Thousands of Indonesian citizens deposited old sandals in front of police stations across the country to protest the beating of a 15-year old boy accused of stealing a pair of flip-flops owned by a policeman. Netizens react to the 'sandal scandal'
Yemen: Saleh Gets Impunity After All
Yemen's parliament has endorsed the law granting outgoing Yemen President Ali Abdullah Saleh total immunity from any crimes committed during his rule, including the killing of protesters since the beginning of the popular uprising against his regime in February. Netizens react to the news.
Poland: Netizens Protest Government's Plan to Sign ACTA Next Week
With the world still talking about the aftermath of the SOPA/PIPA Blackout Day, Polish netizens are confronted with another backstabbing development in the fight for free Internet. Katarzyna Odrozek reports.
South Korea: ‘Torture Expert’-Turned-Pastor Loses Pastorship Amid Criticism
Lee Geun-an is a former ‘torture expert’, notorious for his brutal ways of torture on numerous democratic activists under authoritarian rules in 1970s and 80s. After serving 7 years in prison, he...
Macedonia: Policeman Who Beat Young Man to Death Gets 14 Years
On January 16, Igor Spasov, the police officer suspected of beating a young man to death during the celebration of election victory in June 2011, received a sentence of 14 years in prison. Filip Stojanovski reports.
Cuba: On the Death of Wilmar Vilar Mendoza
Regina Coyula reflects on the death of the jailed dissident Wilmar Vilar Mendoza [es], who died following a 56 day hunger strike. Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo also blogged [es] about...
Cuba: Bloggers React to Death of Hunger Striker
It has been a sad day for the Cuban blogosphere, as netizens received news of the death of political prisoner Wilman Villar Mendoza, who has been on a hunger strike since last November.
Cuba: Imprisoned dissident dies after 50 day Hunger Strike
Political dissident Wilmar Villar Mendoza died after a 50 day hunger strike. He was serving a four year sentence for disobedience; he was arrested while leading a peaceful demonstration. The Latin...
Russia: Echo of Moscow Under Fire
Streetwise Professor discusses Putin's recent critique against the Russian independent radio station Echo of Moscow.
Turkey: Post-Murder Trial, Thousands Remember Hrant Dink
Thousands have marched in Turkey to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the murder of Turkish-Armenian journalist and Agos newspaper editor Hrant Dink.
United Kingdom: You cannot evict an idea
Set in a multimillion pound complex, complete with a 500-seater lecture hall that had been abandoned by investment bank UBS, the Bank of Ideas provides room for community groups and other public services that have lost their space due to UK Government's spending cuts. The project is entering the third month and braces itself for an appeal case against their eviction, expected in Court next week.
Bolivia: March Demands Road Through TIPNIS
Last year we reported extensively on a march to protest a road that would go through the TIPNIS indigenous territory; on December 20, 2011, a group demanding the building of...
Cuba: Hunger Striker in Coma
Uncommon Sense posts an update on this Cuban political prisoner, saying: “Courageously taking his protest to the brink of death, Wilman Villar Mendoza tonight remains in a coma brought on...
