Stories about Protest from September, 2008
Malaysian blogger arrested again
Hard-hitting Malaysian blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin was arrested again by police for allegedly violating Malaysia's Internal Security Act. Another journalist was arrested too.
Thailand: Samak out, but protests continue
Thailand's Prime Minister was ordered by the court to step down for violating the constitution. But Bangkok protesters vow to continue with their campaign until political reforms are instituted.
Japan: Nike buys out name of public park
Nike Japan, the Japanese subsidiary of sportswear multinational Nike, will turn a public park in central Tokyo, Miyashita Park, into what they call “Nike Park”. The naming rights have already been acquired from the Ward for about 150 million Yen, which will be paid over the next 5 years, and the go-ahead for the work was given last August. Bloggers give their thoughts about the move.
Mozambique: Political crisis in central city of Beira
Angry Renamo supporters poured onto the streets of Beira in a protest against the Party's decision of substituting current mayor Davis Simango by Manuel Pereira as the Renamo's candidate for municipal governance in the local elections taking place on November 2009. Historian Egidio Vaz writes on his blog an open letter to the Renamo President, Afonso Dhlakama.
Morocco: Mohammed Erraji Provisionally Released
Today, Moroccans rejoiced at the news that Mohammed Erraji, the blogger who was arrested and quickly jailed, has been let out on bail. But the rejoicing was short-lived, as bloggers discuss a system mired in its ways and Erraji's upcoming retrial.
Russia: Personal Responsibility
Estonian blogger Flasher T of AnTyx writes this in response to a post about Russia by the Economist's Edward Lucas: “I am disappointed in Edward Lucas for perpetuating this intellectual farce. They would have us believe that all the evil and injustice of Russia is down to the Chekists, or...
Thailand: Student protesters
Peace Space writes about the involvement of students in the anti-government street protests in Bangkok
Sympathy and Support for Qatari student killed in the UK
A 16-year-old Qatari student visiting Britain died as a result of head injuries sustained when he was attacked by local youth. Mohamed Al-Majed was in Hastings, East Sussex, attending an English language course. The circumstances of the death are still under investigation but the police “are treating his death as a murder inquiry, and are investigating it as racially motivated at this time.” Reactions out of Qatar have been strong.
Colombia: people falling prey to pyramid schemes
On blogs, through videos and on facebook, Colombian Diego Alejandro is exposing the deceit and scams behind pyramid schemes that masquerade as investment options. In a country where it doesn't make sense to have a savings account because the handling fees are higher than the interest gained from the savings, these get rich quick plans where citizens can pay to participate and then invite 7 other friends to enroll before they can enjoy sky high interest (between 40 and 70%) on their savings seem like a great deal.
Singapore: The foreign workers moving in next door
When Singapore's government announced last week plans for new sites to house foreign workers, residents of a middle-class neighborhood were not happy. In a show of community activism, they submitted a petition to their local MPs -- and bloggers are debating.
Pakistan: “Yet Another Cowardly Attack by the US”
United States attacks within Pakistani boundaries are not new to anyone. A few days ago, an attack on the Angoor Adda area of South Waziristan claimed the lives of at least 20 Pakistanis. But that’s not all. It is the fifth recent attack, and it claimed no less then 20...
Bolivia: Winners and Losers of Water War Eight Years Later
Vistenos Nuevos [es] provides his thoughts on the winners and losers of the “Water War” that took place in Cochabamba, Bolivia eight years ago and the winners were the leaders of that conflict because many went on to become politicians and receive international funding.
Armenia: Football Diplomacy & Relations with Turkey
A number of World Cup qualifying matches were played worldwide on Saturday, but many were interested in what might instead prove to be a historic political rather than sporting event. Without diplomatic relations or an open border, Armenia played against Turkey in its capital, Yerevan. Despite historical grievances, Turkish President Abdullah Gul arrived to watch the match with his Armenian counterpart in what many referred to as “football diplomacy.”
Cambodia: Casino centers
A blogger thinks Cambodia should be called “gamblodia” because of too many casinos in the country's capital.
China: Handling of Yang Jia's secret trial breeds widespread discontent
As authorities remain silent, criticism regarding the handling of the Yang Jia police murder trial grows steadily stronger.
Macedonia: Name Dispute and Google Weather
Say: Macedonia posts a protest letter sent to Google by one of the blog's readers regarding the “improper naming” of the country that comes up when one does a “weather Skopje” search on Google.ca.
Iran:Iran jails 4 leading women’s rights activists
Change for Equality reports that Iranian authorities sentenced four women’s rights activists to six months in jail, including one who was awarded a $75,000 human rights prize in Sweden this year.
Mongolia: A Politician Arrested
Bilguun reports that head of the Republican Party of Mongolia was detained for questioning on 4 September, being reportedly a suspect in the ongoing investigation into the organizers of the July 1 riots.
Russia: St. Pete Remembers Beslan
A few photos from a Beslan commemoration event in St. Petersburg – by LJ user alter-gregor (RUS).
Mexico: Much More Needed Than a March
Thousands of Mexicans in attendance for the march in Mexico City protested against the government's inability to halt kidnappings and violence against citizens. Now, bloggers from the capital and in other cities across the country provide their reflections and reactions to the march. However, many do not see that much will change without other actions by civil society.
Armenia: Nagorno Karabakh Independence Marked, Anti-Turkish Protests Planned
While the international media concerns itself with the two breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia in Georgia, bloggers reminds their readers that yesterday marked the 17th anniversary of the declaration of independence by another self-declared republic in the South Caucasus — Nagorno Karabakh. Marking the occasion in Yerevan also gave one political party the opportunity to declare its intention to stage street protests when the Turkish president arrives in Armenia this weekend.
