Stories about Protest from February, 2012
Morocco: New Video Calls on Moroccans to “Wake Up”
As we approach the first anniversary of the start of the youth-based pro-democracy movement “February 20“, activists are calling for a nationwide demonstration. Anartiviste posted this video on YouTube to...
Bangladesh: Government Observation of Facebook Ignites Debate
For a while now, the Bangladeshi authorities have been keeping an eye on the social media space and the country's Facebook users are increasingly finding themselves in the eye of the storm. Recently the country's High Court sentenced an university teacher to a 6 month jail term after he failed to appear in court to face trial regarding his Facebook status update.
Bolivia: Conflict Over Road Through TIPNIS National Park Continues
In October 2011 President Evo Morales signed off a law declaring the Indigenous Territory National Park Isiboro Sécure "untouchable", cancelling the road project that sought pass through its heart. However, the conflict has resurfaced.
Peru: The Water March Arrives in Lima
Finally the Water March arrived in Lima. For two days, different activities developed for the defense of water throughout the country. Juan Arellano gathers some citizens' reports of these final days and the activities that ended the march.
Morocco: Student Jailed for Insulting King in Video
A 24 year-old Moroccan student, Abdelsamad Haydour, has been sentenced to three years in jail for criticizing the king of Morocco in a video posted on YouTube. The news of the sentence provoked strong reactions on social networks.
France : Dozens of Anti-ACTA Protests
Despite freezing temperatures, a few thousand netizens joined the Saturday Feb. 11 worldwide protests against ACTA, in Paris and some 40 other cities in France. One can find pictures on clubic.com, a...
“Dying to Live”: Khader Adnan's Hunger Strike for Palestinian Rights
Adnan Khader is on strike to protest a raid on his family home by Israeli occupation forces and to bring worldwide attention to the fact that Palestinians are held without being charged on a daily basis.
South Korea: Online Petition Requestiong Presidential Pardon to His Vocal Critic
South Korean net users have created an online petition [ko] requesting the Korean President to grant a presidential pardon to his vocal critic, Chung Bong-ju, who was jailed for raising...
Martinique, Guadeloupe, France: MP Letchimy Against Minister Guéant
Bloggers and mainstream journalists around the French-speaking blogosphere have been buzzing once more about French Minister of Home Affairs, Claude Guéant, who is notorious for suggesting extreme right-wing policies about national identity, religion and immigration.
Bahrain: Tweeting the Revolution's First Anniversary
February 14 marked the one year anniversary of the Bahrain revolution, which has been severely repressed by the regime backed by the troops of the Gulf Cooperation Council's Peninsula Shield Force. Mona Kareem presents a social media round-up of events of the day.
Poland: Gossip Portal Accuses Mainstream Media of ACTA Ignorance
A Polish gossip portal's take on the massive anti-ACTA protests has highlighted issues that are truly relevant for today's young people. Katarzyna Odrozek reports on the avalanche of reactions from netizens and the mainstream media that this unlikely source of serious reporting has created.
Iran: Blogger's wife and daughter got kidnapped
According to a report Mehdi Khazali‘s wife and daughter were kidnapped by the security forces and moved to an unknown place[update: they were released on bail]. Khazali is a blogger...
Tunisia: Social Media Campaign to Legalize Marijuana Underway
Legalize It was an album by the Jamaican and pro-marijuana consumption, Peter Tosh, in 1976. Now Legalize It! is a social media campaign for the legalization of marijuana in Tunisia. Ahmed Medien sums up netizen reactions to consuming marijuana ahead of a protest planned in front of Parliament to call for its legalization on Saturday, February 18.
Mexico: PEN Protesta! International Writers Protest in Solidarity With Mexican Colleagues
On January 29, PEN International, the world’s oldest international literary and human rights organization, held an event in Mexico City called PEN Protesta! to show international solidarity with Mexican writers, poets and journalists, and to demand free press and freedom of expression in Mexico.
Hungary: Another Environmental Catastrophe in the Making
In October 2010, a toxic spill from a red sludge reservoir in Kolontár caused the greatest environmental disaster in Hungary's recent history. Atlatszo.hu and Greenpeace are now drawing attention to another hazardous waste reservoir, in the town of Almásfüzitő, which is "leaking like a sponge" and is already causing grave environmental and health damage.
China: Online Protest Against the Bear Bile Business
Since early 2011, Gui Zhentang, China's largest bear bile medicine producer, has been trying to apply for stock market launch on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange. Last year, the application was turned down as a result of netizens' protests. Oiwan Lam updates the issue.
Greece: Parliament Votes in New Austerity Deal Amidst Riots
As 200 out of 300 Greek deputies voted in favor of the new austerity deal “Memorandum 2″, these were some of the different scenes. Jimhellas provides his perspective [el] on yesterday's...
Iran: Internet Blackout Ahead of Protest Day
Internet and email services in Iran have become partially inaccessible in recent days with no explanation from the government. Bloggers suspect it has to do with opposition movement protests scheduled for February 14.
Arab World: RIP Whitney Houston
Arabs join the rest of the world in mourning the death of superstar Whitney Houston. Reactions on social media platforms ranged from sadness and shock to those questioning why the death of Houston got more coverage in a few hours than the death of thousands of Syrians over the last 11 months.
Greece: Photos, Videos and Liveblogs from Anti-Austerity Protests, Clashes in Athens
Photos and videos from the latest massive anti-austerity protests in downtown Athens on February 12, 2012, the extensive clashes that ensued and their aftermath were posted on Real Democracy Now,...
Thailand: “Reform the World’s Harshest Lèse Majesté Law”
Several groups, scholars, and activists in Thailand are demanding the amendment of Article 112 of the country’s Criminal Code or the lese majeste law, which forbids anyone from insulting the King and members of the Royal Family. The issue has sparked debates on whether it's time to reform this controversial law.
