Stories about Protest from February, 2013
One Billion Rising Flash Mob
Kristin Boekhoff writes how the trainees and workers of Panigram resort organized a dance flash mob in their village as part of the One Billion Rising campaign.
Sina Weibo to ‘Great Firewall’ Architect: Get Lost
More than 10,000 Weibo users returned Fang Bingxing's new year greeting with a forward message: Get lost. Fang is the notorious architect of the Great Firewall (internet filtering system) in China. Beijing Cream has the full story.
Bangladesh Unites at Shahbag for 42-Year-Old War Crimes
Drop by drop, the Shahbag intersection in Bangladesh's capital city Dhaka has become an ocean of people, demanding justice for the atrocities committed during the country's 1971 liberation war and death penalty for war criminals.
Under Pressure, Spain Opens Door to Foreclosure Reform
The Plataforma de Afectados por la Hipoteca (PAH), joined by an impressive social movement, fought for Congress to change mortgage legislation in Spain. In the end, the Popular Party bowed to intense public pressure mobilized via the #ILPescrache hashtag.
‘Follow the Pope's Lead,’ Brazil Tells Senate President
Brazilians reveling in the recent Carnival holiday called on newly elected Senate President Renan Calheiros, who is accused of corruption, to follow Pope Benedict XVI's example and resign. An online petition demanding his ouster has gathered more than 1.5 million signatures.
Boy, 16, Killed on Second Anniversary of Bahrain Protests
A 16-year-old boy was killed in Bahrain today (February 14, 2013), on the second anniversary of the start of widespread Arab Spring-style protests across the country. His death, reportedly from shotgun injuries, sparked anger online – and on the streets.
Spain: €8.1 Million Bail for the King's Son-in-law
Iñaki Urdangarín, Duke of Palma, accused of embezzlement of public funds, fraud, breach of trust/corruption and forgery of documents since 2012, has been in and out of the courts with less than enviable frequency. Recently, a warrant for Urdangarín was issued in relation to misappropriation of public funds.
As Pope Resigns, Russians Resigned to Putin
Without any real interest in the repercussions of Pope Benedict's resignation for the Catholic faith, the RuNet defaulted to its favorite pastime, humor.
Protester Sets Himself on Fire, Yemen Remembers the Revolution
Revolutionaries throughout Yemen are celebrating the 2nd anniversary of February 11, 2011 - the day Yemen's revolution began. Netizens share their thoughts on the occasion.
Bangladeshi Women Join Shahbag Protests in Remarkable Numbers
Extraordinary numbers of Bangladeshi women have joined the groups of protesters occupying the capital city Dhaka's Shahbagh intersection demanding capital punishment for war criminals. The movement, spearheaded by bloggers and online activists, is seeking the death penalty for those who committed crimes against humanity during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971.
Taiwanese Writer Finds Poetry in Laid-off Workers’ Railway Protest
Laid-off factory workers facing a lawsuit from the Taiwanese government over unpaid debt protested February 5 by lying across the tracks at a Taipei train station, bring traffic to standstill. The demonstration inspired a Taiwanese writer-animator to create an illustration and a poem dedicated to the group.
Students to Protest Constitutional Amendment
The Hungarian Student Network and the Hungarian High School Network posted a declaration [en] “about the rule of law” in Hungary – and are planning yet another protest rally [hu] in Budapest on Monday, Feb. 11: Today’s proposal for a constitutional amendment has made it obvious – even for those...
In Pictures: The Protesting Crowd In Shahbag
Last Friday, 8th of February, 2013, hundreds of thousands of people started to gather since morning in Shahbagh's Generation Square in solidarity with bloggers and online activists’ ongoing protests. Arif Hossain Sayeed shares pictures of this mass gathering in Bangladesh capital Dhaka.
Fatwa Snowballs, Kashmir's First All-Girl Band Calls it Quits
Pragaash, the first all-girl rock band from Kashmir, has quit after a local Muslim cleric issued a fatwa calling the girls' behavior un-Islamic. The short-lived musical group had also received online and offline abuse.
Colombia: Shots Continue to Ring Out in Medellín
The city of Medellin is facing a difficult public order situation. The most mentioned area is Comuna 13, with several nocturnal clashes on the first weekend of February.
Hong Kong Activist Jailed for Burning Chinese Flag
A Hong Kong activist was sentenced to nine months in prison on Thursday for burning and defacing the Chinese flag and the Hong Kong flag during two separate demonstrations against the mainland's communist government, sparking many web users to upload their own desecration of the Chinese flag in protest of the heavy-handed sentence.
Malaysians to Psy: “Don't Perform for Corrupt Ruling Party”
Global pop sensation Psy has been invited to perform at an event in Malaysia hosted by Prime Minister Najib Razak and the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition, but instead of being welcomed, many fans have turned to his Facebook page pleading him not to attend and perform at the Chinese New Year event.
Southern Brazil Marches in Memory of Nightclub Fire Victims
A week after more than 230 young people lost their lives in a horrific nightclub fire in the southern Brazilian city of Santa Maria, thousands gathered across the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul to pay homage to the victims.
One Billion Rising: Global Day of Action, Fighting Violence Against Women
Every third woman will fall victim to rape or abuse in her lifetime. On February 14, 2013 an action day will take place worldwide to demand an end to the violence against women and girls. Countless events have also been organised in Germany and Switzerland.
Bangladesh: All Roads Lead To Shahbagh
The protests at Shahbagh intersection in Bangladesh's capital Dhaka continue for the fourth day. Protesters demand capital punishment for Jamaat-Islami leader Abdul Quader Mollah and other war criminals on trial.
