Stories about Protest from July, 2011
India: Health Minister Stirs up Gay Sex Controversy
India's Health Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad, has stirred up controversy and angered the gay community and gay rights activists with his recent comments at a HIV/AIDS conference in New Delhi. He was widely quoted in mainstream media as having referred to homosexuality as "unnatural" and a "disease" that had come from the West.
Belarus: An Overview of Political Situation
At OpenDemocracy.net, an overview of the situation in Belarus, by Janek Lasocki.
Hungary: A Roundup on Politics
Belatedly, links to some of Hungarian Spectrum‘s posts: on the Hungarian “oligarch” and PM's ally Sándor Demján; on the opposition rally and gay pride parade that took place in mid-June; on Hillary Clinton's visit to Budapest; and on a lecture by Aladár Horváth, the chairman of the Roma Civil Rights...
South Korea: Marine's Shooting Spree Reveals Collective Bullying Tradition
In South Korea on June 4, 2011, a marine opened fire at several of his fellow soldiers, killing four and injuring two. As the days have passed, accusations have begun to fall on the leadership of the Marine Corps camp involved, where a tradition of collective bullying is believed to have contributed to several deaths.
Malaysia: Online Reactions to Bersih 2.0 Rally
The planned street rally this weekend in Malaysia known as Bersih 2.0 will now take place inside a stadium. Netizens continue to discuss the impact of Bersih as the movement gathers momentum throughout the country.
Chile: President Piñera's Approval Ratings Drop
Robert L. Funk reports that June poll results show “President Piñera's approval ratings, at 35%, have dropped by 12%.” Robert comments on the President's July 5 speech where he announced his plan for education reform, an issue that has sparked massive protests.
Belarus: Anti-revolutionary videos
Tetyana Bohdanova of Good Girl Gone Ukrainian draws attention to the occurrence of purportedly home made videos warning for the consequences of revolutionary developments in Belarus and the potential overthrow of president Lukashenko.
Bahrain: Regime and Opposition Begin National Dialogue
Since the Bahrain protests of February 14, 2011, the idea of opening a dialogue between the opposition and regime has been discussed on and off. On Saturday July 2, the long-awaited dialogue finally started with the Waad secular group and the Wefaq Shia group participating.
Thailand: Writers against Lese Majeste
More than 300 writers in Thailand signed a petition urging the amendment of the Lese Majeste Law which is being used to suppress freedom of expression in the country.
China: 2 Year Anniversary of Urumqi Riots
Josh from Xinjiang: Far West China reflects upon the 2009 Urumqi Riots. The years has passed, but the blogger still feels that the event remains clouded in confusion.
Belarus: Independence Day Clapping Protest (Videos)
Streets of several Belarusian towns and cities were flooded with people on Belarus Independence Day on July 3, 2011. People just stood there, clapping. They showed up for the clapping protest, even though clapping was officially forbidden on that day. As they said, they came not even to protest, but rather to fight the fear inside them.
Macedonia: Concert Against Police Brutality
Arangel informs through a photo gallery that protests against police brutality continued with the concert of Bernays Propaganda during the celebration of the 20th anniversary of radio Channel 103 called “Channel 103 Free Zone” on the riverbank in Skopje on July 5, 2011.
Macedonia: Views from Abroad on Protests Against Police Violence
Filip Stojanovski writes about how the ongoing protests against police brutality in Macedonia are viewed from abroad.
Morocco: Protests Over Reform Continue
On Friday Morocco voted in a Constitutional referendum proposed by King Mohammed VI. Official results show an overwhelming support to the reform. Bloggers have been denouncing widespread irregularities.
Morocco: Reform With the Taste of an Unfinished Business
Throughout the referendum process, the Moroccan blogosphere was divided over the issue of reform. The heated debate shaking the Moroccan society was reflected in social networks. Some are willing to accept the reform proposed by the King. Others question the legitimacy of a process, they say, was marred with irregularities.
Malaysia: More Arrested Before Planned Rally
More people have now been arrested in Malaysia for supporting the Bersih 2.0 rally that is planned to happen on the 9 July, 2011. Some were arrested merely for wearing Bersih T-shirts. The Bersih rally, which has been declared illegal by the government, is organized to demand transparent and clean elections.
Poland: Citizen Initiative for Complete Abortion Ban
Some 600,000 people have signed a petition in support of the draft amendment to Poland's abortion law intending to ban abortion in Poland without exceptions – even when the life of a woman is threatened. Katarzyna Odrozek reviews online reactions of the supporters and opponents of the complete ban on abortion in Poland.
Cape Verde: Demonstration Against Violence
The organization of a peaceful demonstration against violence in Cape Verde, scheduled for July 5, has already more than 12,000 accepted invitations on Facebook [pt].
South Korea:Hanjin Labor Workers’ Struggle Intensifies
As clashes between Hanjin Heavy Industries and its labor workers have continue to intensify, more net users have joined online protests by posting and retweeting photos of violent clampdowns. Jae Hee consolidated tweets and news reports about the struggle in his Storify story.
Greece: “We Gave Birth to Democracy, and We Killed It!”
Jasmina Babic reviews tweets about last week's protests in Athens, Greece, and the violent response of the local police.
Bangladesh: Bloggers Arrested While Protesting Against Energy Deal
Netizens in Bangladesh are raging with anger as for the first time in the country bloggers and online activists among other protesters were arrested while striking in protest of a recent Production Sharing Contract (PSC) between the Bangladesh government and United States energy giant ConocoPhillips for deep sea gas exploration.
