Stories about Photos from December, 2011
Philippines: Storm Leaves Hundreds Dead and Missing
Hundreds died in many parts of Mindanao Island in southern Philippines after tropical storm Sendong hit the country last Friday. The casualties could be worse and may even reach more than 600. It’s the worst flooding to hit the north part of Mindanao in many years. Netizens immediately used the web to report about the disaster and to call for support
Arab World: Thank You Mohamed Bouazizi! Thank You Sidi Bouzid!
Netizens around the world today commemorate the first anniversary of the Arab revolution, sparked by the self-immolation of fruit and vegetable vendor Mohammed Bouazizi in Sidi Bouzid, Tunisia. What started as a one-man protest for dignity ignited the Arab world and beyond.
Egypt: Tahrir Square Burning
Egypt's Military Police have set Tahrir Square ablaze and forcefully pushed away protesters demonstrating outside the Cabinet on the first anniversary of the Arab revolution, sparked by the self-immolation of Mohammed Bouazizi in Sidi Bouzid, Tunisia.
Bahrain: A Bloody National Day, a Funeral and More Suppression
On the same day the Bahraini regime celebrated National Day, a funeral procession was due to take place for protester Ali Ahmed Radhi Al-Gassab, who was run over during protests a day earlier. Netizens explain how the funeral was suppressed by government forces.
China: Actor Christian Bale Roughed Up Trying to Visit Chen Guangcheng
Hollywood actor Christian Bale made a detour from promotion in Beijing of his upcoming film to try and visit illegally detained Chinese human rights lawyer Chen Guangcheng, hoping to shake the hand of a man he calls an inspiration.
Caucasus: Frozen Conflicts, Forgotten Lives?
Marginalized by society and deprived of a voice by the mainstream media, can new media offer an alternative to refugees and IDPs in the South Caucasus?
Paraguay: Photos of the Pilgrimage to Caacupé
Yluux published a photo essay [es] on the pilgrimage to the city of Caacupé on December 7 and 8: “hundreds of thousands flock [to the city] from all over the country to pay homage to the Virgin of Caacupé.”
China: 200 dogs rescued in Sichuan
Fan Huang from Shanghaiist reports on the dog rescue action in Sichuan, Pengzhou. The 200 dogs were transporting to Guangdong province for consumption when animal activists stop the truck.
India: Photos Of West Bengal Handicraft Fair
Sukanya C posts photos of the West Bengal Hasta Shilpa Mela (Handicraft Fair) which features artists and their art from all over West Bengal (India).
Russia: Ukrainian Blogger's Photos From the Moscow Rally
Kyiv-based blogger Oleksandr Arhat (LJ user olarhat) posts a photo report [uk] from the Dec. 10 post-election rally in Moscow, which reminded him of the 2004 post-election protests in Kyiv: “Unbought people, protesting [not in order to get a piece of bread in return]. Doesn't happen every day, especially in...
Philippines: “Occupy” Protests Overcome Police Brutality
Police violently dispersed the 'Occupy-like' protest of youth groups in the Philippines but the 'Campout' continued for several days near the presidential palace and managed to draw thousands of young people in the streets.
Puerto Rico: Journalist Adds Volume to His Voice on Twitter
One of Puerto Rico's most well-known journalist, Rafael Lenín López, has made his career on local television and radio news programming. Rafael has also become an important voice on the Internet using social media in innovative ways to communicate with his audience and amplify his journalistic coverage.
USA: Uncertain Future of Student Occupy Movement in California
The pepper spraying incident against a group of peacefully protesting students, which occurred on November 18th on the Davis campus of the University of California, has called the attention of the media and fueled the discussion on police misconduct. The student occupation continues, but the future of the movement is unknown.
Libya: #OccupyTripoli Protests Against Carrying Weapons
Libyans took to the streets of the capital Tripoli today, to demonstrate against carrying weapons. They gathered at the famous Martyr's Square, formerly known as Green Square. Many Twitter users were on hand to provide live coverage of the event dubbed #OccupyTripoli.
Latin America: Social Networks Bring Recognition to Primary Recyclers
Using various social media, primary recyclers of Latin America, also known as pepenadores, cartoneros, buzos (waste pickers) or simply recyclers, have joined together in search of social inclusion and formal recognition of their work.
Russia: Second Day of Post-Election Protests
The intrigue of the second day of post-election protests has centered around several major events: court appearances by bloggers Ilya Yashin and Alexey Navalny, a protest demonstration at Triumfalnaya Square, and discussions regarding the Kremlin's soft-power counter-revolution and various means of cyber warfare.
Cuba: Reggaeton Hit ‘Chupi Chupi’ Denounced by Authorities
Over the past two weeks, reggaeton artist Osmani “La Voz” García’s popular hit 'Chupi Chupi' has begun stirring more than just the hips of partygoers on Havana’s Malecón. Cuban Minister of Culture Abel Prieto, and Cuban Institute of Music President Orlando Vistel, have publicly denounced the song and the video.
Peru: Netizens Denounce Police Repression During Protest in Lima Against Conga Mine
Peruvian netizens are denouncing police repression during a protest held in Lima on December 5, 2011, against the Conga mining project in Cajamarca. Juan Arellano links [es] to several citizen media reports, including blog posts, photos and videos.
South Korea: Anger Over Free Trade Agreement and Media Silence
Rallies have been held daily in the South Korean capital of Seoul for two weeks now, protesting against the country's free trade agreement with the United States. Citizens have expressed deep discontent, as well as strong distrust of the mainstream media who rarely report on anti-FTA protests.
Russia: The Revolt of “Net Hamsters”
The day after the elections, Russians got together to rally against election fraud. Even though the United Russia party, according to preliminary results, is to lose some 77 seats compared to the previous Duma, most of the protesters considered the election to be neither fair, nor free.
Kuwait: A New Prime Minister and Detainees Bailed Out
More than two weeks after protesters stormed the Kuwaiti Parliament, the country has a new Prime Minister. Netizens comment on the 'new era,' political action and the detention, hunger strike and release of protesters arrested for breaking into the Parliament. The protesters have been released on bail, pending trial. Here are netizen reactions to the country's latest developments.