Stories about Western Europe from May, 2012
France: The Little-known Abolition of Slavery Memorial in Nantes
Website citizen-nantes.com reported that [fr]: “On the evening of Saturday March 24, 2012, the ‘Collectif du 10 Mai’, a group of Afro-Caribbean associations from Nantes, invited the people of Nantes...
Spain: Arts Also Blossom in the Global Spring
The arts have also flourished with the 15M movement. To commemorate the 15M's first anniversary, the 12M--15M events, and to invite everyone to take to the streets again, the blog # Acampadasol has published a series of amazing posters that reveal many of the reasons behind the protests.
Spain: “Neighbor, Wake Up, Evictions at Your Doorstep!”
As part of the profound socioeconomic crisis, home foreclosures and evictions are rampant in Spain. Author Elena Arrontes covered the eviction of a Bangladeshi family from its home in the neighborhood of Lavapiés, Madrid. Neighbors and other members of the community immediately acted in solidarity with the family.
Spain: The First Anniversary of the Indignant Movement
The initiatives to commemorate the first anniversary of the 15-M (15 May) or Indignant Movement keep cropping up. The Catalan group Informatbcn interviewed several representatives of Attac Europe concerning this movement.
Ukraine, France: The Future of Franco-Ukrainian Relationship
Odessablogger comments on the statements made by Ukrainian political scientists regarding the future of the Franco-Ukrainian relationship following the election of François Hollande as the President of France.
Greece: HIV-Positive Sex Workers Brutally Exposed Online
A multitude of reactions came after the Greek police uploaded photos and personal data of HIV-positive sex workers to a website. NGOs and hundreds of netizens, condemned through social media, those responsible for this campaign, as well as mainstream media for their biased coverage.
Greece: Police Violence Against Immigrants on the Rise
Greek social media has been in uproar over a video posted on Facebook and Twitter, showing police officers overtly abusing a detained immigrant in downtown Athens. Racist and police violence in Greece has been on a worrying rise in recent years, while the promised administrative police reform is still pending.
Spain: Many Reasons to Take to the Streets on 12M
On 15 May in Spain the first anniversary of the 15M will be commemorated. The events begin on 12 May (12M) in cities and neighborhoods. Spanish netizens have been anticipating the commemoration for days. The hashtags #YoVoy12M (I'm Going 12M) and #ALaPlaza (To The Square) have been TTs in Spain and throughout the world.
Robert F. Kennedy Award Will Recognize Social Media Journalism
One of the foremost international human rights organizations, the Robert F. Kennedy Center, is calling for nominations to a new Journalism Award on International Photography and International Social Media hosted by their European office in Florence, Italy.
Europe: Economic Crisis Fuels Rise in Anti-Immigration Politics
The French presidential election may be over, but the fact that outgoing president Nicolas Sarkozy chose immigration as the core theme of his campaign is still the subject of much debate on the Web. Many netizens have wondered whether his choice to flirt with the far-right wing of his party helped temper his defeat or whether, on the contrary, it was one of the reasons his electorate deserted him.
Greece: Olympic Flame Lit in Ancient Olympia
Following the traditional ceremony, the Olympic flame was lit at the Hera Temple of Ancient Olympia. The high-priestess, Ino Menegaki, delivered the flame to the first runner, world champion Greek...
Spain: #NoMoreEuros for Bankia
The web in Spain has been seething since it was reported that the government is preparing a plan to inject public money into Bankia, the fourth largest bank in the country and the most exposed to the real estate market. Since the crisis started in 2008, the government has supported Bankia with more than 33 billion euros. The current bail-out plan could be as much as 10 billion.
Spain: Historic Battle of Almansa Remembered in Valencia
Valencian netizens enthusiastically used the internet to take part in an annual remembrance of April 25, 1707: the day that Valencia lost its political autonomy to the Kingdom of Spain.
Armenia: The Bambir in Ireland
CHEWYOUROWNFAT reviews Beezzy, a new song by one of Armenia's most well known rock bands, The Bambir. The independent music blog says that the group, now relocated to Ireland, defines...
Switzerland: An Initiative to Establish Basic Income for All
An initiative to establish a new federal law that would give a basic monthly income to all citizens, regardless of employment status was formally introduced in Switzerland in April. Stanislas Jourdan looks into the details of the initiative.
Spain: Barcelona Sieged During European Central Bank Meeting
On May 2, 3, and 4 the European Central Bank meeting took place in Barcelona, Spain, a city that became sieged by the police. For this meeting, Spain temporarily suspended the Treaty of Schengen on the border with France.
Belgium: Video Shows Campaign to Curb Texting and Driving
The Impossible texting and driving test is part of a campaign to raise awareness to the dangers of texting using mobile devices while driving in Belgium. Several young people doing...
Global Voices Partners with International Relations and Security Network (ISN)
Global Voices and the International Relations and Security Network (ISN) in Switzerland have launched a partnership to seek out citizen voices on international relations and security issues worldwide.
France: Reactions to Presidential Election Results in Photos
The 2012 French presidential election delivered its verdict on May 6, 2012. Francois Hollande collected 51.90% of the votes against 48.10% for incumbent President Nicolas Sarkozy. Both happiness and sorrow is on display in online photos.
Greece: Rise of Neo-Nazi Group ‘Golden Dawn’
Facebook group ‘Leme OCHI sti Chrysi Avgi‘ (We say NO to Golden Dawn) [el] already has more than 11,000 likes. Created on December 2011, the anti-fascist group declares that “Fascism...
Greece: Public Speech Controversies
Before the May 6, 2012, General Election in Greece, Friday 4 was the last day political parties could organize public speeches and rallies. Heavy criticism was levelled at PASOK leader Evangelos Venizelos's...
