4 March 2011

Stories from 4 March 2011

Azerbaijan: Facebook activism under pressure

Likely the most evolved country in the region in terms of online activism, Global Voices Advocacy posts details of new concerns about moves taken against alternative voices in Azerbaijan as well as the arrest today of yet another youth activist calling for pro-democracy protests in the oil-rich former Soviet republic...

Lebanon: Protests Against Sectarian Regime

More than 2,500 Lebanese citizens marched last Sunday (February 27, 2011) in the capital Beirut against the sectarian system which they think is the reason of the country's problems. Here's how it went and how the Lebanese online community reacted. Other protests are planned for tomorrow (March 5).

Morocco: Fadoua Laroui, our own Mohamed Bouazizi

When young Mohammed Bouazizi set himself on fire in the town of Sidi Bouzid, he couldn't have imagined the chain of events his act would set off. Now, in Morocco, the self-immolation of a young woman, Fadoua Laroui, has Moroccan bloggers debating the cause and effect of such an action.

Puerto Rico: World Day of Solidarity with the UPR

  4 March 2011

Sympathizers with the student strike at the University of Puerto Rico will stage simultaneous demonstrations in solidarity with the UPR in cities around the world on Friday, March 11, 2011.  Some cities are Amsterdam, Madrid, New York and Manchester.

Mozambique: Global Voices and @Verdade Newspaper

  4 March 2011

Starting this March, the Global Voices gains a space offline in a corner of Lusophone Africa, in the pages of @Verdade Newspaper, Mozambique. In return, the largest weekly in circulation in Mozambique will help to increase our coverage of the country, with a monthly column on news from Mozambique, as seen by its citizens.

Puerto Rico: News of Caño Martín Peña

  4 March 2011

Environmental lawyer and blogger Erika Fontánez Torres posts the list of the most recent projects [es] and accomplishments of the Proyecto ENLACE Caño Martín Peña, one of the most innovative community development initiatives in Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico: Violence and Music?

  4 March 2011

Redod criticizes how the media has created and disseminated the myth of the supposed link of rock and reggaeton with violence. The editor of the music blog Puerto Rico Indie [es] explains that violence is much more than a musical genre.

Latin America, Caribbean: Increase in Food Prices

  4 March 2011

Bloggings by Boz writes: “The FAO reports that February 2011 was a yet a new high on food prices. This has led to several warnings from organizations in Latin America and the Caribbean including ECLAC [Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean] and the IICA [Inter-American Institute for Cooperation...

Côte d'Ivoire: Facebook and Twitter, Messengers of Death

  4 March 2011

Seven women supporting elected President Alassane Ouatara were shot dead during a protest on March 3, 2011, in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire by security forces loyal to incumbent President Gbagbo. As violence escalates in the country, Anna Guèye examines the role played by Facebook and Twitter.

Jamaica: political satire thrives

  4 March 2011

“Political satire is alive and well in Jamaica,” writes Active Voice, pointing to the supposed Twitter account of the controversial gang leader and “president” of the Tivoli Gardens community Christopher “Dudus” Coke: @dudusfromtivoli.

Puerto Rico: remembering Corretjer

  4 March 2011

3 March was the birthday of Puerto Rican poet, journalist, and activist Juan Antonio Corretjer Montes (1908-1985). Repeating Islands summarises this year's anniversary commemorations across the island.