Stories from 17 July 2012
Russia: Facebook and “Gay Propaganda”
Alexandra Evans of FP's Passport blog links to an RT news item about a group of Russian Orthodox activists who are campaigning to have Facebook blocked in Russia because of the recent introduction of same-sex marriage status icons, which the activists consider “gay propaganda.”
Russia: A Law to Regulate Volunteer Efforts
Last week, Russia's Public Chamber announced that it is preparing the foundation for a draft law designed to regulate volunteer activities. Critics of the idea claim that the law (like recent bills raising fines for illegal demonstrations and 'blacklisting' parts of the RuNet) is another government attempt to oppress the political potential of civil society (specifically the strengths of Internet-enabled activists).
Kenya: Mau Mau Freedom Fighters Take Battle to British Court
Three former Mau Mau freedom fighters have taken the British government to the High Court in London demanding an apology and damages for brutality they suffered during the British colonial rule in Kenya. Tweets are pouring in in support of their fight for justice. @JeromeTaylor and @TandemLaw are tweeting live from the courtroom.
Iran: Kaboudvand's life in danger
Several bloggers reported Mohammad Sadiq Kaboudvand‘s life is in danger.This Kurdish activist has been on hunger strike for several days. Alireza Rezai says [fa] Kabudvand's hunger strike did not get enough attention in Iranian media.
Syria/Turkey: Syrian Refugees Protest Water Shortages at Kilis Camp
Syrian refugees at the Kilis Refugee camp, on the Syrian-Turkish border, protested against water shortages. Four policemen and 10 refugees are reportedly injured.
Yemen: TEDx Finally in Sanaa!
There is great excitement in Yemen and among netizens that TEDx has reached Sanaa after the license to stage the event was finally obtained on July 13th 2012. Many Yemenis are looking forward to getting the chance to share their dreams, experiences and ideas with each other and the world in December 2012.
Sri Lanka: News Websites Targeted And Journalists Threatened
Recently the Sri Lankan authorities raided offices of two news websites on allegation of criminal defamation and arrested nine journalists. In another incident the defense secretary threatened an editor of a local newspaper during an interview. Sri Lankan journalists and activists staged a demonstration protesting their repression.
China: Netizens Reaction to National Education in Hong Kong
Ministry of Tofu reports on mainland Chinese netizens comment and discussion on the debate about national education in Hong Kong. Many of them are sympathetic with the students and criticize the brainwashing nature of the new curriculum.
YouTube Show Brings China's Social Media to an English Audience
Want to know what’s going on on China’s social media but cannot speak Chinese? Keep on reading, then. It’s been four months since Elle Lee (@ElleIconLee) and Casey Lau (@hypercasey) opened a Youtube channel to broadcast Weibo Today, a weekly online show spotlighting trending topics from China's social networks in English. We talked to Elle Lee about their show.
Bolivia: TIPNIS Marchers Return Home After Vigil in La Paz
Emily Achtenberg from the blog Rebel Currents updates readers on the indigenous people who once more marched towards La Paz to protest the project to build a road through the Isiboro Sécure National Park and Indigenous Territory (TIPNIS).
Peru: 20 Years Later, Bloggers Remember Bomb Blast in Tarata Street
At 9:15 pm, on Thursday July 16, 1992, a bomb blast rattled the small and then almost unknown Tarata Street, in the Limean district of Miraflores. Days before the blast, Lima experienced many bomb blasts, but none had the same impact as the blast in Tarata. Twenty years after, netizens remember and reflect on that day.