Latest posts by Andrea Arzaba
Mexico City Netizens Celebrate World Bicycle Day
Netizens in Mexico City are celebrating World Bicycle Day by sharing their cycling experiences through blogs and Twitter. They are also trying to raise awareness about the risks of using bicycles as a means of transportation is such a busy city.
Mexico: Candidate Vázquez Mota Angers University Students
Presidential candidate and Ibero-American University alumni Josefina Vázquez Mota caused anger and confusion amongst Mexican youth after telling students at the Autonomous Technological Institute of Mexico (ITAM), "I am not perfect, I studied at Ibero.”
Mexico: PEN Protesta! International Writers Protest in Solidarity With Mexican Colleagues
On January 29, PEN International, the world’s oldest international literary and human rights organization, held an event in Mexico City called PEN Protesta! to show international solidarity with Mexican writers, poets and journalists, and to demand free press and freedom of expression in Mexico.
Mexico: Netizens Mobilize for the Tarahumara Indigenous People
Netizens organized food drives for the Tarahumara indigenous people of Chihuahua after a video, reporting the alleged suicide of 50 natives to avoid starvation, spread online. Although there is insufficient evidence to prove the suicides, the alarming state of malnutrition and poverty among the Tarahumara indigenous is a reality.
COP17: Young Trackers Share Final Thoughts on Climate Change Talks
Adopt a Negotiator Project trackers updated their blogs daily during the two weeks of climate change talks at the United Nations Conference on Climate Change, COP17, held from November 28 to December 9, 2011, in South Africa. In this post we share some of their conclusions.
Mexico: Netizens React to Death of Interior Secretary
Fernando Blake Mora, Mexico’s Interior Minister, died today -November 11- in a helicopter crash. Twitter users immediately began discussing the accident, and in a few hours #BlakeMora and 'Secretario de Gobernación' became worldwide trending topics.
CIVICUS: Reflections on the Power of Civil Society
For three days several civil society representatives met in Montreal for the CIVICUS World Assembly. The subjects were diverse: from civil movements, social equality, and the effects of new technologies, to climate justice. Here are some blog posts that covered the assembly.
Mexico: Celebrating Cantinflas’ 100th Birthday
This August, Mexico celebrates one hundred years of the birth of comedian Mario Moreno, better known as Cantinflas. Considered a comedy icon, Cantinflas made his audience reflect on the contrast between the poor and the rich in a unique way.
Mexico: Blood Fountains
During the last weekend of May 2011, activists from the movement "Let's stop the bullets, let's paint the fountains" stained the water of a famous statue in Mexico City blood red. Participants walked around the monument shouting slogans like "Not one more dead!" and "Out Calderón!"
Mexico: First Woman Drug Cartel Leader
A Mexican woman is believed to have become the head of the “Arellano Felix” Cartel, which operates in Tijuana, northern Mexico. Her name is Enedina Arellano Felix, and according to the blog Mundo Narco [es], Enedina is an “intelligent, mechanical and discrete woman in charge”.
Global Blogging Competition on Water Issues
The European Journalism Centre has launched a three month international blogging competition focusing on water issues called TH!NK5. Bloggers from 40 different countries joined the contest, aiming to win the final prize: a trip to Lisbon, Portugal. Here are some of the most popular and original posts written by some of the winners.
Mexico: Remembering the Women of Ciudad Juárez
Ciudad Juárez is considered the most violent city in Mexico with more than 3,100 murders recorded in 2010, with an average of 9 homicides per day. Women are not immune to this violence, and cases of femicides committed years ago are still unresolved. On this International Woman's Day, we are remembering the women of Ciudad Juárez.
Mexico: Possible Documentary Censorship Causes Commotion
A Mexican judge ordered theaters to temporarily halt screenings of the popular Mexican documentary Presunto Culpable (Presumed Guilty). The filmmakers, in an announcement posted on their website, state that the documentary will continue to be shown until they receive a government or judicial order. Still, the Mexican blogosphere has been actively discussing the issue, mostly focusing on censorship and freedom of expression.
Mexico: Kidnapping Case Affects Diplomatic Relations with France
Relations between Mexico and France have been strained due to the kidnapping conviction of French national Florence Cassez in Mexico City. Cassez was arrested in 2006, accused of kidnapping charges and sentenced to 60 years in prison.
Mexico: Reactions to “Racist” Remarks on BBC's Top Gear
Comments on the BBC's popular car show Top Gear calling Mexicans, "lazy, feckless, flatulent," and "overweight" have caused mixed reactions among Mexican bloggers.
Mexico: Indigenous Rights Advocate, Bishop Samuel Ruiz, Dies
On January 24th, Bishop Samuel Ruiz Garcia passed away at the age of 86. He was known for his work as an advocate of the rights of the indigenous Mayan people in the state of Chiapas.
Mexico: The “Sistine Chapel of Crystals”
The "Cave of Crystals" in the Mexican town of Naica houses giant crystals known as "Moon Stones." The cave is a deadly place for humans to visit, but through the Internet bloggers are sharing the story behind this mysterious cave.
Mexico: Singer Accused of Rape Tweets in Defense
28-year-old Mexican pop singer Kalimba is using Twitter to defend himself against accusations that he raped two underage girls. His fans tweet to support him, but others criticize the media and public attention the case is getting.
Mexico: Tweeting About Violence With #RedMexico
Tired of drug-related violence, Mexican Twitter users are using the hashtag #MexicoRojo ("Red Mexico") to discuss the issue and update their followers on recent events.
Mexico: The Three King's Cake Celebration
On January 6th, Mexican families get together and eat a special cake called "Rosca de Reyes" (translated as "King's Cake"). Several bloggers have written about this tradition, what it means and how it is celebrated.
Mexico: Indigenous People Denounce Mining Project on Sacred Site
The Indigenous Huichol People of Mexico are denouncing a Canadian mining project that is threatening one of their sacred sites and that, if completed, would endanger their health and water supply.