Latest posts by Bernardo Parrella from February, 2009
USA: Activists Incensed after Fatal Shooting by Police
Several people recorded mobile phone videos of a police officer shooting and killing a young man named Oscar Grant on a train platform in Oakland, California, on January 1. Since then, citizen media have been central in the ensuing campaigns for justice.
Italy: In Defense of the “Right to die”
A legal battle over a young woman's 'right to die' after 17 years in a coma has spurred both vast online commentary and activism in Italy. Mostly in defense of "Eluana Englaro's choice", Italian netizens have signed petitions, organized protests, and made YouTube videos of their own 'living will' testimonies, in defiance of both prime minister Silvio Berlusconi and the Vatican.
Italy Seethes over Brazil's Extradition Refusal
Italians are still debating a controversial decision of the Brazilian government to guarantee political asylum to convicted felon Cesare Battisti, in spite of an extradition request by the Italian foreign ministry. The decision to grant asylum is currently being considered by the Brazilian supreme court.
