A parade of Indian people from many nations gathered in Seattle on Monday to commemorate the invasion of Fort Lawton 40 years ago, when more than 100 Indian people and their allies stormed the property and took a portion of the land “by right of discovery.” After a month of protests the government decided to donate a portion of the land for a cultural center.
About 30 people gathered outside the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Denver, Colorado on Sunday to protest a decision by the archdiocese not to re-enroll a child in a Catholic school in Boulder next year because the child’s parents are lesbians.
Days after staging protests on campus as part of the national March 4 Day of Action, a small group of students at Stony Brook University sat down in the hallway outside of President Stanley’s office for hours and begged passersby for spare change to cover the rising costs of tuition.
Downtown Athens was paralyzed once again on Friday when thousands of Greeks took to the streets to protest against the country’s newly announced package of austerity measures.
In Pakistan, the workers of the National Programme for Improvement of Watercourses (NPIW) continued their protest and sit-in in front of Karachi Press Club on Friday, protesting against the Sindh government over delay in regularizing the services of employees.
Dutch gay rights groups have called for a halt to protests against a Catholic church southwest of Amsterdam after it said it would no longer seek to bar homosexuals from taking communion.
In the Philippines, Gabriela – the country’s foremost alliance of progressive women’s organizations - has declared March 8, International Women’s Day, as a “day off” for Filipinas, to be spent out in the streets, marching, protesting and asserting their rights.
Carrefour SA’s 116 stores in Belgium were closed Saturday because of a strike over planned job cuts, said a company spokesman who put the resulting sales loss at the company-owned outlets at 14 million euros ($19 million).
Syrian Catholic Archbishop Basile Georges Casmoussa of Mosul led over 1,000 Iraqi Catholics in a silent protest on February 28 to demand that the government act to put a stop to violence against Christians there.
Three Chinese death-row inmates who say they were tortured into confessing to crimes they didn’t commit have staged a hunger strike to draw attention to their case.
Thousands of adherents of the National Popular Resistance Front (FNRP) marched in the Honduran capital Tegucigalpa Feb. 25 to protest the slaying of civil resistance leaders under what they still consider to be the “de facto regime” of President Porfirio “Pepe” Lobo despite the change in government last month. The rally concluded in front of the National Congress building, where the march was blocked by a military cordon.
On Thursday, protesting Guatemalan teachers in Melchor de Mencos blocked the Melchor Bridge with their bodies to stop vehicular passage through the border between Guatemala and Belize. According to union president Zetina, who spoke on behalf of the teachers, they are demanding a 16% salary increase from their Government, in addition to proper renovation of school buildings.
Thirty-eight Jamaican women — all of them asylum seekers, some of whom have lived in the UK for as long as 10 years — are on hunger strike in holding facilities in the United Kingdom, in protest of their imminent deportation to Jamaica.
Tens of thousands of protesters calling themselves the Purple People took to the streets of Rome on the weekend in a sign of mounting opposition to the Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi. The group, Il Popolo Viola, wore purple sweaters and scarves, Berlusconi masks or striped prison dress to protest against what they say is the undermining of Italian democracy by Mr Berlusconi in his battle with the country’s legal system.
Residents of cities in southern Yemen on Sunday staged a general strike to protest what they termed government oppression as well as action taken against a daily newspaper, activists and witnesses said. The strike was almost total in the southern provinces of Dhale, Lahaj, Shabwa and Abyan as all shops were shut and transportation ground to a halt,
In Iran, more than 100 police and plainclothes officers broke up a gathering of the Mourning Mothers in Laleh Park Saturday afternoon. The group — formed by women whose children have been killed in recent anti-government protests — gathers every weekend at the park to call attention to the deaths.
Hundreds in Hong Kong ringed the city’s legislature on Friday as public frustration mounted over government attempts to bulldoze through a high speed railway, an issue that has also catalyzed a fresh push for full democracy.
Unionized workers of South Korea’s third-largest carmaker Kia Motors Crop. will hold a partial strike for four hours a day this week in a protest against wages.
About 300 Egyptian workers at the fishing boats of Nea Michaniona (a village near Thessaloniki, Northern Greece) continue their strike, which began on Christmas, after blockading the small port of the village last week to protest a severe decrease in their income over recent months.
Greenpeace activists posed as the Four Horsement of the Apocalypse and rode through downtown Copenhagen yesterday to remind world leaders of the consequences of inaction on climate change. Each represented one of the potential impacts of climate change: death, pestilence, war and famine.
Saharawi non-violent activist Aminatou Haidar, known by many as the “Saharan Gandhi” entered the 29th day of her hunger strike yesterday. Doctors say she may be hours away from death, a risk she is willing to accept unless her single demand—to be allowed to return to her country—is met.
Iranian men are posting pictures of themselves on the Internet wearing women’s head scarves in an effort to protest the recent arrest of a male anti-government protester, who was shown in a press photo wearing a female garment. Bloggers believe the photo was manipulated to embarass the man. So they are showing that there is nothing wrong with women or veiling.
Native Hawaiians staged a protest yesterday morning near the Hawaii State Capitol over alleged attempts by Hawaii’s U.S. senators to sneak the Native Hawaiian Recognition Act onto one of the large federal appropriations bills. They say it reduces Native Hawaiians to a tribal status and does not address the true issue of the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom.
Dozens of children from a Jewish Sunday school marched from Boston Common to the Hyatt Hotel in center city, chanting denouncements of Hyatt’s firing of 98 housekeepers in August. Upon reaching the hotel, the leaders of the march read a statement to hotel workers before handing over a petition.
Gay rights activists marched in front of New York State Sen. Carl Kruger Brooklyn home Sunday to protest his decision to vote against gay marriage. Organizers of the event say they intend to protest at the homes and offices of many of the 38 senators who voted against the bill.
On Monday morning, CNN had this amazing segment about Will Phillips, a 10-year-old boy in Arkansas, who is refusing to say the pledge of allegiance due to discrimination against gays and lesbians.
Why, in particular, did he decide to take this stand?
“There really isn’t liberty and justice for all,” Phillips told host John Roberts. “Gays and lesbians can’t marry. There’s still a lot of racism and sexism in the world.”
Phillips also mentioned wanting to be a lawyer when he grows up, and the fact that he already has a lot of friends who are gay.
“I think they should have the rights all people should,” he continued. “And I’m not going to swear that they do,” until it’s a reality.
It’s clear after watching the boy that he is brilliant. In fact, I found his eloquence almost hard to believe. What is more remarkable, however, is his morality and willingness to take such a bold move for his convictions at his young age. His parents should be proud.
This story actually reminded me of one of the first times I addressed a grade school class about nonviolence.
Several years ago, I was invited by one of my best friends to talk with his students at a Catholic school on the south side of Chicago.
I got there early, and at the spur of the moment, decided to remain sitting when the class stood for the pledge. I then began by explaining why I did this. I argued that if you are really a Christian, you cannot pledge allegiance to any flag or country. Our allegiance is to a different kingdom. We obey a higher law. The country for which our flag stands, I explained, has done and continues to do some terrible things that I could not vouch for and that were simply contrary to Jesus’ teachings.
At the time, I don’t remember getting any serious reaction. However, my friend told me that for the rest of the year one of his students, who I stayed in touch with after my visit, did not say the pledge for the rest of the year.
And even though it was just one student, I was thrilled. That’s where it starts.
The world would truly be in better hands if there were only more children – and adults, for that matter – with such sensibilities.
Nearly 30 actions took place at EPA regional offices, JP Morgan Chase branches and other pillars of support for mountain top removal on Friday, as part of a national day of action. 14 activists staged a sit-in at EPA headquarters in Washington for nearly four hours, but left without incident.
A group of activists from Rainforest Action Network Toronto took part in a nation-wide campaign against Royal Bank of Canada on Saturday, setting up a coffee shop in front of RBC headquarters with seating so that passersby could stop and talk about the bank’s funding of the tar sands.
A group of climate change activists in Canada managed to breech Parliament security and disrupted a debate session last week, vowing to conduct “climate flash mobs” across the country each Monday to pressure Parliament into action on global warming.
Hundreds of activists and reporters gathered in central Moscow on Saturday for an unsanctioned human rights protest, where they chanted “Freedom!” and “Respect the constitution!”. At least 50 people were arrested.
Sunday’s National Equality March in DC drew over 200,000 people and may have established itself as a rallying point for the gay rights movement. But rather than discuss its accomplishments—which can be read about in a nice piece on The Nation’s website—I’d like to take issue with one of the movement’s main objectives: gaining the right to serve openly in the military.
I’ve often wondered why this is such an important goal. Yes, “don’t ask, don’t tell” is an offensive policy both in name and in execution. Not only was it a pathetic compromise when it was first approved by President Clinton in 1993, but it effectively continued the persecution of a group of people. So, I understand the anger. What I don’t understand is how the gay rights movement expects the repeal of that policy to create equality.
The military not only prays on, but inflames inequality. Why is this something the LGBT community wants to participate in? Why do they want to become equal accomplices in the exploitation of lower class Americans and the death of innocent families and the destruction of whole societies in Iraq and Afghanistan? Is America really a better place when an openly gay person can launch a drone attack on the poor isolated people of Pakistan?
I’m certain many people within the LGBT community oppose the current wars, but why doesn’t the gay rights movement? Why does it instead insist upon bolstering the military? David Mixner, the gay rights organizer who first forwarded the idea of the march, is also an antiwar activist. He wanted the march to focus on marriage equality, but also said, “The most striking [issue] outside that institution would be the freedom to serve in our nation’s military.”
There’s something wrong when an antiwar activist has to take a pro-war stance to fight for gay rights. And to think the right wing considers this movement “radical.”
The Daily Show picked up on this irony earlier in the week. When talking about the lack of major network news coverage, Jon Stewart observed that the march “had everything Fox loves: ordinary people demanding their freedoms, homemade signs, flags, and men in uniform.” While the joke was clearly on Fox and intended to show the patriotic wants of the gay rights movement as a good thing, I couldn’t help but feel the opposite.
In another segment, taped during the march, correspondent John Oliver recounted his attempt to “find out what their harrowing vision for America was all about.” While playing the role of a homophobe, clearly brainwashed by right wing pundits who think there’s such a thing as “a radical gay agenda”, Oliver basically uncovers what I would consider the sad truth of the matter: that there is nothing radical about the gay rights movement.
In a scene that unintentionally proves my point, Oliver asked a gay man if he would “detonate the gay bomb in the middle of Washington DC” if a commanding officer gave the order. While the joke is clearly intended as a clever jab at a preposterous weapon actually pursued by the US Air Force, the man’s answer is what struck me: “I’m here to serve my country. If that was my command I would say yes sir.”
Do we really need more people taking orders that lead to death and destruction? Maybe it’s time to adopt a radical gay agenda that opposes war because as Dr. King once said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
Around 30 Greenpeace activists scaled the roof of the famous Palace of Westminster in central London, unfurling several yellow banners reading: "Change the politics, save the climate". The action was intended as a greeting to MPs returning from summer break. After 28 hours the activists came down and were arrested.
28 people between ages 50 and 88 finished a five-day, 25-mile march to protest mountaintop removal mining when they arrived at a Massey Energy coal complex yesterday.
Five people were arrested and charged with trespass after scaling and fastening themselves to a conveyor belt used to load coal in Illawarra, Australia on Sunday. The action was part of a Climate Camp in the area attended by over 400 people.
Thousands of Guineans stayed at home yesterday to protest the massacre of at least 150 people who were among thousands demonstrating against the country’s military rulers two weeks ago. The strike brought the capital city to a standstill with banks, shops, markets and offices remaining closed.
30 Greenpeace activists entered Total’s oil refinery site, in Normandy, France on Friday to protest its involvement with the climate-changing tar sands in Alberta, Canada. They hung banners on a huge tank and two 75 meter-high chimney stacks that read “climate crime” and “Total invests in sustainable destruction.”
About 300 protesters attempted to march toward the Pittsburgh convention center where the G20 meeting was taking place yesterday afternoon, but were met with roaming squads of police officers carrying plastic shields and batons. The police fired a sound cannon that emitted shrill beeps, causing demonstrators to cover their ears and back up, then threw tear gas canisters that released clouds of white smoke and stun grenades that exploded with sharp flashes of light. It is believed this is the first time a sound canon has been used publicly. About 20 people were arrested.
Four Greenpeace activists attached to a massive banner dangled from a Pittsburgh bridge Wednesday to protest the G20 meeting. The 80-by-30-foot sign took the style of a road sign, reading: “Danger: Climate Destruction Ahead. Reduce CO2 emissions now.”
Dozens of people gathered in Hamburg, Germany for a flashmob protest of Chancellor Angela Merkel. They yelled an ironic “Yeahh” after every sentence she spoke. The video has become a viral sensation in Germany in the run up to Sunday’s election, with more than 280,000 views so far on YouTube.
About 200 union and hospitality workers in Chicago were arrested yesterday afternoon as they demonstrated their support for ongoing labor negotiations with major downtown hotels and to show solidarity with fired hotel workers in Boston.
[Editor's note: Here's a new feature we're trying out in hopes of giving notice to nonviolent actions we may have missed or following up on ones already mentioned in the daily "Experiments with truth" posts. --BF]
An officer who is not displaying badge numbers holds a protester's face for the camera during last year's Climate Camp in Britain.
Environmentalists and Indigenous peoples of Guatemala have been protesting a proposed mining law that doesn’t provide for community consultation, provides tax breaks for mining companies and sets royalties payable to the state at too low a level.
Many adoption and foster care advocates have been protesting the new horror film Orphan over fears that it will further add to the negative stigma attached to adopting older children. They’ve already succeeded in persuading the studio to remove the following line from an ad: “It must be hard to love an adopted child as much as your own.”
Plans to mine for coal in Australia’s prime agricultural region have been met with protests—particularly in the form of blockades—from farmers and rural folk, who aren’t typically known for their interest in green issues. They fear contamination of aquifers and the loss of valuable grain production at a time of world shortage.
Voters angry at the scandals surrounding Brazilian Senate President José Sarney have turned to a bizarre form of online protest: posting pictures of themselves wearing their own version of his trademark moustache.
Three kiss-ins have been held since the July 9th arrest of a gay couple kissing on Mormon temple property in Salt Lake City. A movement is beginning to take shape, in which organizers are stressing dialogue with church leaders and peaceful confrontations with anti-gay objectors (as opposed to the shouting matches that took place at the first kiss-in). A nationwide kiss-in is being scheduled for Aug. 15.
Daily protest rallies in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi by a group of opposition parties demanding President Mikheil Saakashvili’s resignation ended last week after 107 days. Some have only called this the first stage of protests, while critics say the opposition is too split and rife with infighting to mount a serious campaign.
The Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe has declared itself unsatisfied with the pay raise proposed by the government to teachers and other public employees, saying its members will continue to boycott classes on Fridayspending a better offer from the state.
Indian Country Today reported on the near two-month standoff between Canadian Mohawks and the Canadian government over the arming of border guards stationed on reservation land, which has caused serious economic issues for all parties involved (click photo to read more).
The Nation published an essay by Huwaida Arraf of the Free Gaza Movement in which she reflects on her group’s most recent failed attempt to enter Gaza and the general plight of the Palestinian people.
openDemocracy says the recent victory of Chinese internet users over a government plan to monitor access is a sign of their emerging political power.
NACLA Report on the Americas has a great piece about Peruvian president Alan García’s continuing war against the indigenous people, despite the recent revocation of his decrees to open Amazonian land to development.
ABC News in Australia reported on a remote Aboriginal community in the Northern Territory, where 150 people have been protesting poor housing conditions in their government-owned and overcrowded homes, as well as federal intervention in matters such as income management.
Inter-Press Service reported on a movement made up of 25 international, national and local groups calling on the Colombian government to halt the gold exploration activities of the South Africa-based mining giant AngloGold Ashanti.
Nigerian newspaper This Day says the country is gradually being shut down by perpetual industrial actions from nearly every sector.
The Socialist Worker has a piece explaining how the LGBT people and their allies managed to build one of the largest civil rights movements in San Diego, one of the most conservative cities in the state.
Global Voices examined the persecution of bloggers in Honduras by hackers and the complicity of internet giants Google.
For the second consecutive weekend, about 100 people in Salt Lake City staged a "kiss-in" to protest the treatment of two gay men cited for trespassing July 9 after they shared a kiss on the plaza owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Members of Green Course and Greenpeace delivered over 1,000 letters to Israel’s national infrastructures planning committee and staged a demonstration outside the building yesterday to protest the planned construction of a coal-fired power plant.
A three and half week hunger strike that involved over 100 Los Angeles teachers and district personnel has come to an end. Despite the attention it brought, participants are planning to shift strategy in their fight against budget cuts and layoffs.
Union members upset with Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter over recent vetoes turned their backs to him in protest at an event commemorating the site of the 1914 Ludlow massacre of striking coal miners.
