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Cameroon: EU Grant Sparks Homophobia Row · Global Voices
Julie Owono

A few days after the slaughter of gay rights activist David Kato in Uganda, it is important to recall the background of homophobia in Africa.
A topic that remains taboo to many African microcosms, homophobia caused a raging debate in Cameroon two weeks ago.
On January 11, 2011 the European Union (EU) announced that it would grant 300,000 euros to a project launched by Alice Nkom, a Cameroonian lawyer and gay rights activist. Her initiative called Assistance and Supervision of Sexual Minorities Project (Projet d'assistance et d'encadrement des minorités homosexuelles – PAEMH) raises LGBT related issues.
Lawyer Alice Nkom
The EU's representative in Cameroon was summoned by the Cameroonian Minister of External Relations on January 14, 2011, whereby disapproval was expressed at the funding choice.
The news of the funding caused plenty of violent reactions. Camer.be, an information site for the Cameroon diaspora, published an article on January 14, 2011 “EU finances homesexuality : financing of illegality” [fr] in which the journalist explains that the European Union did not respect article 347 bis of the Cameroon penal code, which forbids same sex relationships. The article was written by a spokesperson from the Rally of Cameroonian Youth (RJC).
Among the 53 comments left on the article, Lolypop writes :
Mince alors, cette page est contaminée. Trop de “depso” viennent jouer les avocats à leur compte. Vivement le retour des chambres à gaz.
Following this discharge of hatred, Camer.be and the former RJC website (now offline) were suspended because of legislation enforced in the countries of their hosts, where European law forbids homophobic speech.
In spite of this violent atmosphere against her action, Alice Nkom does get support from Cameroon citizens and others. On her Facebook profile, where she has more than 4,500 friends, Herve Obiang encourages her to persist in her struggle:
Même s'il fallait que je puisse mourrir pour la lutte contre l'homophobie, alors sache que je me donnerais car tu es une maman, une femme et une très grande dame.

author: Julie Owono


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Côte d’Ivoire: About Gbagbo’s Pan-Africanism · Global Voices
Anna Gueye

This post is part of our special coverage Côte d'Ivoire Unrest 2011.
With the death anniversary of Patrice Lumumba and Gbagbo's Pan-Africanist speech, many started likening both men to the fathers of Pan-Africanism. It happens that Laurent Gbagbo himself ( in an interview with the Figaro on 12/27/2010 [Fr]), compared himself to Robert Mugabe, forgetting nonetheless that before firing the dictator, Robert Mugabe was the hero of the independence of his country Zimbabwe (before him, Rhodesia lived under the rule of Ian Smith's apartheid). Mugabe started by driving out the dictator since the Lancaster agreements he had negotiated stipulated an agrarian reform and Mugabe reckoned that the British had to finance this reform; however the British didn't see things the same way. And it is because of this past that very few Africans risk criticizing Robert Mugabe. Therefore, Pan-Africanism is  a notion with a peculiar historical context and those who call themselves Pan-Africanists like to think that they are positioning themselves against the former colonial powers.
The Ivorian politician Venance Konan responds in an article entitled  Dear “Françafrique” (France-Africa)! [Fr] on his blog  to his “Pan-Africanists”. :
Cette mentalité anime encore bon nombre d’intellectuels africains et panafricanistes installés bien au chaud (façon de parler en ce moment) en France.Pour toute chose, il faut chercher le coupable ailleurs. Et pour eux, tout ce qui arrive de négatif en Afrique est le fait de la France ou de son excroissance, la Françafrique. C’est elle, notre sorcier. Ainsi, la crise post-électorale qui secoue en ce moment la Côte d’Ivoire serait la faute à la France ou à la Françafrique. Chère Françafrique ! Que serions-nous devenus, nous intellectuels africains et panafricanistes, si tu n’avais pas existé pour nous dédouaner de toute responsabilité dans nos malheurs.
Others on the internet have also reacted to Gbagbo's positioning [Fr- all links]:
Many Africans were shocked by these articles and started wondering if this dichotomy between “Pan-Africanism and former colonial powers” is really the only alternative to this debate.
Yes, Africa's future is taking place in Ivory Coast but some have become schizophrenic. MBKM wrote in Crisis in Côte d’Ivoire : when France turns Africans into schizophrenics [Fr]
Cet état de chose fait bizarrement de Laurent Gbagbo, pourtant le fossoyeur de la démocratie ivoirienne, l’incarnation du patriotisme, du nationalisme, de la résistance face à un Ouattara soupçonné d’être le « chouchou » d’une Françafrique que beaucoup d’Africains tiennent en horreur. Reconnaissons-le. Nous naviguons là en plein autisme.
As for Côte d’Ivoire coming out of crisis, many think that  Africa cannot afford to give “jurisdiction to Gbagbo” [Fr]” and can afford it even less in 2011 since there are scheduled elections in: RCA, Cameroon, Niger, Zimbabwe, Benin, Djibouti, Nigeria, Madagascar, Chad, DRC, and Angola.
It's not a secret for anyone and especially not for Africans that Africa is courted for its natural resources and lands (comparing a map of ethical conflicts with one of natural resources would be interesting). It's not a secret for anyone and especially not for Africans that the politics and institutions of Washington don't necessarily have raising Africa out of poverty as a first priority.
Natural resources in Africa via Ray Mikkleson and Cara Wurtz at U. of Omaha
The Africans whose parents participated in the decolonization, whose parents admired Patrice Lumumba, whose parents supported Sékou Touré before he became insane are disappointed by politicians who use and compare themselves to Patrice Lumumba in order to remain in power.
Patrice Lumumba wasn't ethnicist (Patrice Lumumba's speech, Prime minister and minister of national security of the Democratic Republic of Congo, at the ceremony of Independance in Leopoldille, June 30th 1960) [Fr]
Patrice Lumumba didn't stay 10 years in power even though he was only elected for 5. Laurent Gbagbo has neither Thomas Sankara's implacability nor can he be compared to Patrice Lumumba.
In fact, the debate has slightly evolved as read in this article by Kofi Alouda: Ivorian Crisis: the amalgam with the hypothetical “déjà vu” has blurred the interpretation of facts of some sincere democrats [Fr].
In the beginning, Laurent Gbagbo could certainly have passed for a revolutionary, for that matter many people went down to the streets to support him. In addition, he was the historical opponent, just like A. Wade of Senegal (apparently, this hasn't really turn out well for them).
Moreover, “Françafrique” was doing well under Laurent Gbagbo as explains it Thomas Hofnung in this article where he points out that ” Bolloré, Bouygues, Veolia, and Total are very present in Ivory Coast and had bet on Laurent Gbagbo's victory” ; however, just like Sékou Touré and Amin Dada, Laurent Gbagbo is becoming a dictator: no freedom of the press, the national television has become a means to propaganda, and above all he is ethnicist. Sunday night, all the license plates of all the vehicles owned by UN employees were circulated (not to the officials who would recognize their plates but to the others).
Sékou Touré in all his deadly madness, wasn't ethnicist: rather, he pursued the intellectuals. His plot against the Peulhs was first and foremost directed at one man, Diallo Telli as explained by Maurice Jeanjean [Fr].
Besides his usual rhetoric, there are many unanswered questions on Laurent Gbagbo's governance. He will eventually have to explain why [Fr- all links]:
It now seems clear that Laurent Gbagbo is neither Thomas Sankara nor (even less so) Patrice Lumumba. Claiming to be Pan-Africanist isn’t enough to be one.
Here are additional articles on the matter [Fr- all links]:
This post is part of our special coverage Côte d'Ivoire Unrest 2011.

source: news-globalvoices

license: Creative Commons - Attribution - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

author: Anna Gueye


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Cuba: Uncovering Martí · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Repeating Islands blogs about the commemoration of the 158th birthday of national hero José Martí, while Iván's File Cabinet says: “The government likes to sell the image of a sad guy, committed to the independence of his homeland…Martí was much more.”

author: Janine Mendes-Franco


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East Timor: Unique footage from 1975 · Global Voices
Sara Moreira

On his Youtube channel, Marc Smith (@PsychologyMarc) shares his father's unique film footage from after East Timor's civil war, when the territory was on the brink of Indonesia's invasion, revealing the weak legacy of the former Portuguese colonizer and the humble strength of “maubere” mountain people.

author: Sara Moreira


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Egypt: A Voice in the Blackout, Thanks to Google and Twitter · Global Voices
Jillian C. York

This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011.
This evening, following the total Internet blackout in Egypt, Google and Twitter (along with SayNow, a company recently acquired by Google) made a timely announcement: that they were jointly launching SpeaktoTweet, a service that would allow Egyptians to call an international number and record a voice message that would then be tweeted from the Twitter account @speak2tweet.  All evening, recordings have been popping up on the Twitter account from Egyptians who have had the chance to learn about the service.  Because of the total Internet ban, Egyptians on the ground have presumably learned about the service from phone calls to and from friends and family outside of the country.
@monasosh is one such user; as her brother @alaa announced that she had taken advantage of the service.  Her recording, available here, is roughly transcribed as follows:
Hi, this is Mona from Cairo, I just wanted to let the world know that we have been disconnected from our last point of communication through the Internet and there’s a strong word going around that we will again be disconnected from mobile phone calls.  So, I wanted everyone to know in case you don’t get any feedback from what’s happening tomorrow, and I didn’t want anyone to worry about us.
They did this before, the only difference is the last when time they did this I was completely freaked out; I was so scared that they were going to shoot us all and nobody would know about us.  This time, I’m not scared at all, I feel as if, like, I want to tell them ‘bring it on!’ We are excited, we are happy, we are going to be in Tahrir Square tomorrow, we are going to be huge, and we are going to do our march and do our protest and Mubarak is going out.
[sigh] Be with us!  Bye bye.
Most of the calls are made anonymously, without the speaker identifying him or herself.  Another call from Egypt, available here, is as follows:
Tomorrow, history will be made.  Tomorrow, we will make history.  Tomorrow, the Mubarak regime will be over.  Tomorrow, we want you out of our country.  Long live Egypt.
Egyptians outside of the country have also taken advantage of the service to have their message heard by the world.  One such user, who self-identifies as Egyptian-American, spoke:
…You are making us so proud, you are making us so so proud in America.  Stay strong, Egyptians, stay strong, we love you here.  This is an Egyptian-American and talking for all of the Egyptian-Americans who emigrated here because of the brutal regime, stand strong: you’re making us so proud.  Free Egypt.  I love you!  [Egypt, mother of the world].
Anyone can take advantage of the service by calling one of the following international numbers and leaving a voicemail: +16504194196 or +390662207294 or +97316199855.  Their message will be automatically tweeted at @Speak2Tweet.

author: Jillian C. York


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Egypt: Cheering on the Million Man March  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011.
Tanks in Cairo are surrounded by protesters demanding the resignation of President Mubarak. By Mohamed Elmaymony © Copyright Demotix (30/1/2011)
With a few more hours to go until the Million Man March, another Day of Rage will dawn upon Egypt as it enters its eighth day of massive protests against the Mubarak regime tomorrow.
Spirits are high and Egyptians are all fired up for the day ahead, as the government continues to clampdown on whatever was left of the Internet, after Egypt turned the switch off  on January 27. The plan is to march from Tahrir Square, starting at 9am Cairo time, up to Mubarak's presidential palace in Heliopolis, asking him to step down.
The government is meanwhile bracing itself for the day, and has blocked access to Egypt's last remaining ISP, to stop the world from hearing the voices of Egyptians on the ground. This comes after further harassment to mainstream media, particularly Al Jazeera, which had six of its journalists arrested today and their equipment, cameras and phones confiscated. They have since been released.
Al Jazeera's coverage of the demonstrations, which started on January 25, has been a constant nuisance to the Mubarak regime, which has not yet been successful in taking it off the air.
People from around the world have been glued to their television screens, and online streams of Al Jazeera, to keep abreast of developments on the ground in Egypt, particularly after the Internet was shut down. The Doha-based network was at the forefront of coverage, with many netizens dedicated to transcribing and tweeting its coverage, around the clock.
The government also stopped train connections to Cairo today, to prevent people from other areas from joining the march. Reports also continue to trickle in that mobile phone lines will be shut tomorrow, just like it happened when the protests first started last week.
Here are reactions from Twitter on the Million Man March, which is seeing a lot of solidarity and support from around the world. The global community continues to watch, cheer and pray for Egyptian protesters as they continue with their demands for political and economic reforms, in a country ruled by Mubarak, 83, for 30 years.
@3arabawy: Tomorrow we meet 9am in Tahrir. We will march on Mubarak's presidential palace in Heliopolis. Down with the dictator. #Jan25
@losttwit: footage on AJE with @3arabawy “we know that our coward president is in SharmElSheikh, but we r marching tomorrow to the pres.palace” #jan25
@nohaelshoky: ♻ @hananegypt: Just got off the phone from @monasosh: all internet is cut. But everyone is excited, fearless and ready for tomorrow. #jan25
@meralhece: RT @jnoubiyeh: #Mubarak trembling in Presidential Palace.Million Man March starts at 9 a.m. tomorrow & will head right for him #Egypt #Jan25
@AymanM: #aje crew was released & will be covering million man rally 2mrw #feb1 #Egypt #jan25 (via phone)
@NellaLou: MT @IvanCNN #Egypt Info Ministry tells CNN all cell phone networks will be shut down shortly ahead of expected “Million Man March” #Jan25
@ArabVoicesSpeak: half million people in one square and not 1 woman harassed not 1 thing stolen, no garbage no mess just faith in freedom and the world #jan25
@JQIsidore: I have my own protest banner ready for tomorrow Million March Support in Holland #Egypt #Cairo #jan25
@atefsaid: Million Man march planned for tomorrow from Tahrir to the presidential palace. GO EGYPT! GO GO EGYPT! #Jan25 Jan25
@Muneeb_BOmB: “million man march” wow! the world is with you egypt do what you have to DO! #jan25
@rulahabash: | I pray God Sends mercy upon the Millions tomorrow, and guides their footsteps and chants to freedom. | #Jan25 #Egypt |
@rjarbou: Another comm blockade tomorrow #Mubarak you're on a roll! We & the Egyptian ppl thank you for maintaining the outrage #Jan25 #Egypt
@rulahabash: just called Egypt on cell phone, people get strength when they know the world is following them,every body going out tomorrow #jan25 #Feb1
This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011.

author: Amira Al Hussaini


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Egypt: Egyptologist Blogger Surveys Museum Damage · Global Voices
Haifa Alrasheed

This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011.
To the dismay of Egyptians, world citizens and Egyptologists everywhere, the famous Cairo Egyptian Museum was vandalized and looted on Friday January 28, as the government imposed a curfew and police abandoned their posts.
The museum is located on Tahrir Square at the heart of Cairo protests. Vandals climbed the walls and stole or broke many precious artifacts as they rummaged the remains of the tombs of ancient pharaohs looking for gold.
Taking matters into their own hands, citizens patrolled the museum and formed a human wall against the looting of historic artifacts. As @theplayethic tweeted a link to an AFP photo:
The human wall protecting Cairo museum. So beautiful http://yfrog.com/h7h2fwj #egypt
Margaret Maitland, an Egyptologist at Oxford University, has identified some of the damaged pieces on her blog The Eloquent Peasant. In updates to one post (with more than 80 comments) over several days, she has gone through pictures from Al Jazeera and Flickr and placed them alongside photos of how pieces originally appeared intact. “Tragic” and “devastating” are just some of the word she uses to describe what has been lost:
I’ve now identified the smashed wooden boat as also belonging to the tomb of Meseti at Asyut (Cairo 4918). It’s one of the largest model boats in existence, measuring over 1.5 metres, and it dates to approximately 2000BC, so over it’s 4000 years old. Very sad.
She also adds:
There are worrying reports of archaeological sites and museums around the country being targeted but no concrete information as of yet. Nevertheless, I am still inspired and awed by the valiant efforts of ordinary Egyptian citizens taking a stand to protect the heritage of which they are so proud. For whatever damage has been done, it’s possible that it could have been much worse without their help. My focus on this site is on the artefacts because that is what I’m best able to comment on, but my thoughts are with the Egyptian people.
Xeni Jardin wrote about the looting in a blog entry on BoingBoing, linking to Maitland's blog as well as several mainstream media reports.
As a reaction to the looting, @halycon_ tweeted:
sending my support out to those protesting in Egypt. but to those museum looters shame on you. that's your heritage, how dare u destroy it
@Motamaredah praises those who stood up and protected the museum:
وقفة احترام و تقدير لمن وقف ليحمي الآثار المصرية من السرقة /Respect to the ppl who stand to protect the Egyptian museum #25jan #egypt
This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011.

author: Haifa Alrasheed


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Egypt: International Support Mounts, as Egyptians Begin March   · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011.
As protesters continue to mill into Tahrir Square, Cairo, for the beginning of the Million Egyptian March, this morning, the world is holding its breath, as it watches how the rising voices for the ousting of Egypt's strongman Hosni Mubarak will fare.
Protesters are planning to gather at Tahrir, and march all the way to Mubarak's presidential palace, in Heliopolis, to demand that he leaves power.
Meanwhile, support continues to overflow, from around the world, particularly, after the regime's attempts to muzzle the voices of people, and stop the world from hearing their cries, to ensure that such voices are heard.
As the first gatherings are sighted in the square, Egypt has virtually cut off all Internet access, and continued to bully international media on the ground, to block them from reporting. Going back to basics, and with the support of the international community, activists are working around the clock to ensure that such citizen voices continue to be heard, and that Egyptians have their say. Giants Google and Twitter have joined forces, and launched SpeaktoTweet, a service that allows Egyptians to call an international number and record a voice message that would then be tweeted from the Twitter account @speak2tweet.
And a team of translators and supporters have already rolled up their sleeves, to transcribe those messages and post them for the world to read.
Following is the buzz on Twitter, as Egypt readies itself, for the day “it has been waiting 30 years for.”
@iRevolt: The Million Man March has begun in Egypt; those interviewed on Al Jazeera began walking from Abu Za3bal #Jan25
@monaeltahawy: Huge smile as I read tweets from around the world eagerly anticipating start of #Egypt's Million Man March. #Jan25
@habibh: 47 Translators currently tuned in 2 translate the voice of Egypt!Going live soon cc @BaghdadBrian @KatieS @edbice @stevecrossan @speak2tweet
@habibh: English, French, Arabic, Spanish translators needed. Please go to http://bit.ly/fmRTiq and help us translate the voice of #Egypt
@Haifa_: I've been hearing these voice tweets from Egypt for two hours now, and I envy the people of Egypt on their spirits! #JAN25 #EGYPT
@BoingBoing: Egypt: Avaaz.org and Tor team up to fight the Internet blackout, you can help #Jan25 #egypt http://bit.ly/ggaRuO
@vkonnander: #Jan25 #Egypt hopes no one will come to harm in the masses heading towards Tahrir square today. Crowding is an imminent danger.
@bencnn: Egypt is being pushed to the brink. Economy is collapsing, infrastructure paralyzed, communications strangled. #Jan25 #Egypt
@Sandmonkey: In other funny news, NDP is trying 2 stage a counter protest by getting NDP youth from all over Egypt to come down (cont.) #Jan25
@Sandmonkey: (cont) We keep hearing gun battles but there isn't a single stray bullet anywhere or casualty of gun fire or a bullet hole. #jan25
@bencnn: Cellphones still working. Internet, SMS, blackberry, banks, schools, universities, railroads ALL DOWN by Mubarak regime decree #Egypt #Jan25
@iRevolt: Holding my breath. I'm so proud to be an Arab during this moment in history; Egyptians have raised our heads as a people. #Jan25
@NouraAlKaabi: How Journalists Are Using Social Media to Report on the Egyptian Demonstrations http://t.co/fOChGgz via @mashsocialmedia #Jan25 #Egypt
@LaraABCNews: A TV commentator just called today's million man march ‘the day Egypt has been waiting 30 years for’ #Jan25
@monaeltahawy: In 05 when I joined protests in Cairo, we wld be 200 max, most people wld watch us, scared to 2 join. Now look at masses joining in! #Jan25
@speak2tweet voice-to-tweet from inside #egypt #jan25: http://bit.ly/h4MN6h
@habibh: @SultanAlQassemi Help spread, We r translating all those Audio Tweets and looking for translators. Posting publicly http://bit.ly/fmRTiq
This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011.


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Egypt: Live from Cairo · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011.
As thousands of Egyptians march from Tahrir Square, to call for an end to president Hosni Mubarak's 30-year rule, the world cheers on.
Despite a total Internet blackout, reports continue to pour in. Here is the latest selection of 140 character messages from Twitter – some from people on the ground, reporting live from Cairo.
@fustat: R @alaa ♻ @justimage: Today is the day. No one around me is scared, only excited and ready. #Egypt #jan25
@bencnn: Yes, I'm tweeting like Jack Kerouac on Red Bull because I don't know when can tweet again, thanks to communications crackdown. #Jan25 #Egypt
@JustAmira: Now on Al Jazeera Mubasher #jan25 http://yfrog.com/h5z6jfzj
@SultanAlQassemi: Al Arabiya: The main road linking Cairo to Suez has been shut. (Suez is 130 km from Cairo, Population 500,000, witnessed large protests)
@nolanjazeera: Ok i'm back on the airwaves, pretty hairy day yest! Soldiers seized cameras,laptops,phones. Now got a nokia circ 1995 but its workin #egypt
@nolanjazeera: Then marched us toward Liberation Sq ironically enough but took a right into grounds of Cairo museum for questioning #Egypt
@nolanjazeera: Commanding officer said he knew we're doin our job but it makes his job v difficult! “Jazeera is a problem” also told us to stop reporting
@sharifkouddous: Got searched by at 3 army checkpoints and 5 citizen checkpoints. Frisking an looking at IDs to prevent state security forces in
@shadihamid: Opposition activist in tahrir: ‘we do believe this is the end’ #jan25 #egypt
@shadihamid: Activist calls & warns: regime's last chance is chaos outside pres. palace & uses that as pretext to attack protestors #jan25
@shadihamid: Activists: lieutenants told them that there were orders to shoot but those were lifted, likely due to intl pressure #jan25
@alaa: I can't believe mubarak is that stupid? he sent 3 thugs with knives to attempt to terrorise 10s of thousands?!!! #Jan25
@Aboosh: #Egypt! The whole world has its eyes on you today! Excited to see you stand up for ur freedom & dignity! Make us proud! #feb1
@shadihamid: Reports of NDP thugs outside Cairo attacking buses trying to come in to the city #jan25
@sharifkouddous: Wow. It's 10am and already more people in Tahrir than I have ever seen. And there's more flooding in #Egypt
@tomgara: Web, then phones, then trains – Mubarak is turning off progress in reverse order. It ends with him banning pottery, or agriculture. #jan25
This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011.


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Egypt: Millions March Across Egypt, Calling on Mubarak to Step Down · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011.
Different figures are being circulated online, but the fact remains one. Millions of people from all walks of life marched across Egypt today, calling on president Hosni Mubarak to step down.
Even more people are cheering on them to insist on their demands, as the world continues to watch them on news channels, which are broadcasting developments live worldwide.
This is the eighth day of massive protests across the country, following a call on the We Are All Khaled Said group on Facebook for Egyptians to take to the streets, on January 25, which coincided with Police Day.
The group is named after Khaled Saeed, a young man from Alexandria murdered at the hands of police. His death, last June, caused widespread demonstrations and rage against police torture and the ‘use of Emergency Law to terrorise citizens.’
On Twitter, many are retweeting Al Jazeera English's announcement that the demonstrators in Cairo's Tahrir (Liberation) Square have exceeded two million people:
@AJELive: Al Jazeera's correspondent in #Egypt's Tahrir Square says that up to two million people are protesting in the square and surrounding areas.
Tweeps also continue to monitor developments and report them live. From the UAE, Sultan Al Qassemi has been doing a marvellous job covering the protests on his Twitter account. He monitors news and tweets his observations, adding information, relevant links and commentary.
Here is one example from a few minutes ago:
@sultanalqassemi: Al Jazeera: 500,000 protesters in Mansoura. (Population 1.1 million, 120 km/75 miles NE of Cairo) The second largest protest in Egypt today.
Others are following suit:
@RazanAl: RT @Arabzy: | 2 Million in Alexandria. Almost 3 Million in Cairo. Around half a Million Suez. It's happening. #Jan25 #Egypt.
The New York Times‘ Nicholas Kristof is in Cairo, and has also been updating his Twitter account. Here is a recent tweet, that has been retweeted:
@nadinetoukan: Why we #FollowFreedom! “@NickKristof I shot this photo of the truly young generation on Tahrir Square. http://twitpic.com/3vgu7l #jan25
Enough!
@nadinetoukan: Why we #FollowFreedom! “@NickKristof I shot this photo of the truly young generation on Tahrir Square. http://twitpic.com/3vgu7l #jan25
And more reports continue:
@dogdazed: Growing Demands for Arrest of Mubarak In Tahrir Demonstration! #jan25 #egypt #tunisia #sidibouzid
@butheina: Arabs & the shoes – jst cant ot do it RT @harrietsherwood: “One woman holding up shoe with Mubarak's photo stuck to sole” via @monaeltahawy
@shmpOngO: The temporary hospital in Tahrir needs supplies, please spread #jan25
From Jordan, @avinunu tweets:
And mfekry says:
Hassan Harthy, meanwhile, sums it all:
And amid all this, humour finds a place:
@baldaufji: 1 million Egyptians just became mayor of Tahrir Square on Foursquare.
Back in the square, Sherine Tadros reports:
@Rayabi: RT @SherineT: nearly 2 million in tahrir square, say not moving until mubarak leaves. peaceful atmosphere. #egypt #jan25
And @lido-lee adds:
@lido_lee: People on Tahrir are now chanting “Howa yamshee!” meaning “He needs to go!” #cairo #egypt #jan25
This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011.


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Egypt: Mubarak is Strangling Us, as Banks Remain Closed and Food Runs Out · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011.
Banks and stock markets remain closed in Egypt today, as Egyptians continue their anti-Mubarak protests for the eighth day in a row. Reports continue to emerge of food and medical shortages, as the cash flow  dwindles after ATM machines across the country have stopped working.
Hundreds of thousands of protesters across Egypt are continuing in their call for president Hosni Mubarak, who has been at the helm for 30 years, to leave power. A Million Man March is taking place as I type, with hundreds of thousands of marchers expected to join the growing crowds in their chant for Mubarak to go away.
An archive photo of an Egyptian man carrying bread, from Flickr user Nasser Nouri. (Used under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)
Banks and markets have been indefinitely closed by the government, citing security concerns. With cash running low, the question which begs itself is how is the average Egyptian faring without a steady cash flow? On Twitter, the notion is that the government is deliberately starving Egyptians to break up their resolve.
Egyptian blogger Alaa Abd El Fattah, who is currently in South Africa and is getting the information directly from Egypt and tweeting it, explains:
note banks can't operate, medicine and food supplies not flowing. yet state tv operational, regime newspapers get distributed #Jan25
He adds:
the shortages just as the lack of security are deliberately planned and implemented by mubarak to strike fear and split the people #Jan25
Meanwhile, tweeting from Egypt, @monasosh writes:
All medicine distributors r closed except one,so when pharmacies run out of them Alexandria will probably face medicine crisis soon #Jan25
Al Shaheeed explains:
@Alshaheeed #Mubarak plan now is to depend on Egyptians getting tired & hungry for food & security. #Jan25 #Egypt Our plan is to survive. We'r younger
Despite the bleakness, there is a flicker of light, as Egyptians come together in their resolve to throw their dictator.
@MoatazMedhat An Egyptian citizen donates 7000 L.E. (A lump sum in Egypt) to buy food for protesters in Tahrir (liberation) Square. #Egypt #jan25
More tweets of shortages continue:
@AlyaaGad People need food, money and medical help! People have no access to basic life needs in #Egypt right now. SOS shituation! #Jan25
@ctrinity Water cut off and food supply in #Egypt running low. The injured can't be properly treated. No comm. #Egypt under siege. Speak now! #Jan25
But the attitude remains upbeat:
@HB_1_2011: people are euphoric in egypt, and willing to sacrifice with food and money so the regime would go #jan25 #egypt
And there is more cooperation:
@BloggerSeif: Roles have switched today, women seem to be stocking up on food, men mostly remain in Tahrir #Jan25
And an out pour of support from the community:
@darbelbahlawan: Food shortage in a few delta cities! I hope local committees will be formed to deal with that too. #jan25 #egypt
Some say the reason is to starve the people:
@2011khankar Egypt gvt applying organized food shortages so tha population's concern is survival only #jan25 #sidibouzid
But the Egyptians are braving the odds:
@basmahamdy: People in Mohnadessin queuing for bread. Basic food hard to find #Egypt #Jan25
@MarcoMago #egypt #jan25 Ppl should start organizing market places for trading food and other stuff. You do not need the gov for that.
Amina ElBehary adds:
I have been on about this for days. Mubarak will fight with economic, political, physical, psychological tactics, and any others he can find.
@MonaElhusseini:: RT @kame11o Update from #Cairo: Hyperone Market still open. They reduced prices dramatically to help citizens cope with cash shortage #egypt #jan25
Moving on the economic woes, netizens are quick to add their two cents. Following are some reactions from Twitter:
summersale7@: RT @Desert_Dals #Egypt's stock market closing again on Tuesday. I hope employees are attending the million-person march! #Jan25
@alaa: stock markets across the region seeing record drops mubarak will sacrifice anything to remain in power #Jan25
@draddee: World stock markets fall and oil prices rise following #Egypt's uprising – Guardian http://bit.ly/gmNTNu #jan25
@alaa ♻ @avinunu: Al Jazeera: Jordanian stockmarket has lost $850M in value since start of Egypt uprising #jan25
@F_Madadha: #Egypt Stock Market Tumbles Over 5% on Protests. #Jan25 #Market http://fb.me/QpyZSmyg
@ahmedelmasri: Stock market hit is directly linked to the ongoing crisis in #Egypt #Jan25
@minaelia Banks and stock market closed today because of protests. #Egypt #Jan25
@peteskelley Egypt's finances r crashing with no tourist revenues, stock market is dead & Mubarek spends his last 5 EGP on kerosene 4 jet fly bys? #jan25
@anan_ibrahim: Egypt Stock market loses $12bn in three days! #jan25 #egypt
Nasser Nouri
This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011.


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Egypt: Thugs Unleashed to Terrorise Protesters  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011.
Egyptians guarding their property from looters and thugs. By Mohamed Elmaymony © Copyright Demotix (30/1/2011)
Government-paid thugs have been unleashed on protesters across Egypt, in a bid to scare them and let them break their protests, which have been on going for eight days.
Millions marched across different towns and cities to demand the end president Hosni Mubarak's 30-year rule. The biggest gathering was in Tahrir (Liberation) Square in Cairo, where up to 3 million people gathered.
Just before midnight, Mubarak addressed Egyptians, telling them that he would not run for the Presidential elections in November. Too little, too late, said protesters as they vowed to continue their protests until their demands are met.
And just after his speech, the small groups of thugs sprung into action, terrorising the peaceful protesters. On Twitter, netizens from around the world, shook their heads in horror:
@darbashis: Pro Mubarak groups are attacking the tiered protesters in Alexandria and some might go towards Tahrir square , be vigilant
@helkomy: #Port Said #Alexandria #Tahrir all sent in at the same time – the people have stood firm
@TheDayEgyptLive: 10.57 pm – Mubarak loyalists are reported to be attacking protesters in Tahrir Square.
@SarahZaaimi: Counter-protesters on motorcycles at Tahrir: “With our blood and our souls, we will defend Hosni Mubarak.” #jan25
@ShawkattRaghib: Thugs to redeploy in #Cairo, #Alexandria, #Mahalla, #PosrtSaid just after his speech. #Egypt #Tahrir #Jan25 #1M #Feb1
@nancyelattar: Crowds have not budged in #tahrir sq but pro-mubarak protesters are provoking other protesters by honking and yelling chants. #egypt #jan25
@hindhassan: Pro Mubarak protesters are, in comparison to anti-govt, a handful. AJE presenter: anti govt protesters in Tahrir Sq nt going anywhere #Jan25
Saudi Essam Al Zamil adds (Ar):
@asa_wire: This is a high-risk strategy by Mubarak. Such thug attacks on the protests could cause army to rebel to defend the people. #egypt #jan25
@dinaelhusseiny: Those organized thug groups trying to drag protesters around Egypt into violence. This regime & its players are demons #Egypt #Jan25 #Tahrir
@Hafsa_Khawaja: – #Mubarak the mongrel, SHAME ON YOU for ordering whats happening in #PortSaid and #Alexandria right now! You thug! #Egypt
@egyptuprising: I would prefere 2 be a bullet in mubarak's heart than 2 be a billioner of his gangs tahrir square
This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011.


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Egypt: “We Want Mubarak to Go Now!”  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011.
A defiant Hosni Mubarak addressed the Egyptian people for the second time since protests calling for an end of his regime started eight days ago.
His first address fired back on him, drawing more anger from the crowds who want to see him gone, after he has been at the helm of their country for 30 years. And his second speech is not faring any better. Tonight, he told Egyptians that he will not run in the November presidential elections, rallying the impatient crowds at Tahrir Square even more.
None of the reactions I saw on Twitter were in favour of his speech, and they varied from anger to those who said they would not wait until November to see the president's back: They want him gone now.
Here are some reactions online:
@majda72: So it's going to be the Ben Ali path of most resistance for Mubarak! Fine, let him be humiliated. #jan25
@gharezig: #Mubarak : Please stop copying Ben Ali's speeches ! it's frustrating ! #Tunisia #Egypt #jan14 #jan25 #copying
@FromJoanne: This guy is so insulting the Egyptian people its mind boggling #Jan25 #Mubarak
@RuwaydaMustafah: Tahrir Square has gone wild with anger! Everyone is demanding #Mubarak to leave! #jan25 #egypt
@mimituu1: Very emotional moment, modern day Pharaoh H Mubarak announcing he will not b running 09/11. What I wished for 15 years ago. Sept 2 far. Go.
@justthinking: #Mubarak doesn't seem to have any intention on leaving Egypt, or leaving his post anytime soon…
@tololy: Mubarak praised himself in speech. Basically saying: I'm a humble servant of #Egypt, the demonstrators are rioters and looters. #Jan25 #fb
@sokkari: Here comes the rift.. some accept and some refuse #Egypt #jan25
@halmustafa: #Mubarak defiant. I dare him take a walk in Tahrir now, and show us his defiance & pride #jan25
@NatashaTynes: Six months ago, Mubarak's speech would have meant a lot. Today, it seems like its too little too late
@asfefa says [Ar]:
@litfreak: Bin Ali, at least, faltered and was visibly nervous. This man is in COMPLETE denial, or is pure evil. Scary. #jan25
@Firas_Atraqchi: Mubarak is saying he will wait the protesters out … from Sharm? #jan25 #cairo
@AngryArabNews: Mubarak defiant: it is Israel (and US) stupid: He has just given his speech.  He is bizarrely defiant.  Says tha… http://bit.ly/hKAeMM
@MunaFakhroo: Ok how long do we need to wait !!!! Is Obama still asleep? #jan25 #whereishosni ??
For iTalal [Ar], seeing Mubarak's face as he makes his speech, was enough to make his day.
And even before the speech was aired, journalists on Twitter, announced its content. BBC's Kim Ghattas writes:
@BBCKimGhattas: American official confirms to me that ambassador Wisner met Mubarak, asked him not seek reelection, not to put forward his son. #Jan25
And finally, @yalzaiat notes:
This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011.


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El Salvador: Violence in Gold Mining Region Continues · Global Voices
Silvia Viñas

“There has been a troubling resurgence of violence and threats of violence in the Cabañas region of El Salvador, where gold mining companies want to open mines. Those mining plans have been blocked by the Salvadoran government and a strong environmental movement,” reports Tim from Tim's El Salvador Blog.

author: Silvia Viñas


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Haiti: Drive-By Shooting Reported  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

@KarlJeanJeune shares some distressing news on Twitter: “5 Armed men in a white Toyota Landcruiser opened fire in the Petionville Area in Rue Faubert. No known victims. #Haiti”


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Jamaica: Patois Bible  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Diaspora litblogger Geoffrey Philp is “surprised at the bangarang in Jamaica over the Patois Bible”.


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Jordan: Reactions to a New Prime Minister · Global Voices
Betsy Fisher

Jordan has seen several weeks of peaceful protests asking for a change in government led by Prime Minister Samir Rifai.  These protests were aimed at relief from high prices which are increasing due to decreased government subsidies and increased taxes.  Given Jordan's high public debt, running at 62.4% of GDP, Rifai's job was largely seen as decreasing public debt.   His connections with business as the leader of Jordan Dubai Capital led to ire and accusations that he was more interested in corporations than public good.
Rifai is being replaced with Maarouf Bakhit, a former Prime Minister from 2005 to 2007, who has roots in the Jordanian military and as Jordan's ambassador to Israel.   Upon the announcement of the personnel change, Twitter lit up with Jordanian reactions.  Some expressed their appreciation for PM Rifai's service to Jordan.  Hanin Abu Shamat wrote:
HE @SamirAlRifai's new bio: ” Proud Jordanian citizen”. I love! :) ❤ Much respect. Thanks again a million, ma gasart! :) #JO
Rani Dababneh wrote:
Great work @SamirAlRifai it has been a rough global stage, & will continue!! I hope people will give the new PM a chance (cont) #Amman #JO
Rani continued, expressing dismay at the Jordanian protesters:
.. & wont protest the next day asking for a new PM, having no clue who on earth they want! #Amman #Jordan #JO
Fadi Ghandour praised the King for his decision:
As we watch #Egypt situation unfold we should also know King Abdullah of Jordan has given a new life for reform. No excuses any longer #jo
On a rainy day in Amman and throughout much of Jordan, Rula tweeted:
The “rains” of change. How invigorating :) #reformjo #jo
Others were displeased with the choice of the new Prime Minister.  Wasseem al-Kury wrote:
Main achievements for #bakheet: faruded 2007 elections & the casino agreement which costed us millions. #jo #angryjordan #reformjo #jordan
Bilal Tarawneh expressed flatly:
Not expecting much #Jo #reformjo
And many, like Shadi Hamid, expressed skepticism that any new prime minister would be effective:
#Jordan dismissing PM not a big deal. King does that like every year. PM doesn't matter much in Jordan anyway #reformJO
Diana Madani agreed:
a new #JO government! So what? We need new effective continuous strategies and policies!
Follow ongoing reactions on Twitter at #reformjo, #jo, #angryjordan and #myjordan

author: Betsy Fisher


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Lebanon: Vocal support for Egyptian protestors · Global Voices
Antoun Issa

This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011.
The Lebanese blogosphere has been vociferous in its support for the Egyptian protests that have so far left up to 150 people dead.
Egypt has been rocked by mass demonstrations aimed at forcing their totalitarian leader, Hosni Mubarak, from power after 30 years in office.
Lebanese bloggers have been anything but idle as the Arab world witnesses a momentous event that could change the region forever.
As soon as demonstrations began on January 25th, Lebanese bloggers Mireille Raad (Twitter: @migheille) and Layal (Twitter: @nightS) – also a Global Voices contributor – established an image feed for protestors to easily upload and circulate their photos online.
Blogging Beirut has equally been instrumental in providing online assistance to Egyptian protestors. The authors at Blogging Beirut have set up a Missing Person's List via Google Docs for Egyptians to add and circulate information of missing loved ones caught up in the protests.
Tweets have also revealed Lebanese in Egypt protesting alongside Egyptians for an end to Mubarak's rule.
Lebanese @BloggerSeif has been in Cairo participating in protests, and tweeting frequently as events unfold:
Rami Zurayk has been particularly vocal on his blog Land and People in support of the uprising. In one post, Zurayk points to the fear in the US and Israel of a collapsing regional order:
I think the US and Israel are more concerned about the revolution in Egypt than Mubarak himself. They see the end of the US and Israeli order imposed through tyrants and dictators. And they are right: Obama will witness the end of the US influence in the Middle East and this is going to be added to his long list of failures.
US arrogance is clearer than ever these days. They do not care to hide it any more. They want to dictate to the Egyptian people how they should lead their revolution. And they are now making positive signs about the “wish of the people” and the “rights of the people” as if they really cared about the people when they supported dictatorships and fed them and helped them oppress that same “people” for over 30 years.
Frenchy on Le Liban potentially sees the renewal of Egypt as a major Arab regional power with the fall of Mubarak:
Moubarak n’est également pas un Gamal Abdel Nasser. Les pays arabes – et plus particulièrement les monarchies du Golfe et d’Arabie – ont tremblé à l’aube de la révolution nassérienne, face au risque de voir l’Égypte devenir le pays le plus puissant de la région, s’appuyant sur une politique Panarabe, pour l’unité des pays arabes. Si le pouvoir égyptien saute, qu’un successeur reprenne le flambeau d’un pays destiné en fin de compte, par son importance géopolitique et démographique à être un pays majeur de la région.
English:
Mubarak is equally no Gamal Abdel Nasser. The Arab states – and in particular the monarchies of the Gulf and Arabia – that trembled at the dawn of the Nasserite Revolution, risk seeing Egypt becoming the most powerful state in the region, following pan-Arab policies, for the unity of Arab states. If Egyptian power leaps, that a successor retakes the torch of a country destined, by its geopolitical and demographic importance, to be a major country in the region.
Green Resistance points to wonders of people power in changing the paradigm in the region:
Just a few weeks ago, I heard the same comments I’d be hearing for years: we the Arabs need a dictatorship. We the Arabs need a military coup d’etat. The “people” are dumb. The “people” are sheep. Ironically, the folks making these comments were never part of the “people” they were condemning.
Now, in Tunis, and in Egypt – the people are rising. The people are leading. The people are organizing. The people are protecting themselves. The people are building something beautiful.
Stop for a second. Relish in this concept.
People believed – and believe – they can make a change. Hope is a powerful element. A very powerful element.
These people are us. Here.
Strong words of support from Rita Chemaly:
People of Egypt, dear Courageous demonstrators, you are voicing out our frustration, you are leading the way as your fellow Tunisian did, for people to make the choices and the reforms they wish.
No more double standards by big powers in looking at the situation!
The people are saying what they want, can’t You hear them?
Stop being afraid for your interests in the region,
The words chanted by the People in the streets, and retransmitted throughout social media, and mass media are simple:
“The people want the regime to fall!”
Dear Egyptian friends Long Live your ACTION!
Noting the consequences of an Egyptian Revolution for Israel, BeirutSpring wonders which way the Americans will swing:
You can’t overestimate how much Israel is worried right now. The question is whether or not the Americans will bend over backwards to accommodate those Israeli fears.
As is the case across the Arab world, the Lebanese are expressing unanimous support for the Egyptian demonstrations.
This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011.

author: Antoun Issa


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Mexican Ambassador in London Demands Apology From BBC · Global Voices
Silvia Viñas

In Mexico Unmasked, Tim Johnson reports: “[…]‘outrageous,’ ‘vulgar,’ ‘inexcusable,’ ‘offensive,’ ‘xenophobic’ and ‘humiliating.’ Ambassador Eduardo Medina Mora used those words in a public letter demanding that the BBC apologize for what he said was highly offensive commentary on the Top Gear program seen Sunday night, built around a supposed Mexican sports car called a ‘Tortilla.'”


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Peru: Gay Marriage Becomes Presidential Election Issue · Global Voices
Isabel Guerra

Cake at Gay Wedding. (Antonio Guerra/Flickr. Used under Creative Commons License BY-NC-ND 2.0)
The issue of same-sex marriage has been discussed among the Peruvian public for some time, but only recently has it become a part of the political platforms of presidential candidates [es]. The reason for this change comes from statements made by a representative of the Catholic Church in Peru, firmly rejecting the notion of marriage between people of the same sex [es],  which generated a media frenzy that, in turn, has provoked all types of reactions among activists, bloggers, newspaper columnists, common citizens and, as mentioned previously, among the presidential candidates in the election this year. The candidates are using the situation to define their positions on the issue.
Former president Alejandro Toledo (of the party Perú Posible), who leads the recent polls for President [es], confirms that his suggested political program is examining civil unions between homosexuals and working “toward an inclusive society. This is not a repressive State.” Manuel Rodríguez Cuadros, candidate of the party  Fuerza Social [es], has declared himself in favor of reforming Peru's laws in order to have marriages between couples of the same sex [es].  Meanwhile, other candidates are considering less radical legal measures. Luis  Castañeda (of  Solidaridad Nacional) has proposed giving inheritance benefits, and Pedro Pablo Kuczynski (of Alianza por el Gran Cambio [es]) suggests establishing civil unions [es], as does  Keiko Fujimori (of Fuerza 2011).
Political analysts in the media share the opinion that this issue doesn't seem to be an attempt to win voters’ ballots, although in a democracy it is always good for the candidates’ images to be seen defending the rights of minorities. Meanwhile, opinions in the local blogosphere (and on Twitter) appeared immediately.
El Davo indicates on his blog  DaV [es] that,
El  debate entre los candidatos al sillón presidencial está girando en  torno a tres puntos: Consumo de drogas, aborto y unión civil entre  personas del mismo sexo.”
Peruanista [es] alerts us on his blog [es] that, despite the subject having been politicized by the election:
es importante que se discuta la igualdad de derechos civiles de los ciudadanos peruanos que son gays, lesbianas, bisexuales y transgénero (LGBT), a nivel público y de forma respetuosa.
Diego Avendaño, in Desde la Clandestinidad [es], points out a real problem challenging same-sex couples in Peru:
El caso es que muchas veces las parejas homosexuales no  son reconocidas ante el Estado cuando deben reclamar bienes heredados o  para tomar decisiones sobre la salud de la pareja, como sí es posible  con las parejas (heterosexuales) casadas…
Tonnio from Gay Como Tu [es] makes a review of differences and similarities among the legal measures of civil marriage and free civil union (this last being suggested by several candidates), and links them to current laws related to the issue under debate, indicating that:
debemos  recordar que de lo que se trata aquí es de obtener los mismos  beneficios conyugales como el hecho de no querer (sic) desamparados ante  la ley después de tantos años de convivencia o en caso de enfermedad,  viudez, herencia, hijos y demás derechos que encierra la figura marital.
The collective Respeto X Respeto [es] suggests the de-regulation of marriage as is set out right now in the Peruvian Civil Code:
El  matrimonio no es otra cosa que un contrato entre dos partes… en la  que las partes deben decidir por ellas mismas qué reglas cautelan mejor  sus intereses… Así, se dejaría de exigir que se trate de la unión de  “hombre y mujer”, pudiendo hacerse referencia a la unión de dos  personas.
Alvaro Felipe, notices the opportunistic, politicized use of the issue, and on his personal blog [es] calls for maintaining the level of debate:
si  tú te arañas hablando de tolerancia con los homosexuales, o eres un  candidato improvisado más que usa ese tema en campaña, recuerda que la  tolerancia que pregonas deberías aplicarla con quienes no están de  acuerdo contigo. Sino eres un hipócrita más que está seguro que todos le  creen.
Peru: Drag Queens dressing in costume of viceroyalty in the Gay Pride Day parade. (Photo: MANNOVER/Flickr. Used under Creative Commons licenase CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
The debate has extended to Twitter where it has been rougher and more caustic:
@Pornosgay declares:
campaña electoral hacia la presidencia de Perú ha encontrado en la legalización del matrimonio homosexual un gran tema de debate
Alejandro Toledo (@atoledomanrique), candidate for Perú Posible and predecessor of the current president Alan García, clarifies:
No planteamos matrimonio gay. Proponemos la Unión Civil como un mecanismo legal de protección de derechos.
Gio Infante (@gioinfante) gives his opinion on the matter:
La  agenda del matrimonio y la unión civil es frívola, ¿sabían que en Perú  cada 5 días muere asesinada una lesbiana, travesti o gay?
Mapi Aguirre (@estroginoxxx) continues:
Toledo quiere legalizar drogas luego Bruce union civil gay Castañeda quiere hacer de Peru un MEGAPUENTE Y Keiko sacar al padre #CIRCO
From a constitutional perspective, Agustin Haya (@agustinhaya) reports:
La  Constitución del Perú desde 1979 no precisa género en el matrimonio.  Las uniones civiles homosexuales o lesbianas están protegidas
Vilma Granados (@vilmavgc) observes:
@elecciones tantas cosas de las q tratar y todos los candidatos solo hablan del matrimonio gay
Armando Solís (@Belloperuviano) distributed on Twitter a message from the Facebook page  Yo apoyo el matrimonio gay en Perú/ I support gay marriage for Peru [es]. The complete message reads:
…Es  tiempo de que en nuestro país, se apruebe la Peru: Union Civil Gay,  puesto que la comunidad gay peruana, por el momento no tiene ninguna  clase de derecho, a pesar que la Unión Civil, no es del todo  igualitaria, sería un primer gran paso para el Yo estoy a favor de la  legalización del Matrimonio Gay, en nuestro país.
Cristhian Rojas (@ChristhianRS) refers to Fuerza Social party as FS when he says:
haha  FS cree que vive en un país moderno, liberal… casi europeo para  proponer “matrimonio gay”. Demasiado lejos para ser el Perú.
Agustin Gamarra (@A_Gamarra) declares:
@atoledomanrique NO AL MATRIMONIO GAY EN PERÚ, que se vayan a casar a Argentina pero q no se corrompa la sociedad
Ale Ramirez (@alesuszero) responds to the Catholic Church's statements:
Los gays iran al cielo, el obispo no RT @larepublica_pe: Obispos del Perú emiten comunicado en el que rechazan el matrimonio homosexual
Diego (@Mapache9999) also reacts to the bishops’ position on the issue:
A ver, que rechacen iglesias que protegen pedofilos RT @larryportera: #Peru obispos rechazan aborto y matrimonio gay http://twurl.nl/0qws5p
As the election date, April 10th, nears, this issue will surely be politicized further, as much by the candidate advertisements as the activist analysts and other members of society. The issue and its repercussions will be followed to see if finally a negociation is possible between supporters and opponents in the legal rights of LGBT citizens, which ultimately is what the supporters are calling for.

author: Isabel Guerra


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Portugal: Reflections on Egypt · Global Voices
Sara Moreira

O Egipto está mergulhado no caos há seis dias. Porém, as manchetes dos jornais portugueses ignoram o melindre da situação.
So said Eduardo Pitta, on his blog Da Literatura. The Portuguese blogosphere meanwhile, surprised by the wave of revolution in Tunisia and Egypt in recent weeks, has accompanied events attentively and has complemented the lack of discussion in the traditional media, relating it to issues of their country. In this article we select some of the reflections relayed by Portuguese citizens on the scenario of change in local, national, international and comparative perspective.
On the day of celebration of the 120th anniversary of the first Republican revolt in Portugal  – the “civic insurrection” of January 31, 1891, that marked the first visible step of a long movement to bring down the Monarchy, which would only be brought down in 1910 – Francisco Seixas da Costa speaks of history on his blog Duas ou Três. The link to the current situation in Egypt is easy to get, after reading his article entitled “O ocidente e a ‘rua árabe’” (“The west and the ‘arab street'”):
Ora a História ensinou-nos – ensinou-nos? – que todos os formatos institucionais que não sejam regularmente legitimados de forma democrática têm, a prazo, uma necessária fragilidade. (…)
Se a vida internacional não fosse uma coisa muito séria, quase poderíamos dizer que se torna hoje irónico ver o mundo ocidental a fazer figura de “barata tonta” face ao terramoto que abala o mundo islâmico: tanto se sente tentado a prolongar (sem o assumir abertamente) uma “realpolitik” que acaba por ser cúmplice de certas situações que (apenas retrospetivamente) acha intoleráveis, como aparece excitado (mas, lá no fundo, receoso com o que dai pode resultar, poque não dispõe de influência para condicionar o rumo das coisas) perante o aflorar desorganizado da vontade popular em certos Estados.
History taught us – did it teach us? – that all institutional formats that are not regularly legitimated democratically have a sell-by date, a necessary fragility. (…)
If international life were not a such serious thing, we could almost say that today it becomes ironic to see the western world playing the role of “chicken with its head cut off” in the face of the earthquake that is shaking the Islamic world. As much as the Western world feels tempted to prolong (without openly admitting it) a “realpolitik” which ends up being accomplice to certain situations that it finds intolerable (at least in retrospect), the Western world also seems excited faced with the disorganized flourishing of the popular will in certain States (but, deep down, fearful with what could come from this, because it does not have the influence to steer the direction of things).
On the blog of Cantigas do Maio, Aurelio Malva shares an image making allusion to Portugal's Carnation Revolution, which in 1974 deposed the fascist dictatorship in power since 1933. On April 25, 1974 the barrels of guns were decorated with the red flower. Image edited by Miguel Fontes
Revolutionary bloggers draw from the same ideas but extrapolate to the current scenario of social and economic crisis in Portugal, experiencing high unemployment – 11% – and widespread distrust in the political system. On January 23, presidential elections took place in Portugal, which had the highest abstention levels ever, with over 53.37% not voting. A recent study [Pt] showed that 58% of Portuguese consider their quality of life is worse than it was 25 years ago when the country entered the European Economic Community. Maybe for this reason, Elixir, at the blog A Especiaria, thinks that it would be surprising if:
a seguir às notícias que nos chegam do Egipto, as televisões [viessem] a abrir os seus telejornais com uma notícia do género: Registaram-se hoje, em Lisboa, graves incidentes entre a polícia e manifestantes da UNIÃO DOS DESEMPREGADOS PORTUGUESES. Os desempregados, sem receber subsídio há longos meses, pilharam lojas de produtos alimentares, supermercados e Bancos.
In an article entitled “Semelhanças situacionais: Egipto, Tunísia, Portugal (“Situational similarities: Egypt, Tunisia, Portugal”), P.A.S. of the blog Causa Vossa [Your Cause], also draws a paralel between the countries, illustrating it with a recent news story [Pt] on the lack of opening of job opportunities in the contracting of companies by the State:
Quando os regimes do nepotismo se tornam reféns de alguns, frutos amargos de corrupção e arrogância, os povos têm o direito e o dever à manifestação do seu descontentamento.
Quando os regimes de aparência democrática se tornam reféns da corrupção e de grupelhos  ARROGANTES, também só na aparência democráticos, não terão os povos também aqui o  direito e o dever à manifestação do seu descontentamento.
«90% dos contratos públicos foram feitos por ajuste directo»
Que diferença, então, entre o Egipto, a Tunísia e Portugal?
When the regimes of nepotism become hostages of the few, bitter fruit of corruption and arrogance, people have the right and the duty to manifest their dissatisfaction.
When regimes of democratic appearances become hostage of corruption and ARROGANT cliques, also only under democratic appearances, will people here not have the right and the duty to manifest their dissatisfaction.
“90% of public contracts were made by direct single source quotation”
What is the difference between Egypt, Tunisia, and Portugal?
In a more international perspective, Santiago Macias, of the blog Avenida da Saluquia, considers [Pt] that the focus of the debate is different:
Os filhos de Mubarak partiram para Londres. E a preocupação do Ocidente é saber se o Egipto resiste ou não à deriva islamita.
RAM, of the blog Frágil corroborates and asks [Pt]:
qual o sentido da revolução em curso?
Conduzirá ela a uma democracia formal num país árabe cuja importância está longe de ser despicienda ou, pelo contrário, abrirá alas à radicalização islâmica do regime?
É bom lembrar a recente subida ao poder de Hassan Nasrallah no Líbano e o regresso à Tunísia do líder do partido islamita Nahda, Rachid Ghannouchi.
What is the direction of the revolution under way? Will it lead to a formal democracy in an Arab country the importance of which is far from being irrelevant, or to the contrary will it open the wings to an Islamic radicalization of the regime?
It is appropriate to remember the recent rise to power of Hassan Nasrallah in Lebanon and the return to Tunisia of the leader of the Islamist Party, Rachid Ghannouchi.
On the other hand, many bloggers distance themselves from these issues that divide “East” and “West”, as well as the “navel-gazing” vision that would like to see another revolution in Portugal. Taking advantage of the historic moment in Egypt to praise the richness of its culture, Kitris, on the blog Contra Ordem [Counter Order], says that Egypt is a “shared homeland” [Pt]:
Pátria comum do Espírito e de todas as ciências, pedra angular de todas as construções imperiais do Mediterrâneo, terra amada de Deus que nela fez conhecer a sua grandeza e a suavidade da sua presença, ali prefigurando as grandes religiões do livro. Terra escolhida para a fundação do monaquismo, lugar de vitória sobre todos os diabos, o Egipto é terra tão nossa – que ali aprendemos a pensar, a viver e a construir – como de qualquer outro povo que ali tenha vivido até hoje.
Ana Paula Fitas, of the blog A Nossa Candeia, refers to the human chain that was made to “protect and defend the unequaled and precious Museum of Cairo where the history of civilization of Mesopatamia, of the Mediterranean and of Egypt keeps much of the best of Humanity much better than Humanity preserves the memory of these times,” and makes a final appeal:
Que o Egipto solte amarras rumo a uma democracia possível, desejável e justa para todos, capaz de viabilizar um Mediterrâneo de Paz e de Cidadania, é o que todos desejamos… para que a Revolução do Jasmim se cumpra – como o símbolo a que recorreu, colocando flores na ponta das espingardas… Não deixem perverter a Revolução! Viva a Luta pela Democracia no Magrebe!


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Egypt: Protesting Women Celebrated Online · Global Voices
Gina Cardenas

Women’s roles in the ongoing Egyptian anti-government uprising have captured the attention of bloggers and citizens spreading information on social networking sites. The massive number of protesters taking to the streets demanding government reforms has created a tipping point for women’s civic participation in a country where it is risky and dangerous to demonstrate against the authorities. Their efforts have had limited coverage in the mainstream media.
Woman leads protesters with Egyptian flag in Batal Ahmed street. Photo by Nour El Refai, © copyright Demotix (27/1/2011)
In “Women Are A Substantial Part of Egyptian Protests“, blogger Jenna Krajeski writes that the turnout on the first day of the protests (January 25, 2011) included an unprecedented female attendance. The grassroots nature of the organizing seemed to inspire a sense of safety.
So why are women so much more involved in this protest, called “The Day of Anger,” than in previous demonstrations against the Egyptian government?  The Facebook-initiated groups are unaffiliated with a major opposition group. These protests also seemed safer. Organizers urged those attending to make it a peaceful one, and this became a rallying cry in some areas of the city on Tuesday. Moreover, Egypt’s educated youth, men and women, were fed up with a government that had not changed at all in most of their lifetimes, and which cuts even the educated off from any opportunity. And then there was Tunisia. Suddenly, attending the protest seemed not only worth the risk, but capable of inciting real change.
The following YouTube video The Bravest Girl in Egypt posted by iyadelbaghdadi features a young woman voicing her dissent against the Mubarak regime. Her words are subtitled in English.
Daily Beast journalist Mike Gilgio writes that while it is not uncommon for women to be sexually harassed during public demonstrations in Egypt, this time around men were behaving in a more respectful manner towards women in what has been dubbed the Purity Protests – where the idea of rallying around a unifying struggle against The State is more important than gender-based conflicts.
Nour El Refai also echoes the idea of women and men as allies in his blog post “Men and Women Equal in Peaceful Protest Against Mubarak“. The unifying struggle also includes people from diverse walks of life.
For the first time, Egyptians from all walks of life with different socio-economic backgrounds have joined the protests.
Yet women’s courage to step out of the shadows has not been given enough media attention, according to Megan Kearns who writes in “Taking It to the Streets: Egyptian Women Protest the Government Alongside the Men Yet Few Images of Women“:
Night after night, women and men have defied the government imposed curfew in Cairo, gathering in Tahrir Square, aka Liberation Square.  A “Million Person March” towards the presidential palace is planned for tomorrow and a nationwide strike planned for Wednesday.  Egyptian civilians say they won’t stop protesting until President Mubarek steps down from office.  And women in Egypt will be advocating for justice too. But when the media doesn’t show images of women involved, it appears as if they aren’t entrenched in rallying revolutions; they are written out of history.
Women's participation is being documented through social networking sites, such as the Women of Egypt Facebook page created by Barcelona-based Leil-Zahra Mortada. As of January 31, 2011 at 6:00 pm US Eastern Standard Time (EST), the material on the page included four albums with more than 130 images portraying women of varying ages, including some dressed in burqas, others wearing head scarves and some in more western attire. A common theme is an expression of anger and confrontation with the police.
A number of these photographs are also making the rounds on photo-sharing websites. Twitpic users Kardala, Farrah3m and sGardinier retweeted some of the images of the women protesters, whilst photo-sharing applications Plixi and Picasa were also utilized for similar purposes. The blogs Subterfusex and Seilo@GeekyOgre are also circulating the images.
Independent photographer Monasosh posted photographs of the women protesters on Flickr.
Woman protesting –

author: Gina Cardenas


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Russia: Online Freedom of Expression in 2010  · Global Voices
Marianna Tishchenko

Freedom.in.Russia.ru, a collage by Alexey Sidorenko
In 2010, as the Internet became an increasingly important medium of communication for Russians—indicated by a 40 percent spike in RuNet’s daily audience (RuMetrica) —the issue of freedom of expression online gained in prominence. Russians have begun to use the Internet more as a channel for political activism and mobilization. As evidenced by the efforts of Russian authorities to clamp down on cyberspace activity, the government finds the trend of online political activism unnerving.
The popularity of social media among Russians—the world’s most active social networkers according to Internet research firm Comscore—have increased citizens’ reliance on the Web, as well as shifted the government’s focus towards monitoring what the public is saying online.
Regional Blocking
Regional blocking serves as one major technique that the government and government-commissioned actors have used to control Internet content [ENG].
The Komsomolsk-on-Amur city court’s move in ordering Internet provider Rosnet to block YouTube last July is one of many examples of government efforts to curb freedom of expression online in 2010. The ban was prompted by YouTube's hosting of an ultra-nationalist video featuring “extremist” content. Although the court’s decision has been later overrun, the case illustrated the growing disturbance of  online content by the regional authorities.
YouTube is not the only online service that has come under fire for featuring controversial content. In late July, a regional court in Ingushetia forced a local Internet service provider to block LiveJournal, Russia’s most popular blogging platform. And in August, the state-controlled local telecom operator temporarily blocked the website of Tulksiye Pryaniki, an independent regional news portal, that had published articles critical of regional authorities.
One notable attack was carried out [ENG] by a local provider in the city of Khimki against  an environmentalist Web site ecmo.ru [RUS] in December. The provider discontinued user access to ecmo.ru because of  the site's efforts to collect signatures for the dismissal of Mayor Vladimir Strelchenko.
Physical and virtual violence
In addition to censoring websites, threats of and actual violence have effectively challenged freedom of expression in Russia.  The assault [ENG] on prominent Russian journalist and blogger Oleg Kashin on November 6 by unidentified people near his apartment in Moscow occurred when he was reporting on youth political movements and protests, as well as a controversial proposal to build a highway through the Khimki forest outside Moscow.
In August, Kemerovo governor Aman Tuleev filed a criminal case against [ENG] Alexander Sorokin, Russian blogger who had allegedly written a libelous post that compared Russian regional governors to Latin American dictators.
In November, Sasha Bragin [RUS], Ulyanovsk-based environmentalist and blogger, came under fire by Russian authorities who accused [ENG] him of running down a pedestrian, according to newspaper Novie Izvestia [RUS]. Bragin claimed that the car accident had been staged and that he had previously received threats [RUS] for his investigation.
Numerous cases have been raised in particular against neo-Nazis who have become increasingly vocal online. Vladimir Li'yurov, a forum commentator from the Komi Republic, has been given a 6-month suspended sentence [ENG], according to Sova-center [RUS] for  publicly inciting hatred towards an ethnic group through his “anti-Semitic” comments on a local online media outlet.  Li'yurov denied the accusations.
In 2010, LiveJournal, which is controlled by the company SUP and owned by Alisher Usmanov, an oligarch close to the Kremlin, attracted widespread public attention for suspending accounts of its users.  For example, LiveJournal suspended [ENG] the account of Rakhat Aliev, a Kazakh opposition politician and former president Nazarbaev‘s son-in-law. Previously, Kazakhstan had blocked [ENG] the LiveJournal site itself to silence Aliev. LiveJournal also suspiciously closed an account of Russian opposition blogger pilgrim_67 who was forced to move to Blogspot [RUS] and lj.rossia.org [RUS]. Those cases serve as an evidence of the instability of LiveJournal – it currently hosts about 80 percent of the Russian political blogosphere – as platform for opposition bloggers.
Bloggers have been targets of not only account suspension, but also hacker attacks. Over the last five years, more than 40 RuNet bloggers [ENG] have become targets. This week, the blog of Valeria Novodvorskaya, liberal politician, has been hacked by the same hacker group called “The Brigade of Hell”. The hackers’ targets have been both political and commercial bloggers, and the assailants have received no punishment for defacing and deleting their victims’ content. Many believe that the group is commissioned, in part, by high-ranking government officials who seek to silence political bloggers.
According to Vladimir Pribylovski, a historian, political analyst, and principal investigator of hacker attacks on bloggers, Timofei Shevyakov, a lead analyst of the pro-Kremlin resource politonline.ru and former employee of the Foundation for Effective Politics, a pro-Kremlin think tank, is responsible for coordinating the group.
Controlling and removing content
Following the Manezh riots in December 11, 2010, RuNet witnessed a significant increase in attention [ENG] —a real turning point—to all nationalistic content. Popular Russian social networking site Vkontakte.ru stated that its moderators removed “dangerous” content in cooperation with Russian police and the FSB (Russian Security Service). Previously, the site  had said that it was cooperating but did not  specify to what extent or in what capacity. Currently, “special services” are monitoring [ENG] social networks and tracking the IP addresses of individuals who are recognized as inciting violence.
Previously, Vkontakte.ru had been spotted in content removal. After Raspadskaya coal mine explosion, Vkontakte.ru deleted [ENG] a commemoration group that had more than 6,000 members. In July, it closed and deleted the content of the “Antireligion” group (about 8,000 members) after the prosecutor’s office flagged it for featuring photos of t-shirts with „extremist” slogans, such as “Orthodoxy or Death.”
The Russian government has also blamed the Internet for civil disobedience and used it as an excise for its clampdown on online activism. Officials have declared the Internet a medium through which radical nationalists can manipulate crowds and cause social unrest like the Manezh riots.
Among other instances of crackdown on RuNet is one where a Russian blogger’s car was vandalized shortly after he had published a video on YouTube called “Our Mexican Bay,” which featured an oil spill that Russian authorities were ignoring.
Even though the Russian government has taken serious attempts to harness cyberspace activity among netizens, RuNet’s audience continues to expand, mobilize, and speak out on various issues. The government will probably find controlling freedom of expression online more and more difficult due not only to the public’s resilience, but also to the fact that significant abridgments of Internet freedom can stir local, regional, national, and even international debates, which could prove harmful to Russia’s reputation among the global community.

author: Marianna Tishchenko


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Tanzania: A white musician releases Swahili album · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

An interview of Mzungu Kichaa (Swahili for a crazy white man) who has released a music album in Tanzania in Swahili.

author: Ndesanjo Macha


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Thailand: The Yellow Shirt protesters are back · Global Voices
Mong Palatino

Thailand’s Yellow Shirt protesters are back in the streets. The group which launched massive protest actions and invaded the country’s international airport in 2008 is mobilizing again to condemn the ‘treason’ of government officials who are accused of being unable to protect the country’s borders.
The protesters insist that Thailand is not being assertive enough in the Preah Vihear border dispute against Cambodia. Preah Vihear is a historic temple in a location which is both being claimed by Thailand and Cambodia.
The Yellow Shirts are members of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD). They are also seen as supporters of the current government which rose to power in 2008. But today the Yellow Shirts are openly expressing their criticism against the government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.
The Yellow Shirts have been protesting for several days already. Palm Writings, on Facebook, describes the situation in Bangkok
Six days and the yellow-shirts are still camping out near the Gov house, stopping traffic and demanding the policies towards Cambodia tightened. Meanwhile, Abhisit demands a Cambodian flag on a pagoda near the border removed, Hun Sen (Cambodia’s leader) denies and rumors of both a coup and Camodian troop boost along the border are circulating amongst the protesters. The yellow-shirts have turned down all official attempts to negotiate.
The Yellow Shirts have filed a criminal suit against key government officials
thaimythbuster: Yellow-shirt (PAD) activists Mon. filed suit at Criminal Court against PM Abhisit and 3 other ministers,accusing them of not doing enough to protect Thai territory
The main rivals of the Yellow Shirts are the Red Shirts who have emerged as the main opposition protesters since 2009. The Red Shirts have recently gathered tens of thousands of their members to demand the resignation of the ‘undemocratic’ Abhisit government. Stingray reacts to the successive rallies by the Red and Yellow Shirters
…both Red and Yellow Shirts are on a ballistic trajectory.
The Red Shirts is growing stronger and stronger and the Yellow Shirts are as radical as anything.
Will the Red and Yellow Shirts merge forces? Unlikely, according to political observers
StrontiumDog1: Red-shirts will not coordinate a joint demonstration with the PAD/TPN, saying that they have different objectives, stance, and viewpoints.
The PAD, it seems, has failed to attract a bigger number of rallyists
forestmat: @terryfrd don't think anyone cares about #PAD anymore. Seems they can no longer garner support – waiting to see them announce plan
Aim_NT: RT @jin_nation: RT @tulsathit: TR @jin_nation: PAD ready to “upgrade” protest. Suthep, citing thin crowds, says: “Give us back the streets.” PAD: “No way”.
forestmat: The yellow shirt protests seem to be very sparsely attended – they must be thinking of bringing it to an end with such poor support? #PAD
BBfeeling: PAD's protest is not worth a cent, they protest for their benefit!!!
Even if it is unlikely, the tense situation could worsen if the Red and Yellow Shirts will join forces
artnithi: RT @paisalvision: RT @sathornstreet: @paisalvision Couldnt help but to think that TH govt sees PAD as enemy and Cambodia as boss! >+1
bkkbase: I hope PAD will feel emboldened and start to storm Thai Gov buildings
two10eleven: @RichardBarrow Ha! If the Reds, PAD, and Muslims joining forces, I'm not sure the PM or the Army stands a chance
JayVeerayano: RT @suthichai: @tulsathit on:”What if yellow shirts and red shirts join hands to topple Abhisit?”/it'll be scary..they are both radical
Some reactions from Bangkok twitter users:
MCOT_Eng: DPM Suthep instructs Bangkok Metro Police chief to continue negotiating with PAD blocking Makkawan Bridge to open lane of traffic for public
BBfeeling: I respect to freedom of speech…I believe in the democratic system….but I don't believe in Red shirst and PAD Mob in Thailand!!! Never!!
Gokgag: @aandpink I don't have any plan leauy..lazy to do anything..went to PAD last nite..not many people..Jaw went on the first day :
pongpavan: RT @KlaAthak: Then what? PAD have no mandate they didn't even win a seat at the bkk elections… They'll b out again after …
NickDay13: In future PAD to coordinate with other international protesters to arrange protests at separate times in order to ensure media interest.
Tai Hui thinks that political rallies won’t affect business investments
Indeed, radical changes in the political landscape are a regular feature for Thailand and the economy has weathered such political storms pretty well in recent years. In its 78 years of democracy, Thailand has experienced 24 military coups, 18 constitutions and 27 prime ministers. To local and foreign businesses, policy uncertainty is a greater worry than political instability
Pictures of the Yellow Shirt rallies can be accessed on Facebook and on the blog of Richard Barrow.

author: Mong Palatino


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Trinidad & Tobago: Having a Say on the SSA · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

“The ever-increasing power that is being cultivated via Twitter and Facebook (just ask Hosni Mubarak) needs to be recognised by the government”: Bloggers are still discussing the matter of the Strategic Services Agency (SSA) Directorship.


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Trinidad & Tobago: Where’s the Culture?  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

“Carnival is slowly becoming nothing but a two day drunken orgy to music where a celebration of a people used to be”: Plain Talk is underwhelmed by this year's Carnival soca offerings.


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Uganda: Protests in North Africa Won’t Affect the Upcoming Election · Global Voices
Rebekah Heacock

Rosebell Kagumire argues that the recent protests in North Africa won't affect Uganda's upcoming election: “There’s a lot of money being distributed now across the country as we near the voting day on February 18th. And the youth who could have made a difference are part of this crowd which sells their vote.”

author: Rebekah Heacock


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Uganda: War of words at David Kato’s funeral puts spotlight on Anglican Church · Global Voices
Mark Jordahl

Ugandan gay-rights advocate, David Kato, was slain on January 26, 2011. He was bludgeoned in his home with an iron bar 22 days after he won an injunction against the Rolling Stone newspaper that printed his name, along with the names of 99 other Ugandan homosexuals, under a banner stating “Hang Them.”
David's activism was boldly courageous in a country where homosexuality is illegal, and debate continues on a bill that would provide the death penalty for “aggravated homosexuality.”
Despite the timing and the very visible role David played within the LGBT community in Uganda, Ugandan police refuse to consider this a hate crime.
Friends and family members attended David's funeral. Photo courtesy of AfroGay.
His death has brought out the voices of friends and foes alike.
Blogger and activist Val Kalende points to evidence that Kato was a clear target in the days leading up to his murder:
…what kind of thief robs, kills, and even remembers to leave the door of his victim under lock and key? Reports indicate that David's neighbors had to break the door to get him out only to find that he had been hammered on the head several times and left unconscious. How about the person who hacked David's Gmail account early this week to make us believe he was stranded in London and needed financial help? Was this all planned in advance by David's killer to make us send money to London thinking it was going to help our friend who was stranded?
She goes on to lay the blame for his murder at the feet of the American Evangelical Christians who came to Uganda in 2009:
David's death warrant was signed and stamped the day the Family Life Network of Uganda hosted American revisionist Scott Lively and his entourage of self-confessed gay men. Lively's time bomb has finally exploded and it's David's body on the altar of hate.
Truth Wins Out  also points to American Evangelicals as a root cause of the ongoing harassment:
The situation intensified in 2009 when two “ex-gay” activists joined holocaust revisionist Scott Lively at a conference in Kampala to discuss the evils of homosexuality. Two weeks after the conference, Lively bragged that he had delivered a “nuclear bomb against the gay agenda in Uganda.” This was followed by the introduction of the harsh Anti-Homosexuality Bill and Uganda’s Rolling Stone tabloid (no relation to the American magazine) publishing Kato’s picture alongside other gay activists with the call to hang them.
After David Kato's funeral, however, it is the Anglican Church that is on the defensive. The Anglican leadership in Uganda has been very supportive of the anti-gay rhetoric, and according to blogger Gay Uganda, Ugandan Archbishop Orombi boycotted a recent meeting of worldwide Anglican leaders because of the American Bishop Shori's support of the ordination of a gay Bishop.
This attitude was also present at David Kato's funeral, where the presiding Anglican minister ranted against homosexuality. Afro Gay was at the funeral:
Barack Obama's letter lauding David Kato's work on the human rights of the downtrodden was read out loud – to gasps of wonderment that the president of the United States himself had taken the trouble to write a send-off for someone who was seemingly a nobody.The pride in the LGBT camp was palpable as the letter was read.
What followed was truly bizarre. Check out the chaotic scenes that followed the totally inappropriate and unseemly preacher's homophobic rant here. Asked to give a final homily before the body was carried to its  resting place, the preacher launched an ugly anti-gay harangue that left everyone gasping in consternation. He pointed to the coffin, condemned David Kato to hell and demanded that all ‘abali bebisiyaga’ change their ways, repent or face the wrath of God. His vituperative language went on for about 3  minutes as the agitation mounted. Totally fed up, an already distraught member of the LGBT team went up to the preacher and yanked the microphone out of his hands, stood on a table and started a counter diatribe of her own. Undeterred, the preacher continued to yell about the hell awaiting the entire gay community. Bedlam ensued.
Truth Wins Out  echoes this sentiment:
News reports say that villagers defended the preacher and a “scuffle” ensued. The local mob then refused to bury the body and it was left to gay activists to dispose of their friend’s remains.
The lack of empathy, human compassion, and respect for Kato’s body is astonishing. Only a spiritual cesspool with “religious” teachings ranging from vacuous-to-vaudeville-to-violent could produce such monsters. Is this really what religion has been reduced to in Uganda?
Ironically, the one figure that emerges as Christ-like is Kato.
The Archbishop of Canterbury and the global Anglican leadership have since come out with statements condemning David Kato's murder as well as reiterating the importance of compassion within Christianity. Gay Uganda struggles with the role of the church:
Bishop Ssenyonjo was there to correct the hate that was spewed out of the official representative of the church….
Yes, Bishop Ssenyonjo. He kind of represents the other side of the Christian equation. There are those who believe, for show. And those who really believe in the ideals of their religion…
Should I continue bashing the church? Clearly, these primates people are Orombi's equal. Did I mention that the Bishop of Mukono is supposed to have come out supporting the homophobic preacher at Kato's funeral? And condemning Bishop Ssenyonjo for daring to show some love to us sinners?
Val Kalende  leaves us with the thought that David Kato's influence will live on:
I believe that even if he is gone, David will always remain an active participant in our struggle for liberation…Like many great human rights defenders who have been slain, we may never find David's killer. But we can use this great loss of a brave activist to change the face of LGBT activism in Uganda.

author: Mark Jordahl


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USA: Japanese Civil Rights Icon Fred Korematsu Celebrated · Global Voices
Angilee Shah

Fred Korematsu, a Japanese-American who resisted placement in a World War II-era internment camp, and later fought in courts to have a Supreme Court conviction of “defiance” overturned, was remembered on January 30 in the state of California. In September, California declared this day, Korematsu's birthday, to be the Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution.
Tom Swiss at Unreasonable.org writes, “If you're asking, ‘Who's Fred Korematsu?’ then take that as evidence of the way that this nation still has not dealt with one of its most shameful acts, the internment of 110,000 innocent people of Japanese ancestry during WWII.”
During World War II, the United States government moved more than 100,000 Japanese-Americans and immigrants from the Pacific coast to internment camps inland. Korematsu, who refused to go, was arrested and convicted for his defiance. His conviction was upheld by the Supreme Court in 1944. Although the exclusion order was rescinded in 1945, it wasn't until the 1980s, when Korematsu reopened his case, that the courts overturned his conviction. In 1988, the United States declared Japanese-American internment unjust and paid retribution to its victims and their heirs.
On the web, Fred Korematsu Day garnered support from diverse places. A blogger who describes himself as a “West-coastie college lecturer” at The Other Two Fifths explains his resistance to white-washing history and support of Fred Korematsu Day:
People who encounter me elsewhere … know I retain a certain cynicism over ‘diversity efforts’ writ large. I dislike those that try to leave our collective checkered past unexamined. I like those with an atonement factor, in which government openly acknowledges past wrongdoing. This is one of the latter.
Until his death in 2005, Korematsu himself advocated on behalf of prisoners held in Guantánamo Bay and Middle-Eastern Americans persecuted after 9/11. Affad Shaikh at This American Muslim discusses leadership, both Korematsu's and the kind enshrined in Islam.
In the Prophetic example Muslims learn that any act by which someone is hurt, or his person or possession or dignity are subjected to any loss is absolutely forbidden and the corollary is that a Muslim is enjoined to be benevolent towards others, to serve them and to fulfill the needs of others when in their power to, regardless of their race, religion or nationality. However, history provides many other archetypes of this model of leadership as well.
Shaikh goes on to write that:
To learn about leadership and to be a leader one only needs to look at the contemporary example set my Korematsu. Like the Prophet, such a leader challenges us to reconsider our beliefs and our conduct so as to be a benefit to others. Leadership cannot just simply be about representing a group; such leadership is limited narrowly to identity politics and immediate self-preservation. I believe that the circumstances of the time and the tenets of our faith demand that we not just represent a community but also lead in society; working to organize the civic infrastructure needed for active citizenship that engages diverse constituents, cultivates leadership and develops potential solutions to complex issues faced by a globalizing society. In celebrating the first Korematsu day, Muslims should make the intention to strive harder to apply the Prophetic example of being benevolent towards others, to serve them and to fulfill the needs of others, regardless of their race, religion or nationality.
Teacher Brian T. Carroll at Capers With Carroll remembers Korematsu's impact on his own life:
While I was growing up, each of my parents spoke of the pain and confusion they felt in 1942 when their Nisei classmates were sent away to government ‘Relocation Camps.’ Later, while I was taking a year of Japanese language at Pasadena City College, the school offered ‘Sociology of the Asian in America.’ The course might qualify among the ethnic studies courses that have just been outlawed by the state of Arizona, but I look back upon it as one of the most fruitful classes I ever took. Three hours one night a week, with a 20 minute break, I quickly began spending those twenty minutes—and the walk to the parking lot after class—with Jiro Morita. At 80, he told me he was taking the class ‘to stay young.’
Caroll wrote that he will post more about the people instrumental to helping heal the injustice of internment, but ends his post with a word of encouragement: “In the meantime, enjoy a civil Fred Korematsu Day. Pick an injustice, and ponder how to alleviate it.”
For more on Fred Korematsu, here's the trailer for a 2007 documentary film, Of Civil Wrongs and Rights: The Fred Korematsu Story.
Of Civil Wrongs and Rights – trailer from Asian Law Caucus on Vimeo.
You can also get information about various events and history at the Korematsu Insitute.

author: Angilee Shah


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Video: Explosive Chinese Popcorn  · Global Voices
Juliana Rincón Parra

cc-by-sa Bunchofgrapes
Videos of a Chinese popcorn making technique are doing their rounds on the internet. While, for many, popcorn popping has a unique rhythm to it that trickles from a single popping kernel to a deluge of pings and pops;  in China, popcorn pops with a bang.
This video shows the popcorn “hammer” at work, and as soon as the people here the boom, they flock in closer with their pots and pans to buy some popcorn:
The video shared on the BoingBoing blog, sparked a nostalgic comment by shanghaied:
Ah, it's all coming back to me now, my childhood in China during the 1980's. It was always the same old man on a trike, and the throng of children who was there as much for the popcorn as for the little explosions and clouds of escaping steam. Each little plastic bag sold for 10 cents, and for 50 cents he will pop a whole can with the corn or rice that you brought yourself. It always amazed me that a couple of litres of corn at the bottom of a sack would fill it to the brim after popping.
And in that same video, a commenter explains the science behind the technique:
Popcorn pops because the pressure on the inside exceeds the pressure on the outside of the hull. Heating it inside a sealed container forces the pressures to be equal until the door is opened and the pressure on the outside of the hull drops dramatically, making all the kernels pop at the same time. Simple science/engineering.
Maybe the boom works as advertising: hear it and come get freshly popped popcorn. However, in case you missed the bang, maybe the wailing car alarms will help:
The technique was also spotted in Japan, only this time, instead of making popcorn they puffed rice:

author: Juliana Rincón Parra


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Zimbabwe: Zimbabwean, Facebook and new meaning of “friend”  · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Zimbabwean, Facebook and the changing meaning of “friend” and “community”:”…in my adult life I get perplexed when I receive an e-mail from someone I barely know asking me to be their friend. The word friend seems to have mutated to the point where I am lost.


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Armenia: Prostitutes and Street Trade · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

The ArmComedy News Network takes a satirical look at recent action taken against illegal street trade in Yerevan, the Armenian capital, and humorously ponders what it means for the city's prostitutes.

author: Onnik Krikorian


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Azerbaijan: Statues and Revolution · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

Aaron in Azerbaijan comments on a recent article noting that among many statues to be found in the country is one of Egypt's Hosni Mubarak. While recognizing some of the similarities between the ruling regimes in both countries, the blog says that they end there and fall far short of anticipating any form of popular uprising in Azerbaijan.


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Bahamas: RIP Marcquel Bethel · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Weblog Bahamas‘ Jerome Pinder mourns the loss of “a great Bahamian.”

author: Janine Mendes-Franco


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Bermuda, Guyana: Action of the People  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Respice Finem suggests that Bermuda may have some lessons to learn from the Middle East, while The Guyana Groove says: “I am so inspired by the recent political revolutions happening in the Mid-East. I just love it when people realise that they are the ones who should be in control.”


text:
Bhutan By Bhutanese · Global Voices
Rezwan

Tshering Tobgay highlights “Bhutan by Bhutanese”, a photo-exhibition taking place in the city of Baar in Switzerland, which showcases Bhutan as the Bhutanese see their own country.

author: Rezwan