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Algeria: Protesters Hurt as Police Try to Halt Demonstration · Global Voices
John Liebhardt

This post is part of our special coverage on Algeria Protests 2011.
Several people were injured as police and pro-government gangs in Algeria confronted protesters while trying to break up a demonstration organized by human rights organizations and other civil society groups in Algiers on Saturday, February 19.
There are conflicting reports on the number of protesters who came to May 1 Square for Saturday's demonstration. Al Jazeera English reported that hundreds of protesters turned out while a human rights groups placed the number at 5,000. Police used sheer numbers and occasionally clubs in an attempt to keep downtown Algiers open to traffic. The relatively low numbers of protesters — at least compared to last week's demonstration that brought an estimated 10,000 protesters and 26,000 riot police — were blamed on the fact the government has banned large demonstrations. The country's train service was almost completely shut down.
"Protestants pacifistes encerclés par les policiers," by @moha_sam on twitpic
Opposition parties did not officially attend the February 19 protest.
Protesters in Algeria are demonstrating against corruption, high unemployment and an a rise in basic goods prices, even though the country is the fourth largest exporter of crude oil in Africa and an important producer of natural gas. Protesters have also called for the resignation of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who has been in power since 1999, and his supporters changed the constitution so he could run for election for a third term, which he won in 2009. The government says protesters make up a minority of Algeria's population.
As Loubna Aggoun argues that certain aspects of Algerian politics will make a complete change difficult:
However, the country's Prime Minister said by the end of February it will lift a state of emergency, which has been in place since 1992. The emergency laws came into power during the early days of a decade-long civil war that began after the government cancelled elections which would have been one by the Islamic Salvation Front. This led to a government takeover by the country's military — and a violent uprising that lasted until 2002. An estimated 200,000 people died during the conflict.
The country's recent history is a theme in some tweets:
@weddady: @lars_akerhaug In #Algeria the issue is a bit more complex, no trigger yet, but the potential is there. @themoornextdoor.
@lars_akerhaug: @weddady @themoornextdoor I would imagine that in #Algeria there is still a felt fear of more violence, bloodshed.
@HishLaHaine: Ones have to admit the situation in Algeria is different. The movement in arab countries is enough to make the regime fold.
@thewa7sh: Its amazing with all their money & ‘experience’ dictators still don't realize the power of the people or the definition of insanity #Algeria
@laggoun: I think in the town where my family lives in Algeria, 98% voted for Bouteflika. As if we were going to believe that.
Others commented on the police presence in downtown Algiers.
@fouad_marei: How come #Algeria is capable of preempting protests and marches every Saturday?
@forumeditor: AJE. Algiers Hospital staff have received orders from the security services not to issue any paperwork for the injured protesters. #Algeria
@mumke: State cracks down on protests in #Algeria مظاهرات بالجزائر تدعو للتغيير « 3arabawy http://t.co/Mww1PqS
A video of the protests showing the large number of police:
Here is a different video uploaded Saturday, February 19.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCagQG80N20
This post is part of our special coverage on Algeria Protests 2011.
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Arab World: The Uprisings Continue · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

This post is part of our special coverage:
It's revolution time across the Arab world, with people rising and calling for political, economic and social reforms. Rallies, demonstrations and protests across the region are flooding our timelines, with heartbreaking news of how one Arab government after the other is using the same tactics to quash protests and silence the voices of dissent.
Anti and Pro Gaddafi factions protest outside their embassy in Knightsbridge, London, UK. Image by Mario Mitsis, copyright Demotix (17/02/2011).
Social networks have been an important tool for people from across the world to keep tabs of the situation the ground, as many protesters and on-lookers are recording the fast-paced developments and uploading them for people from around the world to witness the atrocities committed against the right of assembly and freedom of expression in real time.
Here are reactions from Twitter users following the revolution trail across the region:
@taiwomise: 2011, year of the Arab REVOLUTION!
@Liberty4arabs: its great whats happing in arab countries, revolution is spreading like an epidemic disease
@ozo: I love hearing people passionately discussing the Arab Revolution in coffeeshops. Feels like the world has woken up.
@matvic: Interactive Twitter Map of #bahrain #egypt #algeria #libya protests http://ow.ly/3ZH3t
@Mfungwa: Egypt,Tunisia, Algeria, Libya, Uganda we r all together all one! African.
@andrewshears: My thoughts are with the people of #Wisconsin, #Bahrain, #Libya, #Algeria… (how many more will we add to the list?) #wiunion
@HuriyaAkhdar: #Egypt, #Tunisia #Algeria #Morocco help #Libya and free North Africa from dictators from the Med to the Red Sea.
@khaake: .@StateDept, your military aid has an ugly, bloody footprint. Stop arming states against their people! #Egypt #Yemen #Bahrain #Algeria
@bgffrd: Denial isn't only a river in #Egypt, but also #Bahrain, #Libya, #Algeria, #Yemen, #Iran. You'd think they would have learned by now.
@marayat41: Go Yemen go Go Libya go Go Bahrain go Go Algeria go Allah bless you all
@Saphsaf: This is no Intifada, this is BLANKET RAGE – #Tunsia #Egypt #Yemen #Libya #Algeria #Bahrain and surely more to come
@AhmadHKh: Another day, & more protests in #Algeria #Yemen #Libya #Bahrain The message is clear, the people are fed up with injustice & opression
@nadaAmourad: Support #Bahrain #Yemen #Libya #Algeria
@dipayand: Trends of Arab revolution. Block internet, kill protestor, kill doctors, block reporters, gather around square and say Go  go.
@SuperAmar: NYT: built-in mobile cams are the revolution weapon. I guess arab leaders are gonna ban those too.
@Aubar: God Damn it! Why can't us poor Pakistanis attract 3G or 4G investors !!!The Arab world is facing a broadband revolution http://bit.ly/gzCYkO
@MAdamohsen: If I were a bird , I wouldn't want to spend my whole life in a CAGE!!! #Tunis #Egypt #Libya #Yemen #Algeria #Bahrain #Kuwait……………
@ZimActivist: Tweeple in #Egypt shoutout for people in #Libya #Algeria #Yemen # Bahrain. Raise your voice #Mubarak #Tahrirsquare
@_Capitalism_: I am capitalism and the Arab Revolutions are dangerous because they show kids that revolution is far more interesting than video games.
@Zoulfakar: Are there still people who believe that #Aljazeera is Arab revolution channel? Look how they cover #Bahrain protests!
@bibas_: OOPPAA! China calling for Jasmine Revolution. #cn220 Arab Uprising going global
@sorin: The revolution has jumped from the Arab World to China? Reports of revolt starting in 13 cities at 14:00 today. #tcot #p2
@DulceVendetta: Revolution: Is 1848 Repeating Itself in the Arab World? http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=23096
@luqmantalk: Despite borders, and corrupt regimes Arab people are all one. A revolution in Tunis ignites the whole Arabic Land. #arab
This post is part of our special coverage:

source: news-globalvoices

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

author: Amira Al Hussaini


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Bahrain: Protesters Continue to Camp at Pearl Roundabout  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

This post is part of our special coverage of Bahrain Protests 2011.
Depending on how you look at it, Bahraini protesters have either ‘liberated’ or ‘occupied’ the Pearl (Lulu) Roundabout in the capital Manama, and say they plan to stay there until their demands are met.
Inspired by popular uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia, a Day of Wrath started in Bahrain on February 14, which was soon quashed by police forces, through shotguns and tear gas. The protesters say that the use of force, for such peaceful protests was excessive, while the government stands its ground that it was proportionate.
While the protesters demands seemed to focus on political and economic reforms within a constitutional monarchy, the twist in events and the death of six protesters over the past few days, has drastically changed the demands, with some voices are even calling for the end of the rule of Al Khalifas, who have been in power since 1783.
Political parties, in dialogue with the government now, however, insist that is not the goal of the protests, and are willing to negotiate a solution, which calls for more political reforms within a constitutional monarchy.
One victim fell on the first day, followed by another killed by police during the funeral of the first.
Following more confrontation with the police, the marchers occupied Pearl Roundabout, referred to as Lulu or Pearl Square by international journalists here.
On February 17, at 3am, frantic tweets came from Lulu, which was attacked by police, and some say the army. The tragic events that unfolded that night horrified some Bahrainis, while others, including some in the government denied it even happened. Four men lost their lives in the pre-dawn attack, which stunned Bahrain, leaving an unconfirmed number of injuries  (update: Missing people found).
The Crown Prince Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa then appeared on state television, ordering the end to bloodshed, and the opening of national dialogue, in which all Bahrainis will be party of.
Meanwhile, some Bahraini officials continue to provoke the feelings of Bahrainis who witnessed bloodshed in their country, by totally denying the sad escalations and tragic turn of events. Here's a CNN interview with Bahrain's Special Envoy to the US telling the world that “our forces did not fire rounds” and that the “kills are not yet confirmed”:
After the protesters buried their dead, they returned to occupy Lulu, where they are still camping – many of whom are staying overnight again.
Here are some pictures of the people of Lulu from last night and earlier today:
@nadooi_wish: Found this! A woman protesting at #lulu #Bahrain #feb14 http://yfrog.com/h2hkvrij
"I am a sunni & I support my people"
@RedhaHaji: The martyr is his cousin. #bahrain #lulu #feb14 the yought man just looks so sad. Full of heartache http://yfrog.com/h3i37yhj
@alihashemii: صور التقطت قبل ساعة من دوار اللؤلؤ #Bahrain #Feb14 #lulu http://yfrog.com/h6fd7ij http://yfrog.com/h43hcczj http://yfrog.com/hsfkkbj
@TruthWitness:Prayers at #lulu roundabout #bahrain #feb14 http://yfrog.com/h0v2hdsj
@RedhaHaji: Why not talk from the start & saves lives #bahrain #lulu #feb14 http://yfrog.com/h3h6xcij
@fahadjuma: http://yfrog.com/h0alfjij Wind of Change for Democracy #Bahrain #Feb14 #LuLu
Wind of change to democracy
@nadooi_wish: “Our Demand Is A Constitution” #bahrain #feb14 #lulu http://yfrog.com/h6zklijj
@nadooi_wish: “We Won't Move Until He Moves” Deih Village Youth. Written in Egyptian slang. #Bahrain #feb14 #lulu http://yfrog.com/h4ip9qaj
@nadooi_wish: #lulu roundabout this morning. People are arriving there &most of them camped there. #bahrain #feb14 http://yfrog.com/h65zerj
@queendarksideup: Scene at 3:33am #bahrain #feb14 #lulu #bh http://yfrog.com/h0liqhj
@Bahrainiac: “One doesn't die twice” #lulu #bahrain #feb14 http://yfrog.com/h6l9rij
@khokhz: Last one for the night. Hope things calm down in beloved Bahrain soon #lulu #bahrain #feb14 http://yfrog.com/h3zcucwj
@khokhz: Some of leftover tear gas cans and rubber bullet pellets found on #lulu #bahrain #feb14 http://yfrog.com/h4u0oggj
@A7mdG: بعض ما وجد في ميدان اللؤلؤة بعد الرجوع إلية اليوم http://twitpic.com/41kst9 #bahrain #feb14 #lulu
@OhoodAbdul: Wonderful image of the #Bahrain Salmanya Hospital medical team @ #lulu roundabout today http://yfrog.com/h6t5eoj #Feb14
@khokhz: A vigil held for lost victims “I love you, my country” #lulu #bahrain #feb14 http://yfrog.com/hs6ufxdj
@khokhz: Stunned by the resilience of people and how euphoric they seemed to b back #lulu #bahrain #feb14 http://yfrog.com/h0w2ujij
@anmarek: The mother of martyr. Earlier at #lulu circle #bahrain #feb14 #PearlRevolution http://twitpic.com/41lhc8
@emoodz: From #lulu.. An hour or so ago.. #bahrain #feb14 #lulu http://yfrog.com/gzmadkdj
This post is part of our special coverage of Bahrain Protests 2011.


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Bangladesh: One Of The Oldest Mosques In The World · Global Voices
Rezwan

Bangladesh Unlocked reports about one of the oldest mosques in the world (701 CE), the lost mosque of Lalmonirhat, Bangladesh.

author: Rezwan


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Iran:Demonstrations continue · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Several sites and blogs such as Hambastge reported [fa] protesters chanted anti regime slogans in several cities on Sunday. There is also a demonstration in front of State run TV building in Tehran.

author: Fred Petrossian


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Japan: It’s nursing time on Twitter! · Global Voices
Scilla Alecci

This post is part of our special coverage Global Development 2011.
Fledgling mummies and daddies cannot give in when their baby cries or needs to be changed. Often they seek for advices and who is a better adviser than other parent fellows? These days parenthood 101 is taught and learnt on Twitter,  where they communicate with each other through hashtags like #ikuji (child rearing), #junew (read as junyuu, that means breast-feeding), #oyabaka (stupid parents) and many others.
more
An expecting mother, @hana_tachibana, announced to her followers that she just found out the sex of her baby:
By Flickr user Yto, CC License.
お腹の子が女の子かも、と知って最初は動揺したけど（男だと思ってた）今は楽しみになってきた。一緒に甘いモンを食らったり、かわいいモンを愛でたりして遊べるんだな。私に似てサバサバした女子になることだろうが、女子の本質は同じだろう。　#mamajp #ninpu
Some twitting daddies use the hashtag “Mr. Papa Alliance” to keep track of their everyday life with their kids.
@maruo417 娘風呂入れ完了。妻にバトンタッチで寝かし付け。パパは洗濯なう。その後は風呂掃除(^-^ゞ #papasanrengou
@TAKA31882  お風呂入ってぽかぽか(*^_^*) 毎日会社では時間に追われてトイレにも行けず10分休憩もないようなもの1日で一番癒されるのは子供達の寝顔(*^_^*)夜ﾂｲする時間かな(^^)v #papasanrengou
Solidarity among daddies is strong on issues such as the admission to public school, which is hard to obtain thanks to a complex point system. @ikiteruuchiga87 replied “Congrats!” to @lackelto2004 who happily announced:
@lackelto2004 家に一番近い公立の保育園から、内定通知がっっっっ！子も親も朝の生活が変わるな…
By Flickr user Naoyafuji, CC License.
Also young mummies with babies who don't want to sleep or cry, share new lulling methods…
@mau1778 昨日寝かしつけ方法を皆様からアドバイスもらったので早速実践！ただいま旦那が着地成功なるか！？ってとこまできてます！ #akachan #junew #akc48
…or their anxieties.
@ajyu627 娘ちゃんとお風呂〜#junew〜寝かしつけ〜母ちゃんお風呂〜ご飯。 パパが出張でいない為初めて2人きりの生活だったけど、何とか無事にすごせました(*^^*) お風呂中ゎ泣いてないか心配で何度もドア開けちゃったけど^^;
@mau1778 旦那が寝かしつけなう。旦那のほうがうまいかも〜。スクワット&背中ポンポンでスヤスヤ〜。着地なるか！？ #junew #akachan #ikuji #ikumen
Others announce their achievements.
@tomokka_chan 寝た寝たｗ私も寝る。今夜こそ寝る！ #junew #akachan
This post is part of our special coverage Global Development 2011.

author: Scilla Alecci


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Libya: Gaddafi Son’s Excuses for the People’s Uprising  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

This post is part of our special coverage Libya Uprising 2011.
Posted on Twitpic on February 20, 2011 by salam93
Libyan dictator's son Saif Al Islam Al Gaddafi is addressing Libyans on State television, blaming everything other than his father for the massive protests and bloodshed the country has been witnessing in recent days.
He blamed Facebook, foreign mercenaries, Islamists, drug addicts and an army not trained in dealing with civilians for the carnage Libya has suffered. Tweeps are having a field day transcribing his speech and commenting on it:
Here's the feedback from Twitter:
@sate3: Saif al-Islam Muammar al-Gaddafi speaking now on Libyan TV #Libya #Feb17 http://twitpic.com/420j5v
@SultanAlQassemi: Saif Al Islam: Of course there were many deaths, which angered many people in Benghazi, but why were there people killed?
@acarvin: Gaddafi's son: In brief, this is what's happened in Benghazi. It developed into big battles in cities, became a separatist movement
@weddady: Sayif: “these are difficult times, not time for niceties. we know there r opposition ppl with lots of friend in #Libya & r imitating Egypt”
@acarvin: Gaddafi's son: there are elements here and supporters abroad doing things here and in Egypt, the socalled Facebook Revolution
@SultanAlQassemi: Saif Al Islam: There people try to use Facebook for a revolution to copy Egypt
@abdu: Saif Al Islam Gaddafi: opposition groups outside and inside have used the unfortunate date of #feb17 and used Facebook #Libya
@ArabVoicesSpeak: Sayif : a wave of democratization is weeping the Arab world & i'll B vry truthful, we know many opposition ppl live abroad & have supporters
@acarvin: Gaddafi's son: people had the right to be angry because they suffered deaths. Everyone was blaming the other.
@Coolred38: #Libya Saif, “these r difficult days”…YES….for the corrupt leaders of the middle east.
@weddady: Sayif: “the causalty figures are widely exaggerated, there's an arrangement with some channels to spread this misinformation” #Libya
@acarvin: Gaddafi's son: Heard 250 killed. This is an unimaginable exaggeration. But there have been mistakes on both sides. People were angry.
@abdu: Saif Al Islam Gaddafi: the army were at fault, they were attacked and they responded. I spoke to them. Everyone has their story.
@acarvin: Gaddafi's son: Islamists stole weapons from police, want to declare an Islamic Emirate. Others were taking drugs. (OK, that lost me)
@acarvin: Gaddafi's son: it's not a secret. There's legal and illegal immigration. All used to help in this cause.
@weddady: Sayif: “there are groups who want to run independent statelets in Eastern #Libya, islamists etc” #Libya
@Ssirgany: Oh, the foreign agenda is Arab! Seif Islam Qaddafi: we arrested tens of Arabs
@SultanAlQassemi: Saif Al Islam: This Arabic media is owned by Arabs who are distorting the facts but also our media failed to cover the events
@abdu: Saif Al Islam Gaddafi: it's all lies that there mercenaries or hundreds of people killed #Libya
@ArabRevolution: Saif: A big mistake is that our state TV didn't properly cover the events. The vacuum was filled by foreign media.
@acarvin: Gaddafi's son: it's bigger than libyans and young people imitating Egypt is Tunisia. Libya is not them. Don't be over-enthusiastic.
@themoornextdoor: Seif: the Arabs laugh at us drinking tea/coffee while watching us burning out country — true laughing @ his dad, crying for the people
@acarvin: Gaddafi's son: separation could go back to what it was more than 70 years ago.
@acarvin: Gaddafi's son: in Libya, if any separation happened, it would break it up. It was originally built on three parts.
@SultanAlQassemi: Saif Al Islam: Who will manage this oil? How will we divide this oil amongst us? Who will spend on our hospitals?
@acarvin: Gaddafi's son: How would we divide this between us? Who'd invest in our kids, hospitals, etc? This is sedition.
@abdu: Saif Al Islam Gaddafi: We might go back to days of evil and poverty. We won't be able to share the oil #Libya
@SultanAlQassemi: Saif Al Islam: Your children will not go to schools or universities. There will be chaos, we will have to leave Libya if we can't share oil
@acarvin: Gaddafi's son: Children wouldn't have food, people wouldn't have banks.
@AfriNomad: traitors, press manipulation, islamists, mercenaries, crackheads. Can someone plz map #Libya's grand conspiracy? I'm lost..
@weddady: Sayif sounds like preparing to drop a conspiracy theory.. #Libya
@weddady: Sayif: “we captured tens of Arabs and Africans who were hired by the wealthy to be used” #Libya
@monaeltahawy: “Foreign elements” in #Libya: that would be mercenaries, right, Saif? #Libya
@evgenymorozov: Hosni had a far better TV studio
@norashalaby: Facebook revolution? Please Saif, spare us the crap #Libya
@RuwaydaMustafah: So according to Saif the army was not trained, and that justifies the killing of hundreds in #Benghazi. #Libya
@monaeltahawy: #Gaddafi son saying #Libyans who were on drugs “attacked” army. Sounds like dad and Internet and those “high on drugs”. Parallel universe
@BaghdadBrian: Saif Al Islam speaks & mentions death in a very nonchalant manner. Deaths were caused because Protesters were drug takers & drunks #Libya
@AfriNomad: Friendly advice to #Gaddafi's son – stop insulting your police & army, not that many still on your side. Just sayin’.. #Feb17
@monaeltahawy: Oil that #Libya has, as #Gaddafi son says, would be oil his Papa treats like his personal source of wealth, squandered, denied from people
@AliDahmash: #Gaddafi son (Saif el eslam) is taking no sense and blaming foreign agendas and TV stations, just like Mubarak said #Libya
@themoornextdoor: Separatists! Fitna! The people attacked us!
@weddady: Ok Sayif, is less than honest here talking about islamists, he's the one who released them to gain credibility in the west #Libya
@evgenymorozov: Did Saif just agree with Glenn Beck? It's all part of a big plot!
@RuwaydaMustafah: #Gaddafi's son justifies the killing of protesters by saying the army was not trained in dealing with citizens. What a stupid speech! #libya
@rania_hafez: RT @staciefrost: this speech is pathetic #Libya blames everyone but his father and the government, it's all the protesters fault!
@Ssirgany: The same rhetoric: the Arab channels fueled the violence; spread rumors
@NatashaTynes: Saif Al Islam: Our Arab brothers through media hyped this #Libya.
@blakehounshell: So basically, foreigners, Islamists, and LSD users are plotting to destroy Libya #Seif
@habibahamid: I feel ashamed that Sayf went to the same uni I studied at to perfect his craft; yet is accusing a nation of being drug addicts
@NawafAlthani: Saif Al Islam goes on and on and on … Full of hot air ! #Ghadafi #Feb17
@sate3: Like father like son. #Libya's future will not have a Saif al-Islam in it. Keyword here is: “not” #Feb17
@Ssirgany: dude not the agenda! Seif El-Islam is starting the opposition living abroad rhetoric
This post is part of our special coverage Libya Uprising 2011.


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Madagascar: Reactions to Ousted President Ravalomanana Attempting to Return · Global Voices
Avylavitra

Tropical storm Binziga  has just hit Madagascar, having killed killed six people and leaving about 7,500 without adequate shelter. Yet  the attention is focused on the return of the Ousted Madagascar President Marc Ravalomanana, who issued a statement and spoke at a news conference in Johannesburg on  Thursday Feb. 17, 2011. He says he will return from his exile in South Africa.  Ravalomanana was forced to flee on 2009 and despite facing a life sentence in prison, has decided to return to Madagascar. His attempt at coming back on February 18th was rebuked by the air traffic authority of Madagascar who issued a persona non grata  notice on the ousted president.
( Ravalomanana's reaction at press conference after being refused to board on the plane)
(thousands of people gathering at the airport to welcome the ousted president)
Here are some reactions on Twitter as news of his attempt at returning home  surfaced:
[ Editor's note: it is important to note that there was a high volume of twitter updates about this subject that were not confirmed or verified as the situation is still very fluid. For instance, many users posted that Ravalomanana was already on the plane when he was still only attempting to board]
‘sûr et certain #Ravalomanana sera de retour à #Madagascar ce samedi 19.02'~sénatrice Naika Eliane au téléphone avec @NRakotoarson
‘sure and certain #Ravalomanana will be back #Madagascar this Saturday  19.02'~senator Naika Eliane on the phone with @NRakotoarson
[blaogy.com] Raha hody Ravalo: IZay izany no vaovao farany tamin'ity herinandro ity dia ny… http://goo.gl/fb/QXuzy
[blaogy.com] if Ravalo decide to return:  the latest news of this week will be… http://goo.gl/fb/QXuzy
tananews tananews
Vidéo de la conférence de presse de Marc Ravalomanana http://www.tananews.com/?p=14799
conférence live of  Marc Ravalomanana http://www.tananews.com/?p=14799
‘Ravalomanana return to #Madagascar is the last roll of the dice of a desperate man'~Thomas Wilson, #Africa analyst http://bit.ly/hhDYao
Retour Ravalomanana Conférence Live + Video sur http://www.topmada.com/ ou http://www.livestream.com/madagascardemocracy #madagascar
Ravalomanana return – Conférence Live + Video on http://www.topmada.com/ or  http://www.livestream.com/madagascardemocracy #madagascar
No ultimatum had been given to former Malagasy prez Ravalomanana to leave #SouthAfrica http://bit.ly/epZfC0 #Madagascar http://ff.im/y8vzO
#Wikileaks 2010-02-11 : Gompertz (..) #Madagascar was “obviously a very embarrassing subject” for France http://bit.ly/gM4ZT8
tandriamirado Thierry Andriamirado
USMadagascar USEmbassy-Madagascar

author: Avylavitra


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Morocco: Across the Nation, Demonstration · Global Voices
Jillian C. York

This post is part of our special coverage Morocco Protests 2011.
In the broader context of the Arab world, Morocco has one particularly unique feature: Whereas other countries in the region often have two cities of importance (Aleppo and Damascus, Algiers and Oran, Cairo and Alexandria), Morocco has bustling hubs of activity in its four imperial cities: Meknes, Fez, Marrakesh and Rabat, not to mention in its largest city, Casablanca, and the Mediterranean city of Tangier.  Today, as protesters step out onto the streets to call for an end to corruption, constitutional reform, and the dissolution of parliament, their strength in numbers is distributed across these cities, as well as in smaller towns.
Rabat, the Capital
From the capital of Rabat, Omar El Hyani has been sharing images from his Twitpic account.  The images show hundreds, perhaps thousands, gathered by the walls of the medina.
Photo by Omar El Hyani
A march in the streets of the capital city show Palestinian flags being waved alongside the Moroccan flag:
Palestinian and Moroccan flags are waved in the protest
From the Twitter account of Moroccan news aggregator @mamfakinch (which means “we won't give up”), an update claims at least 10,000 protesters have taken to the Rabat streets:
#Feb20 eyewitness from Rabat: We are now about 10 000 more ppl to come with the reopening of train traffic
Casablanca, the Metropolis
In Morocco's largest city (population 3.2 million), one estimate, from Moroccan forum Yabiladi and posted on Facebook, claims that 9,000 have emerged to take part in demonstrations:
Yabiladi: 13h10, Casablanca : Au moins 9000 manifestants
Selon nos différents reporters sur Casablanca, le nombre des manifestants continuent d’augmenter dans la capitale économique. Au bas mot, ils seraient 9000. Beaucoup comptent y rester toute la journée.
13h00, Fès : 10 000 personnes dans la rue selon les organisateurs.
Farah Kinani shares a photo from the streets in “Casa”:
The sign reads:  oppression + defeat = revolution
Meknes, the Historic
In the smaller city of Meknes (population around 1 million), protests are taking place on the streets of the city's ville nouvelle, also known as Hamriya.  On Twitter, @Cherradi writes:
Meknes 20 février, Hameriya ville nouvelle http://bit.ly/fffC1C #20fev #20feb
The video in Cherradi's post, put on YouTube by local online paper Hespress, shows around 100 demonstrators in the main area of the city:
One proud Meknassi claims that, despite the low numbers, the noise is still deafening:
Couple of hundred protesters in meknes are louder than any group in the rest of morocco. Meknes ya meknes
(Author note: “Meknes ya Meknes” is like saying “Meknes, oh Meknes”)
It is worth noting that Meknes has a large military presence, which could account for the low turnout.
Fes, the Spiritual Capital
The ancient city of Fes is perhaps better known for its tourism than anything else, though as the home of the university of Al Karouaine, it is also the spiritual core of the country.
In Fes today, despite rain, a few hundred can be seen in photographs posted by Mariam on her blog:
Despite rain, hundreds have turned out in Fes
Tangier, Home of Legend
The legendary city of Tangier is best known to most Westerners through the lens of its long-time resident, the American author Paul Bowles, and for its time as an Interzone.  Today, it may go down in the history books for the masses who have taken to the streets.  In a photograph posted on Mamfakinch, thousands appear to be marching:
A throng of marchers in Tangier
A video posted on Facebook by Ilyas Fadili shows the size of the crowd as well.
Marrakesh, Al Hoceima, Oujda, and Beyond
In other cities across the country, Moroccans have indeed joined their urban brethren in protest.  Moroccan-American writer Laila Lalami points out:
Protests today in Rabat, Casablanca, Oujda, Laarache, Meknes, Beni Mellal, Agadir. Hey, even Berkane! (Sorry, local joke.) #Morocco #Feb20
On Facebook, local website RifToday has been posting photos and video from the Rif Mountain city of Al Hoceima:
From the media committee of the 20th February Movement; Photo Credit: RifToday
In the southern city of Marrakech, arguably one of the country's most popular tourist destinations, some believe the situation to be most dire.  On Twitter, @AmoonaE notes:
Incidents reported in #Marrakech, shops destroyed. Situation is more dire there; pop is suffering from the govt estate policy. #Feb20
@Karima_F adds:
#feb20 #morocco Confirmed: peaceful protests in #casa and #Rabat, acts of vandalism in #marrakech
This post is part of our special coverage Morocco Protests 2011.

author: Jillian C. York


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Morocco: In Marrakech, Destruction Amidst Peaceful Protest · Global Voices
Jillian C. York

This post is part of our special coverage Morocco Protests 2011.
Across Morocco, peaceful protests have emerged today, with thousands taking to the streets from Tangier to Fes.  In the southern city of Marrakech, however, reports that the protests have turned into chaos emerged this afternoon, with claims of vandalism and attempts by protesters to storm police headquarters.
A video of somewhat shaky quality claims to show protesters storming the city's police station earlier today:
On Twitter, Aatif Zouadi (@Zaotheflasher) expresses shame for what has happened in Marrakech:
manifestants de merde à marrakech c'est vraiment honteux ce qu'ils ont fait #20 #fevrier
Image from @NajlaeBB
According to @moun7arifa, the protesters and the thugs are separate parties:
@jilliancyork @Hisham_G @afrinomad some thugs vandalized while le march was heading towards Jamaa Lfna
(Author note: Jamaa Lfna or Djemaa Al Fna is the main square of Marrakech)
Nevertheless, the destruction is real.  As @Feryate tweeted:
Assia Hankoussi (@soulisou) writes on the extent of the destruction in Marrakech:
URGENT : Bd Mohamed 5 et Guélliz detruit à marrakech !!! café , mc do , zara, café charlot … tout est détruit !
Soukaïna Rafi (@SoukainiRafi) shares a photo, saying:
Putain c'est le bordel à Marrakech. http://bit.ly/iahnff #feb20
But @Hisham_G tempers the comments, saying:
Ongoing clashes btween police and a handful of what my contacts in Marrakech called “thugs unrelated to marchers. Minor incidents” #feb20
On the blog Sud34.com, which covers southern Morocco, videos have been posted showing demonstrations in Marrakech.  One shows the protests as peaceful, indicating that the destruction was likely caused by thugs who were not amidst the main protests:
This post is part of our special coverage on Morocco Protests 2011.


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Nepal: Welcoming Brian Adams · Global Voices
Rezwan

Brian Adams recently toured Nepal and became the first world renowned music icon to play in the country.  Ujjwal Acharya expresses his gratitude.


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Tanzania: Bomb Explosions: Bloggers and Twitterers Speak Out · Global Voices
J. Nambiza Tungaraza

Bomb explosions at a Tanzanian army base in Dar es Salaam’s Gongo la Mboto suburb killed at least 30 peoplethis Thursday. A similar accident occurred In April 2009 at Mbagala Army depot and killed at least 26 people. Tanzanian bloggers and twitterers react.
In a post titled Gongo la Mboto Blasts – A Glimpse, blogger Deogratias Simba posts photographs of fleeing masses, bomb shells and shattered buildings taken on the streets. He writes:
[…]
2. The country’s disaster preparedness programme is very weak (if not absent) … handling proved to be REACTIVE rather than PROACTIVE … the photos will tell you why.
3. It is important to ensure that there is a single commanding voice when it comes to giving instructions of what people should do and when … the media has to be used effectively to convey one central message … not contradictory ones … important for commanding authority and receive the desired outcome.
4. While this incident is being handled and everyone recovering from the shock, our attention on key national issues (Dowans, the new constitution) should be kept very much vivid.
5. TANESCO should improve their efficiency during such incidents … once it takes place … they have to undertake a close inspection of their distribution grids to ensure that they are in order … electricity should be restored the soonest … no reason for people to wait longer than five (5) hours …
6. This should never repeat … pleeease!
[…]
Classroom hit by bomb at Pugu Secondary School. Photo by Deogratias Simba
Blogger Issa Michuzi also posted photos of the  mayhem that followed the blasts. Several readers send condolences and demand answers from the government [sw]. One reader, Mohammed Bilal says:
We are very sorry for the ones who are directly or indirectly affected by the tragedy!!
I think ministerial responsibility must take place now… we expected that, after the Mbagala bombing, the army would have taken steps forward to ensure they counter-check the rest of the camps country-wide… but the recent bombing it is evident they did not do so…!! We expect the resignation of the minister responsible!!!
Another reader remembers arms depot explosion two years ago and wonders why no lessons were learned [sw]:
Inasikitisha sana yaliotokea mbagala haikuwa fundisho, na pia hata yaliyotokea mbagala yalikuwa ni uzembe, sasa kwa haya ya Gongo la Mboto sijui hata tuseme nini, maana ni zaidi ya uzembe, kutojali maisha ya watu,kupuuzia kila kitu, ubinafsi, kutowajibika, kutoipenda nchi na pia kutojali wananchi. Maafa ni makubwa sana ingawa si rahisi kusema ukweli. Wakipoteza maisha 200 tunaambiwa 20. Uongo kila sehemu…
As explosions rocked the city, Twitter users reported about the incident using the hashtag #bombsindar:
@jamiiforums reported:
Breaking News: Ghala la silaha Gongo la Mboto lalipuka!
@katebomz retweeted a photograph of the explosion.
Frustrated and hungry for an explanation or an official response on national television, Twitter users decided to organize relief efforts for the victims:
@tzshafiq compared the current government’s response to that of 1996 government:
Mwaka 1996 wakati inatokea ajali ya MV Bukoba nakumbuka Mh. Mkapa hakuchukua muda mrefu kutoa taarifa kwa wananchi kueleza chanzo cha ajali
@JMakamba criticizes Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation:
On TBC [Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation] now: Boda2Boda music show. I thought it is public broadcaster, and should be on the streets helping out. #bombsindar
@SubiFace is speechless:
re #bombsinDar “There is much better coverage on KTN (Kenya TV) than on TZ channels. Speechless.”
Twitter users coordinating relief efforts
@Tandile announced:
We are setting up a help centre and Mzambarauni Primary school, Gongolamboto (near the sight of the bombs) for people who are looking for missing persons and for children that are lost
@Shurufu retweeted:
via @Sashaissa:,At Muhimbili, they need blood ASAP. The number to call: 0713-777595. Ask for Mrs. Maya Hilda all types required #bombsindar
@tisjane2 wrote:
Urging people in Dar to go to muhimbili to donate blood. Severe shortage #bombsindar
@mtage:
@iUwesu @Mbergsma #bombsindar go to national stadium, tazara or unicef offices..food,water,blankets,tents, clothes needed
Along with relief efforts, calls for resignation continued
@JamiiForums wrote:
“JK sacks Defence Minister” The head line that you won't see! ~ http://bit.ly/gbH7yj #BombsInDar
@AfricanGenesis:
Increasing calls for the heads of CDF and MoD. Will they be held accountable? Or accountability will falter at the hands of Govt?#BombsinDar
Finally, you may be interested to read “#bombsindar: Gongo la Mboto, the media event, as told by Twitter,” a blog post written by Ben Taylor and Gongo la Mboto: reading list by Swahili Street.

author: J. Nambiza Tungaraza


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Ukraine: Dear Polish Delegation, We’re in Shock, Too  · Global Voices
Tetyana Bohdanova

Earlier this week, the Ukrainian Channel 5 broadcasted a report about the visit of the Polish parliamentary delegation to the national legislature Verkhovna Rada (a YouTube video is available here). According to the report, the Polish visitors were shocked by the Ukrainian MPs’ practice of voting on behalf of fellow party members: in Poland, such a practice was illegal, one of the guests commented, and would lead to the loss of mandate by the MP in question.
Although the Ukrainian Constitution calls for the MPs to exercise their duties personally, voting for their peers has been a seemingly ineradicable practice, especially popular with the MPs of the latest convocation. It has prompted widespread condemnation on occasions like the passage of the controversial Tax Code [ENG] and the recent changes to the Constitution [ENG]. The idea that the elected representatives know how their fellow party members would vote and thus can vote on their behalf has also been called into question. The latest incident involves the opposition MP Volodymyr Aryev claiming [UKR] that someone had voted for amending the Constitution with a duplicate of his electronic voting card against his will, while he was on a transatlantic flight to Washington, DC.
Media reports about the Polish delegation witnessing and ridiculing voting in Verkhovna Rada were shared widely by Ukrainian netizens and discussed [ENG] on the Anglophone blogs about Ukraine.
A screenshot of a TV report showing Ukrainian MPs voting, circulated by Ukrainian netizens
It seems the incident has prompted many Ukrainians to re-examine the state of affairs in the Parliament. Some 166 comments have been left under the TV report called “Polish delegation is in shock” uploaded by one of the Ukrainain Facebook users, with most commentators expressing shame and outrage.
User Igor Nikolaiev wrote [UKR]:
Ось це-ганьба. Я гадаю, це буде великий внесок, до і до того не близької перспективи увійти до Євросоюзу.
User [Iryna Matviyenko] wrote [UKR]:
от стидоба…
User Sergiy […] wrote [UKR]:
країні потрібні ті, хто буде хоча б коли їх камери знімають, не знущатися над КУ і законом. Незалежно від кольору ганчірок ака партійний знамен.
User Olga Riznyak wrote [UKR]:
скільки вони нас ще ганьбитимуть??? може світ нарешті зрозуміє, що в Україні ніякої демократії немає!!!
User Roksolana Kohut wrote [UKR]:
Якщо на виборах депутатів простий громадянин голосує за іншого простого громадянина, здається, виявлення такого факту тягне за простим громадянином кримінальну відповідальність з позбавленням волі. А хіба є інші закони для “обраних”?
Some suggested ways to improve the situation. User Igor Slisarenko wrote [UKR]:
цю ганьбу можна припинити лише в один спосіб: в багатьох парламентах (Мексика, Корея, пам'ятаю) голосування “за того парня” є кримінальним злочином. Тільки хто з цих хлопців проголосує за таке у нас? […]
User Rostyslav Saban wrote [UKR]:
Які ми, кожен окремо – така вся наша країна. Згадайте коли ви особисто востаннє зраджували своїм принципам, незважали на закон, та в кінці кінців переходили дорогу в недозволеному місці, так само і керівники в державі, тільки масштаб інший… Тож ставаймо кращими, твердішими, принциповими.. і буде нам щастя!
In addition to being featured in this discussion, the TV report called “Polish delegation is in shock” has been shared widely on Twitter and by other Facebook users. A heading used by several of those who reposted it read:
We’re in shock, too.

author: Tetyana Bohdanova


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Uzbekistan: US official visits Tashkent  · Global Voices
Adil Nurmakov

Marat Sartpaev reports that U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Robert O. Blake, Jr. traveled to Uzbekistan as relations between two countries started turning less tense over the last couple years.

author: Adil Nurmakov


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Vietnam: Self-immolation to protest corruption · Global Voices
Duy Hoang

Source: http://www.facebook.com/ngochoang.qb.vn
A Vietnamese engineer named Pham Thanh Son apparently set himself afire to protest the confiscation of his family’s property by local authorities.
According to the blog Danlambao (which means citizen journalists), Son's self-immolation occurred on February 17 at 12:30pm outside the municipal offices of Vietnam’s fifth largest city. Son visited the People’s Committee of Da Nang earlier in the day to petition his case. When authorities refused to hear his appeal, the young engineer set fire to himself and his motorcycle on the sidewalk outside.
Outside Da Nang's People's Committee
Facebooker Tieu Dieu posted the pictures online.
Another eyewitness captured the scene on video:
Police initially indicated that Son’s death was a routine traffic accident. Authorities also described Son as a person with “mental problems.”
Meanwhile, authorities reportedly posted plainclothes police outside Son’s family residence and limited the family’s ability to receive visitors.
Danlambao reports:
The underlying cause for this sad incident was the corruption surrounding the Cau Rong (Dragon Bridge) project. It is known that the family of Pham Thanh Son repeatedly petitioned for adequate compensation for their property. Their appeals went nowhere as authorities went ahead with the project.
Da Nang, located along Vietnam’s central coast, is in the midst of a major construction boom. Initiated in 2009, Cau Rong is a 667-meter long bridge currently being built over the Han river. Municipal authorities claimed to have adequately compensated and resettled local residents.
In recent years, many farmers and urban residents in Da Nang and throughout Vietnam have complained about  land seizures and organized small protest movements.

author: Duy Hoang


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Arab World: The Great Social Media Debate · Global Voices
Jillian C. York

This post is part of our special coverage:
For months it seems, a debate has been raging over the role of social media in demonstrations. More recently, that debate has focused on Tunisia and Egypt, where sites like Facebook and Twitter were prominent in the organizing of protests. But now, as demonstrations rage in Libya and Algeria–two countries with Internet penetration under 15% and where social media seems to have played a minimized role–that debate is beginning to shift.
Much prominence has been given to the debate between academics and pundits, but the debate occurring on blogs and Twitter amongst individuals, who in many cases were part of these so-called “social media revolutions”, should not be ignored.
Yesterday, one such debate took place on Twitter.
@TheMoorNextDoor, whose blog is a prominent source on Algeria and the Maghreb generally, tweets:
Libya: shows how the Arab uprisings are really [about] Arab uprisings, not status updates and inspiration from Zuckerberg
He continues:
The Arabs are not tearing down dictators by “poking” them on Facebook or flooding their Twitter feeds with hostile tweets
Hungry people, humiliated people, discerning people make revolutions not Facebook
We will not hear them say: “Mark Zuckerberg was the leader of the Libyan revolution”
He expands his comments to include Algeria:
The Algerians do not face trouble in organizing, inspiring mass demonstrations [because] they cannot get to Facebook easily
And adds:
Social media adds speed & some clarity to events but does not change their causes or their nature
Egyptian activist and blogger @Alaa chimes in:
@themoornextdoor we use it in politics/activism/revolution not for some deep inherit reason, it's just cause we already use it
He adds:
@themoornextdoor adds speed to counter revolution spreading rumors and fear mongering also. soc media is no panacea it just is
@Grace8ming offers some advice:
@themoornextdoor @alaa this is why it's important to clarify that these are people-driven revolutions using the TOOL of social media… :)
@Niallkingsx has a question:
@themoornextdoor Maybe some social media users are claiming they created revolutions; the platforms themselves are not, right?
This post is part of our special coverage:


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Bahrain: Coming Out in Numbers in Search for Unity · Global Voices
Yacoub Al-Slaise

This post is part of our special coverage of Bahrain Protests 2011.
A week has passed since protests broke in the capital Manama on February 14th calling for real democracy in the Kingdom. Seven men have lost their lives, with the latest martyr Abdulredha Mohammed passing away on Monday in Salmaniya Hospital after being shot by military forces on Friday.
@Sabeeka_A All bahraini's should now take a moment of silent & pray for the soul of the late A.Redha, he belonged to this land, like all of us #UniteBH
In support of the protesters at Pearl (Lulu) Roundabout, the Bahrain Teachers Society [ar] continued their strike from Sunday despite other labor unions in the kingdom lifted their plans of holding a nationwide strike.
Largest banner: Teachers standing with the people's demands. Taken from the Bahrain Teachers Society website
With the strike hitting hard on schools across the country, the Ministry of Education had no choice but to make an appeal for volunteer teachers to fill in for the striking teachers. The Minister of Education Dr. Majed Al-Noaimi appeared on national TV and announced that over 1074 people came forward to teach and run the schools.
Volunteer teachers queuing outside the Visitors Reception at the Ministry of Education in Manama. Photo by Fatima Alawadhi on Facebook
Meanwhile on Twitter, blogger Manaf Al-Muhandis @Redbelt, growing tired of the growing sectarian tensions on Twitter created the hashtag #UniteBH to share ideas, thoughts and common grounds on creating national unity during these hard times:
@Absology All the Bahrainis I know, however defensive of the government, were very upset about the recent deaths. #UniteBH
@marcowenjones The number of people at AlFateh versus the number at Lulu is irrelevant. Unitiy cannot be a competition. #Bahrain #Feb14 #Lulu #UniteBH
@ViViD_BH Sunna and shia love 7alwa shwai6er [Halwa Showaiter] (Traditional Bahraini sweet) #UniteBH
@Redbelt I gotta make #UniteBH a Tshirt, just like I did with #jan25
@bahrain_bahrain #Bahrain #unitebh: Even if a unity of faith is not possible, a unity of love is.
The hashtag was lauded by Bahrain's Minister of Foreign Affairs Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al-Khalifa – an enthusiastic Twitter user during a live interview on National TV.
@abdullaameer Congrats @Redbelt, @khalidalkhalifa just mentioned the #UniteBH you started on BTV!
@RshRsho #Bahrain Foreign Affairs minister at Btv: I've seen Bahrainis on twitter today discussing what unite us not what differentiate us!! #uniteBH
@Redbelt So today as I typed #UniteBH I never thought it would catch on and end up mentioned on tv by our foreign minister @khalidalkhalifa! Thanks!
Blogger Redha Haji also touched upon the topic of National Unity in his latest post:
I implore people to stop listening to the hogwash lies being spread, done so to scare people and ensure we are divided.
Who would benefit from this divide, certainly not Bahrain’s citizens?
Try looking at similarities not differences, you'll notice they far out weight the differences, make them your priority and concentrate on them when you meet your fellow Bahraini.
We can all agree to disagree, but we do not have to stop being courteous, well mannered, pleasant; or to stop talking & fight one another.
Let us instead understand the other point of view.
A rally calling for National Unity was held at Al-Fateh Mosque with unprecedented numbers of attendees with national TV announcing that there was over 300,000 people.
@Sabira_Ahmed Peace rally at Al Fateh Masjid youtube.com/watch?v=7ZTUpz… via @youtube
@aldoyh ~400,000 ppl around, ~2,000 checkins #Bahrain (@ Al Fateh Grand Mosque w/ 11 others) [pic]: http://4sq.com/eWE4UD
The highlight of the rally was the speech given by prominent Islamic Scholar Dr. Abdullatif Al-Mahmood who has become the spokesperson of what is being called the “The committee of National Unity”. The main highlights of his speech were tweeted by blogger Mahmood Al-Yousif @mahmood:
@mahmood BTV: Al-Mahmood: #4 – request the government to release the political prisoners. #bahrain #feb14
@mahmood BTV: Al-Mahmood – calls on the youth especially to work toward unity #bahrain #feb14
@mahmood BTV: Al-Mahmood; directing call to protestors at Pearl: we are one people and one country regardless of our differences #bahrain #feb14
@mahmood BTV: Al-Mahmood: here are our hands extended to you, come let's cooperate on good and not on sin and enmity #bahrain #feb14
@Ali_Fareed Sh. Abdullatif: We demand all sorts of corruption to be highly fought. And 2 seek a solution 4 housing/living issuses. #Fateh
@mahmood BTV: Al-Mahmood: we demand all the powers in people's hands in fact rather than fiction; (crowd quiet!!)
@mahmood BTV: Al-Mahmood: the positions must be given to those who are eligible and uncorrupt so we can protect national wealth #bahrain #feb
@mahmood BTV: Al-Mahmood: we are against (constitutional) changes which create strife between the community
Many in the Bahrain Twittersphere reacted positively to Al-Mahmood's speech.
@alyaa Never saw as many bahrainis congregated. Reasonable demands in line w lulu. No hate messages. A genuine candid call. I see hope #uniteBH
@iBahrain مسيرة الفاتح أثبتت للجميع رحابة ساحة التلاقي البحرينية بين جميع اطراف المجتمع فلندخل فيها جميعا ونرجم من يدعو للفرقة والفوءية #bahrain
National TV showed images of the gathered crowds shot from helicopters and @mahmood wondered:
@mahmood BTV, MOI, can we get those snazzy helicopter images for tomorrow's demo as well streamed live on BTV? #bahrain #feb14
On the other hand, the live video feed to Pearl (Lulu) Roundabout has been reinstated and can be viewed here.
This post is part of our special coverage of Bahrain Protests 2011.

author: Yacoub Al-Slaise


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Bahrain: One Country, Two Rallies · Global Voices
Yacoub Al-Slaise

This post is part of our special coverage of Bahrain Protests 2011.
Seven days have passed since Bahrain's Day of Wrath protests which started on February 14, causing the death of eight protesters in the capital Manama. While protesters continue to camp in Pearl (Lulu) Roundabout, two rallies, one in support of the protests and another in support of the royal family are taking place as I type.
After the country's Crown Prince called for calm and dialogue, anti government or pro-democracy protesters have enjoyed peaceful protests at Lulu Roundabout since Saturday. This call also has encouraged what many have called the “silent majority” to speak up and show their support to the royal family, led by prominent Islamic scholar Shaikh Abdullatif Al-Mahmood.
Tonight two rallies set out at the same time, 7pm local time, starting at two locations in the capital Manama. The first being a student rally starting from  from Al-Qufool intersection near Salmaniya Hospital to the Lulu Roundabout.
@MDaaysi Now heading to Dana roundabout for the student rally ! #feb14 #Bahrain
@MDaaysi Its confirmed ! Student rally starting from dq (Fast food restaurant at Al-Qufool intersection)  ! Please retweet ! #feb14 #Bahrain
The second rally will be at Al-Fateh mosque, which also held a pro government pro King rally last Friday. Many #silentmajority tweeps headed to the rally a few hours beforehand and explained the reason for the rally:
@SaraMahmood8 I want 2 clear something out 4 some ignorant bias ppl:the gathering n alfateh is a meeting 4 national unity..despite of “sect” #UniteBH
@MayMarzooq @yslaise those who died in lulu opened dialogue possibilities so ppl in AlFateh will write their demands 2 CP (Crown Prince Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al-Khallifa) so u figure it out!!
@EbtisamBahar Flags all over the mosque's yard, all in unity #Feb14 #Bahrain http://twitpic.com/428qxi
People gathering at Al-Fateh Mosque before Isha prayers, and waving Bahraini flags
@Hazem_Janahi Unbelievable crowds in Al Fateh!!!! I've haven't seen something like this in #bahrain #silentmajority
Some rumours were flying across Bahrain's network on social media sites and Blackberry Broadcasts of the need to show the rally's participants Smart Card and ID to the organisers. This was however quashed by “14th February | Our hearts fly with joy” Facebook Page [ar]:
14 فبراير | قلوبنا للبحرين تتطاير ( اكبر تجمع وطني ) لا صحة لخبر يجب على الجميع احضار البطاقة الذكية هذه وسائل المعارضين لتقليل الأعداد يرجى من الجميع أخذ الحيطة والحذر قبل نشر الأخبار وعدم الالتفات للرسائل الخاطئة …
@Othman_Janahi @JustAmira just wanted to clarify the Id thing in AlFateh is a rumor No one needs to bring it or anything, I am here & no one asked me 4 it
Some tweeps not happy with the seemingly growing divide between Bahrain's people, started using the hashtag #UniteBH and have called for both rallies to meet at Lulu Roundabout or Al-Fateh.
@NoorAlHaji Dear Lulu crowd, why don't u walk 2 alfate7 & exchange flowers with ur brothers & sisters? #UniteBH
@hhusaini @moalkhalifa  Dear marchers at fatah #bahrain, you want unity? Peace? Take a rose and go to #lulu and share a moment of silence for the dead.
Tweep Ehsan Al-Kooheji calls for both rallies to meet halfway and acknowledge each other.
@ehsankooheji Dear #Lulu AND #Fateh, why dont you BOTH start marching to meet each other halfway to shake hands & stop pretending other side doesnt exist.
In reply to @hhusaini, Tweep Mohamed Al-Khalifa answered:
@moalkhalifa @hhusaini I will :)
This post is part of our special coverage of Bahrain Protests 2011.


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Bangladesh: Observing International Mother Language Day · Global Voices
Rezwan

Poster for International Mother Language Day 2011. Graphic Design: Stephanie Pilar and Marine Leopold. Courtesy UNESCO.
Language is an important aspect of our life. We explore the world through language. The world occurs to us through language. To promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism worldwide, International Mother Language Day is held annually on 21 February.
For Bangladesh, 21st February has a different symbolization. It is a national day of Bangladesh to commemorate protests and sacrifices to protect Bangla (Bengali) as a national language during Bengali Language Movement of 1952. Anushay describes a bit of the history:
On this day in 1952, after the “Principles Committee of the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan” announced that Urdu would be the only state language of East (now Bangladesh) and West Pakistan, a huge wave of protests erupted in Bangladesh where the majority spoke Bangla.
Politicians joined students in their demonstrations and the Pakistani Government responded by violently cracking down on the protesters. Over the course of one week ((February 21-27, 1952), they killed student demonstrators, some directly in front of Dhaka Medical College. [..]
On February 29th, 1956, Pakistan added Bengali as the second official state language after Urdu. Bangladesh won its independence from Pakistan in 1971.
Mamun M. Aziz shares [bn] in BDNews24.com Blog about how 21st February became officially recognized:
১৯৯৯ সালের ১৭ নভেম্বর অনুষ্ঠিত ইউনেস্কোর প্যারিস অধিবেশনে একুশে ফেব্রুয়ারিকে আন্তর্জাতিক মাতৃভাষা দিবস হিসেবে ঘোষণা করা হয় এবং ২০০০ সালের ২১ ফেব্রুয়ারি থেকে দিবসটি জাতিসংঘের সদস্যদেশসমূহে যথাযথ মর্যাদায় পালিত হচ্ছে।
Flowers at Shaheed Minar. Image by Anwar Hossain. Copyright Demotix
View full slideshow here.
The day's festivities include laying flowers at the early hours at Shaheed Minar, an iconic sculpture situated in the place of the massacre. Mohamed Arif Raihan Mahee was there this year. He writes:
হাজার হাজার মানুষ লাইন ধরে দাঁড়িয়ে আছে, কারো মধ্যে কোন তাড়া নেই, পরিবারের সবাই মিলে এসেছে মহান আন্তর্জাতিক মাতৃভাষা দিবসে ভাষা শহীদদের প্রতি শ্রদ্ধা জানাতে।
Jerome D'Costa at Bangladesh, Canada and Beyond celebrates the day with an innovative idea. He started posting depictions of Bangla alphabets in his own blog to introduce them to the international community.
See all the 51 depictions by Jerome here.
Asif Mohiuddin at Somewhereinblog platform writes about the power of the language to shape nationalism:
পৃথিবীতে এই পর্যন্ত যতগুলো জাতিরাষ্ট্র দেখা গিয়েছে, ভাষাভিত্তিক জাতিরাষ্ট্রের দার্শনিক ভিত্তি সব সময়ই অন্যান্য সকল জাতিরাষ্ট্রের চাইতে উন্নত বলে দার্শনিক সমাজে স্বীকৃত। ভাষা মানুষের এক ধরনের আত্মিক বন্ধন তৈরি করে, যেই বন্ধন অন্য যেকোন ধরনের বন্ধন থেকে শক্তিশালী। [..] একটা জাতিকে একত্র রাখার জন্য চাই অভিন্ন জাতীয়তাবোধ, যা একমাত্র ভাষাই দিতে পারে। একক সংস্কৃতি, একক জাতিগত চেতনাই মানুষকে একত্র করতে পারে, ঐক্যবদ্ধ রাখতে পারে।
According to mb.com.ph:
More than 50 percent of the approximately 7,000 languages spoken in the world are likely to die out within a few generations, and 96 percent of these languages are spoken by a mere 4 percent of the world’s population.
Akhtar Hossain opines [bn] that like Bangladesh 21st February can be declared as a public holiday all over the world so that everybody can be more aware of the significance of this day and it probably can save more languages from dying.
Sochol Zahid at Sachalayatan Writers Forum informs [bn] that on the 25th of February a speedchat will be introduced by the International Center at the University of Alberta to celebrate the diversity of language on its campus. Here are two videos introducing the event:
How did you celebrate the day?


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Brazil: Learning culture and portuguese language · Global Voices
Sara Moreira

In the International Mother Language Day, take some time out to check the Portuguese Blog by Transparent Language and read about the Brazilian culture and its Portuguese language variant. Have fun learning how to use sarcastic expressions such as “para variar” and “depois“.

author: Sara Moreira


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Cambodia: Letter to UN to intervene in border row · Global Voices
Mong Palatino

Sambath Meas writes an open letter to the United Nations asking it to intervene in the ongoing border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia.

author: Mong Palatino


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Chile: Social Media Reactions Against Coal Mining Project · Global Voices
Paulina Aguilera Muñoz

Another environmental conflict is reflected on Chilean social networks [es]. This time, Riesco Island Mining [es] aims to develop a million dollar coal mining project that threatens protected species on Riesco Island, one of the largest islands of Chile.
The lands of Riesco Island are part of the Alacalufe National Reserve, home of protected species of flora and fauna [es], like lenga, ñirre, coihue, huemules and woodpeckers, dolphins, sea lions and penguins. Humpback whales live at the nearby Marino Franciso Coloane Park.
“Once again Chile is on environmental alert, we will save Riesco Island from destruction” was a strong campaign on social networks and YouTube, with its own web page [es] and more than 100,000 views of these videos:
The videos mix the faces of environmental activists, experts and chilean actors and actresses [es] which created this video to be used on social networks: Facebook, Twitter, blogs, web pages, opinion columns, “everything goes, everything goes!!!!” says the campaign.
“Save the penguins and the passage of the humpback whale (Riesco Island)” is on The Petition Site with 1,562 virtual signatures to date.
El Proyecto Mina Isla Riesco es una amenaza  real para la anidación de pingüinos en el sector del seno Otway,  conocida como “las pingüineras”, además intervendrá en el paso de  ballenas jorobadas del Parque Francisco Coloane.
René Bustamante (@Rene_Bustamante) on Twitter indicates [es]:
Las  mineras de isla riesco, abarcaran 1500 hectareas y el “hoyo“ sera de  unas 500 hectareas con mas de 180 metros de profundidad. #espanto
The project “Mina Invierno” [es] (Winter Mine), the first of five open mines, was approved [es] by the Environmental Evaluation Commission in the Magellan Islands [es] on February 16 [es], despite a number of inconsistencies and 1,700 citizen and expert observations [es] that show its environmental impacts.
Anibal Valenzuela on Veoverde [es] reflects on the surprise of the decision:
La verdad es que la primera vez que leí sobre el proyecto que se estaba  llevando a cabo en Isla Riesco pensé que era imposible que se aprobara.  Algunos podrán pensar que soy ingenuo o algo parecido, pero cuando  investigué sobre Isla Riesco y vi lo virgen que era y lo austral que  quedaba, me dije “no, nadie puede ser tan inconsciente para aprobar algo  tan contaminante en un lugar tan hermoso como éste”. Y de verdad lo  creí.
Protest on February 16 2011 in front of the La Moneda after the government approved a coal mining project on Riesco Island. Image under copyright taken by "profetaparanoia" for Demotix.
In El Martutino [es] Claudia Rodríguez explains the new institutional structure that approves mega projects in Chile leaving out the sole representatives of the citizenry and the regional advisers. The decision is taken by representatives of the central government in the regions, in other words, the mayor (direct representative of the President in the region) and the SEREMIs (Ministerial Regional Secretaries [es], regional representatives of the federal ministers). She also explains the economic structure behind the decision:
¿Dónde están las consideraciones ambientales y la voz de las  comunidades cuando el gobierno central –unilateralmente y en complicidad  con los grandes empresarios- decide tener una matriz energética cada  vez más “carbonizada”?
Daniel Romero (@pavalenz) mentions the strongest suspicion [es] which locates President Sebastián Piñera, as well as other people connected to the government [es], in the middle of the conflict and on social networks with the popularity of the hashtag #conflictodeinteres (conflict of interest).
Piñera aún mantiene sus acciones en COPEC ($6.300 millones)?? [Enlace a declaración de patrimonio de Sebastián Piñera] Porque COPEC es la dueña de minera Isla Riesco #conflictodeinteres
“No to the mine on Riesco Island,” a site on Facebook [es], contrasts with Foro Universitarios.cl [es] where one sees opinions about the theme of energy and the environmental impact of the project like this one:
no podemos permitirnos tampoco que sean grupos de alto impacto social y  con bajo (por no decir nulo) conocimiento técnico quienes lleven  adelante nuestras políticas energeticas, y me refiero en particular en  este punto a los múltiples videos que aparecen actores (sí! actores, no  ingenierios o preparados en la materia, actores!!) diciendonos cuáles  son los proyectos que debemos rechazar y cuáles (de manera tácita)  aprobar. Ellos, no tienen ninguna y absolutamente ninguna  responsabilidad por los actos que cometen, a menos me parece preocupante  que la sociedad se haga eco de ellos.
Beyond the position, the debate on social networks in Chile has become increasingly intense and robust, with a greater capacity to mobilize people and ideas in the middle of the dispute between development versus nature, something that has become commonplace in the country.

author: Paulina Aguilera Muñoz


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China: A staged revolution · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

C Custer from China Geek blogs about the spread of “Jasmine revolution” through messages from outside China and the police's over reaction from inside China. He also records the “revolutionary atmosphere” in Beijing Wangfujing area.

author: Oiwan Lam


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China: Debating with Shaun Rein · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Dan from China Law Blog opens a debate with CNBC's Columnist Shaun Rein, who enjoys representing Chinese point of view and recently wrote an article on “Why A Fast Appreciating Yuan Won't Help US Economy.”


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China: Jasmine Protest · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Junling Hu from Democracy in China reports and reflects upon the Jasmine Protest on 20 of February 2011.


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Costa Rican Movie “El Regreso” Reaches Funding Goal Through Crowdfunding · Global Voices
Silvia Viñas

Cristian Cambronero from Fusil de Chispas [es] updates readers on the crowdfunding initiative for Costa Rican movie “The Return” on Kickstarter: the goal of $40,000 was reached in a little over 5 days, 41 days before the deadline on April 2.

author: Silvia Viñas


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Côte d’Ivoire: Opposite Sides Demonstrated on February 19   · Global Voices
Anna Gueye

On the blog “Actu et Opinions”, a post states: Meetings in Abidjan: 2 weights, 2 measures [FR] where one learned that demonstrators did not receive the same reception from the police force depending on whether they were pro-Ouattara or pro-Laurent Gbagbo. According to the Twitter feed #CIV2010, there were 3 deaths among the pro-Ouattara demonstrators. @jeanettemallet gathered the most important tweets in a tweetstory: Out with Gbagbo! [FR]  I am reminded that the first Africans to have overthrown a government by street protest were Malians, by way of protests that transpired between December 1990 and March 1991 and signaled the end of the dictatorship of Moussa Traore. [FR]

author: Anna Gueye


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Cuba: Generación Y and Voces Cubanas Unblocked in Cuba · Global Voices
Ellery Roberts Biddle

Blogger Yoani Sánchez. Photo by Andre Deak republished under Licence CC-BY-2.0.
For nearly three years, Yoani Sánchez has called herself a “blind blogger.” Her blog, Cuba-based Generación Y, has been blocked in Cuba since March of 2008. But as of last week, it appears Sánchez has regained her sight. On February 8, the site was unblocked in Cuba. Voces Cubanas [es] and DesdeCuba [es], both platform sites with feeds for Generación Y, Claudia Cadelo’s Octavo Cerco [es], and many other Cuba-based blogs appear, are also back. Throughout this period, Sánchez has maintained her online presence with the help of friends in other countries, and by using proxy servers to access her own site.
When the blog was originally blocked in 2008, Sánchez wrote [es]:
…[L]los anónimos censores de nuestro famélico ciberespacio, han querido encerrarme en el cuarto, apagarme la luz y no dejar entrar a los amigos.  Eso, convertido al lenguaje de la red, quiere decir bloquearme el sitio, filtrar mi página, en fin, “pinchar” el Blog para que mis compatriotas no puedan leerlo…Sin embargo, la reprimenda es tan inútil…y tan fácil de burlar que se trueca en incentivo.
Generación Y posts on CD, for secondary circulation in Cuba. By jlori (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)
Her popularity in Cuban communities around the world, and her recognition within the international human rights and press freedom communities has skyrocketed since this period, and Sánchez believes that her status as a forbidden voice within Cuban civil society has only helped to increase her intrigue. When she posted about the unblocking of the site, she wrote that she suspected this would only be temporary, speculating that it may have been part of a government effort to soften its image during Havana’s recent information science fair, Informática 2011. In her post [es] in which she announced that the blog had been unblocked, she considered the possibility that government officials acted on some recognition of the appeal of the forbidden.
También es posible que después de haber comprobado que bloquear un sitio sólo lo vuelve más atractivo para los internautas, los policías cibernéticos han optado por exhibir el fruto prohibido que tanto satanizaron en los últimos meses. […] Esta es una victoria ciudadana sobre los demonios del control. Les hemos arrebatado lo que nos pertenece, esas plazas virtuales que son nuestras, con las que van a tener que aprender a convivir y a las que ya no pueden negar.
Whether this change is temporary or permanent, Sánchez will surely maintain a powerful voice in foreign media coverage of Cuba, and an important role as a leader within Cuba’s small, politically critical blogging community.

author: Ellery Roberts Biddle


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Cuba: Realities of Virtual Protests  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Laritza Diversent and Without Evasion blog about the Middle East protests and the obstacles that may prevent similar demonstrations from happening in Cuba.

author: Janine Mendes-Franco


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Cuba, Trinidad & Tobago: The Gay Agenda · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Could prioritizing the gay agenda be diverting attention from more pressing issues?  Iván's File Cabinet explores the possibilities, while gspottt says the Trinidad and Tobago government “has its priorities on GLBT issues wrong.”


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Djibouti: Will it become another Egypt? · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Protests are taking place in Djibouti against President Ismail Omar Guelleh who succeeded his uncle Hassan Gouled Aptidon in 1999.  Somaliland Press reports that 300 protesters demonstrated near the governmental palace on Friday.
Jones says he can not avoid to write about Djibouti's current political situation:
I haven't written much about Djibouti's current political situation, for many reasons, but I don't think I can avoid it much longer. With events in Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen, Jordan, Bahrain, Algeria…protest fever seems to be in the air and Djibouti is not immune.
We have experienced strikes when students are dissatisfied with teachers, lack of supplies or their grades. There have also been occasional, small-scale demonstrations over political issues or if the khat plane fails to arrive. But in the seven years we have lived here, nothing has been major enough to alarm us, just enough to keep us in the house for an afternoon or so.
Someone told her (Jones), “Djibouti isn't peaceful today, go home”:
Today there are planned protests, to begin sometime after 1400. We are just planning to stay inside. The only difference we have noticed lately around town is a vast increase in police presence, more rocks than normal in the streets and this morning while I ran and Henry biked around in the desert, someone said to us, “Djibouti isn't peaceful today, go home.”
Daniel McCurry, a blogger based in Djibouti, posts a video from the recent student protests and writes, “2nd day of protests and fatalities”:
I was in a cafe tonight watching Djibouti News and they showed pictures of burned out cars and several semi trucks burned. There was even a gas tanker burned. Another friend told me there were skirmishes with police until about 1 am last night. In Belbela right outside of the city there were rock throwing protests against police this morning. Currently all the schools are on vacation but the university is not. Attendance was very low today at the university many students stayed home because of the events of yesterday and today.
Harawo posts a statement from Union for Democratic Transition:
The protests continue not only in the capital but in many towns and villages. We are informed that they would have started early this morning Yoboki Ali Sabieh, Dikhil Obock and who also had expressed yesterday as Djibouti and Tadjourah, now under high tension.
#Djibouti Tweets:
@amanamongmen says:
News coming out of Djibouti. If they know what is healthy 4 them, they should release the activist they jailed 4 insurrectionary movements.
@texasinafrica can't keep up with uprisings anymore:
It was so much easier when social movements happened one at a time. Gabon, Libya, Djibouti, Cote d'Ivoire – I can't keep up.
@FelixPax retweets:
@acarvin RT @Sentletse: #Djibouti experienced its share of pro-democracy protests where an estimated 30,000 took to the streets on Sunday

author: Ndesanjo Macha


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Foursquare usage in Southeast Asia · Global Voices
Mong Palatino

Indonesia leads the countries in Southeast Asia with the most number of Foursquare users.


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India: Savita Bhabhi Blocked Again · Global Voices
Rezwan

Soumyadip at Cutting the Chai informs that Savita Bhabhi, an infamous popular adult online comic, is being censored in India again.

author: Rezwan


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Indonesia: Accountability and religious violence · Global Voices
Mong Palatino

Blogger Unspun blames the lack of accountability for the rise of religious violence in Indonesia.


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Indonesia: Solidarity for religious freedom · Global Voices
Mong Palatino

Indonesian citizens and netizens have formed a solidarity group to promote religious freedom in the country following the spate of attacks on religious minorities in the past weeks


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Iran: More Protests, Another Death (Videos) · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Despite large security presence in major traffic intersections, witnesses say protesters have been gathering since early afternoon and continue to swell in Tehran, Isfahan, Shiraz, Marivan and several other cities on Sunday, February 20. Opposition websites reported that security forces opened fire on protesters in Hafteh Tir Square in Tehran, killing one person. Safari-Ali Baratloo, a security official, accused the websites of reporting lies and denied there were any clashes or a death, the semi-official Fars news agency said.
A poster calling to rally in Iran on February 20.
A few minutes before joining the demonstration, Divanesara, wrote [fa]:
We grew up for years by this slogan “Blood will overcome the sword” in our schools. Now it is time for us to pass the test…Tthere is confusion among the crowds, they do not know what is the starting point of the demonstration… There will probably be even more people in the streets than on February 14.
Sabz21 writes [fa] that Tehran has been transformed into a military base and that there are security forces are everywhere.
Persiaroyal writes [fa] that Green leaders should transform every day into a nightmare for the regime by calling for protesters to demonstrate.
Etehadesabz writes [fa] that the secret of victory, as Egypt and Tunisia proves, is the people's presence in the streets.
Here are videos showing another day of protest in Tehran and beyond.
Protesters in Tehran chant “After Ben Ali and Mubarak it is Seyed Ali's turn”, referring to Iran's Leader Seyed Ali Khamenei and Tunisia's recently deposed president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.
And here, “Down with the dictator!” in Shiraz:

author: Fred Petrossian


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Jamaica: On “Buju Watch”  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

“Once again the Jamaican nation is on Buju watch”: Active Voice highlights the posts of some fellow bloggers to underscore her point that “Jamaicans are taking this very personally, it is as if the nation itself is on trial.”


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Japan: The Pre-History of Japanese Hip Hop · Global Voices
Scilla Alecci

David Z. Morris reported [en] that Japanese hip-hop was born in the 19th century. The blogger also suggested links to some academic articles that explain its origins and development.

author: Scilla Alecci


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Kenya: Public Lecture: Obama’s Revolution: What lessons for Africa · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Njeri announces a public lecture in Nairobi, Kenya: Obama's Revolution: What lessons for Africa by Prof. Horace Campbell, author of recently published “Barack Obama and 21st century politics”


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Kuwait: Stateless ‘Bedoun’ Demand Rights  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Kuwait's stateless population, also known as ‘bedoun’ (without nationality), has been holding protests for the third day in a row, calling for equal rights and a citizenship in the country many have been born in and know as their only home. The government says they are illegal residents – and that their demonstrations are illegal too.
The protests started on Friday, with around 1,000 protesters. Clashes with police followed, as well as arrests and reports that one protester was killed. The government, however denies that anyway was killed in the protests.
Here are reactions from Twitter on the unfolding situation:
@Arabian_Babbler: Kuwaiti stateless stage third day of protest for basic rights and citizenship http://tinyurl.com/6gv7ra3 #Kuwait
@fouad_marei: #Kuwait: first ‘stateless’ Kuwaiti killed amidst protests demanding naturalisation and legal settlements #bedoun #بدون
@Dima_Khatib: Stateless people, longtime residents of #Kuwait known as “bedoun”, demand what Kuwaitis have: citizenship, free education & healthcare, jobs
@moftasa: Stateless Arabs in Kuwait come under fire as security forces use flares to disperse them. http://is.gd/qyrlmg
@arabtimeskuwait: Interior denies ‘deaths’ – Bedoun protest for third day http://www.arabtimesonline.com
@dubaijazz: Al Bayan reports one protester from the Bedoun was killed in #Kuwait: http://bit.ly/giFUkg #Why
@hhusaini: #kuwait bedoun demand citizenship, jobs and housing http://af.reuters.com/article/energyOilNews/idAFLDE71H22B20110218
@Dima_Khatib: Stateless people, longtime residents of #Kuwait known as “bedoun”, demand what Kuwaitis have: citizenship, free education & healthcare, jobs
@buthaina: #Journalists wish 2 learn more abt #Kuwait #Bedoun, U can find a report (in En.) @ Kuwaiti #AlWatan Arabic Daily, by Buthaina AlOthman in 91
@buthaina: The prob. of #Bedoun was created by former #Kuwait Crown Prince, Sheikh Sa'ad who brought #Syrian & #Iraqi #Bedwins 2 KUW in the 80s 2 vote.
@buthaina: #Kuwait #MP #HassanJawher won't give direct answer to #AlWatantv when asked about the #Bedoun #Protest in #AlJahra district as he's Head of
@Somaiyyah: Bedoun who were here before '90 and stood by Kuwait during all good and bad times deserves jenseya. Other than that m3a ilsalama #justsaying
@FollowFawaz: Though have no legal status or claim to citizenship, ‘bedoun’ have lived among the people of Kuwait, enjoying benefits of kuwaitis
@FollowFawaz: Kuwaiti security forces dispersed ‘bedoun’ protestors by using water hoses and tear gas. ‘bedoun’ are illegal residents in Kuwait.
@haideralmosawi: @mbhkewl @7nanii Bedoun are entitled to basic rights, even if they don't deserve citizenship. For kids, Kuwait is the only country they know
@Adoo7a: How big it is, the Bedoun protests? Give me a percentage?
@UnsuperDyke: This will piss a lot of people off but the Bedoun issue is a human rights issue. Where ever they came from they're our responsibility now.
@AminaAlShirawi: @Futtaim bedoun issue is everywhere.. america, europe and everywhere else have it as well..
@Norrahsaur: Stop all the jokes about the bedoun people.Thats not nice.
@Fatma_BA: Ugly Bedoun; May You please Shut your mouth up and keep us happy till our National Day and For ever.. :)
On YouTube, alhour313 posted this video showing protesters:
Almusawi73 also shares this video from the protests:

author: Amira Al Hussaini


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Libya: Amidst Spotty Internet, Some Send Missives · Global Voices
Jillian C. York

This post is part of our special coverage Libya Uprising 2011.
Just 12 hours after Saif Al Islam Al Gaddafi's speech, in which he blamed Facebook, foreign mercenaries, Islamists, drug addicts and an army not trained in dealing with civilians for the recent uprisings, Libyans are still going strong, and continue to protest.  With both phone service and the Internet in flux, many are sending out missives when they can.
Khadija Teri could hear gunfire overnight.  She writes:
We had a very long, sleepless night spent between watching reports on television and on the internet, and running outside in the garden, where we strained our ears to listen to the far off sounds of gunfire and car horns. And then the shock of listening to ‘the speech’. Disbelief at what was being said. What day is it, I wondered, surely it's not  the first of April yet!
It ain't over 'til the fat lady sings. . . . .
Oh Libyans… Stay safe!…. no pun intended!
Highlander, who likens the situation in Libya to Tiananmen Square, writes:
(1) You are on this blog because you watch or read the news
(2) Despicable rats are jumping ship
(3) It is at times like these when you know who are your friends
(4) Tienanmen Redux …
(5) Please follow up with those who are updating here (whenever they can) and see my sidebar links, there is a lot to digest and we have a lot on our plate.
(6) For those who care, I am currently relatively safe
(7) To the news outlet who wrote – sorry it is not possible
(8) To my people and country may you always be safe, we are one soul.
(9) Until further notice this is Highlander signing off
Internet service is still spotty at times.  A trusted Libyan source who wishes to remain anonymous e-mailed the following to Global Voices:
just to say we spent a night from hell. internet is back now but all phones are cut off. i went to get some milk for the kids today. it is a sight to make you cry in Tripoli. devastation and burning building  – live ammo and stray bullets and airplanes and helicopters which we don't know where they are going. after the speech the defiance is getting  bigger wish us luck.
The source continued:
There is shooting from different areas.
When asked if they are safe, the source added:
We're not really safe but this is life and I am not leaving my country of my house or my house/home.  Anyway travel is impossible, and banks are closed.  The city is a ghost town.
For a series of photographs from Libya, see a7fadhomar's Flickr account.
[Thumbnail photo by mshamma made available via Creative Commons 2.0 Generic License (CC by 2.0)]

author: Jillian C. York


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Libya: Death Before Liberty (Videos) · Global Voices
John Liebhardt

This post is part of our special coverage Libya Uprising 2011.
With an extremely dangerous and fluid situation on the ground – and spotty digital connections – people in Libya are beginning to smuggle videos and photos of the uprising against Muammar Al Gaddafi to the outside world. Here is a group of videos and photos taken from demonstrations between Friday February 18 and Monday February 21, 2011.
Man spitting on image of Muammar Al Gaddafi. Image posted by @abanidrees.
This video, uploaded to Youtube by TUNISIEINFOS, shows what people claim are weapons confiscated from foriegn mercenaries. TUNISIEINFOS comments that the video was taken in Benghazi:
This video, uploaded by zak198466sjune, is called ‘Friday Market Tripoli Benghazi With You':
One commenter on this video, yarajawi notes:
Chanting = Benghazi is crying tears of blood, where are the men of Souq Aljum3a. [an area of Tripoli know for tough guys, according to the title this is the location]
The chant is to encourage more demonstrators to join them. God be with Tripoli tonight it's their last stronghold and they are unleashing hell on anyone in the street.
This photo, posted by @amtphoto shows graffiti in Tripoli that translates as: “Libya is free, the mass murderer is out.”
Anti-Gaddafi graffiti posted by @amtphoto.
WARNING: This link shows a very graphic photo of a youth protester, witnesses say was killed by a sniper.
This dark video, uploaded by Libyanym, is called ‘Tripoli, Sooq Al Jum3a Libya February 20, 2011′:
This video ‘shahat (Cyrene) free from gaddafi 2011-2-20′ has been uploaded by sdontknow79 and shows protesters celebrating in Shahat, Libya, which is 1,200 km east of Tripoli:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1YqgziOaDA
Another video uploaded by sdontknow79 shows protesters during the night in Tripoli:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FXFRFQitWI
A third from sdontknow79, this video is called ‘sniper shooting in tripoli 20-2-2011′:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUzQHdbnCWU
This video, uploaded by abo874 has been described by the Arab Revolution site as showing protests in Misurata, 200 kilometers east of Tripoli:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFL2yALsTxc
This video is called ‘LIBYA: Capital Tripoli Pro-Democracy Protest Feb. 20′. It was uploaded by xgotfiveonitx:
WARNING: This very graphic video, uploaded by qwe23ir, shows what people in Twitter claim to be Libyan soldiers burnt and killed because they refused to kill protesters. The name of the video translates as ‘Martyrs Battalion Benghazi':
This post is part of our special coverage Libya Uprising 2011.

author: John Liebhardt


text:
Libya: Gaddafi Junior’s Speech Welcomed with Shoes and Slippers · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

This post is part of our special coverage Libya Uprising 2011.
Libyan dictator's son Saif Al Islam Al Gaddafi addressed Libyans earlier on Libyan State television, blaming everything other than his father for the massive protests and bloodshed the country has been witnessing in recent days.
He blamed Facebook, foreign mercenaries, Islamists, drug addicts and an army not trained in dealing with civilians for the carnage Libya has suffered, downplaying the number of victims and promising to stay in Libya to ensure that it isn't broken up into smaller Islamic Emirates, in order for the US not to invade it.
He also predicted doom, poverty and a bloodbath for Libyans should Gaddafi, who has ruled Libya with an iron fist for more than 40 years be toppled.
On Twitter, tweeps reacted to the speech in different ways. Here is a snap shot of some of the reactions:
@AfriNomad: Wow – Pic of people in #Libya watching Seif #Gaddafi's speech. Shoes in the air! http://twitpic.com/420xny (via @riy) #Feb17
@DinaFergani: @ablabahrawy Hilarious Pointy Qaddafi http://t.co/LKmEHDj
@Synergi0: My response to Seif Gaddafi's scaremongering hallucinations #Libya http://twitpic.com/4213ra
@ielsakka: my reply to Seif Al-Islam #Gaddafi speech ردي على خطاب سيف الإسلام القذافي –شبشب زنوبة معفن #Libya #Feb17 http://twitpic.com/420zmx
@gr33ndata: I'm sure I saw Seif Al-Islam Gaddafi somewhere before this? Hmmm, yes, here he is… http://twitpic.com/420t9u
@Adham_T: #Gaddafi #Libya #Egypt http://yfrog.com/gysg9hhj
@gr33ndata: It's either Gaddafi, or u'll not find food, drink, and will be invaded by Egyptians and Space Ships! #Libya #Feb17 http://twitpic.com/420y09
@RJAlvarez: Just took this pic in Red Hook. Had no idea today might be the day & the we might mean Qaddafi. #fingerscrossed http://yfrog.com/gyw5dpj
@exiledsurfer: Saif's father, Moammar #Gadaffi's reaction to his son's “off the cuff” speech. http://yfrog.com/h6ciqggj #libya #benghazi
@Jim_Watford: Me thinks Saif Gaddafi needs a higher chair. #Libya http://twitpic.com/421fhf
This post is part of our special coverage Libya Uprising 2011.


text:
Libya-Italy: online reactions to the “Berlusconi connection” · Global Voices
Bernardo Parrella

While the news from Libya is getting more dramatic by the hour, many people are focusing on the recently close relationship between Gheddafi and the Italian government, given the well-known historical events between the two countries. In particular the “Berlusconi connection” emerges. Al Jazeera TV also talks about it on several occasions, with various reports by its Rome correspondent on the initial distancing by the Italian government, as well as protests by Libyan citizens in front of Libyan embassy in Rome.
Obviously there is an abundance of criticism and accusation on the Internet, not only by Italian netizens. Here is an overview of comments and reactions shared online in the last few hours.
On Twitter, the hashtag #berlusconi is going strong, with hundreds of messages per minute in every language, including the following:
The most recent tweets do not fail to note the recent statement, in which the Prime Minister finally seems to express his opinion by talking about the “unacceptable violence in Libya”:
A video (and its variations) showing Berlusconi kissing Gheddafi's hand, during the summit of the Arab League in March 2010, is becoming quite popular on YouTube. Other popular videos show Berlusconi claiming that “Everyone should be happy about our friendship with Libya” [it] (August 2010) and that “Gheddafi is a very wise leader” [it] (June 2009).
In the meantime, confirming the recent closeness between the two countries, the story of the eight Berlusconi-Gheddafi meetings in three years [it] is reconstructed and Indymedia Lombardia broadcasts a timely dossier: All the business between Italy and Libya [it], in which among other things it is explained that:
…se da un lato l’Italia importa principalmente petrolio e gas naturale (2 miliardi di euro nel primo trimestre 2010), dall’altro vende soprattutto prodotti derivanti dalla raffinazione del petrolio e macchinari e attrezzature utili ad estrarre e lavorare queste materie prime. Il mercato dell’export è trainato dalla nostra industria pesante che, da gennaio a marzo 2010, tra macchinari generali e speciali, ha fatturato circa 85 milioni euro, mentre è di 53 milioni il ricavato derivante dall’export di autoveicoli, navi e imbarcazioni. La Camera di Commercio Italo-Libica di Roma, attraverso cui passano buona parte delle esportazioni verso la Libia, da gennaio a settembre 2009 ha registrato 2.627 fatture, per un valore di più di 357 milioni di euro di export, più di un terzo dei quali nel settore impiantistica e macchinari.
…if on one hand Italy imports mainly petroleum and natural gas (2 billion euros in the first trimester of 2010), on the other they sell mostly products derived from refining petroleum and machinery and tools for extracting and using these raw materials. The export market is pulled along by our heavy industry that, from January to March 2010, combining general and specialised machinery, had a turn over of approximately 85 million euros, while the proceeds from the export of automobiles, ships and boats was of 53 million euros. The Italian-Libyan Chamber of Commerce in Rome, in charge of most export business with Libya, in January-September 2009 registered 2,627 invoices, for a value of more than 357 million euros of exports, more than a third of which from petrochemical plant design and machinery sector.
A post entitled “Libya: Death to Berlusconi” [it] on the blog Mazzetta [it] highlights the large financial interests at play:
Non si difendono gli interessi dell'Italia spalleggiando dittatori in disgrazia e manifestando loro amicizia e stima anche quando già sono fuggiti con infamia dal loro paese. Non si difendono gli interessi dell'Italia spalleggiando dei folli che mandano gli aerei a bombardare le manifestazioni, ancora meno quando sono perdenti.
Italy's interests cannot be defended by supporting dictators in disgrace and showing them friendship and respect, even when they have run away in disgrace from their country. Italy's interests cannot be defended by supporting loser madmen who send airplanes to bomb local protests.
Paolo Brogi points out an atypical gift from Berlusconi to Gheddafi: an Ansaldo “luxury train for Libya” [it], on the occasion of the first “Day of Friendship between Italian and Libyan Peoples” held last August:
Il colonnello avrebbe infatti l’intenzione di realizzare una tratta ferroviaria superveloce non soltanto tra la capitale e Bengasi, ma per collegare l’intera zona costiera del Paese magrebino, da affiancare a una lunga autostrada che andrebbe dall’Algeria fino all’Egitto, sognando le Repubbliche arabe unite.
….
Il design, studiato in collaborazione con Pininfarina, offre ai passeggeri un ambiente gradevole e di elevato comfort. Le dotazioni del treno comprendono, tra l’altro, aria condizionata, impianti per le informazioni audio-video al pubblico e display per i posti prenotati, oltre a sedili reclinabili dotati di impianto per la diffusione sonora.
Indeed, the [Libyan] colonel intended to create a stretch of high-speed railway linking not only the capital to Bengasi, but also the internal coastal area of the Maghreb region, along with a long highway that would run from Algeria to Egypt, dreaming about the unification of Arab countries.
….
The [train] design, created in collaboration with Pininfarina, offers passengers a pleasant environment and high level of comfort. The train is fitted, among other things, with air conditioning, audio-video displays for public information and for reserved seats, as well as reclining chairs with speaker systems.
Another report circulating online covers Berlusconi's statement that he doesn't want to disturb his friend Gheddafi [it] at this delicate time:
….spiega di non aver sentito il suo amico Gheddafi per non “disturbarlo” in un momento così delicato. “Siamo preoccupati – dice il premier ai giornalisti – per tutto quello che sta accadendo lì in tutta l'area”.
….he explains that he has not spoken to his friend Gheddafi so as to not “disturb him” at such a delicate time. “We are worried – says the Prime Minister to journalists – about everything that is happening in that area”.
The same thing goes for the Foreign Minister, who hopes for “a peaceful transition in Libya” [it], on which Claudio Messora on blog ByoBlu [it] comments:
In modo pacifico? E’ riuscito a superare perfino se stesso, quando disse: “Spero che Mubarak continui a governare con lungimiranza e saggezza.”
Peacefully? He has managed to exceed even himself saying: “I hope that Mubarak continues to govern with foresight and wisdom.”
Many groups are also active on Facebook, particularly focusing on the “complicity” between the two politicians [it] and pushing Berlusconi to take a stand [it] on the consequences of those agreements with Gheddafi — including a January 2010 video on the tragic end of immigrants expelled from Libya [it].
To end on a sweeter note, there is no lack of sarcasm: here is a cartoon from Il Peggio, a “satiric blog inspired by Italian politics and the world that it moves, making it worse.” Showing Mubarak and Ben Ali on a hospital bed along with Gheddafi, the caption says: “Come here, Silvio, we left a spot just for you”.
This post is part of a GVO special on the revolts in Libya.

author: Bernardo Parrella


text:
Libya: Qaradawi Issues Gaddafi Fatwa  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

This post is part of our special coverage Libya Uprising 2011.
As the carnage and horror coming out of Libya continues to dominate our timelines, top Muslim cleric Youssef Al Qaradawi issued a fatwa (religious edict) calling for anyone who can pull the trigger, to kill Colonel Muammar Qaddafi and end the suffering of Libyans.
Meanwhile, both Egypt and Tunisia, which have had popular uprisings which have toppled Hosni Mubarak and Zein El Abdideen Ben Ali respectively, and which also flank Libya, have opened their borders for humanitarian relief to reach Libyans, under attack from the Gaddafi regime.
Following some of the reactions from Twitter:
@sultanalqassemi: Al Qaradawi: I am issuing a Fatwa now to kill Gaddafi. To any army soldier, to any man who can pull the trigger & kill this man to do so.
@sultanalqassemi: Qaradawi praying live on Al Jazeera for the end of Gaddafi. http://yfrog.com/gyhd9upj
@acarvin: Let's say another government decided to intervene. What would they do to help? Get intel on Gaddafi's location and send a drone his way?
@ShahiraElKady: Can we donate blood for Libya? And send it across tomorrow by ambulances ? #Libya #Egypt #Jan25 Lets dooo that pleaaasee
@habibahamid: They don't know their own ambassadors are urging intervention. They don't shoot out of patriotism.But they must be told they've already lost
@litfreak: I've never prayed for anyone's death before but, at this point, I want one of Gaddafi's men to off him and end this massacre.
@ceoDanya: 100 percent confirmed reports from someone on the ground working for a Oil services firm that there are oil rigs burning in Libya #OILPRICES
@hellodrama666: The photos of dead protest that aljazeera show was horrible, it's absolutely a blood bath there, Allah protect them all #Libya #Feb17
@libya_16: The streets of Feshloom are paved with blood right now, it's a massacre – confirmed via phone – telephone lines up in #Libya
@tololy: Egypt and Tunisia open borders with #Libya to let aid and supplies in.
@OnlyOneLibya: Reports that the Egyptian army is finally allowing medical aid through the Libyan Egyptian border. #Egypt #Libya #Tripoli
@Ara2fat: @JustAmira Egyptian aid convoys moving towards #Libya. Egyptian tribes sent aid to Libya. Also many Egyptian doctors went to Libya.
@Ramadhan2015: Dictator of #Libya, #Muammar Gaddafi kills Libyan pilots that refuse to bomb protesters and replaces them with African mercenaries #feb17
@BaghdadBrian: Plenty of video and audio content coming out at http://alive.in/libya please check it out! #Libya @AliveIn
@knitmeapony: I can't read more. I can't watch more. They're killing doctors and stealing blood supplies. Shooting children. Bombing civilians. #Libya
This post is part of our special coverage Libya Uprising 2011.


text:
Libya: Stop Gaddafi’s Massacre  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

This post is part of our special coverage Libya Uprising 2011.
The world is watching in horror, as harrowing reports are making their way from Libya. News of the aerial bombing of Tripoli has united people from all over the world to call for an end to the atrocities committed by Libyan leader Muammar Al Gaddafi against the Libyan people.
Here's a snippet from the reactions on Twitter:
@MbinH: I'm Gadaffled.
@JoelTweetsJoel: Uh, America, isn't this usually the part when you start policing the world? Or is there not enough Oil revenue? #Libya
@sultanalqassemi: Al Jazeera breaking: Multiple reports confirm that military airplanes are bombing protesters in Tripoli. #Libya
@glcarlstrom: AJA interviewing a (rightfully) hysterical guest in Tripoli. He says airstrikes, 250 dead, electricity cut, mercenaries roaming streets.
@DanersB: Caller on AlJazeera: #Libya: “There is no turning back; there is only death or victory” #Feb17
@tadbo: People, from #Libya, on the BBC talking about not being able to go outside & how many of their family members have been killed. *smh*
@knimer: AJA: #Tripoli Eye Witness: Electricity is cut of in areas of Tripoli. #feb17 #libya #gaddaficrimes
@ShababLibya: News is hitting lots of families now of deaths in tripoli tears all over dear world please help #libya #feb17
@fadisalem: Friend reporting from #Libya :People have begun retreating – airstrikes on main roads between buildings. #gaddafi #tripoli #benghazi
@ChangeInLibya: Your politicians only care about mideast “tensions” when they feel like, and completely ignore a massacre in Libya.. Make the jets stop!!
@acarvin: Seeing the “OFFLINE” slate on Livestream for the stream that was coming out of Benghazi: http://bit.ly/ikvas5 When did it go down?
@evanchill: Reports that all landline and Internet cut in Libya but people are still accessing web. Being told they're using Wimax.
@Gheblawi: More confirmed reports from #Tripoli now heavy gunshots and mercenaries roaming the streets massacring and terrorising people #Libya
@kseirafi: PLEASE REPOST! Egytpian Sheikh Faraj on the Egyptian border, ready to transfer food & medicine into #Libya, call mobile 0102567759.
@Aladin_: Blood bath in #Libya by #Gaddafi killing his own people. This is a a genocide, this is ethnic cleansing, this is State Terrorism!!!
@swerveut: World watches while #Gaddafi the maniac commits genocide in #Libya! All who watch and do nothing are also guilty! @UN INTERVENE NOW!!
@radymoody: #LIBYA MASACRE BEHIND CLOSED DOORS DON'T DISTURB WE'RE KILLING OUR PEOPLE! IS THIS THE PREVIEW OF WHAT WILL BE REST OF MANDATE? @BARACKOBAMA
This post is part of our special coverage Libya Uprising 2011.