Mona Eltahawy, the prominent Egyptian-American writer and activist, has been arrested in New York after spraying paint over a controversial poster on the subway that has been condemned for equating Muslims with “savages”. Full story behind the video.
#Occupy supporters in Cardiff have carried a coffin through the city centre. Symbolises death of protest…
— steven morris(@stevenmorris20) February 8, 2012
Steven Morris tweets from the trial in Cardiff of two men arrested after trying to set up an Occupy camp in Cardiff castle. Read a letter to the guardian from those opposing the action here. Here’s an extract:
As trade unionists, elected representatives, lawyers and campaigners, we feel that the 11 November police action constitutes an attack on the right to peacefully protest. Furthermore, the subsequent CPS decision to prosecute, far from serving any public interest, endangers free expression and risks chilling democracy. We call for the charges against Eric and Jason to be dropped. We also call on South Wales Constabulary to act responsibly when called on to “police” protest.
One reason for the heightened attention being paid to Acta is the recent derailing of the Stop Online Piracy Act (Sopa) and the Protect IP Act (Pipa) in the US. These bills were, in many ways, more dangerous than Acta – Sopa wanted to alter the DNS, the core of the internet – but the spirit is the same. After winning a round against the US bills, citizens and activists are raring to take on a new challenge. David Meyer writes for Comment is Free on Acta (the anti-counterfeiting trade agreement)
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…up to 200,000 people angry with high costs and poor public services took to the streets. Protesters in Rio de Janeiro burned...
