[Onthebarricades] Pro-democracy and human/civil rights protests, Africa - Americas - Middle East - Europe, Aug-Sept 2008

[global resistance roundup]

Africa

* NIGERIA: Biafra - MASSOB shutdown, tensions and panic buying
* NIGERIA - SOUTH AFRICA: Protest over detention of MEND leader
* NIGERIA: Civil liberties group protests for free information bill
* NIGERIA: Niger Delta - Protest warning over sorcerer bill corruption
* NIGERIA: Relatives of detained leader storm assembly
* NIGERIA: Protests over TV shutdown
* SUDAN: Journalists protest curbs
* ZIMBABWE: WOZA demand new government
* KENYA: Residents protest corruption
* SIERRA LEONE: Journalists boycott police events over assault
* SOUTH AFRICA: Zuma supporters protest, storm prosecution offices
* MAURITANIA: Anti-coup protests

Caribbean

* JAMAICA: Murder by police sparks protest march
* TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS: Protest against local TV station

Middle East

* LEBANON: Protesters demand release of Islamist prisoners
* IRAN/US: Ahmadinejad visit protested
* IRAN/UK: Molotov attack on Iranian embassy
* BAHRAIN: Amwaj boat ban provokes resident protest

Europe and Global North

* EUSKAL HERRIA - SPAIN: Protesters march for independence, battle police
* IRELAND: Children march for a voice
* DENMARK: Rock star uses shock tactics to protest smoking ban
* NEW ZEALAND: Protest for jailed relative to attend funeral
* UK: Wales - Protester scales crane in eviction protest
* UK: Continuing protests over McKinnon
* UK: Finance workers target Tories
* UK: De Menezes relatives stage protest at inquest
* NEW ZEALAND: Outcry over surveillance of activists
* NEW ZEALAND: Politician accused of driving car at protester
* AUSTRALIA: Teens defend parties from police repression, fight back
* AUSTRALIA: Police exacerbate Aboriginal unrest
* CANADA: Protests for Canadian held in Sudan
* AUSTRALIA: Graffiti artists protest repression
* NEW ZEALAND: Protest targets judge





http://allafrica.com/stories/200808280621.html

Nigeria: Massob - Ebonyi Residents in Panic-Buying
Christopher Isiguzo
28 August 2008

Abakaliki — Markets in the South-east part of the country yesterday 
witnessed increased patronage, with residents engaging in panic-buying, 
in readiness for today's commencement of the sit-at-home order issued by 
Movement for Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB).
THISDAY's visit to the popular Abakpa Market, in Abakaliki, showed that 
most of the traders were already getting set to abide by the order.
However, Ebonyi State Government has described the order as as 
"ill-motivated, unlawful and misleading."
Government, in a statement issued by Special Assistant to the Governor 
on Media Relations, Mr Abia Onyike, urged the people to discountenance 
the order and go about their lawful duties.
It warned residents against complying with the order, maintaining that 
anybody that obeys it by either not going to work or closing shops and 
market stalls would not only loose his/her job, but would have such 
shops and stalls permanently sealed.
"Having regard to the overriding need to maintain law and order and to 
guarantee security of law-abiding residents of the state, the government 
hereby urges every citizen to disregard the order and go about their 
lawful duties.
"The state government will not hesitate to permanently close down and 
seal up any firm, market or business organisation that obeys or complies 
with the MASSOB order or any other order by MASSOB henceforth," the 
statement read.
While noting that law enforcement agencies have been placed on red alert 
to maintain law and order and ensure that citizens who go about their 
lawful duties are not molested, Onyike noted that the said order 
directing people to stay at home and close their businesses from 7a.m. 
to 4p.m. today, is in itself against the interest of the generality of 
the people of the zone.
The statement therefore urged chairmen of the 13 local government areas, 
coordinators of the 64 development centres, traditional rulers, 
community leaders and well-meaning individuals to sensitise their people 
and watch out for hoodlums and miscreants who might want to exploit the 
"illegal MASSOB order," to cause the breach of the peace.
When THISDAY visited Abakpa Market in Abakaliki, most of the traders 
insisted that they would observe the order, maintaining that those 
giving contrary opinion were "against the interest of Biafra."
A marketer who simply gave his name as Nworie told THISDAY that they had 
been obeying the order for close to four years now, and would not be 
ready to listen to anybody who would want them to do anything contrary. 
"We believe in Biafra and we hope that one day, we would have our 
freedom," he said.






http://allafrica.com/stories/200808270452.html

Nigeria: Tension As Massob Sit-At-Home Order Begins
27 August 2008
Lagos — ANAMBRA State, especially Onitsha, the commercial nerve centre 
of the state, yesterday, was enveloped in a pall of tension as the 
Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) 
sit-at-home protest in the entire South-East begins tomorrow.
The tension was heightened by optimism expressed by the leadership of 
the pro-Biafra movement that everything had been put in place to ensure 
that the exercise turns out a huge success.
MASSOB had last month in consistent newspaper publications asked that no 
person in the South-East should engage in any economic activity 
throughout the South-East today. It also directed a massive shut all 
cell phones in the entire geopolitical zone to protest "the continued 
marginalization of Ndigbo by the Nigerian federation."
The Awka Regional administrator of the Movement, Comrade Edeson Samuel, 
told Daily Champion yesterday on telephone that every arrangement had 
been put in place to ensure the success of the exercise.
He said that all the market leaders, industrialists, transporters, Okada 
riders, bank managers and the clergy had been briefed on the need to 
comply with tomorrow's stay-at-home directive.
Comrade Samuel gave the assurance that these professional groups would 
definitely comply and this would reaffirm the fact to the federal 
government and the international community that 95 percent of Ndigbo are 
behind MASSOB.
The administrator said that the occasion would afford Ndigbo the 
opportunity to protest the killing of an Igbo man in the North some 
weeks ago as well as the persecution of Ndigbo by the successive federal 
governments of Nigeria.
"This will show the pessimists that we are in effective control of the 
Biafran land, which the Nigerian government calls the South-East," said 
the administrator.
The declaration of Biafra in 1967, an attempt by the former Eastern 
Region to form a separate republic, turned 41 this year.
Meanwhile, the pro-Biafra group has unveiled a manifest of 2,016 dead 
and or missing members, said to be victims of extra-judicial killings 
during the eight-year rule of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo. MASSOB in 
a cover letter to the 'official' casualty list entitled "Continued 
Massacre/Detention of MASSOB Members" also said a lot more killings had 
gone unreported or under-reported in those years.
"More than 1,000 MASSOB members are languishing in various prisons in 
Nigeria," the pressure group said in the letter which was mailed to 
Champion House, Lagos. According to the MASSOB statement, 263 of its 
members perished in a massacre of March 29, 2003, at Okigwe, Imo State; 
1,044 at Onitsha, Anambra State, between 2006 and 2007; 448 at Aba, Abia 
State, and Owerri, Imo State, and 198 at Enugu, Enugu State, and 
Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.
Also on the casualty list are other deaths recorded in the same period 
as follows: Ohafia Area 1, 13; Arochukwu Area 2, six; Nkporo Area 3, 10; 
Bende Area 4, five; Abiriba Area 8, 22; Okamu Area 7, two; and Abam Area 
6, five - all in the Abia north region.
Tracing the history of such killings, the letter signed by MASSOB's 
Deputy Director of Information, Mr. Chris Mocha, recalled that 
state-sponsored mass killing of Ndigbo - the majority ethnic group in 
the defunct Biafra - began in 1953 in Kano, northern Nigeria, during the 
nationalist agitation for independence.
"The massacre continued in January and July 1966 in most parts of the 
North and indeed western Nigeria," the letter further recalled, and 
added that the 1966 massacre led to the declaration of Biafra and the 
30-month civil war that ended in 1970.
Mr. Mocha contended that even after the cessation of hostilities, "There 
has been no end to the genocide against the Igbo ethnic group." These 
killings, he said, were done in the guise of religious crisis, 
especially in northern Nigeria.
He said MASSOB was floated in 1999 "as (safety of) lives and property of 
Ndigbo could not be guaranteed in Nigeria." The objective, he continued, 
was to pursue through non-violence the cause of self-determination for 
the people of eastern Nigeria. Notwithstanding MASSOB's "non-violent 
approach," lamented the spokesman, "the Nigerian state continued its 
genocide against our people." He claimed the 2,016 on the list perished 
between May 22, 2000, and April 22, 2008.
While affirming the inalienable right of MASSOB "to agitate for our 
freedom through non-violent means," Mr. Mocha called on the 
international community and all men and women of goodwill to dissuade 
the Nigerian authorities from further genocide and "release our members 
detained in Nigeria."
Recently while celebrating the declaration of Biafra which clocked 41 
last May 30, MASSOB issued a statement calling on the United Nations to 
drag erstwhile President Obasanjo to the International Criminal Court 
for genocide involving more than 3,000 MASSOB members said to have 
perished in the hands of his government forces.
A MASSOB statement marking the anniversary said that the ex-president 
deserved the fate of Charles Taylor of Liberia who is facing criminal 
charges at The Hague. MASSOB also called on President Umaru Musa 
Yar'Adua to release over 1,000 of its arrested members in the course of 
its scheduled protest march earlier this year.






http://allafrica.com/stories/200809050058.html

Nigeria: Citizens in SA Protest Okah Continued Detention
Emma Amaize
5 September 2008

SOME Nigerian citizens resident in South Africa yesterday reportedly 
protested the continued detention and trial in camera of the supposed 
leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger-Delta (MEND), 
Henry Okah by the Federal Government.
It was one year yesterday that Okah, a Nigerian resident in South Africa 
and an activist of the organization MEND, was arrested in Luanda, Angola.
According to the reports, aggrieved citizens of Nigeria in Johannesburg 
took to the streets and went to the Angolan Consulate to state their 
grievance.
"The Consulate-General was handed a letter to address the wrong done by 
his arrest and extradition to Nigeria," a participant said.
The letter was allegedly signed by all that participated in the protest 
march.
In the letter to the Angolan Consulate, entitled, "Demand for 
Release/Agitation of Okah's Arrest in Luanda", the protesters said, "We, 
the citizens of Nigeria here in Diaspora wish to express our grievance 
over the illegal arrest of Henry Okah (Nigerian Passport Number - 
A2947735A. Case File No was - 1132/07) on the 3rd of September 2007. He 
went in the company of Captain Atatah to Luanda on a business trip and 
was arrested unjustly for money laundry and arms charges.
"Your judiciary system did not charge him for any crime since there were 
no evidence found against him done to your State. He was then extradited 
to Nigeria on the 14th of February 2007 and has remained incarcerated 
till date, one year after his arrest.
"We wish to state that your country is directly to blame for the havoc 
in the Niger Delta of Nigeria due to this arrest."
We accuse your government of sabotage as we suspect his arrest was 
orchestrated by your government and Chevron to take up the upper notch 
of the production of crude oil by displacing Nigeria due to the havoc 
Okahs arrest left behind.
"Before his arrest , there was peace in the Niger Delta creeks as 
militants had laid down their arms. The case is opposite now as most 
pipelines are being blown up in agitation for Okah's release.
"We, therefore, demand that your State and government seek ways to amend 
the injustice of this arrest and extradition", they reportedly said.






http://allafrica.com/stories/200810020326.html

Nigeria: CLO Marks Independence Anniversary With Protest Over FOI Bill
2 October 2008

Lagos — The Lagos State Chapter of the Civil Liberties Organisation 
(CLO) has marked the independence anniversary with a peaceful protest 
over the delay in passing the Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill into law.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the protest match, which 
kicked off at the CLO headquarters on Allen Avenue , went through 
Alausa, and ended at the Ikeja Police College .
Participants in the rally include representatives of the Nigeria Labour 
Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), Campaign for Democracy, 
United Action for Democracy, and the Constitutional Rights Agenda.
The promoters of the FOI Bill have in the past eight years been actively 
pushing for its passage without success.
The state Chairman of the CLO, Mr Eneruvie Enakoko, told NAN that the 
protest march was to sensitise Nigerians on the need to challenge some 
anomalies in the system.
He said the CLO was also protesting the non adoption of the Fiscal 
Responsibility (FR) Act by the 36 states, especially those in the Niger 
Delta.
"We also want the immediate enactment of a law that will regulate the 
disbursement and/or sharing of funds in the excess crude account," he 
added. Enakoko said if the FOI Bill was signed into law, the FR. Bill 
adopted by the states and a law enacted to regulate the utilisation of 
the money accruing to the excess crude account, Nigerians could make 
their leaders account for their stewardship.
He noted that restricting access to information "denies the press of the 
legal authority to publish what they know is true". "The Nigerian Press 
has for many years been accused of sensationalism, as against journalism 
based on facts. This is because their work seems not backed by evidence. 
It is time we changed all that," he added.
The chairman said the more Nigerians delayed the passage of the Bill, 
the more they delayed the day of progress and prosperity of the nation. 
He noted that the fight against corruption could not bring about 
meaningful change without the passage of the FOI Bill, which would help 
to expose corrupt public officers.
Enakoko said the Federal Government should demonstrate its sincerity to 
fight corruption by taking concrete actions that would convince the people.
He urged President Umaru Yar'Adua to ensure the passage of the Bills as 
a matter of priority.







http://allafrica.com/stories/200808250319.html

Nigeria: Sorcery Allegation - Ijaw Threatens Protest March
Emma Amaize
24 August 2008

CHAIRMAN of Izon-Ibe oil producing community task force, Alaowei Afro 
Biukeme, weekend, threatened to mobilize the disenchanted people of the 
Niger-Delta to march in Abuja, if within 30 days, the National Assembly 
and the police fail to carry out a proper inquiry on the N800 million 
sorcery against the suspended chairman of the NDDC, Ambassador Sam Edem 
and give cogent feedback to the nation.
Alaowei Biukeme who is the chief executive officer of Afrotex 
International Marine Services, Warri, opined that the claim by the 
Acting chairman of the commission, Barrister Bassey Dan-Abia that the 
agency's money was not in any way involved in the ugly development 
around the suspended chairman was far from the truth.
He insisted that the people would want to know where a public servant 
like Ambassador Edem got a whooping sum of N800 million to splash on a 
native doctor, adding, "Any attempt to sweep the matter under the carpet 
would not be accepted".
According to him, "The whole world is aware already of the fraud that 
the commission has become, and this is one case these people cannot use 
money to influence, therefore, we are giving them 30 days to tell us the 
outcome of the investigation, if not , we will go and protest before the 
president because of the Due Process that he is campaigning, if it does 
not work out, then, we will take other ways to make it work.
If we keep silent over this matter and he is left off the hook by the 
police that it is a ritual case, we are not going to accept it because 
that money belongs to us. We want that money back into the coffers of 
the NDDC for the development of the neglected region.
"We, the activists in the region will not allow this issue to be swept 
under the carpet because the way the development of the region is going 
is not encouraging. The NDDC and the entire governors of the Niger Delta 
must use our oil money to improve the living conditions of our people", 
he said.





http://allafrica.com/stories/200809190555.html

Nigeria: Women At War!86 Wives Protest Husband's Arrest
19 September 2008
Lagos — Wives and children of the detained Bida based Islamic cleric, 
Mallam Bello Abubakar Masaba, yesterday, stormed the Niger State 
Ministry of Justice opposite the State House of Assembly, demanding the 
immediate release of their bread winner.
This is as the embattled Masaba has sought solace and refuge in the 
Federal High Court, Abuja for an order nullifying the death sentence 
passed on him by the Jamatu Nasril Islam (JNI).
They arrived the scene yesterday at 11 a.m in a 32-seater Asia bus 
registered Lagos: AP 990LND, a Mazda bus marked Niger: XB 195BDB, and a 
Pony car marked Kano AG 194MB.
Activities at the secretariat were disrupted for over four hours, as 
people abandoned their duty posts to catch a glimpse of the women and 
their children.
Armed with different placards, they called on the state government to 
set their husband free.
Some of the placards read: "who plans to destroy, must be destroyed 
first," "don't render our unborn babies and children fatherless. Sharia 
commission take note."
Others are: "Our children need their father, Alhaji Bello." '"We are 
legally married to our husband according to Islamic and Nigeria laws."
Spokespersons of the protesters, Hajia Hafusat Bello Masaba, one of the 
wives and Maroof Bello, one of the children, maintained that their 
father, Mallam Masaba was not a criminal and should not be treated as 
such by the state government, claiming that 'he was God sent to help the 
masses'.
They claimed that their husband and father discharges his paternal 
duties effectively, provides for them and satisfies the women sexually 
and therefore there was no basis to arrest and detain him.
Hajia Hafusat Bello, daughter of a first republic minister from Ilorin, 
Kwara State, disclosed that she has been married to Alhaji Bello for the 
past 20 years and that the union was blessed with four grown up children 
without any hitches since their marriage.
Her claim which was substantiated by the other wives who emphasized that 
their family was the most organized and God-fearing doing every thing in 
accordance with the directives from the Almighty Allah.
They said they wanted the world to know their plight and help appeal to 
the government to set their husband free because he has not committed 
any offence against any known law of the land.
"We want our husband, we need him; we did not take money from 
government. He is not a thief and we don't beg. Everybody should fear 
God". Our husband comes from God and he is going to marry more. He was 
sent by God to help people .
One Mohammed Abass, a Ghanaian, told journalists that his sister was 
married to Baba, revealing that the man trained him from his childhood.
Efforts to speak with the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, 
Barrister Adamu Usman, was not successful as he was said to be away. But 
Acting Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary of the ministry, 
Barrister Ndagi Wali who stood in for him, said he has not been around 
for some weeks now, but urged the leaders of the group, Mr. Maroof Bello 
to calm the wives and the children to remain law abiding as the ministry 
will ensure that his right were not infringed upon.
He said the position of the ministry was that the matter was already in 
Upper Sharia Court in Minna, and therefore it would be sub-judice to 
make any comment on a matter. He, however pleaded with the protesting 
women and children to go because the ministry of justice is not the court.
It will be recalled that a judge of Upper Sharia court of appeal had 
sentenced Mallam Muhammadu Bello Masaba to 21 days imprisonment in order 
to allow police carry out uninterrupted investigation into the legality 
of his marriage to 86 women.
In the application for the enforcement of his fundamental human rights 
filed at the court by his lawyer, the applicant wants the court to hold 
that notwithstanding the provisions of Islamic laws, the provisions of 
the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria must take 
precedence.
He said his decision to marry 86 wives does not constitute a legally 
punishable offence at the time the marriages took place and that the 
Fatwa passed on him is unknown to law.
The case is yet to be assigned to any judge.
It would be recalled that Justice G O Kolawole while on vacation duty 
granted Masaba permission to sue the JNI and the Bida Emirate Council 
with their officials.
The court had ordered parties to the case to stay action pending the 
determination of the motion on notice.
Justice Kolawole also allowed Masaba to serve all the court processes 
including the motion on notice on all the defendants while yesterday was 
given as a return date.
Although the court order was allegedly carried out to the letter, Masaba 
was on Tuesday arraigned before an Upper Sharia court in Minna, Niger 
state where he was ordered to be remanded in prison custody until October 6.
The octogenarian may be celebrating the Ramadan festival in prison custody.






http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90855/6502213.html

Nigerian press associations protest on TV station closure

19:40, September 18, 2008

Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria and Nigerian Guild of 
Editors, two of the prominent organization societies for journalists in 
Nigeria, protested Nigerian authorities for shut-down of Channels TV 
station on Tuesday for Nigerian President's resignation rumor, according 
to a statement reaching here on Thursday.

"The Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria and the Nigerian Guild 
of Editors are shocked and dismayed by the news of the closure on 
Tuesday of the offices of Channels TV in Lagos and Abuja and the arrest 
and continued detention of five members of staff of the company," said 
the statement, jointly signed by Ajibola Ogunshola and Gbenga Adefaye, 
Presidents of the two organizations.

"From the information currently in the public domain, Channels' news 
gathering process may have been challenged. The station had broadcast a 
report, purportedly originating from the News Agency of Nigeria that 
President Yar'Adua may resign after a cabinet reshuffle," it said.

But closure of the station is "unacceptable" according to Nigerian laws, 
said the statement.

Channels TV, leading news channel in Nigeria, was shut on Tuesday by 
Nigeria's State Security Service (SSS) for allegedly relayed as the 
rumor of Nigerian President Yar'Adua's resignation camouflaged as a 
piece of news filed by the official News Agency of Nigeria.

Source: Xinhua








http://allafrica.com/stories/200809110319.html

Sudan: Journalists Protest Over Curbs
Badru Mulumba
10 September 2008
Juba — In a television studio the size of two trailer trucks, the 
Government of Southern Sudan's Information Minister Changson Chang talks 
like a man sensing a crisis on his hands.
In his midst, scores of journalists, apparently bleeding, have converged.
"I see every one with this," Changson, right palm over his lips, says to 
officials seated next to him in the studio, long before the television 
cameras are switched on.
"They are trying to close their mouths," says Victor Bullen Baba, the 
director of Southern Sudan Television.
"To demonstrate?" Changson asks, then nods his head. "It's a very strong 
message."
"Your Excellency they are expressing their views over the National Press 
Council decisions in Khartoum," said Baba.
In the mid morning, sweltering heat in the centre of Juba, Southern 
Sudan's most progressive journalists, yesterday, converged to show their 
disgust, following a particularly bad phase of censorship.
This they did in the only way they could: a plaster over the mouth here, 
a plaster over the arms there, or anywhere else they could. Some had 
bruised cheeks. Others had bleeding lips. And some had bleeding eyes.
It was the first spontaneous media demonstration in the south against 
censorship since Sudan's Comprehensive Peace Agreement, signed in 
January 2005, ended a 21 year north south civil war, and a powerful 
statement that when one journalist suffers all journalists should bleed. 
South Sudan is now led by Sudan's First Vice President Salva Kiir.
During the demonstration, journalists started converging at the Southern 
Sudan Television bearing a memo that had taken them a week and several 
meetings to put together.
"Despite the fact that Sudan Tribune has been reopened, and The Citizen 
has crossed the border to print from Uganda, this doesn't stop us," said 
David Dau, a journalist with the Sudan Radio Service.
Continue with actions
"Should the National Press Council continue with such actions, it would 
minimise the work of the press, not only in Southern Sudan, but in Sudan 
in general."
Dau must know. In early August, the National Press Council banned Dau's 
column in the Sudan Tribune, making him the first victim, in the south, 
of the censorship in Khartoum. In a letter, August 3, signed by the 
Complaint Committee Chairman of the National Publication and Press 
Council Abdalla Mohammed Ali al Arabad.
The Council chairman was incensed by Mr Dau's columns; in one column Mr 
Dau called for the investigation of the National Congress Party for the 
atrocities they committed, compensation of the Abyei Dinka for the 
displacement and destruction of property.
Mr Arabad also accused Mr Dau of inciting the south to secede, asking 
for a popular uprising against the NCP, and that his writing was not in 
'conformity with' Islamic Press laws, according to the letter written in 
Arabic.
But some of Sudan's media have often proven unaware of what's probably 
the greatest moral lesson of the last century, best captured by the 
World War 1 Germany Naval Captain, Pastor Martin Niemoller. When the 
Nazis came for the communists, Niemoller wrote, he remained silent; he 
was not a communist. The Nazi's then went for the social democrats, then 
the trade unionists, then for the Jews. "When they came for me, there 
was no one left to speak out."
If they had learned that lesson, perhaps the newspapers that were 
suspended later would not have been.
When Dau's column was stopped, because of the way some journalists, 
here, often personalize competition, not many fellow journalists from 
outside his organization came out to speak for him.
At least one Reporter told of his editor stopping him from writing about 
the Press Council suspension of Mr Dau's column, and, another journalist 
even defended the ban as normal because the writer was not registered in 
Khartoum. By the end of the month, the censorship had claimed one 
newspaper: Sudan Tribune.
Sudan security officials August 28 seized, and shut down the Tribune, 
one of the leading English dailies, following a pattern of threats and 
seizures over months. The paper's print run was confiscated 17 times in 
August alone right after it had paid money and the printing was done.
In a letter, the Secretary General of the National Press Council, Hashim 
el-Jaz, Tuesday, issued what he called the 'final warning' to the 
newspaper, saying that failure to comply with the conditions, 'we'll 
shut down the newspaper' on September 1.
The Press Council claimed that the as Editor-in-Chief must be based in 
Khartoum - and not Juba, where it early this year opened an office.
The council also asked the newspaper to replace the old Editorial Board 
and submit a new list of names to the Press Council, forcing the paper 
to file a case in the Constitutional Court, seeking compensation and an 
end to harassment by the National Press Council.
Five days later, on September 1, the censorship claimed another 
newspaper: The Citizen, asking the Editor-in-Chief to name an editorial 
board and to name an acting Editor-in-Chief in case he still wants to 
publish in Khartoum.
The Press Council accused the newspaper of bleaching the law that 
requires that in the absence of the Editor in Chief, an acting editor be 
named within 24 hours, for at least three months, failing to name an 
editorial board, and failing to put ten copies of the newspaper to the 
Press Council.
The press council also claimed that the Managing Editor of The Citizen, 
Izzadine Abdul-Rassoul, was not qualified to hold a senior position. 
Izzadine is fairly critical of the National Congress Party regime. He 
also hails from Darfur. The decision of the press council has led to 
speculation over its real intentions in saying that he's not qualified.
The Sudan Tribune was reopened September 4, after it named an acting 
Editor-in-Chief to sit in Khartoum. But under the law, one can only act 
for a maximum of three months and a substantive editor-in-chief named to 
sit in Khartoum.
The Citizen now prints two times a week in one of the East African 
countries. But that means it can not be distributed in the north. For 
Dau and Izzadine, it's a no win decision.
Southern Sudanese David Dau's column remains banned so long as Sudan 
Tribune prints in Khartoum.
Darfuri Izzadine remains jobless so long as his newspaper runs away from 
Khartoum.
"The journalists of the south should stand up for press freedom," Wol 
Deng, a member of the Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly, told the 
demonstrators.
The oppression of the freedom of speech, he added, is not acceptable, 
according to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.
But a demonstration in Juba against censorship in Khartoum has as much 
impact as a demonstration in Nairobi against censorship in Kampala. 
First, the authorities in charge of the censorship sit thousands of 
kilometers away, in Khartoum.
Second, Sudan is literally two countries in one, each setting its rules, 
and as of now, the part of the country that oppresses the media, and is 
out of Changson's power, is also the only one with a printing press.
According to the Changson, whose party paper has also been censored, in 
Khartoum, an SPLM-NCP Partnership committee is working on various issues 
of the CPA, including media freedom.
But talk is nearly all that the southern Sudan government can offer 
right now.
"We have to levels of government," Changson said, resignedly.
But the demo has at least one upside: The media, for now, is, at least 
on the face of it, united behind Martin Niemoller's lesson.
"We, media houses in southern Sudan are committed to the course of our 
profession in Journalism and we consider an injury to one as an injury 
to all," read the memo the journalists handed over to the Information 
Minister through one of the journalism clubs here, Association for 
Inter-Media.
"We therefore stand together to live and to struggle for a free, fair 
and independent media not only in southern Sudan but together with the 
rest of the world for a free and fair and independent media in the Whole 
world."
In that respect the journalists demo was important not so much for what 
it would achieve in Khartoum, but for how it has at least brought 
journalists together, at least, for now.
"It implies a silent demo," one journalist says, holding the cross patch 
glued to her cheek. "We are sending a message to the Press Council."
"This is the hand I use for writing - I write with the left hand," Nhial 
Majuk, a journalist with the Southern Sudan Radio, says of the cross 
patch on his arm. "Now, it has been disabled."
At least he feels Izzadine's and Dau's pain.
"I recommend your protest, which is signaled by the cross on your 
cheeks, and on your palms, especially my friend Paul [Batali]," Changson 
said, singling out a journalist who had glued up his entire lips and face.
"Today he doesn't want to smile because he's seriously injured," 
Changson said. "We recognize your concern."






http://allafrica.com/stories/200809300802.html

Zimbabwe: WOZA Protest Demands New Government
Violet Gonda
29 September 2008

Hundreds of protestors from Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) took to the 
streets Monday to demand the implementation of the 'new government' so 
it can take urgent action in dealing decisively with the economic 
crisis, as people continue to suffer.
WOZA coordinator Jenni Williams said at least 600 people peacefully 
marched in Bulawayo. There were no arrests as police just looked on as 
the demonstrators marched to government buildings handing out 
newsletters, which called for the formation of a new government to 
address the people's needs.
Although ZANU PF and the two MDC parties agreed to form a coalition 
government two weeks ago there is still no sign on the ground that the 
spirit of the deal is working. Food prices are soaring, water and power 
cuts are still rampant. "If only there was a new government in place we 
could be directly targeting that government... so that urgent demands 
can be addressed," Williams said.
The pressure group said people are still not safe, even after the deal 
was signed on 15 September, and road blocks are still in place around 
the country. The WOZA coordinator said the MDC should stop being "naïve" 
as this is still a "dangerous" time in Zimbabwe. She said ZANU PF is a 
party born out of violence and has violent characteristics, saying the 
MDC should do more than it is doing right now if there is going to be a 
genuine inclusive government.
When asked if WOZA could relax with a new government and the MDC, 
hopefully, in power Williams said: "No we cannot relax because they 
haven't delivered the social justice that we want. People were relaxed 
in 1980 and ZANU PF got away with murder. We are not going to relax and 
expect the MDC to just deliver. We are going to continue to be in the 
streets until people get what they deserve and that is dignity and 
social justice."







http://allafrica.com/stories/200809230119.html

Kenya: Residents Protest Over Constituency Money
22 September 2008

Nairobi — Hundreds of Longonot area residents on Monday protested at 
alleged discrimination in the allocation of constituency development funds.
Waving placards and twigs, the residents said money set aside to buy 
land to build two classrooms had been diverted.
They complained that their children were walking seven kilometres to 
attend school. But area MP John Mututho insisted that all CDF 
transactions have been conducted above board.






http://allafrica.com/stories/200809240073.html

Sierra Leone: Journalists Impose News Blackout On Police Activities to 
Protest Assault On Colleagues
23 September 2008
The Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) on September 22, 2008 
imposed a news blackout on police activities as part of a campaign to 
demand justice for journalists who were violently assaulted by Sierra 
Leone Police Force personnel in August.
On August 13, police personnel deployed at the country's State House in 
Freetown, the capital, assaulted eight journalists covering a meeting 
between the two major political parties: the ruling All People's 
Congress Party (APC) and the main opposition Sierra Leone People's Party 
(SLPP). In the process, the journalists lost equipment, including 
cameras, cellular phones and audio recorders.
The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)'s correspondent reported 
that at a meeting on September 20, SLAJ members unanimously resolved 
that the blackout should remain in force until the police provide 
adequate compensation to all the affected journalists.
The SLAJ said the police have failed to comply with recommendations of a 
committee that was set up to investigate the incident.
SLAJ said that should the police fail to act on the request, it will 
further extend its action to the government since some supporters of the 
ruling party also assaulted the journalists on the same day at the 
ruling party's headquarters.
Updates the case of assault on journalists: 
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/96126/








http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/News/0,,2-7-1442_2384761,00.html

Zuma protesters gather in Dbn
29/08/2008 11:39 - (SA)

Durban - Supporters of embattled ANC president Jacob Zuma began 
assembling in various parts of Durban ahead of their planned march on 16 
police stations in the city on Friday.
The marches, announced last week by the ANC's eThekwini region, would be 
followed by the handing over of memorandums to demand that the National 
Prosecuting Authority drop charges against Zuma.
Police spokesperson Superintendent Danelia Veldhuizen said that about 
100 people had gathered in Umlazi.
There were unconfirmed reports that hundreds more had gathered in 
KwaMashu to march on the KwaMashu police station. Superintendent Muzi 
Mngomezulu confirmed the KwaMashu march and also said there was a march 
taking place in Durban's Point Road area as well as along Higginson 
Highway in Chatsworth, Durban.
Courts next
The ANC has said the marches would be followed a week later by pickets 
outside and, where possible, inside 11 magistrate's courts in the 
greater Durban area.
Following the protests outside the court buildings, a protest was 
planned for September 10 outside the National Prosecuting Authority 
offices in Durban.
On the night before Zuma finds out whether or not Judge Chris Nicholson 
ruled in his favour to have the decision to charge him declared 
unlawful, protesters would converge on Pietermaritzburg's Freedom Square 
(formerly Market Square) to stage a night vigil.
Zuma faces a charge of racketeering, four charges of corruption, a 
charge of money laundering and 12 charges of fraud related to a 
multi-billion rand arms government arms deal.
Zuma was charged in 2005 but that case was struck from the roll in 2006. 
He was re-charged in December 2007.
The two Thint companies - Thint Holding (Southern Africa) Pty Ltd and 
Thint (Pty) Ltd -- are the South African subsidiaries of the French arms 
manufacturing giant Thales International (formerly Thomson-CSF). They 
each face a charge of racketeering and two counts of corruption.
- SAPA





http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/News/0,,2-7-1442_2389326,00.html

Protest outside NPA offices
06/09/2008 21:03 - (SA)


Durban - About 65 people protested outside the National Prosecuting 
Authority offices in Pietermaritzburg on Saturday, said Kwazulu-Natal 
police.
Police spokesperson Superintendent Henry Budhram said the people 
converged at 11:30 and dispersed by 14:20 on Saturday, handing over a 
memorandum.
There were no reports of intimidation of violence.
SABC news reported that the people were members of the SA Communist 
Party who were asking for all charges against African National Congress 
president Jacob Zuma to be withdrawn.
- SAPA






http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?from=rss_Politics&set_id=1&click_id=6&art_id=vn20080911060215816C667906

Protesters try to storm NPA offices

September 11 2008 at 08:53AM

Two people have been arrested in a protest by more than 5 000 people 
outside the Durban offices of the National Prosecuting Authority.

The protesters on Wednesday demanded the dropping of criminal charges 
against ANC President Jacob Zuma.

eThekwini metro police director Steve Edwards said the two protesters 
were arrested for "public order violations" in West Street shortly after 
a memorandum was handed to the deputy head of the Directorate of Special 
Operations, Thanda Mngwengwe.

A small crowd started gathering shortly after 9am, but by midday it had 
swelled, with Edwards putting the number close to 10 000.

At one stage, the Public Order Policing Unit stood guard outside the 
offices with riot shields, batons and teargas at the ready while 
protesters sang and tried to barge their way through.

Most wore T-shirts in support of Zuma and some carried sticks and 
knobkerries.

At one stage, a group took control of a fire hose and tried to spray 
police guarding the doors to the building where the Scorpions are based.

Durban mayor Obed Mlaba, deputy mayor Logie Naidoo, Cosatu's KwaZulu 
Natal provincial secretary Sahlulele Luzipo and a host of other 
provincial and regional political figures were present at the protest.

Pictures of Zuma were everywhere, with placards reading: "Hands off 
Jacob Zuma".

In Pine Street, the growing crowd blocked the traffic and prevented 
scores of taxis from moving.

A red blanket with the word "Scorpions", its symbol emblazoned across 
it, was set alight as office workers leaned out of neighbouring 
buildings to see what was happening.

Several businesses rolled down their shutters, while staff in others 
peered through closed doors.

After the memorandum was handed over, protesters danced up Field Street 
with both police and eThekwini metro police officers retreating and 
trying to divert traffic.

Stones were thrown as marshals attempted to control the crowd, which 
then turned back down Field Street and into West Street, where the 
arrests took place.

Edwards said a crowd of about 800 people had gathered in the city's 
Medwood Gardens in West Street, opposite the City Hall, to demand the 
release of the two people who were arrested. - Sapa







http://www.thestar.co.za/index.php?from=rss_The%20Star&fArticleId=4604266

Teargas, arrests as protesters try to storm NPA offices
September 11, 2008 Edition 2
Two people have been arrested in a protest by more than 5 000 people 
outside the Durban offices of the National Prosecuting Authority.
The protesters yesterday demanded the dropping of criminal charges 
against ANC president Jacob Zuma.
eThekwini metro police director Steve Edwards said the two protesters 
were arrested for "public order violations" in West Street shortly after 
a memorandum was handed to the deputy head of the Directorate of Special 
Operations, Thanda Mngwengwe.
A small crowd started gathering shortly after 9am, but by midday it had 
swelled, with Edwards putting the number close to 10 000.
At one stage, the Public Order Policing Unit stood guard outside the 
offices with riot shields, batons and teargas at the ready while 
protesters sang and tried to barge their way through.
Most wore T-shirts in support of Zuma and some carried sticks and 
knobkerries.
At one stage, a group took control of a fire hose and tried to spray 
police guarding the doors to the building where the Scorpions are based.
Durban mayor Obed Mlaba, deputy mayor Logie Naidoo, Cosatu's KwaZulu 
Natal provincial secretary Sahlulele Luzipo and a host of other 
provincial and regional political figures were present at the protest.

Pictures of Zuma were everywhere, with placards reading: "Hands off 
Jacob Zuma".
In Pine Street, the growing crowd blocked the traffic and prevented 
scores of taxis from moving.
A red blanket with the word "Scorpions", its symbol emblazoned across 
it, was set alight as office workers leaned out of neighbouring 
buildings to see what was happening.
Several businesses rolled down their shutters, while staff in others 
peered through closed doors.
After the memorandum was handed over, protesters danced up Field Street 
with both police and eThekwini metro police officers retreating and 
trying to divert traffic.
Stones were thrown as marshals attempted to control the crowd, which 
then turned back down Field Street and into West Street, where the 
arrests took place.
Edwards said a crowd of about 800 people had gathered in the city's 
Medwood Gardens in West Street, opposite the City Hall, to demand the 
release of the two people who were arrested. - Sapa






http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?from=rss_Crime%20And%20Courts&set_id=1&click_id=15&art_id=vn20080912061853268C201002

Protest leaders may be charged

September 12 2008 at 08:25AM

By Matthew Savides and Gugu Mbonambi

Police in Durban are considering charging organisers of Wednesday's 
ANC-led protests in the city centre for contravening the Public 
Gatherings Act after a small group of demonstrators clashed with officers.

The protests started outside the National Prosecuting Authority offices 
in Joe Slovo (Field) Street, but turned ugly when a group of about 400 
people blocked intersections and brought traffic to a standstill.

Police intervened, using rubber bullets and stun grenades to disperse 
the crowd.

The protests were held by the ANC against the NPA's handling of ANC 
president Jacob Zuma's trial. The protesters demanded that all charges 
against him be dropped

ANC eThekwini region chairman John Mchunu, under whose leadership the 
protests were held, warned of further similar scenes as people's 
frustration over the matter overflowed.

"You must expect more anger from people if this matter is not resolved. 
At the same time we condemn what happened. But the authorities must move 
quickly," he said.

Wednesday's scenes were reminiscent of protest marches held by the DA 
and IFP in June and last year against the municipality's street-renaming 
process.

During those marches, shops were damaged, traffic flow was disrupted, 
street vendors' tables were overturned and several people injured.

The municipality and ANC were quick to release statements condemning the 
incidents, pinning the blame for the debacle firmly on the door of the 
march organisers.

After the second march, municipal manager Michael Sutcliffe said the 
municipality would consider banning marches in the city centre to ensure 
that no disruption to business and trading took place.

He repeated this threat on Thursday, adding that the municipality was 
awaiting a legal opinion on whether this was possible and did not 
infringe on the right to protest.

To the anger of the opposition parties in council, the municipality did 
not issue a statement condemning Wednesday's incidents. The DA accused 
the municipality of favouring the ANC.

Speaking to The Mercury, Sutcliffe said he would investigate what 
happened and was awaiting a full report from police and other officials.

DA caucus leader John Steenhuisen said the city's silence on the matter 
showed it practised "double standards".

By late Thursday afternoon, no statement had been released by the 
municipality.

Steenhuisen said this was another example "that there are two sets of 
rules in eThekwini: those that apply to the ANC and their allies, and 
those that apply to everybody else".

Sutcliffe said it was "unacceptable" for protesters to block traffic and 
disrupt business.

"I am going to investigate what happened. After any march we always 
investigate and see which parties are to blame," he said.

He added that he had not received reports from various authorities and 
would act once he had read them.

Police Superintendent Vincent Mdunge said a case docket has been opened 
into the incident, which had been forwarded to the senior director of 
public prosecutions who would decide if any charges could be laid.

"We agreed with protest organisers on the rules of compliance.

"Protesters started stoning the police, invading government buildings 
and damaging metro police vehicles, and that was a complete violation of 
the rules we had agreed on," he said.







http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?from=rss_Top&set_id=1&click_id=13&art_id=vn20080911111203323C642470

'Protests will become more unruly'
Staff Reporters
September 11 2008 at 12:19PM


After an explosion of violence in Durban on Wednesday, police began 
wrapping central Pietermaritzburg in a ring of steel on Thursday as the 
city braces for Friday's judgment on the fate of the case against ANC 
president Jacob Zuma.

Violence broke out during a march in central Durban when some Zuma 
supporters veered off the prescribed route.

Police fired rubber bullets as Zuma supporters stoned them, injuring 
several officers and disrupting traffic.

Police spokesperson Henry Budhram said on Thursday: "Strict measures 
have been put in place to ensure that the general public, the business 
community and the supporters are protected prior to, during and after 
the court case."

There had been extensive planning to ensure normal activities could 
proceed unhindered outside the court.

Portions of a number of main roads were closed, as well as the area 
immediately in front of the High Court.

Opinion was divided on Thursday on the possible impact of Judge Chris 
Nicholson's ruling on the application by Zuma's lawyers seeking to have 
his prosecution declared unlawful.

They argue that it is invalid because the State failed to seek his 
representations before deciding to revive charges against him.

The ANC expects at least 5 000 supporters to gather outside the court in 
vocal support of Zuma.

Steven Friedman, director of the Centre for the Study of Democracy, said 
on Wednesday that the ANC's mobilisation was an "overt attempt to 
influence the judicial process".

"But I don't think they're succeeding," he said.

"The idea that the masses of this country, that ordinary grassroots folk 
are going out in the streets to support Mr Zuma is simply false.

"The people who are mobilising are the political activists. People see a 
few hundred people in the streets and conclude that it is the voice of 
the people. It's not - it's the voice of a few hundred people."

Another political analyst, John Daniel, warned: "It is certainly an 
attempt to intimidate the judiciary in a way that is not favourable to 
our constitution."

But he agreed with Friedman that there had been no suggestion that Judge 
Nicholson would be swayed by the external pressure.

"I have confidence that the judiciary will not be scared off. They will 
evaluate the facts as they see them," said Daniel.

But KwaZulu-Natal political analyst Protus Madlala warned that anger was 
rising.

"It is clear that Zuma supporters are not going to settle for anything 
other than the withdrawal of the charges," he said.

There was evidence of this in central Durban on Wednesday when Zuma 
supporters attacked police and disrupted traffic.

Two people were arrested for public order violations after stones, 
bottles and pieces of wood were hurled at police and their vehicles.

Police retaliated by firing rubber bullets.

Metro Police Director Steve Edwards confirmed that several officers had 
been struck.

"Stones were thrown at the officers and two or three of our vehicles 
were also damaged in the process," he said.

Edwards said the commotion had occurred when part of the group had 
changed their direction from the planned route and police attempted to 
control the crowd.







http://www.thetimes.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=828155

Teachers call for pro-Zuma strike Sapa Published:Aug 22, 2008

Sadtu is the largest union in the public service with 235,000 members.

The SA Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) has called for a "political" 
general strike in support of beleaguered African National Congress 
president Jacob Zuma.
• School children rally for Zuma
• SLIDE SHOW: 100% support for Zuma at court
There had been what Sadtu termed "mounting allegations" around the 
multi-billion rand arms deal implicating "leading politicians" - an 
apparent reference to President Thabo Mbeki, read a statement issued on 
today following a three-day meeting of Sadtu’s national executive.
"This adds to the widespread belief that the selective targeting of 
comrade Jacob Zuma is politically motivated. The pending charges against 
comrade Zuma are perceived by many to pose a real threat to the 
political stability of the country," it said.
In the light of these factors, the executive was calling for all charges 
against Zuma to be dropped immediately, and for a judicial commission of 
enquiry into the arms deal.
It had also resolved to call on the Congress of SA Trade Unions to 
"mobilise" in support of Zuma, "including calling for a political 
general strike".
Zuma is expected to go on trial on corruption charges next year.
Sadtu is the largest union in the public service with 235,000 members.
The union also said it fully endorsed the Tripartite Alliance’s 
education campaign launched last week. It committed itself to hold its 
members to the highest levels of ethical and professional conduct.
Teachers should arrive at school on time, teach properly prepared 
lessons for the full period, and mark work timeously.
"The union will discipline members who act outside of its code of 
conduct and bring the union and the profession into disrepute," it said.
Sadtu’s provincial structures would help set up local education 
committees to monitor delivery.




http://www.thetimes.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=840794

Zuma freaks run riot ahead of trial Nivashni Nair Published:Sep 11, 2008
________________________________________

WAR ZONE: Chaos erupts as supporters of ANC president Jacob Zuma go on 
the rampage and intimidate bystanders and motorists in central Durban 
yesterday. They also vented their anger at the Scorpions Picture: 
GIORDANO STOLLEY/SAPA


Two police officers were seriously injured when protesters stoned them 
outside the Durban University of Technology.

Motorists pulled from their cars and forced to march in support of ANC 
leader
A DAY after ANC president Jacob Zuma called for his supporters to show 
restraint in their campaign to have criminal charges against him dropped 
— they turned Durban city centre into a war zone.
What was supposed to be a peaceful protest turned ugly yesterday when 
Zuma supporters forced motorists out of their cars, and intimidated 
bystanders and workers in surrounding buildings into joining their march.
The protest was part of the “mass action” by the ANC and its alliance 
partners in support of Zuma’s bid to have the charges against him withdrawn.
But, instead of peaceful picketing outside the National Prosecuting 
Authority offices in Durban, pandemonium broke out when the protesters 
became unruly.
Zuma supporters gathered outside the NPA offices at about 8am.
At about 10am, marchers in Field Street, on their way to the City Hall, 
began throwing water bombs at the police.
“It might have been a legal march, but there was nothing legal about it. 
They did not follow the proposed route and came into the city from all 
angles. When they finally merged there were about 3,000 protesters,” 
said police spokesman Superintendent Vincent Mdunge.
“They all started coming from different parts of the city and they were 
intimidating people, looting and damaging property along the way,” 
Mdunge said.
He said the protesters displayed a total disregard for the law, forcing 
the police to open fire on them with rubber bullets in West Street.
“Along the way, the supporters began pulling innocent motorists out of 
their cars to join the march. They then invaded a nearby building. 
Police had to escort marchers out of the building. There was looting and 
damage to property.”
Two police officers were seriously injured when protesters stoned them 
outside the Durban University of Technology.
“The supporters began throwing bricks and stones at the campus buildings 
too. There has been damage to property,” Mdunge said.
The city came to a standstill as cars were left unattended in the CBD 
when their occupants were forced to join the march.
A taxi blockade, planned to protest against taxi violence, exacerbated 
the situation: the taxi owners joined the Zuma protest and refused to 
move their vehicles.
The police impounded more than 30 taxis.
“The police were forced to use rubber bullets to disperse the unruly 
crowd so the city could operate again. There have been arrests, but we 
are unable to say how many,” Mdunge said.
But ANC eThekwini regional secretary John Mchunu said the march was 
peaceful until the police provoked the protesters.
“It went on well until the police clashed with protesters. After the 
march, police got angry because some people did not want to go home and 
it was those racist white and Indian policemen who started shooting 
rubber bullets at the protesters,” he said.
He said the “racist police” were angry because the ANC was marching 
against the Scorpions.
“They are on their side,” he said, seemingly oblivious to the fact that 
the Scorpions and the police have not enjoyed a good relationship.
Mdunge dismissed Mchunu’s claims: “All police officers acted within the 
law. The issue of racism is nonexistent.”
The city had returned to normal last night, but fears have grown that 
Zuma’s court appearance in Pietermaritzburg on Friday will lead to a 
replay of the chaos in Durban.






http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?from=rss_News&set_id=1&click_id=79&art_id=nw20080910165950637C713659

Sasolburg protesters praise JZ

September 10 2008 at 08:04PM

African National Congress (ANC) president Jacob Zuma offers hope to 
those still struggling with poverty and a lack of development, said one 
of thousands of protesters who showed their support for Zuma in 
Sasolburg on Wednesday.

"We should close the old book and open a new book and go forward," said 
elderly protester Steve Dlamini.

After prayer and praise songs, the protesters marched to the Sasolburg 
police station where they handed over a memorandum to a representative 
of the Free State chief justice.

In it, they demanded the dropping of the criminal charges against Zuma, 
said ANC Free State chairperson Ace Magashule.

They also called on the courts to act impartiallly and apolitically; 
immediately dismantle the Scorpions, and end the trial by media of Zuma.

An attack on the ANC's leaders was an attack on the party itself, he 
said, explaining why members of the ANC's alliance with the South 
African Communist Party (SACP) and the Congress of South African Trade 
Unions (Cosatu) would defend their leaders.

SACP provincial chairperson Bhekumzi Stofile said the case against Zuma 
was political, and required a political solution.

Big businesses had colluded to rob the poor, yet no-one was making a 
noise about it.

However, the judiciary would willingly reduce the human rights of other 
people, namely Zuma.

Stofile said the judiciary was not yet transformed and still had an 
apartheid mentality regarding people's rights.

He called on the South African Human Rights Commission to charge those 
who defamed Zuma as a rapist and enemy of the judiciary.

He referred specifically to the Sunday Times cartoon drawn by 
award-winning cartoonist Jonathan "Zapiro" Shapiro.

"Why has the National Prosecuting Authority failed twice to convict 
Zuma?" asked Cosatu spokesman Sam Mashinini.

Members of the alliance had defended the revolution before 1994 and 
would continue to defend the liberation of the country, he said, adding 
that Cosatu central executive committee members would be at the 
Pietermaritzburg High Court for Zuma's appearance on Friday.

Umkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans Association (MK-MVA)commander Malala 
Lauti said Zuma had been persecuted and accused for seven years, but had 
still not been found guilty.

Speaking about MK-MVA and alliance members' support for Zuma, he said: 
"We are willing to lay down our lives for our cause. We will not move 
one inch backwards. We are moving forward."

Youth organisations and student movements led the march in Zamdela, but 
arrived at the stage running well ahead of the ANC Women's League and 
Cosatu members.

Zamdela is a settlement outside Sasolburg with half acre plots, painted 
three bedroom houses and colourfully painted primary and kindergarten 
schools. - Sapa







http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/News/0,,2-7-1442_2391327,00.html

Two arrested at Zuma protest
10/09/2008 18:38 - (SA)


Durban - Two people were arrested during a protest by more than 5 000 
people outside the Durban offices of the National Prosecuting Authority 
on Wednesday.
The protesters were demanding that criminal charges against ANC 
president Jacob Zuma be dropped.
eThekwini Metro police director Steve Edwards said the two protesters 
were arrested for "public order violations" in West Street shortly after 
a memorandum was handed over to the Directorate of Special Operations 
deputy head Thanda Mngwengwe.
A small crowd started gathering shortly after 09:00, but by midday the 
crowd had swelled with Edwards putting it close to 10 000.
At one stage the Public Order Policing Unit stood guard outside the 
offices with riot shields, batons and tear gas at the ready while 
protesters sang and attempted to barge their way through.
Most protesters wore T-shirts in support of Zuma and some carried sticks 
and knobkerries.
At one stage a group took control of a fire hose and attempted to spray 
police guarding the doors to the building where the Scorpions are based.
Mayor present and protest
Durban's mayor Obed Mlaba, the deputy mayor Logie Naidoo, the Congress 
of South African Trade Union's (Cosatu) KwaZulu-Natal secretary general 
and a host of other provincial and regional political figures were 
present at the protests.
Pictures of Zuma were everywhere, with placards reading: "Hands off 
Jacob Zuma".
In Pine Street, the growing crowd blocked traffic and prevented taxis 
from moving.
A red blanket with the word Scorpions and its symbol emblazoned across 
it was set alight as office workers leaned out of neighbouring buildings 
to see what was happening.
Several businesses rolled down their shutters, while staff in others 
peered through closed doors.
After the memorandum was handed over, protesters marched up Field Street 
with both police and eThekwini metro police officers retreating and 
trying to divert traffic.
Stone-throwing
Stones were thrown as marshals attempted to control the crowd which then 
turned back down Field Street and into West Street, where the arrests 
took place.
Edwards said a crowd of about 800 people had gathered in the city's 
Medwood Gardens in West Street, opposite the City Hall, to demand the 
release of the two people arrested.
Zuma faces a charge of racketeering, four charges of corruption, a 
charge of money laundering and 12 charges of fraud related to the 
multi-billion rand arms government arms deal.
He was charged in 2005, but that case was struck from the role in 2006. 
He was re-charged in December 2007.
A charge of racketeering and two counts of corruption are also faced by 
two Thint companies - Thint Holding (Southern Africa) Pty Ltd and Thint 
(Pty) Ltd - the South African subsidiaries of the French arms 
manufacturer Thales International (formerly Thomson-CFS).
- SAPA













http://www.news24.com/News24/Africa/News/0,,2-11-1447_2404097,00.html

Anti-coup coalition to protest
03/10/2008 19:14 - (SA)


Nouchakchott - A coalition of Mauritanian pro-democracy parties said on 
Friday they would go ahead with a demonstration in the capital 
Nouakchott this weekend in defiance of a ban by the military authorities.
"We have informed the government of the protest march as the law 
requires," said Omar Ould Yali, deputy leader of the People's 
Progressive Alliance, one of five political parties in the national 
front for the defence of democracy.
Although the authorities had told them that the march could not proceed 
"we have decided to have the march while we remain open to dialogue," he 
added.
The front has called for a protest march and a "Day for Democracy" on 
Sunday, the day before an ultimatum by the AU for Mauritania to return 
to constitutional order is set to expire.
On August 6 a military junta, led by General Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, 
ousted Mauritania's first democratically elected president Sidi Ould 
Cheikh Abdallahi.
The coup was widely condemned by the international community and on 
September 22 the AU issued an ultimatum to the West African nation to 
reinstate Ould Cheikh Abdallahi "by October 6 at the latest".
The authorities have said in a letter that "all protests of a political 
order organised in the public space are banned until further notice".
- SAPA






http://allafrica.com/stories/200808140079.html

International Freedom of Expression Exchange Clearing House (Toronto)
Mauritania: Journalist Arrested Covering Anti-Coup Demonstration
14 August 2008
Reporter Ahmed Ould Neda of the Nouakchott-based independent news agency 
"Akbar Info" was arrested on 7 August 2008 while covering a 
demonstration against Mauritania's new military regime. Police 
confiscated Neda's camera with pictures of a police assault, the Media 
Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) reported.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said Neda was detained for 
three hours after refusing to hand over his pictures. Police fired tear 
gas at the small demonstration, but let another demonstration proceed 
the same day in support of the bloodless takeover.
One day earlier, General Mohammed Ould Abdul-Aziz, then head of the 
presidential guard, ousted democratically elected Sidi Ould Cheikh 
Abdallahi after the president dismissed him and three other senior 
military officers. The General and his forces also seized Mauritania's 
state radio and television, and according to the regional web agency 
Menassat.com, sacked and arrested the manager, Kabir Ould Hammoudi.
Several newspapers failed to publish on 6 August after General Aziz's 
troops blocked the road to the country's only printing press, which is 
owned by the state. Menassat.com said newspapers blocked from publishing 
quickly resorted to the Internet.
Neda's arrest brought to three the number of journalists detained in 
Mauritania, MFWA added. Mohamed Nema Omar and Mohammed Ould Abdelatif of 
the Arabic-language newspaper "Al Houriya" had been in prison since 21 
July over an article accusing three judges of corruption.
On 30 July about 30 journalists demonstrated against the detention of 
their colleagues outside the main court building in Nouakchott, the 
capital. With hands and ankles manacled, Oumar and Abdelatif were 
brought before an investigating judge half an hour later, said Reporters 
Without Borders (RSF). Abdelatif had been transferred to hospital, RSF 
said, with a lung problem aggravated by alleged police mistreatment 
intended to make him name the story's sources.
Mauritania, Africa's newest oil producer, spans Arab and black Africa 
and has been a U.S. ally, Reuters noted. The United States condemned 
Abdallahi's ouster and suspended non-humanitarian aid; the European 
Union, United Nations, Arab League and African Union also condemned the 
coup.
Abdallahi won elections last year after a 2005 coup - also instigated by 
Abdel Aziz - ended the 21-year dictatorship of Maaouya Ould Taya, who 
faces trial for alleged ethnic cleansing crimes. Ruling party 
in-fighting became rancorous, the UN agency IRIN reported, after a May 
reshuffle brought to power a dozen ministers from Ould Taya's regime.
While other senior officials including the prime minister were released, 
Abdallahi was held at a secret location and his family briefly kept 
under house arrest.
The junta declared that an 11-person state council would rule until 
elections are held. Other state institutions could operate normally, it 
said, including parliament - where most pro-Abdallahi legislators had 
quit his party on 4 August. Many of those legislators joined hundreds of 
people on the pro-coup march.







http://www.jamaica-star.com/thestar/20080826/news/news3.html

Residents protest Spragga's son death
Scores of demonstrating residents yesterday staged a small protest just 
in front the Kingston central police station to challenge what they was 
the cold-blooded murder of Carlton Grant, the son of dancehall artiste 
Spragga Benz.
The mourning residents, most of whom are from communities within central 
Kingston, tied their heads with thin pieces of black cloth as a signal 
of their displeasure. "Jus like how God did visit ova Sodom, a suh him a 
go visit ova da station deh," an obviously irate woman said.
Fatal shooting
According to the residents, Carlton was known by many within their 
communities and surely will be missed. His fatal shooting they expressed 
yesterday, was a sure act of murder.
In explaining their claims, one resident who begged for anonymity told 
THE STAR that a housemate of hers happened to witness the incident. As 
she related the story, the woman got upset when THE STAR asked if she 
was a witness. "Suh why yu haffi ask mi dat?, Yu nuh hear mi a tell yu 
wha gwaan?," she asked with a look of disgust on her face.
Alleged witness
Another resident at that point took over the conversation and continued 
to explain what the alleged witness had recounted. "Di man seh hi see 
when di police dem shoot Carl-I (Carlton) ... Him seh him go ova deh to 
dem and seh offica a weh unnu kill di yute fah and di police tell him 
seh dem find a gun pon him...Di man seh him ask di police suh weh di gun 
den and di police go inna him owna waist and tek out a gun and seh see 
it ya".
That recount the protesting residents say, is a sure sign that the 
youngster was murdered in cold blood. "If dem did find gun pon him dem 
nuh woulda use piece a stick and lif it up or supm? Dem too wicked," 
another resident added.
The Constabulary Communication Network reported that at 11:50 p.m. on 
Saturday, a police party signalled two men to stop while they rode their 
bicycles along Church Street in downtown, Kingston. The men allegedly 
pulled guns and fired at the police after which the fire was returned.
Grant was reportedly found suffering from gunshot wounds and taken to 
hospital where he was pronounced dead. A 45 semi-automatic pistol was 
said to be taken from him.






http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/article.php?news_id=9981

Turks and Caicos opposition party holds demonstration against local 
television station

Published on Thursday, August 21, 2008 Email To Friend Print Version
By David Tapfer

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands: The opposition People’s 
Democratic Movement (PDM) held a demonstration on Wednesday against WIV 
channel 4, which is the only privately owned TV station in the Turks and 
Caicos Islands (TCI).


People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) supporters protesting against WIV 4
Protestors were seen walking up and down in front of the station’s 
Leeward Highway facilities, carrying placards bearing various messages. 
The station itself was recording the event with cameras and the print 
media was present as well.

Attempting to keep order were at least 14 police officers, six police 
vehicles and one armoured vehicle. The protestors were told by the 
police to conduct their demonstration in the road and not on the 
station’s property.

The placards carried by the demonstrators displayed various messages, 
including "PNP and WIV in bed together"; "Why does a USA owned company 
discriminate"; "We want justice"; and "PDM will be heard".

In a interview with Caribbean Net News, the deputy leader of the PDM and 
former Chief Minister Oswald Skippings said, "We will continue to press 
for freedom of speech here in the Turks and Caicos because we are a 
democratic country."

He added, "The Commission of Enquiry is here and they need to be aware 
of how this PNP government has prevented our party access to the people 
through the media. The days of the PNP covering up are ending and we are 
here to see to it."

At a public meeting on Friday night, PDM Leader Floyd Seymour told the 
crowd, "Freedom of speech is one of the basic tenets of a democratic 
country and when this freedom is suppressed the basic concept of 
democracy is undermined."

Caribbean Net News interviewed Seymour during the demonstration and he 
stated, "We are not only demonstrating on behalf of the PDM but also on 
behalf of all the people of our country. We believe there must be equal 
access to the local media from both sides of the political spectrum for 
our people to truly understand each and every issue and to understand 
what is happening in our country. Unless there is freedom of speech our 
people will never be free."

Demonstrators at the protest rally
Seymour stated further that the people need to read the press release he 
provided a week ago, which spells out the events that occurred that 
illustrate how WIV has prevented the PDM party from appearing on the 
station and presenting alternate view points.

"We feel equal access is important; that's what we are demonstrating 
for," he said.

WIV had on two occasions reportedly cancelled paid one hour programmed 
produced by the PDM. According to the PDM, the first cancellation was 
not explained and a letter citing fear of liability for defamation was 
advanced as the reason for the second cancellation.

Skippings told Caribbean Net News, "How can it be that PNP can air their 
lies on WIV and we are not permitted to tell the truth?"

Earlier attempts by Caribbean Net News to seek comment from WIV on these 
issues were unsuccessful.









http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id=95452

Islamist protesters demand release of detained 'sons of Sunni faith'
By The Daily Star
Compiled by Daily Star staff
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Listen to the Article - Powered by
Relatives of detained Islamist suspects in Lebanon staged a protest in 
Beirut on Tuesday to demand the release of their kin. Some 200 
protesters shouted Islamic slogans and waved black flags and banners, 
steps away from the Parliament which was in session. One banner lamented 
that with Parliament elections due next year.











http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/politics/international_politics/iranian+ny+visit+sparks+protests/841057

Iranian NY visit sparks protests
Watch the report
Print this page
Last Modified: 24 Sep 2007
By: Jonathan Rugman
Protesters gather in New York as Iran's President Ahmadinejad arrives to 
address the UN general assembly.
"Go to hell!" screamed one New York tabloid as Iranian President Mahmoud 
Ahmadinejad arrived in New York for the UN general assembly.

Crowds of protesters gathered outside the city's prestigious Columbia 
university, where he's due to speak today, as he declared that Iran did 
not recognise Israel because it was based on occupation and racism.

Earlier the US secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice, said it would have 
been a travesty for him to visit the site of the 11 September attacks.






http://www.worldnetdaily.com/?pageId=76088

New Yorkers protest Ahmadinejad as 'today's Hitler'
But Palin disinvite prompts Jewish leader to say: 'I am ashamed of my 
own people'

________________________________________
Posted: September 23, 2008
11:55 pm Eastern
By Matt Sanchez
© 2009 WorldNetDaily

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, right, greets Iran's President 
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
NEW YORK – With the leader many call "today's Hitler" addressing the 
United Nations General Assembly, it's no surprise hundreds of people 
rallied near the U.N. yesterday in vocal protest of the return to New 
York of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
After all, the Iranian leader has repeatedly and unambiguously called 
for the total annihilation of Israel – which he describes as a "filthy, 
black germ" – denies the Holocaust ever happened, and is by all accounts 
engaged in a full-throttle quest for nuclear weapons.
Thus, security measures at the United Nations have been at an all-time 
high. Teams of reporters follow a maze of barricades to gain access to 
the U.N. building through the bowels of the main tower. Bomb detection 
dogs wag their tails, bobbing in and out of cars and electronic cases.
Yesterday, school buses from throughout the Tri-State area unloaded 
children who were ready to participate in the now annual rally 
protesting the visit of the Iranian president. But there were several 
groups among the crowds seemingly angrier at the withdrawal of both vice 
presidential candidate Sarah Palin and New York Sen. Hillary Clinton.
Joel, who was holding a sign reading "Christian in Support of Israel," 
had flown in from Buffalo, N.Y., to attend the rally: "It's a shame 
Clinton decided to make this political, there was plenty of room for 
both of them."
Joel understood his concern for Israel as a natural extension of his 
faith: "Christians support a safe and secure Israel. We believe in 
Israel and the Jewish people and we should not stand by as witnesses to 
another Holocaust."
"This isn't just about Jews, it's an international issue," added Ann 
Greenfield, who identified herself as an experienced veteran of Jewish 
affairs in New York. "The Iranian president is an enemy of the world," 
she said.
Greenfield was with several "concerned citizens" collecting signatures 
in protest of the Sarah Palin withdrawal from addressing the rally.
Esther Ehrenberg, who was also collecting signatures, agreed. Both 
ladies hesitated to comment on the political fallout of Hillary 
Clinton's refusal to speak, but intended to force an apology to Sarah 
Palin who was abruptly disinvited from speaking at the rally.
"I am ashamed of my own people," said Mort Klein, head of the Zionist 
Organization of America, a major Jewish organization that dates back to 
1898. Talking to WND by phone, Klein, a major figure in Jewish issues, 
said: "I would have fought strongly not to withdraw the Palin 
invitation. But I wasn't consulted, no one was consulted."
After the Palin announcement, all other politicians withdrew from 
addressing the rally.
For instance, added Klein, "Florida Congressman Robert Wexler was coming."
Several observers suggested that rally organizers were threatened with 
having their tax-exempt status revoked if vice presidential candidate 
Sarah Palin spoke. But no one WND contacted was willing to make that 
allegation on the record.
The U.N. Security Council has moved to sanction Iran on three occasions 
and to force that nation to halt uranium enrichment – a process most 
agree will lead to the construction of a nuclear bomb. Ahmadinejad 
insists his aims are peaceful, but his repeated incendiary comments have 
put Israel on a state of high alert.
In 2006, in a televised speech from Tehran, the Iranian president told 
his audience, "We say that this fake regime [Israel] cannot logically 
continue to live." Since then, the Iranian president has only ratcheted 
up his rhetoric.
In a corner of the rally, a half-dozen members of the antiwar group Code 
Pink held signs insisting the American government use diplomacy and 
renounce war.
Observers estimated the crowd this year was noticeably smaller than the 
year before.
"The politicians are the only ones who have any real influence here," 
said one, "and none of them showed up."






http://english.bna.bh/?ID=72961

IRAN PROTESTS OVER MOLOTOV COCKTAIL ATTACK ON ITS EMBASSY IN LONDON

date: 23 09, 2008
TEHRAN, SEPT. 23 (BNA) IRANS FOREIGN MINISTRY TODAY SUMMONED THE BRITISH 
CHARGE DAFFAIRES AND PROTESTED AGAINST THE RECENT MOLOTOV ATTACK ON ITS 
EMBASSY IN LONDON.
THE MINISTRY, ACCORDING TO THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC NEWS AGENCY, CALLED FOR 
FOLLOW-UP OF THE ISSUE, REMOVAL OF SECURITY HAZARDS AND COMPENSATION FOR 
THE MATERIAL DAMAGE. IT ALSO EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER THE WEAK SECURITY 
MEASURES FOR THE IRANIAN EMBASSY IN LONDON AND CALLED FOR IMMEDIATE 
INVESTIGATION INTO THE INCIDENT. ON HIS PART, THE BRITISH DIPLOMAT 
REGRETTED THE INCIDENT AND PROMISED TO PROBE THE MATTER. IT IS WORTH 
NOTING THAT UNIDENTIFIED ATTACKERS THREW A MOLOTOV COCKTAIL ON THE MAIN 
GATE OF THE IRANIAN EMBASSY IN LONDON YESTERDAY CAUSING SOME DAMAGE TO 
THE BUILDING BUT NO HUMAN INJURIES. MTQ 23-SEP-2008 23:00








http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=25909354

AMWAJ BOATS BAN PROTEST

More than a dozen homeowners at Amwaj Islands took to the water 
yesterday in breach of a ban on using motorised boats within the 
development.

The residents, made up of people all nationalities, staged the protest 
after claiming they had been robbed of the main reason they bought their 
waterside properties.

They took their vessels out to sea in a symbolic demonstration for 
around an hour to show the strength of feeling against the ban.

Residents earlier received letters from Amwaj Islands Security saying 
motorised vessels, including jet-skis would no longer be around in the 
breakwater.

Buoys bearing the warning STOP - NO BOATS were also strung across the 
entrance to the breakwater.

Instead of creating a set of rules to improve safety, residents say 
management took the easy option and simply banned all vessels from the 
water.

Many also suggested that closing the area off to boats would encourage 
swimmers to disregard safe guidelines such as keeping close to the shore.

Instead they want management to separate swimming areas from the rest of 
the water area and create a new set of rules for boats and maybe jet skis.

"By banning boats from the breakwater area they are instantly reducing 
the appeal of the islands to a large market since it is removing a 
fantastic resource," said one man, who regularly goes sailing, swimming 
wakeboarding and kite-surfing.

"The Amwaj Islands is a fantastic development that should be allowed to 
reach its full potential.

"However, it will not get there with poor prohibitive management that 
takes the easy or lazy solution to every problem that it encounters."

Problem

A British resident, who did not wish to be named, said the protest was 
sparked by a wider dissatisfaction.

"There is a lack of consultation and that is the general view of 
everybody within the development," he told the GDN.

"The management change the goal posts whenever they want.

"There are issues with ownership, the management and service and it is 
getting worse."

Amwaj Islands management were unavailable for comment.








http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/231663,police-clash-with-basque-protesters-in-northern-spain.html

Police clash with Basque protesters in northern Spain
Posted : Sun, 14 Sep 2008 14:50:10 GMT
Author : DPA
Category : Europe (World)


Madrid - Police clashed with Basque separatists during a protest march 
in the northern Spanish city of San Sebastian on Sunday, media reports 
said. Police fired rubber bullets after some of the marchers pelted the 
officers with stones, the reports said. Two people were arrested.
The clashes erupted after police tried to stop the march, which was 
called by an organization seeking an amnesty for jailed members of the 
Basque separatist movement ETA.
Authorities had earlier banned the march.
On Thursday, Spain's top court ruled that a plan by the Basque regional 
government to stage a referendum-like vote on the self- determination 
for the northern region was unconstitutional.
The Basque parliament had approved holding the vote on October 25, but 
the Spanish government and opposition conservatives lodged a complaint 
with the Constitutional Court.







http://www.koreanmovie.com/news/view/Hundreds_march_Spain_Basque_335406/

Hundreds march in Spain's Basque region for independence
Posted 08 23 2008 12:59PM
MADRID (AFP) - Hundreds of people marched through the streets of Bilbao, 
the financial capital of Spain's northern Basque Country, on Friday to 
demand independence for the wealthy region.
Police offered no estimate for the number of participants but the Basque 
news agency Vasco Press said just over 1,000 people had taken part in 
the demonstration which was organised by left-wing Basque nationalists.
The Basque Country already enjoys considerable autonomy and polls show 
most Basques do not want to secede from Spain.
But a vocal minority is pushing for an independent Basque homeland.
The armed Basque separatist group ETA is blamed for the deaths of over 
820 people in bombings and shootings in its 40-year campaign for an 
independent Basque state in northern Spain and southwestern France.
Judge Fernando Grande-Marlaska of the National Audience meanwhile banned 
a public hommage to 40 ETA prisoners from taking place in Bilbao on 
Friday night.
The hommage had been organised by Askatasuna, an outlawed ETA prisoner 
support organisation.







http://www.dublinpeople.com/content/view/927/55/

Swords boy leads protest

Thursday, 21 August 2008
A TWELVE-year-old boy from Swords, aged just 12, helped to organise a 
protest outside the Minister for Children’s office, last week to 
highlight the need for more communication with young people on issues 
that affect them.
Karl O’Brien is a member of the Swords Youth Council, a recently formed 
group that is hoping to provide a constructive voice to young people in 
their community.
The group was established last March and comprises students from the 
four secondary schools in the Fingal town. They have since vowed to put 
pressure on authorities to provide appropriate facilities for teenagers 
in the area.
They marched from the Garden of Remembrance to the Minister Barry 
Andrews’s office on Hawkins Street to protest against the department’s 
policy of only meeting with youth groups once a year.
“The idea for the protest started when we emailed the minister to 
arrange a meeting and we felt his reply just wasn’t satisfactory,” Karl 
told Northside People.
“We decided we would hold a protest outside the department to get their 
attention.
“While we were there, some civil servants came out to listen to us and 
told us that the minister was on holidays.”

A leaflet handed out by the protestors outlined that for young people to 
effectively tackle issues alongside politicians, Dáil na nOg must run 
for more than one day a year.
It also called for Minister Andrews to arrange a meeting with the 
leaders of the National Youth Organisation.
The group believes it was successful in achieving this and is hoping to 
hold a meeting with the minister in the coming months.
A spokesperson for the Minister for Children told Northside People that 
as Minister Andrews was away, they were unable to confirm if he would be 
meeting with the group but said the request will be passed on.
Swords Youth Council is closely linked to other youth organisations like 
Dáil na nÓg (youth parliament) and the National Youth Council.
Together these groups work to provide a voice for young people and raise 
issues with the Government.
“While we were protesting someone suggested to us that we would be 
better off joining political party youth wings and changing things that 
way,” Karl stated.
“I think this misses the point of groups like ours. “We are here to help 
directly with any issues affecting young people in Swords.”
Karl will be attending Colaiste Choilm in September having just finished 
at St Cronan’s Junior National School.
Despite his youth, he has high expectations for the group and expects to 
launch some serious campaigns in the coming months.
“We are organising a poster campaign around suicide and bullying for the 
start of the new school term,” he added.
“If you would like to get involved with Swords Youth Council or find out 
more information visit,
www.swordsyouthcouncil.com







http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,3594739,00.html?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf

26.08.2008
Danish Rockstar Uses Nazi Slogan to Protest Smoking Ban

Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: Smoking bans are the 
creations of "health fascists," Larson has said

A pro-smoking campaign launched in Denmark by one of the country's 
best-known rockstars features a notorious Nazi slogan. The country's 
modest Jewish community is refusing to take offense.
As frontman of Gasolin', a seminal rock band which enjoyed its heyday in 
the 1970s, Kim Larsen has always been one of the bad boys of Danish 
rock. And like any self-respecting hellraiser, he's vociferously 
anti-establishment.

In the best rock 'n' roll tradition, he's also a die-hard smoker. So it 
comes as no surprise that he doesn't like the EU's anti-smoking laws 
introduced in Denmark one year ago, which ban smoking in public bars and 
restaurants.

Health fascists

Bildunterschrift: Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: Who 
reads billboards anyway?
Not the type who likes being told what to do, Larsen recently helped 
fund an advertising campaign revolving around the slogan "Tillykke med 
rygeforbudet -- Gesundheit macht frei!!!"

The first claim means "good luck with the smoking ban" in Danish, while 
the German slogan "health sets you free" is an obvious allusion to the 
Nazi slogan "Arbeit macht frei," or "work sets you free," which was 
placed at the entrances to a number of Nazi concentration camps, such as 
Auschwitz and Dachau.

"The people who introduced the smoking ban are health fascists," Larsen 
has been quoted as saying.

He said the reference to the Third Reich is a valid one, because the 
Nazis introduced a nationwide tobacco ban as part of their quest for 
bodily and racial purity.

"Hitler was the first to ban smoking," said the one-time Eurovision Song 
Contest hopeful.

Cause celebre

Bildunterschrift: Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: Kim 
Larsen: too stupid to be taken seriously?
Larsen allegedly isn't the only celebrity to have donated to the 
"Himmelbla" fund behind the campaign, whose ads are now splurged across 
Copenhagen's billboards.

"This is not about a defense of smoking," Larsen has said. "This is 
about a defense of democracy and freedom."

The country's Jewish community, for its part, is choosing to see the 
campaign in this context -- merely a clumsy protest against government 
interference with individual freedoms.

"It's stupid, plain stupid," Stefan Isaak, president of the Danish 
Jewish community, told DW-WORLD.DE. "I don't connect it with any kind of 
anti-Semitism -- it's just plain stupidity."

Explaining why Larsen's posters have gone largely ignored, he pointed 
out that Denmark has few Holocaust survivors, because most of the 
country's Jews left for Sweden during World War II.

"Feelings might be hurt," he said. "But the whole slogan is so idiotic; 
you can't begin to connect it to Auschwitz."

Bad taste

Bildunterschrift: Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: 
Smokers: social pariahs
Arne Rolighed of Denmark's leading cancer research charity is taking 
more offense.

"It's extremely tasteless," he was quoted as saying in Danish daily 
Politiken.

It's not the first time this kind of parallel has been drawn. In Germany 
-- where Nazi allusions are not shrugged off as lightly as they are in 
Denmark -- one protester launched a line of T-shirts earlier this year 
bearing a yellow Star of David along with the word "smoker."

The shirt was quickly withdrawn from the market after Jewish groups 
objected to comparing the perceived persecution of smokers to that of 
the Jews under the Nazis.

Isaak is more circumspect.

"The less said about [Larsen's campaign], the better," he said.







http://www.stuff.co.nz/4684282a11.html?source=RSSnationalnews_20080907

Family continue protest for dad's release for funeral
Sunday, 07 September 2008

Family and friends of a slain man protested outside Auckland Prison for 
a second day today in an attempt to persuade the Corrections Department 
to let his father attend his funeral.
John Maeva, 25, was killed in an execution-style shooting outside his 
Papatoetoe, south Auckland, home early last Sunday morning.
His family say that his father John Maeva snr, serving a sentence for 
drug offences, has been refused permission to attend Tuesday's funeral 
preventing him from properly grieving his son.
The department said in a statement yesterday that while it understood 
the death was a distressing time for the family and prisoner "we make no 
apology for putting the safety of our staff and the public first".
Wayne James Bracken, a 31-year-old unemployed man, has been accused of 
murdering Mr Maeva and is due to reappear in Manukau District Court on 
September 22.
- NZPA







http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/north_east/7624659.stm

Friday, 19 September 2008 08:24 UK

Crane protester gets night curfew

Paul Jones was protesting about being evicted from a council property
A protester who scaled a crane in Wrexham has been ordered to obey a 
night curfew.
Paul Jones, 41, was demonstrating after a long running dispute over his 
eviction from a council property, Flintshire magistrates' court heard.
Jones climbed the 60m (197ft) crane at the town's new Eagles Meadow 
shopping development on Wednesday, and stayed there for more than four 
hours.
He admitted causing a public nuisance, and was also ordered to pay £60 
costs.
The court heard that the crane Jones climbed was due to be dismantled, 
but his actions meant the job had to be cancelled and workmen sent home 
without pay.

You caused a lot of people inconvenience and a loss of income at a time 
when they can ill-afford it

District Judge Andrew Shaw
Another crane had to be brought in at the cost of £3,500 for a police 
negotiator to speak to him.
It was claimed that the cost of the delays to developers at the site 
amounted to £10,000.
'Selfish, attention-seeking'
District Judge Andrew Shaw called it "selfish, attention-seeking 
behaviour" and rejected his claim that it was done on the spur of the 
moment.
"You caused a lot of people inconvenience and a loss of income at a time 
when they can ill-afford it," added the judge.
Euros Jones, defending, said the root of the protest was that Jones, his 
six children and partner were evicted from a Wrexham council property 
four years ago.
The court was told that the defendant believed the eviction order was 
the result of malicious complaints from neighbours, and believed that 
the council had refused to investigate the issue.
"He decided that this was the only option left to him," said his solicitor.
"My client got to the foot of the crane at 5am and it took him about an 
hour and a half to pluck up the courage to go all the way up, but he did 
go."
"He is thoroughly ashamed."
The court said Jones must obey a curfew order to remain indoors from the 
evening until 8am for three months.







http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-10032592-83.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-20

September 4, 2008 9:27 AM PDT
Protesters decry NASA hacker's extradition
Posted by Tom Espiner

Protests chant outside Britain's Home Office in support of Gary McKinnon.
(Credit: Tom Espiner/ZDNet UK)
A peaceful protest supporting self-confessed NASA hacker Gary McKinnon 
took place this week in London.
About 35 backers showed up Tuesday in front of the Home Office to 
protest the extradition of McKinnon to the United States. They said he 
should instead be put on trial in the United Kingdom, where he lives.
McKinnon is accused of one of the biggest military hacks ever, slipping 
into computer systems belonging to the U.S. Army, Air Force, Department 
of Defense, and NASA. The U.S. government alleges that McKinnon's 
hacking activities caused $700,000 worth of damage. McKinnon has always 
maintained that his activities were harmless and that he was merely 
looking for evidence of UFOs.
European Court of Human Rights turned down his extradition appeal last 
week. If found guilty of the hacking charges in a U.S. court, McKinnon 
could face up to 70 years in prison under anti-terrorism laws.

Karen Todner
(Credit: Tom Espiner/ZDNet UK)
Karen Todner, McKinnon's solicitor and a protester, said that he should 
at least be allowed to serve his sentence in the U.K. because of his 
recent diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome. Todner is preparing further 
appeals to the extradition.
Lucy Clarke, McKinnon's girlfriend and a protester, said he has become 
withdrawn following the loss of his appeal. "He's shut down," Clarke 
told ZDNet UK. "Gary's been living with this for six years. I'm 
surprised he hasn't had some kind of breakdown before now...We are very 
concerned about his health."
Clarke added that she hoped the U.S. would be "realistic" in sentencing 
McKinnon. "I want the Americans to be realistic here, a bit bloody 
realistic" Clarke said. "Seventy years is a joke. At the end of the day, 
this was a bloke on a computer. If you haven't got passwords, you're 
lucky that Gary wasn't a terrorist. He's always said he was wrong, but 
they should have had the security set up. He hasn't murdered anybody."

Lucy Clarke (left) and Janice McKinnon,
Gary McKinnon's mother
(Credit: Tom Espiner/ZDNet UK)
The Home Office gave an official statement to ZDNet UK about the 
Extradition Act 2003 and the 2003 extradition treaty between the two 
countries.
"These arrangements are fairly balanced, despite differences in 
terminology and procedures," stated a Home Office representative. "There 
are strong safeguards in place in the Extradition Act 2003 which ensure 
that the courts and the home secretary consider a number of issues, such 
as human rights and double jeopardy before anyone is extradited from the 
U.K. to the U.S."
Tom Espiner of ZDNet UK reported from London.






http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/finance-workers-to-protest-at-sleazy-tories-947854.html

Finance workers to protest at 'sleazy' Tories
PA
Wednesday, 1 October 2008
Finance workers wearing bowler hats and pig masks will stage a 
demonstration outside the Conservative Party conference today protesting 
at donations the Tories have reportedly received from hedge fund managers.
Unite will also launch an advertising campaign accusing Tory leader 
David Cameron of being "cheesy and sleazy" and claiming that the 
Opposition was cashing in on the credit crunch.
The union, which has 180,000 members working in financial services, has 
complained of a "deafening silence" from the Conservatives over how to 
tackle the current economic crisis,
Joint general secretary, Derek Simpson, said: "Thousands of staff at 
banks like HBOS and LloydsTSB fear for their jobs, but the Tories seem 
more interested in taking money from the culprits of the credit crunch 
than helping the victims.
"George Osborne's words cannot be trusted. He is a dangerous right 
winger who is inextricably linked to the City. The culture of the City 
is the culture of the Tories. They went to school with the City, they 
dine with the City and many of them married into the City. You can't 
rely on them to regulate the City.
"The Tories have remained mainly silent when almost everybody else in 
the country - including Labour - are calling for City excesses to be 
reigned in."






http://www.metro.co.uk/news/article.html?Menezes_inquiry_opens_to_protest&in_article_id=318006&in_page_id=34

Menezes inquiry opens to protest
Sunday, September 21, 2008

Menezes inquiry opens to protest
The long-awaited inquest into the police killing of Jean Charles de 
Menezes was due to begin on Monday.
The 12-week hearing, which will be put to a jury verdict, will attempt 
to piece together how and why the innocent Brazilian came to be shot by 
anti-terror marksmen at Stockwell Tube station in 2005.
Two policeman who fired the fatal shots will come face-to-face with Mr 
de Menezes' family for the first time, although 50 of the 65 officers 
who will give evidence have been granted anonymity.

Relatives of Mr de Menezes will protest outside the venue today, while 
Metropolitan Police chief Sir Ian Blair has called the inquiry the 'most 
testing' in years.
The 27-year-old was killed on a Tube days after the devastating July 7 
London suicide bombings.
Police claim they mistook him for a wanted terrorist.
No new evidence is expected to emerge from the London inquiry, which 
will use facts gained from other investigations, but a verdict of 
unlawful killing could damage the Met and force out Sir Ian.





http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/sep/22/menezes.london?gusrc=rss&feed=networkfront

Jean Charles de Menezes inquest opens as relatives stage protest
Cousins of innocent Brazilian shot dead by police on tube hand out 
leaflets bearing the words 'Three Years, No Justice'
• Audrey Gillan and agencies
• guardian.co.uk, Monday 22 September 2008 13.15 BST
• Article history

Relatives of Jean Charles de Menezes arrive for the start of the inquest 
into his death. Photograph: Johnny Green/PA
The inquest into the shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes began at 
London's Oval cricket ground this morning with members of the dead man's 
family staging a quiet protest.
Cousins of the Brazilian, who was shot dead as he attempted to catch a 
train at Stockwell tube station, handed out leaflets printed in the 
colours of the Brazilian flag and bearing the words "Three Years, No 
Justice". They wore T-shirts marking the date of his death — July 22 
2005 — set inside the London Underground logo.
A banner was hung from the window of a neighbouring flat emblazoned with 
the phrase "Inquest not cover-up — Justice for Jean". The hearing is 
being held less than a mile from where the electrician was shot.
The 12-week inquest could have repercussions for Sir Ian Blair, the 
Metropolitan police commissioner, who is already in the midst of a race 
row within his ranks and faced with questions over the award of a 
contract to a friend. He could be forced to quit early if the inquest 
result is considered too damaging for him to see out his five-year term.






http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0809/S00075.htm

Protestors slam big brother state
Friday, 5 September 2008, 12:37 pm
Article: Natasha Burling
Protestors slam big brother state

By Natasha Burling
Protestors and a law professor have criticised the Government for a 
massive increase in surveillance of political activists over the past 
few years.
At a central Auckland protest on Saturday, which called for charges 
against Tuhoe tribe members to be dropped, veteran protestor John Minto 
said that the police had overreacted during the so-called terror raids 
last year.

Click to enlarge
John Minto and Mike Treen from Global Peace and Justice
SEARCH NZ JOBS
He said there has definitely been an increase in surveillance of 
political activists in the last six years.
“In fact in my lifetime this [the raids] would be the single biggest 
attack on civil liberties that I’ve ever seen.” he said.
He explained heightened surveillance jeopardises New Zealanders’ rights 
to dissent and warned Kiwis are in danger of losing these rights.

Click to enlarge
“It’s really important that New Zealanders wake up to the fact that if 
we don’t defend our rights we will lose them,” he said.
Minto went on to say the police have had a massive injection of money 
over the past six years and that they were using this to profile protest 
groups, rather than terrorists.
Auckland City Police communications manager Noreen Hegarty said the New 
Zealand Police do not often spy on protest groups, but they sometimes 
receive tip-offs from members of the public who are concerned about 
planned illegal activities.

Click to enlarge
She added that communication in New Zealand is quite open and there is a 
lot of information on blogs and websites.
“It is not difficult to find out what is going on,” she said.
Auckland law professor Jane Kelsey said she disagrees with the State 
using powers in the name of anti-terrorism against political dissidents.
“It’s a dangerous trend and if we allow this to go unopposed, we don’t 
know who’s next,” she said.
However, Hegarty said the Police need to get High Court permission to 
spy on someone electronically and good evidence is needed for this.
When asked if increased surveillance has been necessary since the 2001 
terrorist attacks, Minto said New Zealand’s non-participation in the 
Iraq war means the country is not a terror target.
He said there are no terrorists in New Zealand, unlike Australia and 
Britain where terrorist activities have occurred.
Hegarty said the New Zealand Police would be irresponsible to not 
increase surveillance after the 2001 attacks.
“The world has changed considerably since 9/11. The New Zealand Police 
would be remiss if we didn’t acknowledge that,” she said.
She added police often detect terrorism before it happens. “A lot of 
stuff is going on that you would not be aware of.”
ENDS






http://www.stuff.co.nz/4699139a11.html?source=RSSnationalnews_20080920

Teen activist, MP dispute protest incident
By TANYA KATTERNS - The Dominion Post | Saturday, 20 September 2008
Masterton police are investigating claims that a vehicle Wairarapa MP 
John Hayes was travelling in was deliberately driven toward a teenage 
protester.
Placard-waving Labour supporter James Sleep, 16, was protesting outside 
a Masterton retirement village on Thursday afternoon when National 
leader John Key and his entourage arrived.
Mr Hayes, in the passenger seat of his officially signposted National 
Wairarapa MP wagon, was leading the convoy.
James claims Mr Hayes' car drove straight into his path, but Mr Hayes 
said: "This boy jumped into the path of my car and we were going very 
slowly. We didn't hit him. He is known to me and has been harassing me 
and a number of other MPs for some time."
James said he was just exercising his democratic rights.
"I was attempting to make attendees aware of the irony of National's 
attendance given that it was that party which cut superannuation in the 
90s."
He said Mr Hayes was directing the driver and "they blatantly attempted 
to shift me with the vehicle. I had no way of moving to the side as I 
was being propelled back by the force of the car.
"I had my hands up against the bonnet of the car, trying to move to the 
side."
Senior Sergeant Warwick Burr said police had received a complaint and 
were making inquiries.






http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuId=77&ContentID=93982

Boy charged after Lockridge riot
25th August 2008, 12:30 WST

A 15-year-old boy has been charged following an out-of-control birthday 
party in Lockridge on the weekend.
Riot police were pelted with bricks and bottles by angry youths after 
the party got out of control on Saturday night.

A police spokesman said two police cars had attended the party on 
Scanlon Way about 11:40pm following reports of youths fighting in the 
street.

The officers had been forced to retreat and call for back up after 
projectiles were launched at them.

Fifteen police cars, including officers in riot gear, arrived at the 
party soon after to try to disperse the rowdy crowd.

Partygoers then pelted the riot police with beer bottles and bricks as 
the officers moved in a line towards the party.

Several officers were struck by the projectiles, with one policeman 
suffering minor cuts after he was hit on the leg by a glass bottle.

St John Ambulance was also called to the party to treat several girls 
who were believed to have been injured during the fighting.

The 15-year-old was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and 
obstructing police.

RONAN O’CONNELL







http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/08/31/2351032.htm

Riot police close down illegal dance party
Posted Sun Aug 31, 2008 7:00am AEST
• Map: Camperdown 2050
Riot squad police shut down an illegal dance party at Camperdown in 
Sydney's west overnight.
Police were called to a warehouse on Parramatta Road at about 1:00am 
(AEST) and found about 1,500 people inside.
Concerned about a fire hazard, police attempted to shut down the party 
but were pelted with bottles by those inside.
Paramatta Road was closed and about 50 officers from the public order 
and riot squad, the rescue squad and local area commands - as well as a 
police helicopter - were called to help clear the building.
Police say no was injured during the operation and one person was 
arrested in a separate incident, unrelated to the party.
Police are securing the building.






http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,,24272157-5001021,00.html

Face-off as Camperdown rave turns into riot

By David Barrett and Chelsea White
September 01, 2008 12:00am
POLICE are trawling social networking sites and tracking text messages 
to find the organisers of a wild party shut down by the riot squad.
About 1500 people crammed into a Camperdown warehouse for the party 
which was publicised through Facebook and other online forums.
Nearly 1km of Parramatta Rd was closed yesterday as police tried to get 
partygoers out of the warehouse amid fire and safety concerns.
Revellers pelted police with bottles from upstairs windows.
• Gallery: The illegal dance party that ended in disaster
• Violent Sydney: More knife attacks prove stats are wrong

About 50 officers from Newtown were joined by a huge back-up force, 
including the public order and riot squad, the dog squad, Polair and 
police rescue, to close down the party.
Despite the huge police presence, no arrests were made. Police are now 
scouring CCTV footage to identify those who threw bottles during the 
incident.
The free party - complete with lasers, video installations and DJs over 
three floors - was advertised on Facebook and at dance music websites 
including www.inthemix.com.au.
Text messages were also circulated inviting people to the party, listing 
the address and encouraging people to pass the invitation on. Assistant 
Police Commissioner Catherine Burn admitted that police "did not know" 
of the party until revellers turned up at the warehouse.
One youngster identified only as Daniel said part of the event's appeal 
was that it was illegal.
He said there was significant drug use at the party. "Going against the 
grain, of course its fun," he said.
"Is it right? No. But is it fun? Yes."
The Daily Telegraph understands the party was the eighth in a string of 
illegal raves held across Sydney known as "Channel" parties.
Others have been held at Clovelly Beach, Artarmon and Alexandria.
Police have identified the owner of the warehouse, but were yet to 
interview him last night. It's not known if he was aware of the rave.
Partygoers yesterday posted comments online about the rave, accusing 
police of being too heavy handed.
One reveller, Wana3q, wrote: "If the cops just let the party go on then 
they wouldn't have had to shut down Parramatta Rd or deal with a 
potentially volatile situation. I feel it was a massive overreaction."





http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=624267&rss=yes

Police attacked at MySpace riot party
10:00 AEST Tue Sep 2 2008
319 days 1 hour 35 minutes ago
Police have come under attack at a wild party that got out of hand after 
it was promoted on social networking website MySpace.
Police were confronted by up to 100 youths, 3AW radio reported.
Officers were encircled and pelted with bottles and a police vehicle was 
damaged after a 16-year-old's birthday party turned into a mini-riot, 
the Geelong Advertiser reports.
Startled neighbours told the newspaper police were forced to unleash 
their batons in the aftermath of the house party at Belmont in Geelong's 
south on Saturday night.
Geelong Chief Inspector Wayne Carson said police had to call for backup, 
and three youths were arrested and cautioned by police.
"These 16-year-old parties at home are a recipe for disaster if they're 
going to get on cyberspace and let everyone know about," Inspector 
Carson told the Advertiser.
"If people are stupid enough to have these home parties for young people 
without security this is what will happen."
Inspector Carson condmened the "disgraceful lack of respect" for police 
and was furious that resources were being wasted to "break up these 
parties".
But the party host Jordan Sciortino said the evening was going smoothly 
until police ejected partygoers onto the street.
"There were a fair few there, people were drunk and we were making a bit 
of noise, but they only cracked it because they didn't want to leave and 
the police were forcing them out," the 16-year-old said.
He confirmed to the Advertiser the party was promoted on MySpace but 
denied an address was given online.






http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/09/17/2367049.htm

Police blamed for reigniting Willowra riots
Posted Wed Sep 17, 2008 1:48pm AEST
Updated Thu Sep 18, 2008 10:38am AEST
• Map: Alice Springs 0870
A Walpiri elder has accused the Northern Territory police of escalating 
the conflict that caused riots in Willowra this week.
Police say 200 people gathered near the community store on Monday when a 
fight broke out and up to 40 people armed themselves with boomerang, 
rocks and nulla nullas.
Twelve people have been charged with riotous behaviour over the fight.
One of those men, a Walpiri elder, says he was mediating in the conflict 
and that tension was subsidising when police started taking photos.
"Police behaviour made them worse, because photo cameras shouldn't be 
happening because everybody was calming down.
"They made a mistake."
But the Acting Commander of the Southern Region Lance Godwin says police 
should never be subjected to violence.
"Police are required to act. Police are required to intervene and it 
should be irrelevant whether police were filming the scene or not .
"The reality is police were there doing their job, trying to protect the 
community, and they shouldn't be subjected to that kind of behaviour."
Police say it a similar riot occurred in the town last month.
A youth worker involved in mediating between the rioting families is 
urging the Central Desert Shire to step in and help solve the conflict.
Blair McFarland has been mediating in the community but says the shire 
needs to become more involved in resolving the long standing issues.
"If the shires made a point of getting people from both side of that 
family divide into a consultative body then that would go a long way to 
making everybody feel like there was a process that could resolve 
differences in the community without having to resort to violence."
Two men have appeared in the Alice Springs Magistrates Court today in 
relation to the riot.







http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/story.html?id=8c32a3ca-f83d-4190-bd50-430e8af4351f

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Protesters aim to bring home Canadian held in Sudan
Canwest News Service
Published: Saturday, September 13 2008
OTTAWA - Thirty protesters rallied Friday in support of Abousfian 
Abdelrazik, a Canadian citizen holed up in the Canadian Embassy in Sudan 
waiting to receive a passport from the government so that he can rejoin 
his family in Canada.
Abdelrazik, a Canadian from Montreal, was incarcerated in Sudan in 2003 
on suspicion of terrorist activity. He had gone there to visit his sick 
mother. He was held until July 2006, when he was released without ever 
being charged - but has not been able to return to Montreal because of 
the government's refusal to replace his now-expired passport.
There have been allegations that Abdelrazik belonged to al-Qaida and had 
gone to a terrorist training camp in Afghanistan, allegations he has 
always denied.
At the rally at the Human Rights Monument, his lawyer Yavar Hameed 
deplored the government's inaction in bringing his client home.
"The question we need to ask is, "Why does the government refuse to 
repatriate Mr. Abdelrazik, who has not been convicted of any crime and 
has not faced indictment?'"
Hameed contrasted this case with that of Brenda Martin, a Canadian woman 
who was convicted in Mexico of participating in a fraudulent online 
investment scheme and was nonetheless repatriated by the Canadian 
government last May.
The lawyer deplored what he described as "a system of two-tiered 
citizenship, of institutional racism, of the marginalization of Canadian 
Muslims."





http://www.greenleft.org.au/2008/769/39684

Graffiti artists protest unjust laws

Alistair McKinnon, Melbourne
27 September 2008

On September 20, hundreds of people converged on Clifton Park in 
Brunswick to admire the work of talented graffiti artists.
The gathering was part of a “Don’t Ban the Can” campaign, launched in 
response to the state government’s new anti-graffiti laws, which allow 
$550 spot fines to be issued to anyone in possession of a “graffiti 
implement”.

Police can also now search anyone 14-years or older if they are 
suspected of carrying a spray can. Protest organiser Jeremy Gaschk told 
Green Left Weekly: “The great injustice of these laws is the instant 
presumption of guilt placed on anyone for simply carrying a spray can. 
The police have been, in effect, given the power to persecute someone 
for pursuing their chosen art.”

Across Melbourne, designated graffiti areas have been established 
through agreements with local councils and artists. The willingness of 
some councils to cooperate with local artists displays a recognition of 
graffiti as an art form; something that can enhance an area rather than 
detract from it. The new laws appeal to old prejudices and myths about 
graffiti and youth street culture that many in the scene have been 
fighting hard for years to dispel.

“For some of these artists graffiti is their livelihood and they have 
exhibited their work all over the world”, Gaschk said.








http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/newsdetail1.asp?storyID=144849

Protest at judge's house
21/09/2008 9:32:04
People with a beef against the justice system are taking their grievance 
to a High Court judge's home this morning.
A demonstration is planned about now outside Justice Judith Potter's 
house in Epsom in Auckland.
Organiser Benjamin Easton, who describes himself as a disaffected 
father, says the public have little hope when they come up against the 
system.
He says the protest is about making a noise to "blow the whistle" on the 
justice system.