Yo Tambien Exigo

The open-mic protest that was to take place in Havana was stopped by Cuban authorities. They arrested , from what the article says, at least 3 dissidents who were planning to hold this free speech protest. The protest, Yo Tambien Exigo, was designed so that Cuban citizens (willing to speak) would be able to say their thoughts on the new plan of reforming relations with the United States.. The organizer, Tania Bruguera has not been seen since then.

http://www.npr.org/2014/12/30/374033054/cuban-dissidents-thwarted-before-havana-demonstration

Umbrella Revolution

The last protests have ended. The streets in Hong Kong are clean.

For over two months members of the Occupy Central movement had rioted against Hong Kong’s government. Hong Kong officials have not yet yielded to the demands of the citizens, and although some of the major protesters have been arrested, the members of Occupy Central plan further actions against the matter- until Hong Kong and main land China listen to their demands.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2014/12/11/370037183/final-occupy-protest-site-has-been-cleared

Police Brutality Round-up

After the Ferguson riots, it is apparent that the number of police brutality incidents have spiked rather than decreased.  Cases like that of Eric Garner in New York City who was killed after a local police officer used  chokehold on the man ( that was angst the policies of NYPD) have instilled a general sense of distress and resentment towards the police force in the general public. After Officer Darren Wilson and Daniel Pantaleo were not indicted, people have taken to the streets and further demonstrated their resentment tin social media. It is a time of civil unrest in America. Here are some of the cases that have gained media coverage.

http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/08/us/indiana-police-taser-window-smash/

http://www.npr.org/2014/12/05/368768521/like-michael-brown-and-eric-garner-akai-gurleys-death-inspires-anger

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2014/12/03/368249828/reports-nyc-grand-jury-does-not-indict-officer-in-chokehold-case

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2014/12/12/370396496/tamir-rices-death-ruled-a-homicide-by-medical-examiner

http://www.npr.org/2014/11/27/366936466/cleveland-boys-family-video-shows-police-reacted-too-fast

Police Cameras

President Obama has begun a pilot program that will equip police officers of the country with body cameras. After the various riots against police and police brutality incidents president Obama and Congress are over seeing a program that will provide at least 32 million dollars to local police departments.  As of December, Denver, L.A, and New York are some of the cities that will equip officers with body cameras, in order to lower incidents.

http://www.cnn.com/2014/12/04/us/eric-garner-ferguson-body-cameras-debate/

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2014/12/01/367721705/obama-to-meet-civil-rights-leader-to-talk-about-mistrust-of-police

Ferguson Cartoon Discussion “Don’t Shoot”

The contrast of dialogue between the Ferguson police and the media, and the African American civilians with the Ferguson police represent the problems of the Ferguson case. Since the beginning of the incident of Michael Brown and the police officer from Ferguson County, the police department has interminably denied their unnecessary violence and bigotry towards the African American community of Ferguson.  However, the actions of the Ferguson police have been uncovered by the media in multiple occasions. It is pleasing to see that the artist was able to capture this, by drawing the police’s gun facing opposite from the media, paralleling the department’s efforts to conceal their unethical actions, and the media, portrayed by a television camera reporter, capturing the unethical acts.  The phrase “don’t shoot”   that is uttered by the Ferguson police department and by the African American Civilians engaging in peaceful protests serve to antagonize the Ferguson police department and to also create sympathy toward the peaceful, marginalized African Americans who are only demanding justice. Artist : Steve Hack Source: The Cagle Post

Another Blasphemy Case

A Christian Couple was yet another victim of regular mob beatings/killings that occur in Pakistan. A theocracy, Pakistan has a law that considers disagreeing with Islam/ defying Islam or the Quran a crime.

This is a violation of human rights because it oppresses the individual and prevents it from free religious worship. Another big issue regarding cases of blasphemy is that individuals
are often times accused by those with personal quarrels against them, and therefore anyone can be detained. People in Pakistan are utilizing the law then to settle disputes and get rid of the “undesirables”. This law is not exclusively targeted at Christians, but other religious minorities, like Hindus and Ahmadis. Although an investigation had been enacted by the government, the issue, as well as any incident regarding blasphemy is never thoroughly examined or resolved.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/parallels/2014/11/05/361740085/christian-couple-killed-by-mob-in-latest-pakistan-blasphemy-case

R. I. P Reyhaneh Jabbari

[October 25]

Sentenced to death in 2009, Reyahneh Jabarri had been accused for stabbing Morteza Abdolai Sarbandi. Morteza Abdolai had worked for the intelligence ministry, and had requested Jabarri’s services to redesigning an office in his apartment. While in the apartment, Jabarri was sexually assaulted by Sarbandi. As a form of self-defense Jabarri allegedly stabbed the man in the back. Jabarri admitted to this, but claimed that another man present in the house was responsible for killing Sarbandi.

According to the UN, the European Union and Amnesty International, Jabarri’s case was mishandled and should’ve had a retrial. Her confession was obtained through threats and pressure. Iranian prosecutors even pressured Jabarri into changing her lawyer to a more “experienced one” to prevent further investigations of her claims.

The UN, the European Union and Amnesty International, Jabarri’s case was mishandled and should’ve had a retrial. Her confession was obtained through threats and pressure. Iranian prosecutors even pressured Jabarri into changing her lawyer to a more “experienced one” to prevent further investigations of her claims. execution, which was postponed from September to October. Jabarri was allowed to see her mother for an hour the Friday before the execution.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2014/10/25/358897769/iran-executes-woman-who-said-she-stabbed-a-man-who-attacked-her

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/10/amnesty-iran-set-hang-woman-at-dawn-2014102422855125759.html