Thousands across Russia protest poll fraud - Europe - Al Jazeera English

“They’re calling not for revolution, but for political evolution.”

1,600 activists have been arrested in Russia for protesting against the vote on December 4 which is thought to have been tampered with in favor of Putin’s party.  Today is the biggest day of protests so far, relatively peaceful, government wants ‘controlled dissent without actual change.’

Power to the People

This is Tahrir Square, after police went through burning protester’s tents.  The battle for Egypt has resumed as SCAF (the army) attempts to hijack the revolution and the democratic process despite repeated calls for them to leave.   

This image, of civilians standing face to face with riot police, is spreading across the globe.  Power to the people.

Source : Guardian

Freedom Riders

Pure genius.  

“We want to show the world that this is not a country of democracy. It is a country of apartheid and injustice.” - Bassal Araj

Not all Palestinians are terrorists.  Not all Israelis are hardline settler hawks.  Peace happens when moderacy (which apparently is not a word) and understanding trump narrow, interest-driven extremism.  

The Mayor of Mogadishu

So this is something cool that I watched on AJE on one of their special programs.  Which incidentally make for some of the best political commentary and analysis I’ve ever seen, other than Jon Stewart, of course.  Witness and The Stream are particularly good.  

Anyway, this is about the positive developments in Mogadishu.  Conventional understanding tells us that Somalia is nothing more than basket-case covered in blood, but general assumptions like that tend to erase the small, slow movements toward peace that are so essential.  

Getting the word out that there’s hope for peace discourages perpetrators of violence in any situation, so please watch!

Syrian Army Defectors Hit Intel Complex

Everyone, this could be really good news!!!  The army is the powerhouse of the Assad regime, and the fact that people are not only defecting from it but acting against the regime is very positive.  The extreme violence against protesters and civilians and the lack of media has crippled the protests, and years of 1984-style rule have created deep layers of fear that make it difficult to organize en masse.  Those are some of the reasons, very briefly, why Syria has been different from Egypt and Tunisia, but army defectors fighting back might encourage more soldiers to leave, and more protesters to stand up.  In congruence with Abdullah’s call for Assad to leave and the influence of countries like Qatar and Turkey, the situation is looking a lot more hopeful, although if Assad is forced out the rebuilding process afterwards will be ugly.  

I also encourage everyone to take a minute and honor the courage and sacrifice of protesters across the Arab world who have stood up, often in front of a loaded gun, and demanded justice.  Especially, I want to honor the protesters in Syria who have not backed down in the face of sniper rifles, abusive police, and torture, and the army defectors who were strong enough to leave despite the high probability of their execution because they believe in the value and holiness of human life.

Also please take a moment to honor those who have died fighting for their rights, in Syria especially, from torture, extrajudicial execution, police brutality, and in combat.

(Best article yet on Syria: http://www.jadaliyya.com/pages/index/2906/the-dynamics-of-the-uprising-in-syria)

Source : jadaliyya.com