Filed under: government, technology | Tags: anarchist, Elliot Madison, G-20, protest, tweet, twitter
Or so it seems for Elliot Madison. The 41 year-old social worker sent tweets to his pals during the G-20 protests in Pittsburgh. Apparently, Madison was a part of grassroots group called the Tin Can Comms Collective. Madison’s tweets described protests and related events. As reported by the NYT:
Many of those messages tracked police movements. One read: “SWAT teams rolling down 5th Ave.” Another read: “Report received that police are ‘nabbing’ anyone that looks like a protester / Black Bloc. Stay alert watch your friends!”
Now, F.B.I. agents have arrested him for “hindering apprehension or prosecution, criminal use of a communication facility and possession of instruments of crime.” The federal authorities raided Madison’s home and confiscated equipment.
As Gawker reports:
Investigators are taking this thing super seriously: they raided Madison’s Queens apartment and removed antiquated items, like “newspapers,” an “address book,” whatever that is, and a picture of Lenin. Anarchists are so predictable.
A frightening proposition: Big Brother may be monitoring those 140-character messages you mindlessly send while waiting in line at the RMV. I’ve blogged in the past about the dangers of public life on the Internet. Ever wondered who’s following your Tweets and tracking your public information, and for what purpose?
Here’s the video of the Iranian student who called into CNN’s “American Morning” to provide a ground picture of the protests. Contrast with the official government TV picture of the climate.
Filed under: global justice, world | Tags: ahmedinejad, iran, melody moezzi, moussavi, protest, underground railroad
As we know, the foreign media has been banned from covering post-election unrest in Iran and citizen journalism has filled the void. I thought this YouTube video provided a ground-level picture of aid to protesters. The accompanying information reads:
Tehran, Iran 7 Tir Sq on the 22nd of June. People helping a injured – When the hospitals are taken over by Basij and Police you find other ways to help injured – First Aid “Iranian style”. They are burning paper to then put the ashes on wounds to prevent infection.
Stay Strong, Brave Iranians
:: THE WORLD IS WATCHING ::
CNN broadcast an incredibly moving interview with Melody Moezzi, an Iranian-American author, who provides an overview of the brutal actions of the Basij, the abandonment of politics, and the development of safe havens/underground railroads. Despite political views, Moezzi says, “We’re all in the opposition at this point, because we’re opposed to murder.”
She emphasizes the fear and the hope of friends and relatives in Iran. About the murder of Neda on Saturday (Neda means “the voice” or “the call” in Farsi) , Moezzi asks: “How do you say to a woman who’s dying, ‘Do not be afraid’? Because she’s a martyr.”
Here’s the clip:
Filed under: global justice, world | Tags: iran, maddow, moussavi, protest, soccer, world cup
Rachel Maddow provides an insightful overview of the people’s protest in Iran: the brave political rebellion of the undenibaly recognizable Iranian soccer players competing in the World Cup (the world’s largest sporting event, rivaling the Olympics); the division among top cleric leaders; and the importance of today’s Day of Mourning events.
Opposition leaders including Mir Hossein Moussavi will convene the hundreds of thousand civilians in a national Day of Mourning today–the sixth straing day of protests–in an attempt to martyr those who have been killed in suppression by the Iranian government. Interesting to note that these leaders are attempting the same strategy that they used successfully in the 1979 overthrow of the Shah.
Let’s hope that today’s actions make an impact.
Filed under: government, politics | Tags: gay marriage, mormon, new york, prop 8, protest
Last night, thousands in New York City showed up to protest the passage of Prop 8 in California, a law that prohibits gay marriage. There’s been lots of stirring commentary on the elimination of these civil rights, by, among others: Dan Savage on The Stephen Colbert Show (I didn’t know that Colbert was pro-gay but anti-gay marriage–which seems like an oxymoron) and Keith Olbermann in a moving commentary that crossed boundaries of sexuality.
Screaming from the Rooftop posted pictures and rough video, and notes those in attendance:
Among those marching were Larry Kramer, Whoopi Goldberg, Jake Shears, Dan Savage, Andy Towle, Jefferey Self along with sidekick Cole Escola.
Looking forward to the Boston rally on Saturday at City Hall. Mark your calendars for the protest that begins at 1:30 pm, gather your friends, sign up on Facebook, and show up! If hatemongers like the Mormon church (who contributed more than $20 million dollars to fight gay marriage) want to prohibit our civil rights, it’s up to each of us to voice our opposition and support for everyone to love.
Filed under: government, politics | Tags: boston, gay marriage, prop 8, protest
If you haven’t already heard, on Saturday there will be protests across the country to repeal Proposition 8, California’s discriminatory law that bans gay men and lesbians from marriage. Our recent election showed that Americans do care, and do take action, and will show up in multitudes in support of a common cause.
Boston’s protest takes place at City Hall beginning at 1:30 pm. Don’t sit idly by, show up and fight for the civil right of marriage for all. [img from Flickr user backseatpilot]
