ISRAELIS DEMAND REFORM IN MASS PROTEST!
Hundreds of thousands of Israelis continued their mass protest and march against the government to demand social justice, and fight against the rising cost of living.
GUARDIAN:
Hundreds of thousands of Israelis took to the streets on Saturday night in Israel’s biggest ever demonstration to demand social justice, a lower cost of living and a clear government response to the concerns of an increasingly squeezed middle class.
About 430,000 people took part in marches and rallies across the country, according to police. The biggest march was in Tel Aviv, where up to 300,000 took part. There was an unprecedented 50,000-strong protest in Jerusalem, and 40,000 marched in Haifa. There were smaller protests in dozens of other towns and cities.
It had been billed as the “march of the million” but organisers said a turnout matching the 300,000-strong demonstrations four weeks ago would be a triumph. Israel’s population is 7.7 million.
Saturday’s demonstrations followed 50 days of protests that have rattled political leaders and led commentators and analysts to ask whether a new social movement would transform Israeli domestic politics for the next generation.
The main issues that the Israelis are demonstrating against are the high cost of living, transport, childcare, food and fuel, coupled with the low salaries that are paid to established professionals such as doctors and teachers.
Though Israel is a leading state with a booming economy, the fact that many middle-class Israelis have taken to the streets to symbolise their discontent, cuts a clear message to the Netanyahu administration.
Good on the Israelis for demanding equality.
"Mass protests as Hong Kong marks 15 years under China"
bbc.co.ukI’ve never been one to side with protestors in general (and I’m not doing so now), but I think that this is an important topic to be aware of. I’ve read a lot more recently on the relationship between the PRC, Hong Kong and democratic customs at large, and I don’t think the situation is as black and white as most people imagine. Nor are the PRC and democracy mutually exclusive concepts either. People tend to completely ignore that. Regardless, HK/PRC tensions are on the rise (might post a link later of the subway incident back in Dec/Jan if people haven’t seen that, and the provocative commentary on it by a senior Peking University professor that followed) and who knows where it might lead. Only time will tell.
- Off topic, work just hit insanity level so that’s why I’ve barely posted recently! Will try and keep up though over the next few weeks. I’m working with the JUMP! Foundation at the moment, partnering with Americans Promoting Study Abroad (APSA) to run a 6-week program in Beijing for 30-odd US high-school scholars. Scholars arrived today so it’s literally been non-stop since 8am this morning till midnight right now. Both organisations are fantastic and I really want to talk more about them at some point so will make sure I do a few posts. Watch this space.
2011: The Year of Global Revolution
roarmag.org
roarmag.org is compiling videos of protests against corporate greed from all over the globe.
It’s incredible.
When I was learning about all of the social activism of the revolutionary 1960s in high school, I used to feel like I was surrounded by people who were completely indifferent to most things. I used to complain about the lethargy and indifference of today’s heavily technologically influenced society, how nobody felt moved enough to give a shit about anything, to stand up for what was right and just and fair, to try to bring about some positive changes for the people…but I’m seeing that this is no longer a valid and justified concern to have today.
This is really moving.
I won’t lie; I can actually get a little misty thinking about it.
OccupyWallStreet: News and Logistics for September 17th
occupywallst.orgIn response to the Sept. 17th Occupy Wall St. call, we decided to incorporate the organizing for the event with a New Yorkers Against Budget Cuts General Assembly on Wall St. on Aug. 2nd. In order to build the Sept. 17th call, we will use this opportunity to have the first NYC meeting for the Sept. 17th event.
Here is the link to the facebook event: http://tinyurl.com/4y8qczk
Event DetailsOn Tuesday, August 2 (The Bankers’ “Debt-Ceiling Deadline”)
Come To A People’s General Assembly On Wall Street
Oppose Cutbacks And Austerity Of Any Kind
Plan For The September 17 Occupation Of Wall Street
Gather at 4:30: Meet At The Bull, Just South Of Broadway And Morris Street, At The North End Of Bowling Green Park
As the two U.S. political parties unite to dismantle Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security, it’s clear:
My Problem With Mass Political Movements
Whenever I read discussions, I’m torn between wanting to go, “Yeah, that’s a good point, we SHOULD be angry about this!” and “ARGH YOU IDIOTS THAT’S NOT HOW REALITY WORKS”. And this is when I’m looking at “my” side of an issue.
It seems like the people who know what they’re talking about and can look at multiple sides of an issue get lost in the mass of less-informed people shouting slogans and sound bites. Ultimately, sound policies don’t actually make for good slogan, making large-scale protests—and even debates on open fora like the Internet—rather problematic when trying to institute change and reform.
Bluh. People are complicated.
