Indigenous people lead Bolivian democracy struggle

(rabble.ca news) - On September 11, rightist gangs massacred more than 30 unarmed supporters of the government of Evo Morales in the Bolivian state of Pando. The government of Stephen Harper has said not a word about the political terrorism in Bolivia.

A popular uprising in Bolivia is defending its government and democratic institutions against U.S.-inspired minority violence.

On September 23, about 20,000 peasants and miners marched on the eastern city of Santa Cruz, where the right-wing government has been encouraging terrorism and intimidation of Bolivia’s indigenous majority and trying to oust the government of President Evo Morales.

Popular assemblies in La Paz, Cochabamba and elsewhere in the country added to the pressure against this disruptive minority, whose supporters have killed dozens of Bolivians in recent weeks. The right-wing opposition’s banner is “autonomy” for the provinces they rule, but their real goal is to return the rich oligarchy to power.

READ MORE HERE [ Source: rabble.ca news, John Riddell, Sep. 29, 2008 ]

ACTIVISM: Beijing Olympics: How to stage a protest

(Telegraph.co.uk) - But for those who do not wish to take the risk of arrest and deportation, there is another, perfectly legal way to get heard at the Olympics: Chinese authorities have earmarked three “designated protest zones” around the capital city.

Such zones have been a feature of every Olympics since Sydney in 2000, and for China they are a response to criticisms that freedom of speech would be limited during the event. They are, however, a far cry from Speakers’ Corner in Hyde Park.

For one, they are tucked away in hard-to reach suburbs, seven miles from the main Olympic stadium. And for another, the rules on exactly who can demonstrate and about what are as strict and complex and as any in China’s byzantine bureaucracy. Human rights activists have branded them as worthless “protest pens” and predict they are likely to stay empty for the duration of the Games.

READ MORE HERE [ Source: Telegraph.co.uk, David Eimer, August 9, 2008 ]

ACTIVISM: Canadian among pro-Tibet protesters removed from Tiananmen Square

(CBC.ca) - Five activists, including a 24-year-old Canadian, were taken away by police Saturday after holding a protest in Tiananmen Square over China’s policies in Tibet.

Montrealer Chris Schwartz, a student at Concordia University and longtime member of the pro-Tibetan movement, was among a group of activists from Students for a Free Tibet.

The other protesters came from the United States and Germany. There are reports the five are facing deportation for staging the mock “die-in,” starting around 12:30 p.m. local time.

Members of the group covered their mouths with fake blood and pretended to be dead before rising up and chanting slogans in support of human rights and the Tibetan cause, according to journalists who were invited to witness the event.

READ MORE HERE [ Source: CBC.ca, August 9. 2008 ]