Global
Assembly of The Social Movements
The Assembly of The Social Movements, while not exactly a part of the World Social Forum, is the place where action gets agreed and a statement of intent is issued.
Focus on the Global South has compiled a report and the call of the Social Movements is published here. For more
The Long Slum Walk
One of the most moving, difficult and memorable demonstrations I have been priviledged to participate in closed the WSF in style on 25 January.
Gathering in the Kariobangi slum in Nairobi, at a catholic church and school / community centre, thousands of people, mostly Kenyan but many from overseas, having been
Struggles in the Sun
Jambo Everyone!
The major part of the WSF is drawing to a close, this infrequent blog has so much to say, but the internet connections here leave much to be desired. Some have been more successful at finding the place and time to write stuff online, but I’ve been a little
WSF 2007 Day One
Saturday 20 January 2007. The opening of the seventh WSF has been quite a spectacular success. A peace march started this morning from Kibera to Uhuru Park.
Kibera is one of the biggest slums in Africa. For those who have seen it, Kibera featured in the film A Constant Gardener. Easily
Results for the movement
Balance sheet
Given the deal passed by the WTO, is this an unmitigated disaster for the global justice movement?
Well, yes and no.
For those who looked to the WTO and certain negotiators to deliver trade justice it’s a complete disaster. For those who believed the WTO could help “Make Poverty History” it’s
Effects of the Protests on Hong Kong?
Balance sheet
It’s certainly the HK authorities strategy to paint a picture of the demonstrations being entirely consisted of outsiders. As I have reported before that became less and less the case as the week progressed. On many occasions, including quite late in the sit-in in Gloucester Road on Saturday night,
Results of the WTO summit - inside the conference centre
Balance sheet
The deal signed at the closing stages of the conference was a disaster for developing countries. The representatives of Brazil (Celso Amorin) and India (Kamal Nath) should hang their heads in shame. They have, as leaders of the G20 Group (that’s the developing countries, as opposed to the less
Hundreds of Koreans rounded up and arrested
Defiant protesters arrested for opposing the destruction of their livelihoods
On the night of Saturday 17 and throughout the morning of Sunday 18 December many people were arrested in Gloucester Road, more details about numbers and the treatment of political prisoners have since emerged. There is a clip of the arrests
Update on Koreans arrested
The latest word is that 14 men will remain in custody to face charges over the demonstration against the WTO. 11 of them are Korean, and they are with one Hong Kong resident, one Japanese and one Taiwanese. They have been refused police bail. They are due in court on
Final Showdown report
Today’s demo was always going to the the one that counted
Yesterday ensured Hong Kong will go down in history alongside Seattle and Genoa. The determined and disciplined actions of the demonstration (many, but by no means all Koreans) saw the WTO ministerial iminently threatened with invasion.
A protest gathered in Victoria
Gearing up for the Big One.
the focus of negotiators and proesters shifts to a final night showdown
The mood in Hong Kong seemed to change yesterday. Such was the sympathy for the Korean activists who did the three-steps-and-bow, there is a far wider acceptance of the protesters. Each evening there’s been a candlelight vigil near to