| repost from LA Times... Occupy Central With Peace and Love Nearly 100 pro-democracy protesters, some scaling fences, tried to occupy part of a plaza at the main government compound in Hong Kong late Friday, before police using pepper spray moved swiftly in an attempt to disperse the crowd. The protesters, apparently among a group of students and activists who have been demonstrating to show displeasure with local government and Chinese authorities in Beijing, were cheered by more than 1,000 supporters. Many people and police officers remained in the area early Saturday. Six people, including a 16-year-old, were arrested, police said. Our goal is to raise the public's awareness ... but also to give our feedback to the central government: You can't continue to rule Hong Kong this way.- Charles Fung, student organizer Augustine Yung, 27, said he went to the area to support the protesters and witness their treatment by police. "The government gives us an illusion of freedom, when in fact our sphere of liberty is getting ever smaller," he said. The move to try to occupy the public plaza, which had been fenced off after another recent protest, came after thousands of university students in Hong Kong had skipped classes this week to criticize government authorities who they say are not allowing an open process in the election of a new chief executive, Hong Kong's highest office. During the five-day boycott, students scattered across the lush lawns outside the local government compound instead of attending classes. By day, many listened intently to academics and civic leaders lecturing on activism and democracy movements at home and abroad. At one gathering of activists, the seemingly convivial atmosphere was belied by stridently worded banners, some reading, "End one-party rule" or "Resist, and fight for self-determination." read more at LA Times... |
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Perfect Timing World leaders will be gathered in NYC for a landmark U.N. climate meeting — just the right moment for big public pressure. Massive Scale We’ll peacefully flood the streets in historic numbers, both in New York City and in solidarity events around the world. Unprecedented Collaboration Over 950 (!) businesses, unions, faith groups, schools, social justice groups, environmental groups and more, all working together. Centered on Justice Committed to principles of environmental justice and equality — representing the communities that are being hit the hardest by climate change. This is an invitation to change everything. In September, world leaders are coming to New York City for a UN summit on the climate crisis. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is urging governments to support an ambitious global agreement to dramatically reduce global warming pollution. With our future on the line and the whole world watching, we’ll take a stand to bend the course of history. We’ll take to the streets to demand the world we know is within our reach: a world with an economy that works for people and the planet; a world safe from the ravages of climate change; a world with good jobs, clean air and water, and healthy communities. To change everything, we need everyone on board. Sunday, September 21 in New York City. Join us. SIGN UP NOW http://peoplesclimate.org/march/ From the Fight for Fifteen: McDonald's thinks they can ignore us or intimidate us. They should meet their 81-year-old maintenance guy, Jose, who was arrested while shutting down 42nd Street during the peaceful protest at the Times Square McDonald's. Striking workers have been arrested in cities across the country for civil disobedience so that ALL of our voices can be heard -- and we're not done yet. See more at strikefastfood.org
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