Violent clashes between residents of Buenos Aires and migrants

VIOLENCE AGAINST MIGRANT SQUATTERS IN ARGENTINA

Hundreds of police in anti-riot gear and dozens of armored vehicles: Residents of Buenos Aires in Argentina, woke up to a climate worthy of a battle field after order forces intervened on Saturday in the Villa Soldati park, to put an end to several days of rioting between locals and migrant squatters who had set up their tents to protest the lack of decent housing in the city.

These confrontations did not go unnoticed on the local web. Many pictures have been posted online by residents of Buenos Aires and show how people from the Villa Soldati park area had been gathering in the streets since Tuesday to protest against the high numbers of migrants in the capital. As we see in these Flickr photos, the protestors denounced the inaction of the authorities by blocking access to the neighbouring motorway.

As illustrated in these various amateur videos that are currently circulating online, the demonstrations degenerated. Several migrants have been killed and dozens of others injured. Certain Buenos Aires residents prevented ambulances from arriving at the scene.

The City Mayor, Mauricio Macri responded quickly. And he is accusing the government of allowing the situation to deteriorate to the point of no return. On Twitter, he is asking residents to remain calm, and says that the authorities have not insured the people’s safety.

Miguel Pirela meanwhile, an Argentine web user, is slamming some of his fellow citizens for being xenophobic and attacking defenseless migrants. He says it is Argentine people who have grievances; yet it is they who killed migrants and not the contrary.

FREE MOHAMMED ABDULKARIM

“We are all Mohammed Abdulkarim”. This Facebook group was set up by Saudi web users and is calling for the liberation of this 40 year old law professor. He was arrested on the 5th of December.

Mohammed Abdulkarim was taken in for questioning after publishing this article on his blog. He makes mention of the disputes at the centre of the Royal Family, concerning the succession to 86 year old King Abdallah who is currently in hospital in the United States. The academic was wondering what consequences these conflicts would have on Saudi Arabia’s political future. The article was then widely circulated online, and on social networks in particular.

Although it is a highly sensitive subject, speculation concerning succession to the throne is growing. Mohammed Abdulkarim’s arrest has launched a debate on freedom of expression amongst Saudi web users. This anonymous blogger thinks citizens have the right to be concerned about their future and that of their country.

This young activist is concerned that Mohammed Abdulkarim will remain behind bars for many years without actually being charged, like many other political prisoners in the country.

And his lawyer, Walid Abu Alkhair, is campaigning via Twitter. He is sharing information on the case and appealing to political officials who use the micro blogging platform.

CHILDHOOD MEMORIES

Mickey Mouse, Bugs Bunny, the Smurfs and also Sailor Moon. Cartoon characters have recently been all the rage on social networks. Many web users have been replacing their profile picture with an image from their childhood. This trend has turned into a child abuse awareness campaign, with web users sharing links to child protection web sites.

NOW ON ITUNES

Microsoft founder Bill Gates is now available on competitor iTunes, Apple’s online shop. This is in fact a joke set up on “Now on iTunes”, on which anyone can create their own ad by parodying the huge promotional campaign set up for the arrival of the Beatles to Apple’s online store. The generator could well be a hit amongst unknown musicians with over inflated egos.

VIDEO OF THE DAY

Here’s something for thrill seekers! In this video we see young American Dane Jackson, practicing a little known sport: extreme kayak. Filmed in the US, Canada, Germany and Austria, this display will give you an insight into this activity which is both physical and technical.