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Latest update: 16/11/2011
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NYPD dismantle Occupy Wall Street camp
Eye witness reports from Occupy Wall Street protesters as their camp is dismantled. British Press Agency Reuters accused of biased reporting in Yemen. And web users have been recreating famous paintings with photography…
NYPD dismantle Occupy Wall Street camp
The eviction of Occupy Wall Street protesters live on the Internet; activists provided real time coverage of the New York Police Department dismantling the encampment in Zuccotti Park where they had set up camp near to two months ago.
Web users have indeed been sharing eye witness reports of the eviction on social media platforms, whilst journalists, like Hunter Walker from the New York Observer or the BBC’s Laura Trevelyan say police stopped them from approaching the encampment to view the raid.
The forced evacuation has been met with widespread anger from web users. This video which shows police using excessive force has been widely relayed on the web. Dozens of protesters were arrested during the overnight raid.
The official line is that protesters were evicted for health and safety reasons, and will be allowed to return once the park has been cleaned. But demonstrators are saying that by dismantling the camp, the authorities are infringing the right to protest.
They are particularly aggrieved by the destruction of their library made up of books donated by New Yorkers. The NYPD has reportedly thrown over 5 000 books into a dumpster.
Shortly after they were evicted by the police, protesters began coordinating their next steps via social networks, and arranged to meet just down the road at Foley Square so they could plan the day of action scheduled for Thursday when they hope to shut down Wall Street, home to the New York Stock Exchange, by holding a massive street carnival.
Activists accuse Reuters of biased reporting in Yemen
Yemeni web users are up in arms after finding out British press agency Reuters had employed Mohamed Sudam, the secretary and personal translator for Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh, as its head correspondent in Yemen. Many say this is unacceptable and have turned to the web to voice their outrage.
A Facebook page called "Shame on Reuters" has been set up. Yemeni activists have been using the page to express their condemnation of the press agency’s decision, saying Reuters has lost all credibility by putting a man with such close ties to the authorities in charge of reporting on events within the country.
And Twitter has been the most popular place for web users to vent their disappointment and anger. Messages accusing Reuters of spreading biased information have been multiplying under this thread. This micro blogger is questioning the press agency’s reliability and describes the revelations as scandalous.
Other shocked social networkers are demanding an explanation from Reuters. They cannot understand how an internationally renowned press agency could have chosen such a person to cover events in Yemen.
Web user Sam Waddah has commented on the situation with humour and cynicism. He says the Yemeni correspondent is a lucky man, because he is paid by president Saleh to provide false information and then by Reuters to publish it!
Recreating famous paintings with photography
This blog has launched a competition where contestants have to recreate famous paintings with photography. The entries are very impressive and full of imagination. Dozens of photos have been posted on the site, with web users recreating works by Frida Khalo for example or Vincent Van Gogh. There is great attention to detail, and many have been given a comical twist.
Now trending on social networks
"Islami Facebook" has become a top trending term on social networks in Turkey. “Salam World", a community site for Muslims from all over the world is soon to make its debut in Istanbul, sparking an avalanche of commentary online. With many web users jokily wondering how the site will differ from its illustrious competitor. Salam World, which is financed by a businessman, will be available in 15 languages and hopes to draw 100 million members in the first 3 years.
Video of the day
In this video made for skateboard magazine Slap, we see a group of skaters take on the New York Subway. From the station corridors and benches to the subway carriages, it looks like the perfect place to practice this urban sport.
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Why OWS
You do not need to be religious to understand -and embrace- the idea that "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." But in their blind greed and schemes, the 1% has forgotten and closed their eyes to what the word "society" should really mean. Because of Occupy Wall Street and its offshoots, we are finally talking less about CUTS and more about BLEEDING. Instead of demanding more budget cuts -to be borne by the middle class and poor- we are FINALLY focusing on the shameful bleeding that the poor and middle class has endured for all too long. Instead of talking about even more cuts in the taxes of millionaires...we are now talking about fairness and justice - about an economy and a political system that is run for the rich, and by the rich. Instead of talking about LESS government, we are talking about a government that WORKS FOR ALL OF US, not just a favored few. Thank you OWS, for reminding us that people -ordinary working people- really DO matter, and for helping open our eyes to what’s really going on in this country. Thank you OWS, for standing up for the workers, and for those looking for work, and for those that will graduate or come back from war ...and find no work. Thank you OWS, for standing your ground, for enduring illegal beatings and arrests - non-violently. Thank you OWS, from all of us who can’t be there in person, from all of us who are working two and three jobs just to keep up, from all of us struggling to raise our children, or caring for our elderly, or just trying to live with some dignity.....while the rich become richer and more powerful, at our expense. The 1% are running this economy. Indeed, they’re running it right into the ground - with their get rich schemes, their shipping of jobs overseas, their tax evasions, and their cuts in social programs. You inspire and motivate us OWS. You strengthen us, and give us hope. And we’re damn PROUD OF YOU! This land IS our land! AND WE WANT IT BACK! We want our FUTURE back! But it’s much more than mere words.... it’s much more than just politics..... it’s your freakin’ LIFE, and how you want to live it, and how you WILL live it. The time has come to choose....to risk...and to act. If not now...then when? If not you, then....who? You DO have the power my friend. Don’t let your dreams die.