Bacco Luciano’s Post

Did you know about the peaceful protests attempted by the G@zänś in 2018? And how they were met with brutal vío|ęn¢ë and mürdę® ?? B/c I didn’t know about it either until recently… sharing to help inform anyone interested and to dispel any notion that history started last oktober… “…the Israeli Security Forces (ISF) killed and gravely injured civilians who were neither participating directly in hostilities nor posing an imminent threat to life. Among those shot were children, paramedics, journalists, and persons with disabilities. 183 people were shot dead and another 6,106 were wounded with live ammunition. The demonstrations were organized by a ‘Higher National Committee,’ whose members came from all sectors of Palestinian society, including civil society, cultural and social organizations, students unions, women’s groups, eminent persons, members of clans and representatives of several political parties. While the demonstrations were civilian in nature, bringing them under a law enforcement legal paradigm, they were at times violent, including throwing stones, cutting through the separation fence, and launching incendiary kites and balloons. The Commission found, however, that the use of lethal force in response was rarely necessary or proportionate. For lethal force to be permissible, the victim must pose an imminent threat to life or limb. The ISF violated international human rights law in most instances the Commission investigated.” Link to pdf of UN HRC Report of the detailed findings of the independent international Commission of inquiry on the protests in the Occupied Palestinian Territory: https://lnkd.in/ezzKiejr Link to landing page for UN HRC Report of the UN Commission of Inquiry on the 2018 protests in the OPT: https://lnkd.in/eADjMb4X

Several news sites report on the fact that #NON #VIOLENT protestors have received 4 and 5 year JAIL sentences. IN THE UK. This is not Russia, this is not Afghanistan, this is the UK. And this, via an infiltrated Zoom call? As in, what about privacy laws? Reuters says "The prosecution comes amid a wider crackdown on protest movements in Britain and across Europe.' #protest and #demonstration is a #right in Europe! it is a way to show #support, or get #attention for topics that people feel are not getting the podium they need by our political parties. And just maybe we should not say "fanatic', but #desperate? We have seen over the last years several demonstrations, from other parties (farmers) that have, by no means, received as much backlash as the protestors against #climatechange, with probably as much damages and costs. Maybe something to think about? And I am interested to see if my post will be taken offline, as I see curiously enough, NO posts on LinkedIn about this topic. https://lnkd.in/e5cnFtkP https://lnkd.in/eQTPRqpp

#Protecting the Right to Peaceful Protest This position paper argues that the use of excessive force by the state in response to civic protests is a violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms. We urge the state to respect the right to peaceful protest and refrain from using excessive force, including the use of live bullets and tear gas. Hunger marches should be recognized as a universal call for help and should be met with a peaceful and constructive response. Introduction: The right to peaceful protest is a fundamental human right that is essential for the functioning of a democratic society. However, in many cases, the state has responded to peaceful protests with excessive force, including the use of live bullets and tear gas. Arguments: 1. Excessive force is a violation of human rights: The use of live bullets and tear gas is a violation of the right to life and the right to bodily integrity. 2. Peaceful protests are a fundamental right: The right to peaceful protest is essential for the functioning of a democratic society and should be protected. 3. Hunger marches are a universal call for help: Hunger marches are a universal call for help and should not be met with violence. Recommendations: 1. The state should respect the right to peaceful protest and refrain from using excessive force. 2. The use of live bullets and tear gas should be prohibited in situations of peaceful protest. 3. Hunger marches should be recognized as a universal call for help and should be met with a peaceful and constructive response. Conclusion: The use of excessive force by the state in response to civic protests is a violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms. We urge the state to take concrete steps to protect the right to peaceful protest and ensure that excessive force is not used against protesters.

#EndBadGovernanceInNigeria: DSS identifies sponsors of Aug. 1 protest, warns against action The Department of State Services on Thursday warned against the planned nationwide protest against hardship in the country. The agency said on Thursday that it had already identified the sponsors of the planned protest and warned them not to proceed with it as it is not in Nigeria’s interest. The warning is contained in a press statement signed by the Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Dr. Peter Afunanya, and made available to Vanguard. The security outfit warned that it had intelligence that the planned protest would be hijacked by hoodlums to cause chaos and extreme violence in the country. The statement alleged that the goal of the planners is to cause regime change, especially at the centre. Part of the statement reads: “The DSS has followed the discourse on planned protests in parts of the country in the coming weeks by persons and groups yet to identify themselves in the public as leaders of the plot. “While peaceful protest is a democratic right of citizens, the Service has confirmed a sinister plan by some elements to infiltrate the protest and use it to cause chaos and extreme violence in the land. It has also identified the reason behind the protest to be political. “The plotters desire to use the intended violent outcome to smear the federal and sub-national governments; make them unpopular and pit them against the masses. The long term objective is to achieve a regime change especially at the Centre. “The Service has also identified, among others, the funding lines, sponsors and collaborators of the plot. “However, it does not think that aggression should be the first line action in the instance, in handling the emerging scenario. It has instead, variously applied non kinetic and conflict resolution strategies, including moral suasion, stakeholder engagement and other multi-track diplomatic shuttles, to dissuade the planners from actualising their undesirable objective. “Based on the foregoing, the Service wishes to warn all the protest groups to eschew any form of proposed rage, anarchy and spoliation. WhatsApp Facebook Twitter Email LinkedIn Reddit The post #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria: DSS identifies sponsors of Aug. 1 protest, warns against action appeared first on Akelicious.

My Position on the Nationwide Protest of our Young Citizens All reasonable people know that majority of our citizens- especially the young ones- are distressed on many counts, from biting economic hardship that is prevalent in the country today. They blame it on Bad Governance and are therefore demanding an end to it. What is there to contest on a clearly established matter like this? Unfortunately, the language and actions of politicians, public officials and their allies to the distress of citizens are far from democratic and empathetic. News in the media suggest that our young citizens are planning to protest nationwide. And as we all read the reactions on social and other media, it does appear that the planned protests already agitate the federal and state governments. I hope the @NigeriaGov and its allies can quickly and wisely cease from threatening those among our Citizens who wish to exercise their constitutional right of expression, association and movement through a nationwide protest. I urge the @NGRPresident @NGRSenate @HouseNGR leadership and members as well as Governors across the country to not waste the golden opportunity that the planned protests are offering them as holders of public positions. Use this opportunity of the planned protests to engage your dissatisfied and disaffected young citizens with utmost civility. Here are at least 2 wise actions that @NigeriaGov and Governors can take: 1. Ensure that the protesters are protected and supported by the @PoliceNG and related agencies like the Civil Defense Corp to protest peacefully and orderly in presenting their demands and agitations to the authorities. Be guided by the terrible lessons of the mishandling of #EndSARSProtests. 2. Respond to the protesters with a convincing pathway and plan to achieve Good Governance on each specific issue they are protesting against or for at this time. I hope that our politicians and public officials will heed counsel and allow themselves the humility of listening and learning from their citizens at a time like this. I wish the protesters a well-organized, orderly and peaceful protest. ✍🏾✍🏾✍🏾

Wise words from Jonah Goldberg re: the growing and caustic protests ripping the nation. "There’s nothing inherently good or bad about protesting. Organized protest is a form of speech, and, like speech, it is rightly protected by the 1st Amendment. But, also like speech, its morality — though not its legality — is wholly dependent on the content." So much of these protests are riddled with a failure of leadership, tactics, and coherent messaging. Nevermind the framework for resolution and the targets of hate. Nuance and self-control is essential, but when the cause is self-righteous indignation in defense of others rooted in existential threat, no measure is too far with the attention spread. Pray for our nation.

On May 7, peaceful demonstrations took place in Tbilisi and other cities in Georgia. Activists are demanding that Georgian legislators withdraw the bill on foreign agents. A police cordon stopped the march near Parliament. Previously, on May 1 and 2, police used tear gas, rubber bullets, and water cannons to disperse demonstrators. Dozens of people were injured, including the opposition leader. The foreign agents bill, which the opposition calls the “Russian law,” would require media outlets and non-governmental organizations that receive more than 20% foreign funding to register as agents of foreign states. European states and non-governmental organizations worry the law will negatively affect Georgia's prospects of joining the European Union. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development president said the law could undermine the Georgian economy and investor confidence. The final reading of the bill is set for May 13. The parliamentary majority of the ruling Georgian Dream Party can bypass the president’s veto. The opposition vowed to continue protesting if the government moves forward with the bill. In December 2023, Georgia received candidate status for EU membership, but the ruling party maintained its close ties to Moscow and its confrontational stance towards NGOs and LGBTQ+ organizations. HRF calls on Georgian legislators to refrain from passing the “foreign agents” bill, not to use force against peaceful protesters, and to respect civil rights and freedom of speech in Georgia.

The protests started on May 7th due to a proposed law designed to erode the sovereignty of the Georgian people and keep them under the thumb of the Russian government. In recent years, the Georgian people have made steady progress in fighting for liberty and the rule of law. This new law, however, reverses this progress and threatens the future of freedom in Georgia. It does so by placing significant restrictions on media outlets, NGOs, and other non-profit organizations working in the country. The law, being called the “Foreign Agents” Bill, would authorize the Georgian government to surveil organizations promoting the ideas of freedom and democracy. In addition, the government party that proposed this law has launched a campaign of violence and intimidation against peaceful protesters, activists, and employees of the organizations they seek to surveil. In a context with over 100,000 people protesting, many have been injured by tear gas or pepper spray. Others have been beaten and unlawfully detained, and more still have experienced a wave of threats to their own lives and the lives of their families.  Elizabeth Tsereteli, European Programs Associate at SFL and resident of Georgia, stated: “The pro-government media has been sharing voice clips from LibertyCon Europe, a recent Students For Liberty event that took place in the capital city of Tbilisi, as ‘secret material’ that they gained, framing it as a destructive foreign force and claiming it is a conference of radicals with destructive forces, whose finances are from unknown sources.” Students For Liberty stands in solidarity with those individuals who have been violently assaulted by the pro-Russian government forces because of their stance on the issue — Dimitri Chikovani, Gia Japaridze (a frequent speaker at SFL events in Georgia), Lasha Ghviniadze, Boris Chele Kurua (an alumnus of SFL), and Nodar Chachanidze — a list that is growing quickly. As a community, we denounce any government violence that threatens the rule of law, goes against freedom of expression and association, violates democratic principles, and hinders Georgia’s road to a freer future. Elizabeth Tsereteli, the European Programs Associate at SFL,can be reached directly at etsereteli@studentsforliberty.org for any comments or questions regarding details on the ground in Tbilisi.

You have a video of me, the ability to play it an infinite amount of times, and yet you still misquote me? @NYDailyNews you need to do better. I never said that we would “shock” protestors as you inaccurately reported; I said “extract. “ Because that’s what we did here, we extracted protestors from illegally trespassing on these campuses at the request of the schools. This is why it’s important for officials to use social media. It’s a way to respond to consistently inaccurate articles and correct the record that you so hastily put together. And not once has the NYPD commented on the politics of these protests. We don’t care if you’re protesting in support of Palestine or against, or if you’re pro-police or anti-police. The content of your protest is irrelevant to us. We will always respect and protect your right to protest, whatever the topic is. But we will expect you to not break the law, and not engage in criminal conduct. You have a right to peacefully assemble, you do not have a right to engage in lawlessness. But as always, the NYPD will be here if you forget that and be sure to remind you that breaking the law has consequences.

Military Sends Strong Warning To Organisers Of Planned August 1 Nationwide Protest Ahead of the planned nationwide protest over economic hardship in the country, the military has warned organisers of the protest against any form of violence. The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, at a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday warned that the military won’t allow anarchy to befall Nigeria. He hinted that organisers of the planned protest intend to replicate the recent protest-turn-anarchy demonstration in the East African country Kenya. General Buba said although citizens have a right to ventilate their grievances, the military won’t condone any form of violent gatherings or protests. He added that the military has uncovered plots by unscrupulous elements to hijack the protest and turn it into a violent one by attacking innocent Nigerians and their businesses. “While citizens have the right to peaceful protest, they do not have the right to mobilise for anarchy and unleash terror. “It is easy to see that the contemporary context of the planned protest is to shadow the outrage in Kenya which I must say is violent and remains unresolved,” he said. “The level of violence being envisaged can only be described as a stage for anarchy. “The Armed Forces on its part will not stand by and allow anarchy to befall our nation. This is because we have seen wars and have witnessed anarchy in countries with which we have operated, particularly in times of ECOMOG (Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group) and during our peacekeeping operations in various countries. He said some people fantasise about war thinking that it is like seeing movies but can’t fathom the destructions that come with war. WhatsApp Facebook Twitter Email LinkedIn Reddit The post Military Sends Strong Warning To Organisers Of Planned August 1 Nationwide Protest appeared first on Akelicious.