China: demonstrable discontent
Dedicated to preserving stability and maintaining its monopoly on power, the Beijing regime sings the praises of China’s booming economy. Meanwhile, with China’s reforms crippled by political corruption and the rising gap between rich and poor, the Chinese Government is facing serious challenges from those who have been socio-economically disadvantaged. The Oriental Outlook Weekly reports 58,000 relatively large disturbances and riots occurred in 2003: an increase in social unrest of 15 per cent compared with the previous year. According to a separate (official) report, 3.1 million people took place in marches, demonstrations, rallies and petitioning expeditions during September 2004 alone. In more than 100 instances, city and county government offices were damaged or forcibly occupied.
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Voices from the margins:
Multimedia: video, podcasts, and more.
- Poetry Slam in Zimbabwe
- The House of Hunger poetry slam held in Zimbabwe in 2006, and organised by the Pamberi Trust, showcased young artists performing inspirational work on issues from corporate power to child soldiers. The video features four of the poets.
Published by Pambazuka News.
- Iranian women speak out
- 3 March 2007, London. Women's rights activists marched through the English capital last week to celebrate International Women's Day with a protest against the misogyny of the Islamic regime in Iran and the threat of invasion by the US. Hear the voices of Iranian feminists Azar and Leila Parnian and the sounds of the demonstration as it passed through the heart of the city. Click here to learn more about the campaign.
Produced by Heidi Bachram.
- Raised Voices audio:
- Benny from West Papua on Corporate Power
- Vinayan from India on agriculture
