In Egypt a yesterday, 3 al-Jazeera journalists including Australian Peter Greste received jail sentences of 7-10yrs on trumped up charges of ‘aiding terrorists’ and ‘endangering national security’.

So ironic as to be humorous, coming from a government which seized power in a military coup.

Their recent ‘Presidential Election‘ failed to get 50% of eligible voters even turn out, a major failure for any democratic system. Despite non-voters being threatened with large fines. Despite voting being open for a full 3 days.

For comparison, elections in Australia last year received a 93% turnout. As much as it pains me to say it, the Abbott Government is a legitimate government. shudder.

All is not OK for the democratic right to protest in Australia though. 

In the State of Victoria, the Liberal Party government passed extreme ‘anti protest’ laws allowing police to ban protesters from an area for up to 12 months. The Tasmanian Government have gone further, threatening activists and protesters with mandatory jail time. It’s not just government going on the attack against civilian movements.

Corporations are hiring ‘intelligence operatives’ to infiltrate activist networks and disrupt them, even here in Australia.

Continue reading Peter Greste and the Silencing of Protest #100daysofblogging #Day22