Stories about Spanish from September, 2011
United States: Increase in Poverty Rate Amongst Hispanics
The American economy is at a standstill and seems stuck on that plateau. The poverty rate is affecting more than 46 million people, 15.1 percent of the population, according to the latest Census figures. Minorities, and Hispanics in particular, are amongst the most affected.
Colombia: Incarceration of Bogota’s Former Mayor Stirs Debate
Aside from the uproar that Congressman Juan Manuel Corzo sparked over his “fuel subsidy,” now Samuel Moreno Rojas, the former mayor of Bogotá, has been sent to prison while facing accusations of embellishment, fraud and extortion.
Mexico: #ReformaPoliticaYA (‘Political Reform Now’), Reactions on Twitter
It has been several months since citizen organizations and activists tried to attain the approval of a political reform that includes, among other points, reelection for mayors and legislators. The reform has caused passionate reactions on Twitter and revived fears from the past.
Cuba: A Tireless Defender of Gay Rights
Francisco Rodríguez Cruz is a Cuban journalist and activist who for over a year has maintained a controversial blog committed to advancing the rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community in Cuba.
Bolivia: Videos of Vigil in Support of TIPNIS Marchers
Mario R. Duran posts videos [es] of a vigil held in La Paz to support indigenous marchers in their struggle to defend TIPNIS.
El Salvador: Youth Participation in Elections
Blogger Jjmar from Hunnapuh [es] comments on youth's lack of interest in the elections and in politics in general, a problem which Jjmar argues is reflected in the low number of registered young voters in the 2009 elections and for the upcoming 2012 elections.
New Partnership Between Global Voices and El Colombiano
Global Voices in Spanish has a new agreement with El Colombiano, the leading newspaper of the vigorous city of Medellin, which will allow their readers to access Global Voices content in Spanish through a blog created for this purpose inside the EC-Blogger section of the El Colombiano online version.
Spain: Police “Welcome” 15M Protesters in Paris
The "march of the indignant people" that left from various cities in Spain and France to cross Europe, was welcomed by the police in Paris. One hundred people who were heading to the French Parliament were dragged, sprayed with pepper spray and detained. Chris Moya reports.
Bolivia: Cochabamba Vigil in Protest of Police Repression
A vigil was held in the Bolivian city of Cochabamba in protest of the September 25 police repression of the indigenous march in defense of the TIPNIS. Photo-blogger Stephany Eguino of the blog Pale Angel [es] captured the images of the gathering.
Bolivia: Police Repression is a Violation of Human Rights
Cristina Quisbert of the blog Bolivia Indígena [es] writes about the police repression of the TIPNIS indigenous marchers as a day that “will remain recorded in the history of indigenous communities as a nefarious day in the violation of their human rights.”
Bolivia: Mobilization in Support of Indigenous Marchers
In the past month, indigenous highway protest marchers in Bolivia have received widespread support from residents of cities on their route donating food and supplies, as well as from many Twitter users using the hashtag #TIPNIS.
Bolivia: Police Repression of Indigenous Marchers in Yucumo
The Bolivian indigenous march against a planned highway reached a standstill with the blockade of pro-government groups in the town of Yucumo. On September 25, uniformed police officers launched tear gas at men, women and children, causing diverse nationwide reactions.
Chile: Twitter Trending Topics and #yomarchoel22
Students marched in favor of education reform on Thursday, September 22, but surprisingly, the hashtag netizens used on Twitter –#yomarchoel22– did not become a local Trending Topic. Enzo Abbagliati in his blog Cadaunadas [es] reminds his readers that Trending Topics are a legitimate but limited representation of reality.
Ecuador: Digital Illiteracy Rate in Loja
Voces Lojanas [es] shares important data about Loja from the VII Population Census and the VI Housing Census. The census reveals that in Loja digital illiteracy is at 29%, but cell phone use is at 73%.
USA: The Real and Digital Unite for Latin American Literature
La Casa Azul - an online bookstore - has recently announced it is going to collaborate with a new bookstore located in Washington Heights, New York. Word Up (@wordupbooks) has two goals: to spread Latin American literature and independent bookstores.
United States: “Occupy Wall Street” Takes the Heart of New York's Financial District
In New York, a peaceful protest has developed: "Occupy Wall Street." Inspired by the events in cities throughout Arab and European countries, demonstrators are protesting against the way in which the U.S. economy has been managed.
Cuba: Historic Wedding
Paquito el de Cuba celebrates and narrates the historic wedding [es] in Havana between a man and a transgender woman: Ignacio and Wendy.
Colombia: Outrage at President of Congress Over Oil Subsidy
Last week, Juan Manuel Corzo, Senator and president of Colombia's Congress, caused outrage on social networks when he tried to justify a fuel subsidy for congresspeople. The issue became "personal" when Senator Corzo declared that Twitter users criticizing him were being "rude," adding: "I'd rather not steal from the State and that [others] pay for my gasoline."
Mexico: Uproar Over Twitter Law Proposed by Veracruz Governor
A controversial law in Mexico could imprison those who spread rumors through social networks on the charge of "disturbing public order". Mexicans are speaking out against the law, which has been labeled #LeyJavierDuarte on Twitter after the name of Veracruz governor, Javier Duarte.
Spain: Crowdsourcing Democracy
The website 100 medidas (100 measures) [es] is a crowdsourcing project that is collecting citizen's recommendations on how to improve the government. People will vote for the best 100 measures, which will be sent to the government elected on the November 20, 2011 general elections.
Puerto Rico: Santurce is Law
The art blog Fractal [es] covered what seems to have been a wonderful night during the event Santurce es Ley, a collective artistic movement dedicated to revitalizing and connecting the Santurce community, a sector in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
