A global threat to civil liberties is unfolding, undermining democracy around the world. As protests multiply worldwide and activists powered by mobile technology and social networks proliferate, a counter-reaction by governments – not only in the Global South (something that does not make news due to their track-record of abuses in the not-so-distant past) but also, alarmingly, in the Global North – is under way. The direct victims are, as always, individual citizens (an increasing number of activists are paying the ultimate price) but also organised civil society, which is struggling to fight back in good shape, with better tools and improved strategies, through global exchange and coordination. DemocraciaAbierta discusses how the waves of protests – which have occupied streets and squares worldwide over the past few years – can be transformed into movements that can challenge power. More information is available here.
Source: Open Democracy
