Animal Liberation Protest
Animal Liberation protest outside the ANZLAA (Australian and New Zealand Laboratory Animal Association) conference. Thursday 4th, September, Outside the Grace Hotel, 77 York St, Sydney
‘Bloody scientists’ symbolically hold scythes around the necks of both a ‘rabbit’ and a person to signify the needless deaths caused through animal research to both humans and animals.
Animal Liberation spokesperson Emma Hurst says, “There is plenty of evidence that data extrapolated from animal experiments can prove misleading or even fatal when applied to humans. 70,000 adverse drug reactions were reported in Australia in 2006. It is unethical to continue with methods that exhaust precious research funding, waste valuable time, and delay progress toward genuine human cures.”
September 5th, 2008
I would like to pass the information about a very interesting photo competition. Please note this competition is open to Australians only. Naturally read all the relevant terms and conditions before participating. This should be a fantastic challenge and opportunity to anyone interested in people photography.
To celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights, the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) is
holding a photo competition based on the theme - ‘Dignity and justice
for all of us’.
We’re searching for images that reflect the theme of the competition and
provide a unique approach to a human rights subject. For some, the
photograph will record a moment that celebrates dignity and justice; for
others, it will capture fundamental rights and freedoms being
recognised; or it may be an observance of what human rights means to
you.
Entry categories - under 18 female, under 18 male, 18 and above.
Great prizes and entry is free.
Entries close 31 October 2008.
Further details, entry forms and terms are located at the competition website
August 28th, 2008
Animal Liberation protest at Pitt Street Mall 1561
I took a number of photos today at Pitt Street Mall of a small and peaceful protest organised by Animal Liberation. The protest was designed to shock and quite a few people had a good look at the staged scene.
I had a brief conversation with Animal Liberation representative, Nicole Brown, who said they usually get a lot more attention and are surrounded by media during their protest but only when the protesters are naked or semi-naked. When it comes to actual issue reporting main stream media is not really interested.
When I returned to the site of the protest 20 minutes after this “cages, injured and suffering” photograph was taken, police asked nicely the protesters to “move along” which the group did.
Coincidently this evening all main media outlets carried the news about protesters at the Beijing Olympics “showing skin”.
August 6th, 2008
Michelle Engelsman speaking out
Few days ago I watched Olympian Michelle Engelsman speak out against the Internet firewall in China. The event was organised by Amnesty International and took place over two days. There was no media present to report on the event and if you follow the news there was not a single mention of it.
I thought to myself if it has any sense since its exposure is very local and practically invisible.
Concurrently there was huge media outcry over the Internet limitations access in Beijing. Today, to my surprise, I have noticed the Chinese government went good on its promise of unrestricted Internet access. This extraordinary move was communicated to the journalist reporting on the Olympic Games by China’s president, Hu Jintao.
August 2nd, 2008
Stranded commuters at Berowra station _MG_1013
Today, yet again, City Rail has failed its customers. The peak hour train to Central Coast has developed a problem and one of the carriages has started to fill in with heavy, chemical smoke. The train stopped at Berowra and commuters left the carriage by themselves. There was no warning over the PA. Worse yet, once the City Rail stuff have found the smoke they still allowed the commuters to return on the train without finding the underlying cause.
Fireman leaving Berowra station _MG_1023
I watched in disbelief the same was repeated upon arrival of the Fire brigade. No communication was issued to hundreds of people sitting on the train. It took another 15 minutes before finally someone decided the further trip was not possible for this train and everyone was asked to leave and wait for the following service.
Stranded commuters at Berowra station _MG_1020
To me this situation demonstrated City Rail is poorly prepared for emergency situations. In case like this where a carriage is filled with choking smoke, everyone should have been asked to leave until the train was declared safe. This time the smoke proved to be the result of a blocked break but next time it may be something more serious.
July 21st, 2008
Intolerable tolerance
This group of protesters tried hard to make themselves noticeable amongst the pilgrims in the Hyde Park. Their message? “We have nothing against Catholics… There is no God… it is not a sin to be gay… it is not against religion to use condom”.
Media reported later on there were heated exchanges between the protesters and World Youth Day attendees. Yes, some people took offence and exchanged words with the protesters. However, what was not reported or shown on TV was the fact the young pilgrims turned their backs on the protesters and simply walked away, ignoring them completely. After brief moment even media moved on.
July 19th, 2008
River of pilgrims
River of pilgrims from all over the world is flowing along almost every Sydney street towards Barangaroo for Cardinal Pell’s opening Mass. Media is reporting the expected number of pilgrims at 140,000 accompanied by clergy:26 cardinals, 400 bishops and up to 4000 priests. With numbers like that the Mass will be the biggest Catholic Mass ever held in Australia.
Sydney has turned on a beautiful, summer like day for the attendees, so there should be no surprise most of the young people really enjoy their stay here. Lots of laughs, singing and flag waving no matter where you look.
The crowd behaviour is so far exemplary and there are no protesters in sight. Security was limited to a small numbers of police walking along with pilgrims. This however many change, as Federal Court has today removed the highly controversial “annoyance” clause form the World Youth Day Act. It “affects freedom of speech in a way that, in our opinion, is not supported by the statutory powers” in accordance to Federal Court judges.
July 15th, 2008
