Discussion Summary

Discussion Summary

After browsing Democracy Now, I have come upon two articles that I found to be extremely relevant in today's social movements. The first article is about Russia and their stance on gay rights and how it will affect the Winter Olympics taking place currently in Soji. Within the article Dave Zirion gave info on the fact that although Russia is anti gay rights, the United States still has 29 states that allow employers the right to fire anyone for their sexual preference. He also stated that although it is unfortunate that Russia has a strict policy on gay rights, the vast stage of the Olympics allows the gay rights social movement to bring awareness to the social injustice. After reading the entire article a quote that from Dave Zirion stood out most to me when he stated, "Puttin has fulfilled the greatest mandate of the Olympics, I mean,  no matter what your issue, your passion, your desire for social justice, there is a part of thest Olympics that will inflame you."

The other article I found to be riveting is about three activist who could face up to two years in prison for protesting against an oil pipeline that spilled in 2010. The article statated that in a nonviolent manner they tied themselves to excavolters of a construction site. The activists see the possiblity of going to prison as a possitive in that it has brought awarness to the injustice of the oil company. They also found that not only did the oil company have a lage oil spill, they also tried to cover up the whole situation rather than coming clean about the enviormental insodent. After reading both articles I have gained an all new appreciation for those who fight aganist the social injustices in the world. I was truly taken back by the willingness of these individuals to sacrifce their livlhood for what they believe in.

http://www.democracynow.org/2014/2/3/michigan_activists_face_up_to_2

http://www.democracynow.org/2014/2/5/celebration_capitalism_the_olympics_global_protests

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