Latest news with #prodemocracy
New York Times
12 hours ago
- Politics
- New York Times
Suchinda Kraprayoon, Thai Leader Who Set Off Bloody Protests, Dies at 91
Suchinda Kraprayoon, a prime minister of Thailand who seized power in a military coup, then violently cracked down on pro-democracy protests in 1992, events that came to be known as Black May, died on June 10 in Bangkok. He was 91. His death, in a hospital, was reported by the Thai News Agency. Mr. Suchinda's brief tenure as prime minister, from which he resigned in humiliation after just 48 days, was a pivot point in modern Thai history. His leadership was considered such a disaster that it quelled the military's appetite to overtly interfere in government for more than a decade, an unusual interlude in a nation long dominated by the armed forces. A charismatic Army general who became a short-fused politician, Mr. Suchinda was the nation's supreme military commander in February 1991, when he helped engineer a bloodless coup against a civilian government, some of whose ministers were notorious for corruption. It was the 17th military coup or attempted coup in Thailand in six decades. After the coup, Mr. Suchinda publicly promised that he would not take the job of prime minister, yet he did just that in April 1992, after being nominated by a pro-military coalition in the legislature. Opponents called his appointment 'Suchinda's second coup.' Tens of thousands of protesters flooded the streets of Bangkok beginning on May 17. Troops loyal to the government sprayed the unarmed crowd with automatic rifle fire. The lobby of the Royal Hotel in the city's historic center became a makeshift surgical ward, where at least 10 people were reported to have died on one given night. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Japan Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Japan Times
China security office flexes new power with Hong Kong probe
Beijing's national security office in Hong Kong has carried out its first known joint operation with city officials, marking an expansion of China's direct law enforcement in the financial hub. Local authorities on Thursday night announced they were investigating a case of alleged foreign collusion with China's Office for Safeguarding National Security. The office interviewed six people after requesting the support of Hong Kong police using new powers granted last month, according to a statement. Hong Kong security officials searched the homes of six suspects, as well as the office of an organization, and seized evidence including bank documents and devices. The individuals were also required to surrender their travel documents. The suspects are accused of "collusion with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security' from November 2020 to June 2024, the government said. The statement didn't reveal their identities. The raids show Hong Kong's clampdown on dissent is still expanding, five years after President Xi Jinping imposed a security law on the city to cement Communist Party control. Hong Kong officials this week banned a video game for the first time under security legislation, accusing it of advocating armed revolution. That came days after imprisoned former activist Joshua Wong was hit with a fresh security charge. The one-time poster child of the city's pro-democracy protest movement was due for release in early 2027, having served two-thirds of his current 56-month prison term. In response to a Bloomberg News inquiry, a spokesman for the Hong Kong government said it "strongly opposes to unfounded allegations and slandering remarks against the joint operation' without specifying the offending statements. No one has been arrested in the ongoing investigation, the person said in an emailed reply. The joint operation this week marked the first application of the Safeguarding National Security Regulation, which was fast-tracked into law to facilitate Chinese security personnel. While the Beijing-imposed security law allows mainland officials to assume jurisdiction in certain cases, the new measures bolstered that legal framework for China's security apparatus to operate directly within Hong Kong's common law system. The May 13 legislation, which took effect before being review by lawmakers, requires Hong Kong government departments and civil servants to provide "all necessary and reasonable assistance, facilitation, support, backing and protection' to the Chinese security officers upon request. The new rules also criminalize acts that could impede the China-run office's work, including disclosing details of its investigations, with penalties extending up to seven years in prison and fines. The Hong Kong government has signaled a continued emphasis on national security even as it vows to focus on supporting growth, which has been challenged by China's slowdown and an uncertain external environment.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
'No Kings Day' protest brings thousands to Iowa State Capitol to 'give voice to people.'
A crowd estimated to number around 7,000 people gathered outside the Iowa State Capitol Building on June 14 in opposition to Donald Trump's Flag Day military parade in Washington D.C., a date which also coincided with the president's 79th birthday. The Des Moines protest was just one of more than 1,800 events held worldwide, 35 of which were held in Iowa, according to a news release from Indivisible 515, one of the groups that helped organize the Des Moines event. Several other groups had a hand in helping to orchestrate the rally, including Food and Water Watch, Progress Iowa, the Party for Socialism and Liberation Iowa, Team Bernie, 50501, AFLCIO of Iowa, LULAC, and ICAN. The tagline of the event? 'No Kings Day.' The mission? 'To give voice to people who want to live in a democratic society,' said Marie Herring, one of the organizers with Indivisible 515. 'We are about pro-democracy, we are anti-corruption, and I think what we are seeing is a great deal of corruption. We have different causes, we have different things that brought us here today, but today we are rallying around the common theme of 'No Kings.'' Earlier in the week, Trump warned that protesters of the Flag Day parade would be met with violence. A few days later, on June 12, he laughed off would-be protestors, saying 'I don't feel like a king' in response to a question from a reporter in the White House. In stark contrast to the president's promises, the news release from Indivisible 515 stated that 'No Kings Day' protests were committed to being non-violent, and the protest at the Iowa State Capitol reflected that. There was a minimal police presence, but no intervention ever occurred. 'I hope people understand that we're protesting for our democracy,' said Katie Johnson, 21, from Ankeny. 'I think that America could be great if we actually followed the rules that were made for us. There's a constitution for a reason.' In Ames, a similarly peaceful crowd filled Roosevelt Park. People of all ages spanned across the park, from young children to senior citizens. Several people were carrying signs that said 'No Kings,' or ones depicting crowns that had been crossed off. Many were carrying American flags. Johnson's sentiment was one shared by many of the older protestors at the rally, though in a slightly different manner. 'I want to apologize (to our grandchildren) for screwing up so bad,' said Lynne Howard, 69, from Des Moines. 'We were hoping to leave them with a better world.' Denise Wilson, 68, from Grimes also apologized to the younger generations, saying, 'It doesn't feel good to be losing our rights. We have to take a stand now because I want (our grandchildren) to grow up in a free society like what we had, and it's going away quickly.' As the official event drew to a close, protestors began to gather along Grand Avenue, cheering with signs held high. Honking cars rushed past with flags streaming from their open windows — American flags, Palestinian flags, Mexican flags and Honduran flags, among others. Drivers and passengers alike joined in chanting with those lining the street. The overwhelming majority of protestors seemed to share in one mentality, summed up by Russell Kingsley, an 86-year-old Navy veteran from Urbandale. 'I believe in democracy and I see it slipping away,' Kingsley said. 'I want to do everything I can to stop it from sliding any further.' Ames Tribune reporter Celia Brocker contributed to this report Norah Judson is a reporter for the Register. Reach her at njudson@ This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: 'No Kings Day' protest brings thousands to Des Moines
Free Malaysia Today
7 days ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Second group of Hong Kong democrats freed after 4 years in jail
A van carrying LGBTQ+ and pro-democracy activist Jimmy Sham Tsz-kit arrives at his house after being released from prison in Hong Kong. (EPA Images pic) HONG KONG : Four people jailed in the landmark Hong Kong national security trial of '47 democrats' accused of conspiracy to commit subversion were freed on Friday after more than four years behind bars, the second group to be released in a month. Among those freed was long-time political and LGBTQ activist Jimmy Sham, who also led one of Hong Kong's largest pro-democracy groups, the Civil Human Rights Front, which disbanded in 2021. CHRF was one of the largest pro-democracy groups in the former British colony and helped to organise million-strong marches during anti-government protests in 2019 that turned violent at times and had a big impact on business and tourism. The others who were released were Kinda Li, Roy Tam and Henry Wong. At the end of April, former pro-democracy lawmakers Claudia Mo, Kwok Ka-ki, Jeremy Tam and Gary Fan were released from three separate prisons across Hong Kong around dawn. Since large and sustained pro-democracy protests erupted in Hong Kong for most of 2019, China has cracked down on the democratic opposition as well as liberal civil society and media outlets under sweeping national security laws. The 47 pro-democracy campaigners were arrested and charged in early 2021 with conspiracy to commit subversion under a Beijing-imposed national law which carried sentences of up to life in prison. Forty-five of these were convicted following a marathon trial, with sentences of up to 10 years. Only two were acquitted. The democrats were found guilty of organising an unofficial 'primary election' in 2020 to select candidates for a legislative election. Prosecutors accused the activists of plotting to paralyse the government by engaging in potentially disruptive acts had they been elected. Some Western governments including the US called the trial politically motivated and had demanded the democrats be freed. Hong Kong and Beijing, however, say all are equal under the national security laws and the democrats received a fair trial.
Fast Company
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Fast Company
No Kings Day: June 14 protests set to be biggest yet, will counter Trump military parade in locations nationwide. Here's what to know
June 14 is shaping up to be a big day, with millions of Americans expected to take to the streets in what organizers have said will likely be the largest single-day turnout of the anti-Trump, pro-democracy protest movement since President Donald Trump took office for a second term in January, dubbed 'No Kings Day.' Organizers expect 1,800 rallies will take place on Saturday for 'a nationwide day of defiance' in every state, and major city across the country—except Washington, D.C, so as to avoid clashes with the Army's 250 anniversary celebrations which will be held that day in the nation's capital (more on that below). 'Peaceful, organized, and united. Make it clear: we don't do kings in this country,' the No Kings organizers said in a statement to Fast Company. 'From city blocks to small towns, from courthouse steps to community parks, we're taking action to reject authoritarianism—and show the world what democracy really looks like,' according to the No Kings website, 'On June 14th, we're showing up everywhere he [Trump] isn't—to say no thrones, no crowns, no kings.' The No Kings protest is sponsored by Indivisible and a broad coalition of over 180 partner organizations including: the ACLU, Common Cause, Greenpeace, Physicians for Social Responsibility, Standing Up for Science, a number of unions, including the Communication Workers of America, and teacher federations. 'Even conservative estimates say that 3.5 million people turned out for the Hands Off mobilization on April 5,' Indivisible's Ezra Levin told Fast Company. 'No Kings [in the U.S] is on track to exceed that by millions more… With events [in] red states, blue states, purple states, rural areas, suburban areas, urban areas, United States, North America, Europe, South America—we're all over.' The anti-authoritarian, pro-democracy protests aim to counter President Donald Trump's multimillion-dollar military parade in Washington, D.C. that day to celebrate the Army's 250th anniversary that will be held on Trump's 79th birthday, which is also Flag Day. According to the Associated Press, Trump has long wanted a military parade, which is expected to feature 6,600 soldiers, 150 vehicles and 50 helicopters on a route from Arlington, Virginia to the National Mall, where there will be a fireworks display. The Army initially estimated that the cost for the day's birthday celebrations, including the parade, would range from $25 million to $45 million, which now look closer to $40 million, according to USA TODAY; and come at a time the Trump administration's so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has slashed budgets and jobs at federal agencies, including civilians in the Defense Department, per the AP. The parade's enormous price tag has further angered many Americans and Trump critics already fed up by the president's overall mishandling of the economy, from tariffs to immigration, best summed up as the TACO presidency, or Trump Always Chickens Out.
