About Me

My photo
I'm Carole, living in London, happily married and mum to two amazing boys.I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Rectal Cancer in April 2010. Surgery took place in November 2010 and I now have a permanent colostomy...Spinal mets were then diagnosed in October 2011...In January 2012 I was told of further spread to the hip area (multiple lesions)..My life expectancy is now 6-9 months. Walk alongside me on the last part of my experience with this..

Friday, 11 February 2011

Algeria moves to stave off unrest......


Following on from the recent revolutions in both Tunisia and Egypt, who is next?

Rab and Dj were thinking about a week in Algiers during the half term holiday - for now, we've decided that it's not an option.

Could Algerian's stand against their government in the same way that Tunisians and Egyptians have recently done? Unlikely as the military there really do control things and unlike Egypt, would have no real qualms about shooting the people.

It has not been widely reported here in the UK that over the past few months at least 12 Algerians have set themselves alight in protest at the government oppressions inflicted upon them - it has not been widely reported that during their last protest, in January this year, 5 were killed and over 800 injured.
Whilst the world looked at Tunisia and Egypt, Algerian's were killed and injured but nothing was reported.

Tomorrow a march is planned in Algiers, the capital city. Demonstrations/marches are banned by the government - currently more than 20,000 additional police/military personnel are being drafted into the capital to assist the 10,000 already in place. Transport is being cancelled in an attempt to stop people attending.....

Will the march take place?
Will people lose their lives in an effort to better their living conditions?
Will the world notice this time... or will this be kept under wraps again whilst the world celebrates the downfall of Mubarak?



Update....2:40pm Twitter is buzzing with reports of the role of women in today's protests in Algiers, with some saying that police are tageting and arresting women. There are several photos of female protesters being hauled off by police on the wires.




All pictures from Al Jazeera - English
http://english.aljazeera.net/

Posted by at

14 comments:

  1. Sarah11 February 2011 at 23:33

    Good luck for the people of Algeria on the march.
    Youre right, so much of todays news is un-reported and we are protected from what is really happening around the world. I've heard many people in the UK comment, "they are all as bad as one another" when I challenge and ask them what they actually know, they admit they are not really in touch with whats happening, "its all the same isn't it"?! ummmm...... BBC news?????? yeah right, even the Greek news shows more coverage of the world!

    Good on People of Egypt though! I too wish them luck with the future.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Cheryl12 February 2011 at 04:59

    Carole it seems we are in uncharted waters; so much unrest!
    Australia is reasonably isolated and we get only selected world news.
    Probably best to plan to visit somewhere other than Algers in the half-term holidays.
    Wishing you peace, love and improved health xo

    ReplyDelete
  3. Candide12 February 2011 at 12:52

    Let's hope the people of Algeria are encouraged by the example of Egypt and are able to stand firm in their fight for democracy. However, with the army essentially in charge and, unlike Egypt, not interfering with a popular uprising this may not be their time. Still, it must encourage people in Algeria that even the seemingly strongest regimes can be brought to change. The ripples from Tunisia and particularly now Egypt are spreading fast across the Middle East. And not before time, too. Good luck to the people of Algeria today, and in the future.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous12 February 2011 at 15:57

    I'm not sure why you care about what happens in Algeria. Isnt your blog supposed to be about cancer!

    Martin Fields - US reader

    ReplyDelete
  5. Carole12 February 2011 at 16:40

    Hi Martin,

    My blog is about cancer and life going on as normal...as it is *my* blog, I can blog about whatever I choose to :-)

    However, as you've asked, I'll explain...my husband is Algerian - therefore my son is half Algerian. My husband's family still live in Algiers. THAT is why I 'care' about Algeria.

    Your other comment was deleted. I have no interest in racist views either in real life face to face (although I doubt you'd have the courage to repeat it face to face)or via blogs.

    I suggest you now return to Fox News where no doubt you'll get your daily fix.

    Carole - both cancer survivor AND pro Arab/Algerian Democracy supporter.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Candide12 February 2011 at 17:13

    Oh good Lord!! *sigh*

    ReplyDelete
  7. Carole12 February 2011 at 17:45

    Hi Lou,

    Is that *sigh* to what's happening or *sigh* to racist comments?

    Twitter and YouTube have really changed the balance of things now...it's quite fascinating seeing the info getting out into the www rather than being suppressed internally.

    ReplyDelete
  8. ALIAS12 February 2011 at 18:48

    As a fellow Algerian, and a lover of all things 'Aunty Carole' :-), I thank you for bringing up a subject that unfortunately has not been given enough attention by the Western Media. Though I expect with the revolution that has taken place in Egypt, more light will be put upon Algeria in order to feed the Western worlds need for fear and suffering (apologies for this last comment, I am just trying to emphasise the way the media works and how it tends to focus on all things negative and horrible - which in hindsight may be due to the fact that a lot of the world is pretty messed up)

    I hope a revolution does not take place in Algeria. I think, with what happened between 1992-1997, it could turn out extremely different to the Egyptian outcome. However, with me being somewhat ignorant of the way of life over there (going back to see the family every few years doesn't exactly give me the necessary first-hand experience to say I know what it is like) maybe a revolution of a sort is needed.

    Again aunty, thank you for raising the subject on your blog, regardless of the few narrow-minded, brainwashed, Fox-watching individuals who churn out the same absolute rubbish time and time again in the hope of making themselves feel superior to others - when in fact all it does is highlight their insecurities and their stupidity.

    Tell uncle to leave it awhile if he can, the last thing you need is to be worrying about him and Dj on top of this clueless Nurse "M" that seems to have forgotten to read your medical notes.

    xxxxxxxxxxx

    ReplyDelete
  9. Carole12 February 2011 at 19:32

    Hi Lamia,

    We know the course the news tends to follow here and you're quite right about 'the need to feed the fear'.
    Last night I lost count of how many times the 'takeover by the muslim brotherhood' was mentioned (they fail to mention that they wouldn't even get enough votes anyway, simply because that wouldn't 'feed the fear')

    Fox News does make me smile though...but not in a happy way.

    Uncle will probably go later this week or maybe next wk, but Dj's not going this time.
    He's already getting two holidays this year (!) so he can go to Algeria next year.

    I hope a revolution isn't necessary in Algeria, I hope that the government realises that enough is enough, drop the emergency laws and start to listen to the people....otherwise - who knows what will happen next.

    Viva Algeria :-)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Candide12 February 2011 at 20:24

    Hi Honey

    That was *sigh* to people who feel it necessary to make unpleasant/racist/otherwise unnecessary remarks on someone else's blog. It's THEIR blog ffs, and therefore their right to put in it anything they choose. Besides, your header says, quite clearly, this is a blog about rectal cancer AND about life going on as normally as possible. What's going on in the wider world is part of life going on, irregardless of any personal connections one may have.

    That aside, Twitter, Facebook et al made a huge difference in Egypt despite the attempts to 'gag' the protests by blocking all mobile phone/internet transmissions. Let's hope the same holds true in Algeria! xx

    ReplyDelete
  11. Tony Songhurst13 February 2011 at 19:06

    Martin Fields - US Reader, I am pleased you feel comfortable enough to write derogatory and inflammatory remarks on someone else's blog so please show them the same respect and courtesy in allowing them to write whatever they darn well like on their own blog!

    Carole, my thoughts and heartfelt prayers are with you, Rab and your family, that includes your family in the UK and Algeria, that they remain safe and well in the midst of drastic change.

    One world, one vision... (isn't there a song about that)

    Much Love

    Tony

    ReplyDelete
  12. Alli14 February 2011 at 19:38

    Carole
    With the younger generation coming of age people are tired of living under despotic rule and marshall law. People deserve the right to have their own freedoms. Without any other government interference in some else's sovereignty. What we saw in Egypt was a touch of what we will be seeing in the future with the electronic age being the vehicle of communication. No one should be allowed to stay in office for 30 years.The world changes these leaders have no concept of change. I lived in Africa for a number of years (CONGO) We lived under the dictatorship of Mobutu. The one good thing about a dictatorship is you always know where you stand. You have no rights lol
    Our children are the generation of change.
    I wish your family the best in Algiers....
    Love Alli xx

    ReplyDelete
  13. Carole14 February 2011 at 22:27

    One vision ....think it was possibly a 'Queen' track Tony.

    Thank you for your thoughts and prayers - hopefully the Algerians will get some justice *without* the need of a full scale revolution.

    They've been through enough in the last few decades to be honest.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Carole14 February 2011 at 22:37

    Hi Alli,
    It's so true that the young are sick and tired of getting less...the introduction of satellite TV was the beginning really, finally being able to see what other people get, how their leaders are voted out after a few years, seeing that change happens everywhere except where *they* are.

    I wasn't a fan of Twitter before this, but have to say that it's really proved it can change things (along with the internet in general of course).

    Our children are the generation that will change the balance of the world - and not before time.

    'Rights' for everyone, is my long time dream.

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)