Two Protests Today

London:

A Rally in Trafalgar Square between 2:00pm and 4:00pm on Saturday March 25th 2006.

The strength and survival of free society and the advance of human knowledge depend on the free exchange of ideas. All ideas are capable of giving offence, and some of the most powerful ideas in human history, such as those of Galileo and Darwin, have given profound religious offence in their time. The free exchange of ideas depends on freedom of expression and this includes the right to criticise and mock. We assert and uphold the right of freedom of expression and call on our elected representatives to do the same. We abhor the fact that people throughout the world live under mortal threat simply for expressing ideas and we call on our elected representatives to protect them from attack and not to give comfort to the forces of intolerance that besiege them.

(see also my updated entry here on this.)

New York:

A demonstration of solidarity with Belarus’ opposition is planned this Saturday, 25 March, in Manhattan, NYC. All not indifferent people are welcome to come support democracy and freedom for Belarus! The rally starts at 9:00am at the building of Belarusian mission to UN, 136 East, 67th Street (between 3rd and Lex. Ave), New York, NY 10021. Please, don’t hesitate to join. Pass this information to your relatives and friends. Long live free, independent, democratic Belarus!

(see also my expanded entry on Belarus here)

Meanwhile, I’m in Japan…