CIVICUS Voices is a podcast that brings you voices of people, communities, and organisations defending civil liberties and human rights.
Hosted by Ester Pinheiro, the fourth season of the podcast is focused on the right to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly (aka protesting). In this 6-part series, we will be joined by civil society experts and on-the-ground activists to tell us about their experiences with protesting.
Episode 1: Protests work
Protests work because they disrupt the status quo and force those in power to confront uncomfortable truths. They are a direct challenge to injustice, showing that people will not be silenced or ignored. They are a direct challenge to injustice, showing that people will not be silenced or ignored. When people take to the streets, they send a clear message: change is not just desired, it's demanded. To kick off the fourth season of CIVICUS Voices, we will be sharing successful examples of how protests have been impacting society positively around the globe. From abortion rights in Latin America to Black Lives Matter in the USA to the Tunisian Revolution, there are many success stories as a result of protest movements.
Episode 2: Know your rights as a protester
In this episode, we give tips to stay safe while protesting. What are some safety recommendations for before, during and after a march or protest? Can you lose your job or get expelled from your university for attending a protest? What happens when you protest in a country that restrict civic freedoms?
Episode 3: Protesting in a narco state
This episode delves into the complexities of protesting in countries where drug trafficking significantly impacts governance and civil liberties, as Honduras and Ecuador. In a number of countries across Latin America, the entanglement of political instability and narcotic economies often results in precarious conditions for activists.
States embroiled in battles against drug cartels face a dual challenge: maintaining public order and respecting the right to protest. Allegations of corruption at the highest levels can intensify public outcry, as seen when officials are implicated in drug and arms trafficking. So, how are citizens managing to protest amidst drug cartel state circumstances in Honduras and Ecuador?
Episode 4: What's the difference between protests and riots?
Do you know what is the difference between protests and riots? In this episode, we delve into two examples of antidemocratic riots in the Brazilian Supreme Court in 2023 and the Capitol in the US in 2021, to explain how they differ from peaceful protests. As 2024 is the biggest election year so far, at least 65 countries will go to the polls, political results unsatisfaction can lead to riots.
Episode 5: The Future of Protest
From the rise of social media to the advent of Artificial Intelligence, these technologies have revolutionized how protest movements are organized and how voices are heard. Yet, with increased surveillance and stricter laws, the digital battleground is complex.
This episode covers how the digital realm has opened up new frontiers for activism: what are the opportunities and challenges for the future of protest?
