michaelcaster

The contentious politics of China’s New Citizens Movement

June 17, 2014

This article was originally published by openDemocracy.net on June 6, 2014. Available here. – Corruption has been among the grievances that have inspired civil resistance and toppled empires, even in some of the most authoritarian regimes. In China, from indignation over the corrupt Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) that helped mobilize the 1911 Xinhai Revolution, ending the … More The contentious politics of China’s New Citizens Movement

Urging Nonviolence After Tiananmen

June 5, 2014

In commemoration of the Tiananmen Massacre, the following is from a pamphlet issued by the Autonomous Federation of Students on June 4th, 1989. It outlines and reiterates the need to remain nonviolent. “This fascist massacre pushes the people of the entire nation beyond the outer limits of toleration. The blood will not have been shed … More Urging Nonviolence After Tiananmen

A striking pose: labor resistance in China

May 4, 2014

This article was originally published on May Day at wagingnonviolence.org here. It was also kindly republished by China Labour Bulletin here. — As if in anticipation of May Day, one of the largest episodes of labor resistance in decades unfurled in Southern China like a great red carpet of contention throughout the month of April. … More A striking pose: labor resistance in China

Yue Yuen and the world

May 4, 2014

This article was originally published on May Day as ‘Yue Yuen: wildcat strieks and autonomous labor struggles in China’ at ROAR Magazine, reflections on a revolution, as part of a series on labor resistance, available here. — In China, the Communist Party (CCP) and the All China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU) promote and protect … More Yue Yuen and the world

In China: Citizenship on Trial

February 12, 2014

This article was originally published in a shortened version on 7 February 2014 at Waging Nonviolence. Available here. — Last week China observed the lunar New Year. The Spring Festival is celebrated with two weeks of fireworks and food, when hundreds of millions of Chinese travel home to be with their families, but this year … More In China: Citizenship on Trial

The Securitization of Social Media in China

February 8, 2014

The crackdown on ‘human flesh searches’ and including cybersecurity within the jurisdiction of the recently created National Security Committee, are the most recent episodes in a series that outlines the Communist Party’s concern and intent regarding social media. Xi Jinping’s administration is concerned that social media represents an innovative mechanism for petitioning and collective action … More The Securitization of Social Media in China

Revisiting Righteous Indignation

January 21, 2014

Originally published by Dissident Voice on 20 January 2014. Revisiting Righteous Indignation: the Radical Tradition of Martin Luther King Jr. There’s a scene in Lee Daniel’s The Butler when the son of Forest Whitaker’s character is sitting in the Lorraine Motel with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., shortly before his assassination. Dr. King asks those … More Revisiting Righteous Indignation

“5 overlooked activist victories in 2013”

January 15, 2014

On 31 December Wagingnonviolence published their 5 Overlooked Activist Victories in 2013. I am proud to be a contributor to Wagingnonviolence and especially proud that my contribution on cyber resistance in China was number five on their list. The editors write: Activists experienced some big wins in 2013 — from the overturning of the Defense … More “5 overlooked activist victories in 2013”

In China: Rightful Resistance and the UN Human Rights Council

December 10, 2013

This article was originally published under the headline Internationalizing rights-based resistance in China: the UN Human Rights Council and the citizen at openDemocracy.net on 15 November 2013. But in light of today, UN Human Rights Day, it seems appropriate to share again. — On the morning of 22 October, special envoy Wu Hailong led Beijing’s … More In China: Rightful Resistance and the UN Human Rights Council

Foreign Journalist Reprisals in Beijing

December 8, 2013

Yesterday ChinaFile published a short collection of responses from journalists, academics, and politicians expressing their analysis and illustrating what they see as the correct path forward regarding the non-renewal of journalist’s visas in a piece called: Will China Shut Out the Foreign Press Here is my immediate reaction: I think Bill Bishop‘s remarks are the … More Foreign Journalist Reprisals in Beijing

Human Rights Advocate and Researcher