The Caribbean
Haiti: elections set, disputes continue
Haitian president René Préval rejected changes US senator Richard Lugar (R-IN) proposed for presidential and legislative elections that are now scheduled for Nov. 28.
The Caribbean
Puerto Rico: cops attack students at Capitol
Dozens of demonstrators were injured at Puerto Rico’s Capitol building when riot police used batons and tear gas to keep hundreds of students from entering a session of the Legislature.
Mexico
Mexico: court frees Atenco prisoners
A five-member panel of Mexico’s Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN) announced that it had decided by a four-to-one vote to release campesino activist Ignacio del Valle Medina and 11 others.
The Caribbean
Puerto Rico: LGBT activists criticize police
Hundreds of Puerto Ricans marched in the island’s 20th Pride event, held in San Juan’s beachfront El Condado neighborhood, especially to denounce recent hate crimes against LGBT people.
Mexico
Mexico: Pride event remembers Carlos Monsivais
The 32nd annual Pride march in the Mexican capital began with a moment of silence for journalist and activist Carlos Monsivais, who died on June 19 at the age of 72.
Central America
Central America: pride marchers praise El Salvador’s Funes
About 200 Costa Ricans joined a Pride march along Paseo Colón to the central park in San José. “Being gay isn’t a sickness, it’s a sexual preference,” said one participant.
The Andes
Andes region: demos celebrate LGBT gains
LGBT organizations in Cochabamba, Bolivia, held their fourth annual Pride event on June 26, marching from Las Banderas plaza to Colón square.
Southern Cone
Southern Cone: marchers call for marriage equality
This year Pride celebrations coincided with a debate in Argentina over proposed legislation that would make the country the first in Latin America to authorize same-sex marriages.
Palestine
Rights group files FOIA requests on US knowledge of Israel’s flotilla attack
The Center for Constitutional Rights filed eight Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests regarding the US government’s knowledge of, and actions in relation to, Israel’s aid flotilla attack.
Inner Asia
One year later, Amnesty calls on China to investigate Xinjiang riots
Amnesty International urged China to launch an independent investigation into last year’s riots in Xinjiang, saying new testimony casts further doubt on the official version of events.
Afghanistan
Pakistan: Taliban target Sufis —again
Twin suicide attacks on a Sufi shrine in Lahore left 44 dead and 175 injured. The Taliban have repeatedly threatened the Data Darbar, one of the oldest Islamic sites in Pakistan.
North America
ACLU files suit challenging “no-fly list”
The American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit on behalf of 10 US citizens and lawful residents who are prohibited from flying to the US airspace because they are on the “No Fly List.”