Firefighters vs. Austerity; Anonymous Hacks Hate Group; Occupy Istanbul Launches

Anonymous Hacks Hate Group: On Wednesday, hackers linked with Anonymous released a list of the full names and addresses of members of the far-right, anti-immigrant English Defense League (EDL), including phone numbers of senior members and records of criminal convictions. Following the May 22 murder of soldier Lee Rigby by an individual with reported links to Muslim extremists, England has seen waves of anti-Islamic protests and attacks, including the attempted arson of a mosque. On June 1^st, more than 50 demonstrations across England have been planned by the EDL and the British National Party, in what anti-racism activists call a ​“day of hate.”

Occupy Istanbul Takes Off: Protesters occupied Taksim Gezi Park in the center of Istanbul, Turkey on Tuesday to protest its imminent destruction. The public park is reportedly slated to be replaced by a shopping mall. After setting up tents and sleeping in the park, protesters were attacked with tear gas on Wednesday morning, prompting them to manufacture homemade gas masks and physically block police and demolition vehicles in their attempt to prevent the clearing of trees. Though Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has affirmed that the park will be demolished as planned, political leaders have voiced opposition, and the Occupy Taksim Park movement continues to grow.

Firefighters vs. Austerity: On May 29, firefighters in Barcelona, Spain clashed with riot police in a demonstration against austerity Catalonia. Hundreds of public employees burnt coffins labeled ​“public services” as they gathered in front of Catalonia’s parliament building. Firefighter unions charged that proposed staff and spending reductions jeopardize the safety of Catalonian workers and community members.