Political Protest

 

On Saturday January 31, there was a political protest event in a skybox high above the Water Haven sim. Organized by a group called Democracy Defenders, it lasted from 2 to 4PM SL time. 

 

I dropped in when Rosedrop Rust was performing for the crowd. Earlier, Justine Johndory was scheduled to play music for the first hour. 

 

The people talked about politics and current events, encouraging one another,  "Awareness and activism are so important." "It's so amazing to know there are like minded people in SL fighting for democracy." "We seem disorganized fighting for democracy because...  it's organic and we all bring who we are...  the village.  Not the corporation." :Call your Reps in Congress." "... sign up to watch elections!  It's fun and important!"

 

Some people were carrying signs, a few with language not suitable for a safe at work article. There were also some political cartoons on the wall critical of the current President.  

 

Eventually, the event came to a close, "Keep up the good fight." "Well done Democracy Defenders! Thanks for being part of the solution." "Go be great!" 

 

Democracy Defenders has weekly meetings, Thursday at 6 SL time. 

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

April Fools in Second Life

 

Some people love April Fool's Day. Others hate "International Crawl Under a Rock Day" as one called it. Either way, quite a number or pranks happen. Some go well. Some don't. And a few go truly epic. The Newser got into the act with it's April Fool article. But we weren't the only ones having fun. So were many others, including the Linden Lab Moles with their "UFO" stunt.

Read more in Extra.

VR Chat Security Update Results in Mass Protests by Playerbase

 

The Newser hasn't written much about VRChat in a while. This is mostly because we've been busy with reporting on Second Life, but until recently we didn't hear of much other than it's increasing userbase that was making it a true competitor to the older and more established virtual world. But this week there was a major development that's gotten a lot of anger from its users. The developers installed a security update in order to combat the mods of hackers and other malicious users. Trouble is, it also disables the mods players made over time to improve the experience of users, notably disabled users, some saying a number were to address issues the developers were slow to act on. 

Read more in Other Grids, MMOs, and Games.

Protest Against Russian Invasion of Ukraine in Moscow Island, And Other Support For Ukraine in Second Life

 
On Wednesday February 23, Russia launched a full scale invasion against it's neighbor of Ukraine. The result has been protests across the world against the unprovoked act of aggression ordered by Russian leader Vladimir Putin, and in support of the Ukrainians. But for those trying to protest within Russia, the results have been the demonstrations broken up by police and the protestors arrested.

Within Second Life, there have been some protests against the invasion as well. On Friday February 25, I got a tip of one. It was appropriately enough at the Moscow Island sim, which is known for having a build of the Kremlin and one of Lennin's tomb. Near the tomb, I saw several avatars. One was flying a sizeable Ukrainian flag. Another looked bloodied and was wearing a blue and yellow dress, the colors of the Ukraine's flag. And there was one girl wearing a Putin mask, AnuAmun (AnuAmun Alchemi). "Путин должен уйти!" The girl shouted, "Putin needs to GO!"

Going over to her, I asked if there were more people here earlier. "People do come and go," Anu told me, "Some of us are gonna keep avatars here for as long as possible. There's no sim for Ukraine that I know of. And this is the only one related to Russia that looks official enough, since the actual Red Square has been closed in real life. There should be more people here. Getting the word out may help."

The protestor went on, "I have friends - in Russia, that fear going out in the street because of the repercussions. For some the responsibility, even though not directly theirs, weighs them down strongly. And internationally no one is placing blame with the Russian people. They are all prisoners to a criminal organization ran in part by Vladimir Putin. The economical sanctions imposed by the west are going to hurt the spectrum of the population in Russia that already hurts economically. It's the sons and daughters of Russia that are loosing their lives for the personal financial growth of Putin and the ones around him. And 60,000 Ukrainians have crossed the border into Poland and Romania in the past day. 

"For Ukraine this is an existential crisis. People remember how the 'liberating army' forgot to leave after the end of WW2. No one diminishes the importance of Russia and it's sacrifice in WW2. But this is 2022. Ukraine is an independent nation that should and must choose it's own future. On a personal level - I am just of the opinion that Putin does not actually care about the lives Russia will loose, or the lives or Ukrainians or even Ukrainian-Russian ethnics in the east. His interests are in the control of however much territory he can get at the negotiating table - including the gas fields in eastern Ukraine and Odessa. And it's a bit hypocritical criticizing America or the UK for being imperialistic and then turning around and actually doing it. Little men with big egos throughout history have shaped and reshaped maps on the bodies and with the blood of the innocent and the young - this is no different. We're better than this!"

When I mentioned I was going to keep the anonymity of the protestors in the article aside from those who gave their okay, Anu told me in her case it was fine, "I am ok - in the West.  Also I am not Russian or Ukrainian , by birth I am Romanian. I do have countless friends in both countries. We're neighbors after all. And neighbors help each other, they don't invade each other.

Dropping by the next day, I noticed the protest had been moved to a corner of the sim away from Lenin's Tomb, and was smaller in number. I got a message from Anu, "We were removed from the sim! I filed a report, mass removal for protesting." So it appears the sim owner was no fan of the protests.

Later on, someone passed me a notecard, written by a Stephen Yuvensky, calling on people to support a number of Second Life stores owned by Ukrainians, "Ukrainian owners of the SL stores likely won't be able to create new releases in the nearest future. So I suggest supporting them by visiting their MPs and inworld stores ..." The notecard had a list of store links on Google Docs (link here). "Please note that none of the following owners asked for this list. It's fully a desire and idea of community to show our support! If you know any other designers who are in Ukraine please let me know for them to be added." More on the notecard can be read in a New World Notes article. 

I would also be told about a set of Ukrainian flags (flagpole, wall mounted, desk, etc) that was being given away by Lupinia Studios, owned by Natasha Petrichor (earlier, we wrote about her Frolicking Deer Cay). You can get the flag set/fatpack for free at Marketplace (link) or inworld or practically free at 1L at Braunworth (127/245/179) and Tofte (173/120/146). Someone would also pass me a free and shareable flag.

There's quite a bit of support for Ukraine in Second Life. So we may have more on the subject soon.

For more information on the invasion of the Ukraine, one can check these links at Fox News, CNN, and the BBC.

Sources: Wikipedia, Reuters

Hat tip : CLEOPATRA Xigalia

Bixyl Shuftan
 

A Busy Weekend

 

Quite a bit happened this past weekend. The Relay for Life's Home and Garden Expo officially started. New Toulouse had it's "Sami Gras" parade on Saturday. Roma had it's Equirria and Lupercalia events. Caledon had it's 16th Anniversary Ball (above). There was a protest against the Russian invasion of Ukraine in Moscow Island. Veterans Island had their annual fundraiser concert. And more.

More on some of these events later.
 

Reader Submitted: "Elf Equality" Protest

 *

"Having toured and scoured the Fantasy Community Center I have detected a glaring lack of a statue to our beloved Rillifane, Leaf Lord and primary Deity to Wood Elves, and many Fae, faeries, humans and lovers of the wildes.  This blatant slap in the face can nae stand unanswered. Tis bad enough we must endure taunting from Sun Elves about our natural ways,  They call us simpletons and ignorant.  And they say we are nae fit to sleep with pigs but I assure ye we are.   I stand at an appropriate location to correct this injustice, and urge an exploratory board be formed, a committee convened, a clutch clatched to resolve this injustice forthwith, fifthwith even.  I submit this with a resounding,  Hmmmph!" 

Tealcie Annibles 

Editors Note: The "protest" was in the name of fun.
 

Reader Submitted: Turkey Protestor

 

Taken by Clarence the Crosseyed Lion (binghamton Resident). It seems one turkey has been trying to encourage people to have something else for Thanksgiving.

Funny Picture of the Day

Taken in Caledon. Looks like these turkeys are a little upset about what's for dinner for the holiday season.

By Bixyl Shuftan

"Hover Bug" To Be Fixed Today

On Friday January 11, dozens of tiny avatars and friends of held a protest at Governor Linden's Mansion to draw attention to the "Hover Bug" which was making some mesh avatars, tinies included, appear to float a few feet off the ground. Linden Lab listened, and it is delivering. On the webpage for Second Life on Monday January 15, the Grid Status Report area stated there would be a "Bake Service Update" for early this morning. A closer look revealed this update was the one that would fix the glitch that's caused the mesh tinies so much trouble.

We're floating a new update to help you get back on the ground! You may encounter issues changing outfits during this time.

Once the update has completed, any avatars experiencing issues with hover height will need to change outfits in order to help you stand on the ground. 

Oldesoul Eldemar, who spends part of the time in the Relay For Life as a Tiny, had a few comments about it, "Have an issue- call a tiny! Still lockin em up at Fantasy Faire! I mean dis is jest silliness!" There were a number in the comments section of the protest article, "A big box of choco waffas and a box of Wootjoos to the Lindens! Hugggles!" "On behalf of my dinky and titchy friends, thank you for fixing this!" "Thank you programmers for helping me, my frens, my frens' frens, and all those affected by involuntary flight."

So the issue seems to have been resolved, and the tinies can, to paraphrase a quote from World of Warcraft, keep their feet on the ground.

Bixyl Shuftan

Tinies Protest at Governor Linden's Mansion

So what do the tinies of Raglan Shire worry about? Usually they'll tell you it's about where their next waffles are coming from. But lately, there's been a "Hover bug" in the mesh tinies that's been driving them to distraction. So they decided to get Linden Lab's attention with a protest at Governor Linden's Mansion in Clementina. And they did so in a way of seriousness and humor only they could pull off.

Read the story in Events.

Satirical Aritst Kake Broek Banned From Second Life

Art can sometimes be strange, weird, even disturbing. But at what point should an artist be punished for his or her work? Late last month, satirical artist Kake Broek announced he had been permanently banned by Linden Lab. This sparked protests, and questions about just why the satirist had been expelled from the virtual world.

Read more in Extra.

Political Update: "Avatars Aganst Trump," Conservative Podcast Goes on Hiatus

It's been a little over a month since the new President's inauguration. But political discussion in Second Life has still been going on. Some residents would rather have nothing to do with politics and it's "poo-flinging shrieking monkeys" to paraphrase one. For others, however, it remains a hot topic.

"Avatars Against Trump," a Flickr group, invites Second Life photographers "to express their opposition to Trump and his policies in screenshots and machinima. ... Get creative, get angry, get ridiculous with in-game signs, sculptures, satire, and more!" As of the writing of this article, various people have submitted over 140 screenshots. Many were dark and humorless pictures, calling for resistance. Adolf Chapman in contrast had an amusing one inspired by a news article about an upcoming cartoon movie, poking fun at Trump's idea of a border wall.

Earlier this week in the Second Life Republicans group, some of whom gather to listen to the "Front Porch Political Talk" conservative podcast, there was an announcement by Hatton Humphrey, known in Second Life as Hatton Hunghi. He was putting his podcast on hiatus.

Those are very difficult words for me to write but I have to. For a number of different reasons the show has, for the moment, run its course. We have always had the goal to provide insight and information from different perspectives and on different issues. The current media and political climate makes achieving that goal week in and week out neigh on impossible. The arguments are repeating themselves and if we continue on the path we're on it turns into either an echo chamber or a broken clock.

Hatton thanked his listeners for their support over the years, his show having gone on since 2007. He expressed his hope to "restart the show some time in the future." He reminded that the show's Facebook page was still up for people to leave comments.

Bixyl Shuftan

Inauguration Weekend in Second Life

Last Friday, January 20, was Inauguration Day, when  President Trump was sworn into office. In a few places in Second Life, notably in London City, the new President was celebrated. But not everyone was celebrating. Some artists have responded with protests, and one designer has made available inworld the pink hat worn by the women's rights protestors in real life.

Read more in Events.

Demonstration in Second Life Supporting Iranian Protesters (2009)

One might not think of Iran as having anything to do with the Internet or social media, let alone Second Life. But a number of the Iranian public have proved surprisingly savvy when it comes to Facebook and Twitter. Following the results of a rigged election in June 2009, dissidents used these means of communication to broadcast images of demonstrations and hardliner crackdowns. On June 25, a demonstration of support of the opposition was organized in Second Life.

Read the 2009 article in Events.

"Protest" At Raglan Shire

Throughout the month of May, the tiny community of Raglan Shire held it's "ArtWalk," one of Second Life's most well known yearly art exhibitions, attracting talent from all over the Grid. The pictures and photographs are set up on "hedges" for the event. But what happens to the hedges once the exhibition is over?

 Hearing on Facebook that there was some activity going on at the Shire, I logged on and teleported over. I soon found the activity. There were two tinies with protest signs, "Save our Hedgies," and "Hedges 4 Hedgies!" Facing them was a third tiny with a line of tiny bots behind him, dressed in ancient Greek helmets, and carrying a third sign, "Move over hedges, the Greeks are coming."

I walked over just as the conversation went, "Will there be waffles cooked fresh at the Ool?" "But this is still a fun little protest (big grin)." I then greeted the tinies, "Heh, what's this about a protest?" One of the tinies looked at me with puppy-dog eyes, "*sniffles* Can we save a few hedges?" The other explained "we're just haveing a fun little protest about saving the hedges." They then chanted a "Save our hedgies" gesture. And indeed the bulk of the hedges that should have been up were taken down, with just a few still up.

Raglan Shire does have a Facebook page, and checking that out there were more pictures of protesting, some with more tinies with signs, as well as one with the bot army. Somehow, the sight of a line of tinies in Greek armor doesn't exactly inspire the same feeling as a line of angry Spartans in Greek armor.

Going back later, I didn't see any of the remaining hedges. What I did notice was a Greek temple. It seems for Raglan the Greeks were coming after all. As for what hijinks the tinies of the Shire will be into next, time will tell.

Note: From what I read, there never was a serious protest. This was done in the name of fun.

Bixyl Shuftan

"I Can't Breathe" T-Shirt on SL Marketplace

In recent weeks, "I Can't Breathe" has become a rallying cry for protesters following the decision of a grand jury not to indict a New York City policeman for charges related to the death of Eric Garner, an overweight man who died in custody following his arrest for selling cigarettes without paying taxes on them. His last words "I Can't Breathe" were caught on camera, and became a demonstrator's chant. For those in Second Life wishing to make a statement, Ryosukito Felisimo has made this mesh T-shirt available on his SL Marketplace page.

The CALL Art Exhibition Protest

Artistic expression can take on many forms. Sometimes, art is done as a means of protest. At the Somnium Photo Art Gallery, there's a floor dedicated to an exhibition protesting Linden Lab's Terms of Service update infringing on content creators. Second Life Newser took a look at the art, some thought provoking, some humorous, but all with the same message: Linden Lab, respect our rights.

Read more in Design.

Press Release: C.A.L.L. Asking For Artists in Protest Exhibition

Somnium Photo Art Gallery hereby invites all artists in SL to take part in a free, open and non-commercial exhibition - C.A.L.L. (Creators Against Linden Lab)

Create a piece of art that expresses your point of view on the Linden Lab terms of service section 2.3. - create a piece of art which property rights you will gladly grant on your own free will to Linden Lab. If there will be enough entries, Somnium Photo Art Gallery will host an exhibition of these pieces of art throughout November and December.

Pieces of art should be not more than 2 prims and 4 x 4 meters. They will be set for sale at 0 L$, as the content you have uploaded to SL is not yours anyway with the current LL TOS. All pieces should be submitted as a full perm copy to Walt Ireton until October 31st. If there will be more entries as there is available space in the exhibition room, I will select which pieces will be in the exhibition.

Remember that Linden Lab "owns Intellectual Property Rights in (...) Linden Lab trademarks, service marks, trade names, logos" - as it is stated in the same document which grants full property rights to LL for all YOUR creative content. Don't use anything that violates legal property rights of LL.

Contact Walt Ireton if you wish to be a part in this exhibition or if you have any questions.

CALL Exhibition Room
Somnium Art Gallery
Greece (51/25/35)

Press Release "One Billion Rising"

COME AND DANCE: ONE BILLION RISING IN SECOND LIFE

SECOND LIFE® RESIDENTS JOIN GLOBAL CAMPAIGN “ONE BILLION RISING”

TO STOP VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS

February 14, 2013 to be V-Day’s Largest Day of Action Ever

On February 14, 2013, for 24 hours starting at midnight Pacific Standard Time, Second Life residents will join with activists around the world in a spectacular 24-hour dance event for ONE BILLION RISING, the largest day of action in the history of V-Day, the global activist movement to end violence against women and girls.
 

ONE BILLION RISING began as a call to action based on the staggering statistic that 1 in 3 women on the planet will be beaten or raped during her lifetime. With the world population at 7 billion, this adds up to more than ONE BILLION WOMEN AND GIRLS. On February 14, 2013, men and women in Second Life will join activists, writers, thinkers, celebrities, and people across the world to Walk, Dance, and Rise as a show of unity, individual strength, and the need for change.

The Second Life event will feature a four-region stage where 200 people can dance together, surrounded by an area of art installations and informational exhibits. A variety of performers will play over the 24-hour period, enabling people all over the world to attend this virtual event no matter their timezone. The regions will have a General maturity rating to allow all residents an opportunity to participate. Pictures are welcome on the event's Flickr group.

The objective of the event is to raise awareness, not to raise funds; however, information about real-world organisations will be available for those wishing to donate.

One Billion Rising in Second Life is sponsored by: Alchemy Immortalis; Bits and Bobs Animations; Cheeky Pea; The Domineaux Effect; Dutchie; Galland Homes; Garden of Dreams; Gos Boutique; Gwen Carillon Designs/Serenite; Heart Garden Centre; Kaerri; Maven Homes; Meshworx; Prime; and Spargel and Shine. In-kind sponsors are: CaLLie CLine; Fruit Islands; Home and Garden Market; KittyCatS!; and Prim Perfect Publications.


For more information:
Our blog: http://onebillionrisingsl.wordpress.com/
Our webpage at One Billion Rising: http://onebillionrising.org/page/event/detail/startarising/wd8
Our Second Life Group: One Billion Rising
Our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/One-Billion-Rising/493344827375934?ref=hl
Our Twitter Stream: https://twitter.com/OBRinSL
Our Flickr Group: http://www.flickr.com/groups/2169739@N23/

Saffia Widdershins

Protest and Banning at Burn2

Burn2 calls itself an event of "radical free expression." But on Sunday October 21st, this principle was put to the test when the festival grounds were the scene of a protest. The result was those taking part in the protests, and supposedly even those just watching, were banished from the Burn.

What was the protest about, and why did the Burn staff ban them? Read more in Extra.