Thai protesters install plaque symbolizing democracy
Anti-government demonstrators occupying a historic field in Bangkok, the Thai capital, installed a plaque Sunday symbolizing the country’s transition to democracy to replace the original one that was mysteriously ripped out and stolen three years ago, as they vowed to press on with calls for new elections and reform of the monarchy.
The mass student-led rally that began Saturday was the largest in a series of protests this year, with thousands camping overnight at Sanam Luang field near the Grand Palace in Bangkok.
A group of activists drilled a hole in front of a makeshift stage and, after Buddhist rituals, laid down a round brass plaque in cement to commemorate the 1932 revolution that changed Thailand from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy.
“At the dawn of Sept. 20, here is where the people proclaim that this country belongs to the people,” read part of the inscription on the plaque. In April 2017, the original plaque vanished from Bangkok’s Royal Plaza and was replaced by one praising the monarchy.
“The nation does not belong to only one person, but belongs to us all,” student leader Parit “Penguin” Chirawak told the crowd. “Therefore, I would like to ask holy spirits to stay with us and bless the people’s victory.”
Another activist, Panusaya Sithijirawattanakul, said their demands do not propose getting rid of the monarchy. “They are proposals with good intentions to make the institution of the monarchy remain graciously above the people under democratic rule,” Panusaya said.
Cops in a Tesla? Michigan city goes electric for detectives
Detectives at the Holland Department of Public Safety will be driving a $49,000
Tesla Model 3 after the wester Michigan city compared it to the Nissan Leaf and the Chevrolet Bolt, which both cost much less. The cost of the Tesla includes a longlasting battery pack, enabling the car to travel about 300 miles on a full charge, the Holland Sentinel reported.
The car will mostly be used to drive to crime scenes or conduct interviews, city finance director Tim Vagle said. He said test drives, warranty and resale value put the Model 3 ahead of other electric car options.
“Yes, there’s a higher front-end cost on this, but the fuel savings alone is generally pretty significant,” Mayor Nathan Bocks said.
Public sector strikes to hit Germany next week over wages
Public sector workers in Germany will start staging short-term warning strikes after the latest round of wage negotiations failed to produce an agreement, their union said Sunday.
The Ver.di union, which represents around 2.3 million federal and local employees, said strikes will start Tuesday. It didn’t announce where and said it would provide more information Monday.
Warning strikes are a typical tactic in German labor negotiations and typically last between several hours to a day or two. The union didn’t rule out kindergarten teachers taking part, which could cause difficulties for parents.
The union is demanding a 4.8% raise, or a minimum of $177 per month, for its workers over the next year. Government negotiators are seeking a longerterm solution and have said the wage demands are too high with the German economy struggling amid the coronavirus pandemic.
March of 100,000 marks week 7 of Belarus protests
Tens of thousands of Belarusians calling for the authoritarian president to resign marched through the capital Sunday as the country’s wave of protests entered its seventh week.
Hundreds of soldiers blocked off the center of Minsk, deploying water cannons and armored personnel carriers and erecting barbed wire barriers. Protests also took place in several other cities, including Brest and Grodno.
The crowd in Minsk included about 100,000 people, said Ales Bialiatski, head of the Viasna human rights organization. He said dozens of demonstrators were arrested in Minsk and Grodno.
Protests began Aug. 9 after an election that official results say gave President Alexander Lukashenko a sixth term in office; opponents and some poll workers say the results were manipulated.
Lukashenko, who has repressed opposition and independent news media during 26 years in power, has rejected suggestions of dialogue with the protesters. Many members of the Coordination Council that was formed by the opposition to push for a transition of power have been arrested or have fled the country.