Gay Rights Activist Killed:
David Kato’s, a prominent Ugandan gay rights activist, has been battered to death with hammer in his home in Kampala, Uganda. Kato worked with NGO Sexual Minorities Uganda to promote gay rights and create awareness about HIV, and he was considered the “grandfather“ of the gay community. His photo appeared in October issue of Rolling Stone, the Ugandan anti-gay magazine, with the headline 'Hang Them'. A large number of gay activists attended his funeral wearing t-shirts featuring Kato’s face, rainbows and the slogan 'The Struggle Continues'. The Ugandan government is insisting that Kat’s murder is unrelated to his sexuality. The government recently tried, unsuccessfully, to pass legislation to imprison or execute openly gay people. Professor Joe Oloka-Onyango, director of human rights and peace centre at the faculty of law at Makerere University, told the Guardian: “This is a great shock, a tragedy, to lose such a brave activist. It is the first time a gay activist has been killed here and it suggest there could be serious danger for other activists. There is a climate of fear.”

Protests Continue in Egypt:
Tens of thousands of activists have gathered in central Cairo to continue their anti-government protests for their seventh day of protests. Protests are also taking place in Alexandria, Suez and Luxor. The activists are planning a general strike and are demanding that President Hosni Mubarak step down after 30 years in power. At least one hundred people have been killed during the protests, and hundreds more have been injured. The police have responded to the protests by firing rubber bullets, tear gas and using water cannons. The Egyptian government has continuously blocked the internet during the protests. Meanwhile, protests in solidarity with the Egyptian activist have occurred in Beirut, Calgary, London and East Jerusalem.

Police Use CS Gas On Activist:
At least three activists have needed hospital treatment after police used CS spray during an anti-cuts protest outside Boots on Oxford Street, London. Hundreds of activists, part of Ukuncut action group, took part in the protest against tax avoidance. A female activist was arrested for trying to push a leaflet through the close door of the store, leading to an altercation between the activists and police, which ended with 10 people being sprayed with CS gas. Three activists were taken to hospital. Andy Williams, an activist who took part in the protest, wrote in the UKUncut blog: “This is yet another example of political policing that is about protecting corporate interests and not those of ordinary people. We will not however be intimidated off the streets! We have a right to protest when the government are making unnecessary cuts that will hit the poorest in our society the hardest.”

Activists Close Barclays Branch:
Over 80 anti-war activists have stormed and forced the early closure a branch of Barclays Bank in Bristol. The activists, many of whom wearing Guy Fawkes masks, targeted the bank due to claims it had investment in the arms trade; including cluster bombs and depleted uranium. There were minor clashes with the police.

Words: Richard Lemmer

Photo: Flickr user freepridett