It is understandable that some people feel sceptical about demonstrations in the wake of events like the G20 summit, says Simon Barrow. But mobilisation for change needs to be seen as part of a larger process of change, not as an act of disconnected idealism.

Protests took place in Britain's capital over the weekend, calling for an end to the government-backed slaughter in Sri Lanka and for the freedom of Tibet from Chinese domination.

Vigils are being organised in London this weekend to protest the Israeli military strikes in Gaza today, which have killed around 200 people and injured scores more.

US police have staged preemptive armed raids targeting protesters and alternative media around the Republican National Convention - including thousands of people demonstrating about war world poverty throughout the week.

Tens of thousands of protestors, including demonstrators in five cities across the UK, joined an international day of action on Saturday 26 January in support of the 1.5 million people blockaded in Gaza by Israeli military action.

The rector of La Sapienza university says he will re-invite the Pope to speak there after the pontiff cancelled following student protests about a comment about Galileo quoting, but not approving he says, a philosopher's remark.

Pro-democracy activists are continuing to protest on the streets of Asia as the United Nations' envoy arrives today in Burma for talks with government leaders - amid receding hopes of divisions emerging among the ruling junta.

Thousands of campaigners from civic and church groups have gathered in Downing Street to remind Tony Blair and world leaders that time is running out for Darfur, where 200,000 people have been killed and millions displaced.

Many hundreds of thousands of Turks have joined protest for the maintenance of a democratic, religiously neutral government - and opposition either to a military coup or a drift towards Islamism.