2018 Social Movements Events — Verified Historical Highlights
2018 Social Movements Events — Verified Historical Highlights | TakeMeBack.to
- 17 Jan Two Koreas to march together at 2018 Winter Olympics: On January 17, 2018, North and South Korea agreed to march together under a unified flag at the opening ceremony of the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang. They also decided to field a joint women's ice hockey team. This agreement followed talks at the truce village of Panmunjom. source: abc.net.au
- 19 Jan Pope Francis Advocates for Indigenous Rights in Peru: During a significant visit to Peru, Pope Francis met with 4,000 Amazon indigenous community members, advocating for their recognition, challenging conservationist policies, and speaking out against the marginalization and sterilization of indigenous women.
- 20 Jan 2018 Women's March held in various cities: The 2018 Women's March took place in multiple cities worldwide, advocating for women's rights and social justice issues.
- 21 Jan 2018 Women's March: On January 21, 2018, the second annual Women's March took place in cities across the United States and around the world. The event aimed to advocate for women's rights and social justice issues. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 06 Feb Steve Wynn Resigns from Wynn Resorts: Following multiple sexual harassment allegations, billionaire casino mogul Steve Wynn resigned as CEO of Wynn Resorts. He also settled a $7.5 million lawsuit with a former employee, marking a significant moment in the #MeToo movement.
- 09 Feb 2018 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony in Pyeongchang: The 2018 Winter Olympics commenced with an opening ceremony at the Pyeongchang Olympic Stadium in Pyeongchang, South Korea, on February 9, 2018. The event featured performances by K-pop artists, a Parade of Nations, and a tribute with John Lennon's "Imagine." Athletes from North and South Korea marched together under a unified flag, symbolizing peace and unity. South Korean figure skater Yuna Kim lit the Olympic cauldron, marking the official start of the Games. source: time.com
- 13 Feb Fire Damages Haiti's Iron Market: Parts of Haiti's historic Marche en Fer (Iron Market) in Port-au-Prince were destroyed by an overnight fire. The cause of the fire remains undetermined.
- 05 Mar UNICEF reports decline in child marriage: On March 5, 2018, UNICEF released a report indicating a significant decline in child marriage rates globally. The report highlighted progress in various countries, emphasizing the importance of education and legal reforms in combating this issue. source: bbc.com
- 08 Mar First Aurat March in Pakistan: On March 8, 2018, the first Aurat March took place in Pakistan, advocating for women's rights and gender equality. The event drew attention to various issues faced by women in the country and marked a significant moment in the women's rights movement. source: bbc.com
- 02 Apr Winnie Madikizela-Mandela passes away at 81: On April 2, 2018, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, the former wife of Nelson Mandela and a prominent anti-apartheid activist, passed away at the age of 81. Her death was mourned by many, and she was remembered for her significant contributions to South Africa's struggle against apartheid. source: axios.com
- 06 May Far-Right Protest in London: Thousands of far-right activists held a protest in London following a crackdown on social media far-right activity. Notable speakers included Tommy Robinson, Gavin McInnes, and Gerard Batten, representing various far-right and nationalist movements.
- 07 May Oliver North Becomes NRA President: Oliver North was elected as the next president of the National Rifle Association, marking a significant leadership change for the prominent gun rights organization.
- 05 Jun European Court of Justice LGBT rights ruling: On June 5, 2018, the European Court of Justice ruled that EU member states must recognize same-sex marriages performed in other member states. This ruling was a significant step for LGBT rights in Europe. source: euronews.com
- 28 Jun Protests against family separation policy: Nationwide protests occurred in response to the Trump administration's family separation policy at the U.S.-Mexico border. Activists and citizens gathered to voice their opposition to the treatment of immigrant families. source: nytimes.com
- 03 Jul UK Moves to Ban Gay Conversion Therapy: British Prime Minister Theresa May announced plans to ban gay conversion therapy, a significant step for LGBT rights in the United Kingdom.
- 10 Jul Liu Xia leaves China after years of house arrest: On July 10, 2018, Liu Xia, the widow of Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo, left China for Germany after being under house arrest for several years. Her departure was seen as a significant moment for human rights advocates. source: theguardian.com
- 23 Jul Death of Femen Activist Oksana Shachko: Oksana Shachko, co-founder of the Femen activist group, was found dead in her Paris apartment, with initial reports suggesting suicide. She had been granted political refugee status in France in 2013.
- 11 Aug Tunisian Gender Equality Protests: Tunisian protesters expressed outrage at a government report proposing progressive measures including potential legalization of homosexuality and equal inheritance rights, reflecting ongoing social and legal debates.
- 12 Aug Unite the Right 2 Rally: On the first anniversary of the Unite the Right rally, approximately twenty white nationalists marched in Washington, D.C., drawing thousands of counter-protesters and highlighting ongoing racial tensions.
- 06 Sep India decriminalizes homosexuality: On September 6, 2018, India's Supreme Court decriminalized homosexuality by striking down Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code. This landmark ruling was celebrated as a significant victory for LGBTQ+ rights in the country. source: bbc.com
- 21 Sep Murder of LGBT Rights Activist Zak Kostopoulos in Athens: Greek-American LGBT rights activist Zak Kostopoulos was killed on September 21, 2018, in Athens. He was beaten by two men and later by police, dying on the way to the hospital. source: euronews.com
- 25 Oct Peter Hain Reveals Philip Green Sexual Harassment Allegations: Labour peer Peter Hain used Parliamentary privilege to publicly name Philip Green, a British businessman who had obtained an order preventing sexual harassment allegations from being published in The Daily Telegraph, in a significant moment for the Me Too movement.
- 31 Oct World's Largest Statue Unveiled in India: The Statue of Unity, depicting Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, was unveiled in Gujarat, India, becoming the world's largest statue. It honors the first Deputy Prime Minister of India and a key figure in the country's independence movement.
- 18 Nov Far-Right Attack on Transgender Rights Rally in Kyiv: Far-right radicals disrupted a planned rally supporting transgender rights in Kyiv, Ukraine, highlighting ongoing social tensions and challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community.
- 20 Nov Yellow Vest protests in France: The Yellow Vest movement in France began protests against rising fuel taxes and the cost of living. The demonstrations, characterized by their high visibility vests, escalated into broader protests against economic inequality and government policies. source: bbc.com
- 22 Nov South Korea Closes Dog Meat Processing Plant: South Korea has shut down its largest dog meat processing plant, marking a significant milestone for animal rights activists who have long campaigned against the country's dog meat industry. This closure represents a growing shift in societal attitudes towards animal welfare and treatment.
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