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This article participates on the following special index pages:
16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence, 2007 - Index of articles
WOZA
marks 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence with Bulawayo
street protest
Women
of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA)
November 27, 2007
Visit
the index of articles on 16 Days of Activism
AT noon today,
approximately 1,000 members of WOZA and MOZA marched through central
Bulawayo to mark the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence.
The peaceful protest also commemorated the anniversary of the 29
November launch of the People's Charter last year where hundreds
of members were brutally assaulted by riot police at Mhlahlandlela.
The late Maria Moyo, who was holding the banner that fateful day
last November and who recently passed away after the trauma of being
abducted by police, was also in the minds and hearts of members
today.
The peaceful
group processed for four blocks from the High Court to Mhlahlandlela
Government Complex, singing and chanting slogans. Despite the serious
occasion, there was almost a carnival atmosphere with exuberant
dancing and enthusiastic handing out of flyers to passersby. At
Mhlahlandlela, the singing group was approached by two police officers,
including the Officer Commanding of Bulawayo Central Police Station,
Sithole. He informed them that they were too early to mark the 16
Days as the official government launch is only taking place tomorrow,
28th November, and that they should come back then. He then instructed
the group to disperse.
Happy to have
received an invitation to return to the streets by a police officer,
the group obliged. They were escorted by uniformed police officers
to the closest taxi terminus to ensure that everyone left peacefully
however. Riot police also attended the scene but there have been
no reports of arrests to date.
WOZA is pleased
that our brothers and sisters in the police chose to respect the
rights of WOZA members to demonstrate peacefully today and hope
that this behaviour will continue in the future. We remember however
that they have not always been so understanding but know that they
also want the social justice contained in the People's Charter
and so encourage them to continue to side with their fellow citizens.
Visit the WOZA fact
sheet
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