Press Release –
On April 25th 2015, in London, UK, Gambian civil society organizations will gather to hold public protests to commemorate the 15th anniversary of one of the darkest days in Gambian history: the student massacre of April 2000. On April 10 11 2000, the Jammeh regime opened fire on students who were peacefully protesting the rape of a 14-year-old student and the death of another at the hands of state security agents. By the 11th, a total of fourteen students were killed, including 6 young children. To this day, no one has been held accountable.
April 10th – 11th will be forever be etched into the consciousness of all peace loving Gambians. It is thus fitting that we commemorate the 25th to not only remember the April 2000 victims, but bring international attention to the worsening human rights situation in The Gambia following the attempted coup on December 30, 2014. Since that time, there has been spate of incommunicado detentions without charge, allegations of torture, and a clampdown on the press, causing an already beleaguered populace to live in fear.
This protest will also seek to highlight the longtime human rights abuses that have continued with impunity under the Yahya Jammeh regime, including a crackdown against the LGBT community, religious leaders, the political opposition, and independent journalists. We invite all of those who abhor injustice to stand with Gambians on April 25th in London, UK. We will be gathering in front of the Fountain at Trafalgar Square at 12:00hrs GMT. We will proceed to march to Westminster at 14:00hrs GMT. We genuinely hope to see you there.
Date Time and Place
- Meeting up and opening prayers will commence at Trafalgar Square at 12:00hrs GMT (midday)
- Protestors will proceed to march towards Westminster from 13:30hrs GMT where speeches and a petition will be circulated
Program
- The program will begin with brief prayers to start
- Protestors will then march to Westminster shouting slogans and chants
- At Westminster speeches will be made to highlight the current environment of repression in The Gambia
- Closing prayers
For more information please contact Yusef Taylor (London) – 07592 338875
Salifu Joof (Birmingham) – 07780 848026
Signed,