U.S Coalition Group Petitions Nigerian Embassy On Release of Protesters

U.S Coalition Kicks Against Detainment of Protesters

A Coalition group in the United States of America (U.S) has written a petition seeking the immediate of the detained partcipants of the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests by the Nigerian governement.

The Group addressed their petition to the Nigerian Embassy in the U.S.

The letter which was jointly signed by John Parker of the Harriet Tubman Center for Social Justice, Los Angeles, CA; Sharon Black of the Peoples Power Assembly, Washington, DC/Maryland/Virginia; Gloria Verdieu of the Coalition to Free Mumia Abu-Jamal, San Diego, CA; Berta Joubert of the Struggle/La Lucha for Socialism, Puerto Rico; Maggie Vascassenno of Women In Struggle, Los Angeles, CA; Gary Wilson of the Struggle/La Lucha for Socialism, New York and Andrew Mayton of Youth Against War & Racism, Baltimore, MD, called for a stop to the harsh treatment being meted out to these protesters.

The Group which comprises of workers, students, and activists, stated that, the Federal government of Nigeria should focus on addressing the concerns of Nigerians, rather than silencing them.

“The protesters are not your enemy. We stand shoulder to shoulder with our comrades in Nigeria, fighting for an end to poverty, unemployment, and hunger.

“Tens of thousands of Nigerians protested across the country from August 1 to 10, 2024, demanding an end to austerity measures that are impoverishing the people, while government forces fired live ammunition into the crowds, killing up to 50 innocent Nigerians,” the letter read in part.

The Coalition noted that, though the 10-day protests had ended, the government was still actively hunting down protesters.

“On August 7, government security forces conducted a nighttime raid on the headquarters of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), seizing printed materials and other documents. We call for the return of these materials and an end to the attacks on the NLC.

“We stand in solidarity with the just demands of the people for jobs, reduced prices for food and other essential items, and support for families.

“We call on the Nigerian government to immediately release all #EndBadGovernance detainees,” the letter went on.

The Coalition held that, there were more important issues for the government to be focused on than locking up innocent protesters.

It pointed out that issues such as the IMF and World Bank were more important subject areas.

“Drop the trumped up charges. End the continuing raids and detentions. Provide legal representation. Target the IMF & World Bank, not the people!” the letter read.