Free Zimbabwe Global Protest – Exiled Zimbabweans demand action

Media Notice from the Zimbabwe Vigil – 19th January 2012

Exiled Zimbabweans in the UK are to protest outside the South African High Commission in London on Saturday 21st January. The protest is aimed at putting pressure on South Africa’s President Zuma to insist that Mugabe honours the power-sharing deal signed three years ago.

Saturday’s protest is part of global diaspora action promoted by the Movement for Democratic Change. Zimbabweans in the United States, South Africa, Australia, Canada, Sweden and the Netherlands are also expected to demonstrate outside the diplomatic missions of South Africa, which is the African Union’s point man on Zimbabwe.

In London the MDC is joining the Zimbabwe Vigil which has been protesting outside the Zimbabwe Embassy every Saturday for the past nine years in support of free elections. People will be invited to sign the following petition: ‘Zimbabwe Vigil petition to President Zuma: Exiled Zimbabweans call on President Zuma to put pressure on President Mugabe and his Zanu PF party to implement the Global Political Agreement. If they continue to refuse we urge South Africa to take measures against the Mugabe regime.’  There will also be an MDC petition, which gives greater details of the Zimbabwean diaspora demands.

Timetable

2 pm – meet outside the Zimbabwe Embassy, 429 Strand

3 pm – move to the South African High Commission

3.30 pm – attempt to present our petitions

4 pm – return to the Zimbabwe Embassy

The Vigil drummers and singers will be outside South Africa House while a skeleton crew mans the Vigil outside the Zimbabwe Embassy until the main group returns at 4 pm.    

Interview opportunities with Zimbabwean activists and refugees.

Photo opportunities: Dancing, Singing and Drumming. A Vigil demonstrator wearing a Mugabe mask will feature in the protest, carrying a poster ‘Vote MDC and die’.

Zimbabwe Vigil Co-ordinators

The Vigil, outside the Zimbabwe Embassy, 429 Strand, London, takes place every Saturday from 14.00 to 18.00 to protest against gross violations of human rights in Zimbabwe. The Vigil which started in October 2002 will continue until internationally-monitored, free and fair elections are held in Zimbabwe. http://www.zimvigil.co.uk