MDC-UK plans London demonstration

By Tichaona Sibanda
16 January 2008

Hundreds of exiled Zimbabweans are expected to stage a demonstration on Saturday in the British capital to demand their right to vote in the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections.
Organisers of the protest march, which starts in Trafalgar Square and ends outside Zimbabwe House, are hoping the occasion will be graced by the presence of the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu.

The Archbishop famously cut up his dog collar during a live BBC interview in December last year and said he will not replace it until Robert Mugabe is out of office. He said his gesture was prompted by the fact that Mugabe had ‘taken people’s identity’ and ‘cut it to pieces’ forcing him to do the same.
Jaison Matewu, one of the organisers of the MDC demo said apart from the Archbishop, speakers will include Zimbabwe based MDC national organising secretary Elias Mudzuri and Professor Elphas Mukonoweshuro, secretary for International Affairs. Also lined-up to speak is the Labour MP for Luton North, Kelvin Hopkins.

‘I urge all fellow Zimbabweans to come to Trafalgar Square by 12 midday. From the meeting point we will march to Zimbabwe House where our speakers will address us,’ Matewu said.
Organisers are hopeful the demonstration will attract a lot of people as the majority of exiled Zimbabweans are fed up with what is happening back home. Matewu said this was the time for all Zimbabweans to come together and show their disgust of the regime that has messed up the country.