Free Palestine, Free Burma, Free Tibet . . . . Free Zimbabwe. It was a crowded agenda facing the passing public in London on a sunny Saturday.

With Palestinian supporters flocking to a rally in Trafalgar Square, it was the drumming, singing and dancing which drew attention to us. Some people question whether the singing and dancing is appropriate and we explain it is part of our culture. Just because we are singing doesn’t mean we are happy at the awful situation at home.

The anger of the Palestinians, the determination of the Tibetans and the anxiety of the Burmese are shared by our anger, determination and anxiety.

We are increasingly contacted by people in other troubled parts of the world. Two Congolese exiles dropped by the Vigil and were keen to work with us. More support from the DRC came by email: "We are Congolese people. We support you against Mugabe. Africa is suffering with men like Mugabe, Kabila”. We are also in regular contact with Dr Tayeb, an activist for the suffering people in Cabinda. We met him during our protest in Lisbon last December.

We were pleased to have with us the musician John Law, a stalwart of the Zimbabwean rock scene of the 1980s and 1990s. His latest CD features tributes to Zimbabwe.

A welcome feature this week was the sadza and stew brought by supporters of our partner organisation, Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe. Last Sunday, ROHR activists held a protest outside the Catholic Cathedral in Birmingham and were given an audience with Archbishop Nichols who expressed his support. They are planning another protest in Slough, we will keep you informed as plans firm up.

Patson Muzuwa addressed the Vigil about the work of our coalition partner, the Zimbabwe Association (ZA), a support group for Zimbabwean refugees and asylum seekers. ZA has opened a women’s weekly drop-in centre in Finsbury Park, North London on Fridays (see ‘For Your Diary’ below for details).

We have heard from our friends in Scotland that they had another successful Vigil. Their efforts are a great encouragement to us all.

Vigil supporters Sue and Francesca Toft have interceded with the TUC over the detention of the President and Secretary General of the Zimbabwean Congress of Trade Unions, Lovemore Matambo and Wellington Chibhebhe. Lovemore’s niece, Mercy Mwakipesile, is a regular attender at the Vigil. The TUC has written to the Zimbabwean Ambassador in London expressing its deep concern.

For this week’s Vigil pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/.

FOR THE RECORD: 165 signed the register.

FOR YOUR DIARY:
• Fridays, 10.30 am – 4 pm. Zimbabwe Association’s Women’s Weekly Drop-in Centre at The Fire Station Community and ICT Centre, 84 Mayton Street, London N7 6QT, Tel: 020 7607 9764. Come and share a traditional lunch of sadza, nyama and relish. Nearest underground: Finsbury Park. For more information, contact the Zimbabwe Association 020 7549 0355 (open Tuesdays and Thursdays).
• Saturday, 24th May 2008, 2 – 6 pm. Next Glasgow Vigil. Venue: Argyle Street Precinct. For more information contact: Ancilla Chifamba, 07770 291 150 and Patrick Dzimba, 07990 724 137, Jonathan Chireka, 07504 724 471.

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 by the current regime 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.