SOLIDARITY: Zimbabweans hold E-Demonstrations
By Advocates For Progress- Zimbabweans in the North America Diaspora have been having e-demonstrations in solidarity with their family members and friends back home.
The first was launched on Tuesday, 28 July 2020, a second, the following day, and a third is scheduled to be held on Thursday, 30 July 2020 with each day’s programmes lasting under two hours.
Mass Demonstrations
The staging of mass demonstrations is not new to Zimbabwe nor to Zimbabweans living in the Diaspora. In years past, and because they have a deep-rooted value in protest and change through community voice, they have staged demonstrations in various cities in Canada, in New York and Washington, D.C. in the United States.
Now, as 31 July draws near, with planned demonstrations in Zimbabwe, many across North America have joined in solidarity.
Between the early 1990s through to about 1998, portions of the population began elevating their voices to have their grievances heard. This “struggle” continued in the 2000s. More recently, after the 2018 rigged Election results, spontaneous protests took place, as did more street demonstration in January 2019.
Many of these have been led by civil society, nurses, doctors, lawyers, activists, and members of the political opposition against the governance, leadership, and government of the party of former President Robert Mugabe — the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF), now under Mr. Emmerson Mnangagwa.
In previous years, university students have, for decades, conducted street demonstrations in the hope of drawing attention to and having their livelihoods bettered. Although often mass demonstrations are viewed negatively by the ruling government, the people of Zimbabwe have once again organized themselves to demonstrate.
On Tuesday, The East Coast District in the North America Province of the MDC-A held the opening e-demonstration in support of the demonstration to be held in Zimbabwe on the 31st of July 2020. The speakers emphasized the need for every Zimbabwean to be involved in the protests to push for a better Zimbabwe.
The event was graced by prominent speakers including Dr. Noah Manyika as well as Dr. Thomas Mapfumo. Representatives from the MDC-A Youth and Women’s Assembly also gave a solidarity message.
The word was clear, Zimbabweans will not back down until change happens. The e-demonstration will be held daily until the 30th of July 2020.
On Wednesday, key highlights of the programme included guest speakers — Hon. Job Sikhala and Senator Timveous.
Camaraderie
At many moments throughout the proceeding’s aspirations were shared as were stories, protest chanting, singing, and music —including cries in a segment titled: “Cry My Beloved Country.
Sources close to the organizers, said that they were happy with the attendance and success of the launch, that they were encouraged by the high number of online social viewers reaching more than 19,000.
Specific hashtags were in use; #FreeZimNow, #zanupfmustgo, #July31ZW, and #MakeGoodTrouble.
The e-demonstration organizers Mr. Mada, the Provincial Organizing Secretary and Mr. Mtize the Secretary General called on attendees to invite their family and friends to join the one demonstration planned for Thursday.
The organizers have made joining the demonstrations open to the public wishing to add their voice to the sense of solidarity they feel with their people.