All 56 Kenyan activists arrested during a protest on July 7, 2020, have been released by police. They plan to share their stories of police brutality and violent dispersal during an online event this Saturday.
The protest, known as the Saba Saba People’s March, marked 30 years since mass demonstrations against Kenya’s one-party rule in 1990. This year’s march focused on calls for social support during the pandemic, an end to police brutality, and stopping extrajudicial killings in Kenya.
Protesters from various social justice centers across Nairobi planned to converge at the town center. However, police used tear gas to break up the gathering and arrested protest leaders. Some groups were dispersed before they could even begin marching.
Despite the arrests, activists continued their protest chants while in police custody.
The International League of Peoples’ Struggles (ILPS) Kenya is organizing the upcoming online forum. They invite everyone to register and participate to learn more about the protest and future plans.
Lewis Maghanga from the Socialist Youth League highlighted ongoing issues in Kenya:
- Job losses due to the pandemic
- State demolitions of homes during the health crisis
- Water shortages affecting COVID-19 prevention
- Increasing police brutality
- Limited access to medical services for most Kenyans
The online forum aims to build international support and condemn the crackdown on protesters in Kenya, which organizers say violates rights to free speech and assembly.
Kenya is among the African countries hit hardest by the pandemic. Protesters argue that government mismanagement and corruption have worsened the economic crisis.
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