On Saturday 18th April, the ex-pat Zimbabwe Community from around the UK, came together to discuss the ‘Death of Democracy’

The gathering was at the Hyson Green Youth Centre, Terrance Street NG7 6ER. [between ASDA and the Noel Street flats].

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Zimbabwean ‘Death of Democracy’ Event

The NZCN (Nottingham Zimbabwe Community Network) organized and hosted the national Death of Democracy event in Nottingham. Most attendees dressed in black to remember and honour the hundreds of Zimbabweans who have been murdered during the MDC’s struggle for democracy. Delicious food and great music celebrated the lives of those who have been and continue to be committed to democracy. Guest speakers included MDC activists still working and striving towards a new, free and safe Zimbabwe, having lost friends and fellow activists to Robert Mugabe’s murderous militia through their political struggle.
In spite of the power sharing deal Mugabe’s hired thugs continue to terrorise and brutalise MDC members, supporters and innocent people, including young children, in a continuing attempt to defeat the MDC through a murderous campaign. MDC members and supporters still risk their lives in opposition to Mugabe’s dictatorship. SADC and the wider international community have come forth with a reprimand of political rhetoric but little action and continue to stand idly by as Mugabe’s illegal government maims, rapes, tortures and kills.
The Death of Democracy event is a reminder to the international community to not forget Zimbabwe, to not forget Zimbabweans who have suffered and to be forth coming with support and action for Zimbabweans who still struggle and suffer. Zimbabwe is not a safe country for people to be deported to and the NZCN and MDC in the UK continue to struggle for political asylum for Zimbabweans in the UK. The UK government is quick to express condemnation for Mugabe’s regime but equally quick to force deportations to a country it knows is highly dangerous. The MDC is determined to build a safe Zimbabwe for its citizens to return home to. The Death of Democracy event is an appeal to the UK government to not contribute to the growing number of dead Zimbabweans by forcing deportations, but to grant asylum and the right to work. Next year we do not want to commemorate the growing number of dead but to celebrate justice for Zimbabwean refugees.

Angela

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Operation Mavhoterapapi (how did you vote) - Post-election violence PDF [5.2Mb]
 http://indymedia.org.uk/media/2009/04//427970.pdf

Speakers:

Nicholas Shiri MC
Regis Manyana NZCN Chairman
H Masawi NZCN
e Sibanda Activist
Rachel Lupafya MDC
Godfrey Wenga Political Activist
T Samanyanga MDC
E Pfebve Parliamentary Candidate and Activist

earlier and related posts:

Nottingham 'Noisy' Demo: Rights for migrants and asylum seekers
 http://indymedia.org.uk/en/2005/04/308207.html

Anglican Church Council in Nottingham :: Caterpillar, Zimbabwe,& Gays
 http://indymedia.org.uk/en/2005/06/315098.html

Protest against Deportations to Northern Iraq (Kurdistan)
 http://indymedia.org.uk/en/2005/08/321695.html

Nottingham Police Station :: Forced Deportations Continue
 http://indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/nottinghamshire/2005/08/321950.html

Occupation at Labour Party Offices for East Midlands
 http://indymedia.org.uk/en/2005/04/308040.html

Anti-Deportation Protest at Nottingham Magistrates Court
 http://indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/nottinghamshire/2006/03/334914.html

No Borders Nottingham 'National Day of Action on Asylum Rights'
 http://indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/nottinghamshire/2007/05/371109.html

Nottingham demo against deportations to Congo
 http://indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/03/366550.html

Situation in the Congo is worsening as deportations continue
 http://indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/nottinghamshire/2007/03/366596.html

No Borders Nottingham 'National Day of Action on Asylum Rights'
 http://indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/nottinghamshire/2007/05/371109.html

Nottingham Congolese Community demonstrated against continued deportations
 http://indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/06/374765.html

Nottingham Market Sq Demo against deportation flights to Congo
 http://indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/08/379807.html

Zimbabwean Asylum Rights Demo @ Speakers Corner, Nottingham
 http://indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/nottinghamshire/2008/03/395015.html

No Borders Nottingham
 http://www.nobordersnottingham.org.uk

Further Info ::

Zimbabwe Association for information and asylum assistance

Zimbabwe Association Ltd
Development House
56-64 Leonard Street
London EC2A 4JX
020 7549 0355
 zimbabweassociation@yahoo.co.uk
 http://www.zimbabweassociation.co.uk

Association of Zimbabwean Journalists in the UK (AZJ-UK)
 http://www.zimbabwejournalists.com

Nottingham Zimbabwean Community Network
 http://www.nzcn.wordpress.com

Zimbabwe Civic Action Support Group. Campaigning for freedom and democracy in Zimbabwe
 http://www.sokwanele.com

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ALAN LODGE
Photographer - Media: One Eye on the Road. Nottingham. UK
Email:  tash@indymedia.org
Member of the National Union of Journalists [No: 014345]
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"It is not enough to curse the darkness.
It is also necessary to light a lamp!!"
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