U.S. Coalition Writes Nigerian Embassy, Calls For Release Of #EndBadGovernance Protesters, End To IMF Austerity Measures
The coalition’s letter, sent to the Nigerian Embassy in the U.S., denounces the Nigerian government’s harsh measures against demonstrators and demands an immediate end to their detention.
A coalition of workers, students, and activists in the United States has called on the Federal Republic of Nigeria to cease its repression of #EndBadGovernance protesters.
The coalition’s letter, sent to the Nigerian Embassy in the U.S., denounces the Nigerian government’s harsh measures against demonstrators and demands an immediate end to their detention.
The coalition also urged the Nigerian government to reconsider its economic policies, particularly those influenced by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank, which they argue are exacerbating poverty and unemployment.
The group explained the need for substantive action on job creation and poverty alleviation to address the root causes of the widespread discontent.
The letter was jointly signed by John Parker of the Harriet Tubman Center for Social Justice, Los Angeles, CA; Sharon Black of the Peoples Power Assembly, Washington, DC/Maryland/Virginia; Gloria Verdieu of the Coalition to Free Mumia Abu-Jamal, San Diego, CA; Berta Joubert of the Struggle/La Lucha for Socialism, Puerto Rico; Maggie Vascassenno of Women In Struggle, Los Angeles, CA; Gary Wilson of the Struggle/La Lucha for Socialism, New York and Andrew Mayton of Youth Against War & Racism, Baltimore, MD.
The groups also called for an end to the austerity measures imposed by the IMF and World Bank, and stressed that similar financial institutions in the U.S. are also impoverishing their own workers and the poor.
The letter reads: “The protesters are not your enemy. We stand shoulder to shoulder with our comrades in Nigeria, fighting for an end to poverty, unemployment, and hunger.
“Tens of thousands of Nigerians protested across the country from August 1 to 10, 2024, demanding an end to austerity measures that are impoverishing the people, while government forces fired live ammunition into the crowds, killing up to 50 innocent Nigerians.”
They added that over 2,000 Nigerians were arrested during the 10-day protests and that arrests were continuing, with nighttime raids on the homes of suspected activists.
The letter continues: “On August 7, government security forces conducted a nighttime raid on the headquarters of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), seizing printed materials and other documents. We call for the return of these materials and an end to the attacks on the NLC.
“We stand in solidarity with the just demands of the people for jobs, reduced prices for food and other essential items, and support for families.
“We call on the Nigerian government to immediately release all #EndBadGovernance detainees.”
The groups, however, urged the Nigerian government to drop the trumped-up charges, end the ongoing raids and detentions, provide legal representation, and target the IMF and World Bank, not the people.
“Drop the trumped up charges. End the continuing raids and detentions. Provide legal representation. Target the IMF & World Bank, not the people!” the letter reads.
