Have Aids? Get arrested.

Press Release from Zimbabwean Activists:

01/12/05 ALERT
POLICE CRUSH WORLD AIDS DAY MARCH. ACTIVISTS
DETAINED

In an act of outrageous barbarism the Zimbabwe Republic Police descended on today's World Aids Day march and ordered the marchers to disperse. As we go to press five of the organizers of today's protests are still in police custody since midday. These are Munyaradzi Gwisai of ISO, Mao Nyikadzino (NCA), Sostain Moyo (Zimbabwe Activists Against Aids ), and Anna and Gladys from the Women Aids Support Network (WASN) .

The sad Irony of the matter is that the police had given clearance for the World Aids Day march and the gathering in the Africa Unity Square only to turn around and say the proceedings can not go ahead and worse still arrest people. This is clearly a matter of setting up a trap and waylaying people on the way.

The success of today's action is very inspiring. Hundreds of us marched on the streets of Harare singing and raising our banners for over 30 minutes. People carried banners demanding access to ARVs and demands from the Action Against Poverty. These included living wage for workers, fuel, affordable sanitary pads and baby milk and reduction of taxation. People were also calling for transparency on the AIDS levy to which workers painfully contribute but some heartless regime bureaucrats are looting. There was also significant presence of NCA activists calling for a new people driven constitution.

Lawyers from the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights are busy trying to get the arrested comrdaes released. We are asking cdes to bombard the police station with calls and faxes demanding the release of those in police custody.

DETAILS:

Harare Central Police Station Phone: (263 4) 733033, 721212, 736931, 725903
Minister of Home Affairs Phone: 723635, 703642, 703644