Activists stage anti-racism protest in Banjul

15 Juin 2020

Banjul, Gambia, June 15 (Infosplusgabon) - Scores of human rights activists have staged an anti-racism protest along the streets of Banjul over the weekend to express their anger against police brutality in the US, Infosplusgabon reported on Monday.

According to sources, the protesting activists marched on the streets of Gambia’s commercial capital of Serekunda to the United States Embassy Building, along Kairaba Avenue, where a protest letter was handed over to American diplomats.

Momodou King Colley, who headed the procession, later read out a statement on behalf of the protesters and lashed out at the U.S. government.

He said America prided and called itself champion of human rights but at the same time, it has institutionalized racism in its backyard.

Mr. Colley also decried massive human rights violations meted out against blacks in America by white police officers.

Mr. Colley then called for transparency, accountability and justice in the murder of George Floyd as well as Gambian Momodou Lamin Sisay.

Rebecca McKnight, the regional security officer at the U.S. Embassy in Banjul, received the protest letter from the demonstrators and promised to deliver it to her government.

Among the demonstrators were Fatoumata Tuma Njie, the parliamentarian for Banjul South, as well as some white folks, who condemned racism and racial prejudice directed against black people in America.

The civil society members in The Gambia had sent a petition to the US Embassy in Banjul, condemning the killing of Sisay by members of US police force.

The civil society activists also made several demands to the US government, calling for justice in the murder of George Floyd and Sisay.

On 29th May 2020, members of US police force in Georgia shot to death Mr. Sisay, the son of a Gambian diplomat Larreh Sisay.

Meanwhile, the civil society members made several demands like: that the US police video on the shooting of Mr.  Sisay be released to the public.

The authorities should carry out exhaustive investigation of all incidents of police brutality against blacks in the US and ensure that justice is done.

That US government conduct constitutional, legal and institutional reforms to annihilate structural racism and to criminalize racism in all forms.

Reform policing methods to orient law enforcement officers towards nonviolent policing methods and educate them about human rights.

Reform American education system to fully introduce African and African American history to highlight the contribution of Africans to world civilizationand to the building of United States of America.

Provide reparations to African Americans with direct and huge investments in the provision of services, facilities and opportunities for their social, economic and cultural development.

Uphold and practice democratic values and protect the human rights and dignity of all.

FIN/ INFOSPLUSGABON/GBJ/GABON2020

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