#EndSARS / Police Brutality / Solidarity / Global Movements
Condemning Police Brutality from Los Angeles to Lagos
Nigerians face a familiar struggle. Are you watching?
On May 25th, 2020 the world watched as armed officer Derek Chauvin knelt on George Floyd’s neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds. In the weeks that followed, activists, leaders, celebrities, and everyday people lifted their voices to affirm Black Lives Matter and demand change from the U.S. police force and justice system to the treatment of Black Americans in every facet of life.
On October 20th, 2020 police officers in Nigeria opened fire on peaceful protesters who were demanding an end to police brutality. What started as protests against the federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad known as SARS have evolved into a youth-led movement to demand an end to corruption and bad governance. This time, is the world watching?
Just like Nigerians and activists around the world stood with us over the summer to demand an end to police brutality and extrajudicial killings, it’s now our turn to stand with and up for them, to demand accountability for the murder of peaceful protestors, and to ensure equal treatment under the law for all.
In June of 2020, Nigerian activists stood in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter protests, recognizing that the impacts of white colonialism, racial violence, and police brutality are not unique to the United States. Friend of hive and Nigerian television host, philanthropist, and activist Osasu Igbinedion wrote in support of Black Lives Matter,
“It is important to recap that in order to achieve sustained systemic reform, we must speak with one voice and act as one.”
The same is true now.
Afrobeats musicians like Tiwa Savage, Falz, and Burna Boy have been active in protesting and spreading the word on social media. Public figures, female leaders, and friends of hive Uche Pedro, Jola Ayeye, Osasu Igbinedion, and Dimma Umeh have all lent their voices and platforms to the movement. In the diaspora, John Boyega, Yvonne Orji, and Adekunle Gold have called attention to the issue and stood in solidarity with Nigerian protestors by hosting demonstrations in the US and UK. Following the shootings on October 20th, global figures from Presidential Candidate Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton to Trevor Noah and Rihanna have spoken out in support of the movement and condemned the violence against protestors and Nigerian author and feminist thinker Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie published a powerful piece in the New York Times.
But what makes a movement? It’s not just the celebrities, public figures, and international leaders that make change happen. It’s up to all of us. As we learned more than ever over the summer, it’s the power of the grassroots, of an entire generation (or multiple), speaking in one voice to say enough is enough.
In a year of a global pandemic, it’s undeniable that we are one world and we are most powerful when we speak with one voice. The movement against police brutality does not end at the US border.
It’s our responsibility to take up the mantle and ensure violence against peaceful protesters will not go unchecked whether it’s in Portland, Oregon or Lagos, Nigeria.
hive stands hand in hand with our colleagues and friends in Nigeria and we invite you to join us by using #EndSARS on social media and reading and sharing some of our selected resources below.
Resources:
TOSTV Network
Nigerian Youths Lead Protests Against Police Brutality
#BlackTuesday: 49 killed as #EndSARS protests turn bloody
BellaNaija
October 20, 2020: All You Need To Read About The Killings In Lagos
What Does One Do At A Time Like This?
How Nigerian Youths Are Reacting to the Lekki Toll Gate Shooting
The Feminist Coalition
October 20, 2020: A Statement from the Feminist Coalition
‘We Are Able to Get Things Done’ Women Are at the Forefront of Nigeria’s Police Brutality Protests
I Said What I Said
The #ENDSARS and Nigerian Police Brutality Episode ft. Falz
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