Black Lives Matter Stands in Solidarity with #ENDSARS Movement Against Police Brutality
As Black Lives Matter, we recognize and affirm the sanctity of all Black lives everywhere in the world.
Following the murder of an unarmed civilian by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) unit of the Nigerian police, young people across Nigeria have held protests denouncing years of brutality, torture, abductions, and killings. The demonstrations mark one of the largest Nigerian protest movements in generations.
On the afternoon of Tuesday, October 20, the Nigerian army brutally murdered at least 12 demonstrators in the #ENDSARS protest against police brutality that took place at the Lekki Tollgate and other areas of Lagos. In a premeditated ambush on thousands of unarmed civilians, the Nigerian army removed CCTV cameras, switched off electricity, and set fires on either side of a throng of protestors to trap them. They then opened fire on the activists as they sat waving flags and singing the national anthem. Despite the clear state attempt to cover up evidence, scenes of this state sponsored terror were captured live on Instagram and shared on other social media platforms by protestors.
Colonialism, imperialism, capitalism, anti-Blackness, and other forms of white supremacy kill Black people across the globe. The Black Lives Matter movement therefore recognizes the interconnectedness of our struggles as people of African descent across the world. Black international and pan-Africanist solidarity is central to the global Black Lives Matter movement.
There is a global movement for Black lives afoot. From the protestors in Cameroon who faced down water cannon and tear gas, to the fierce women in Namibia demanding #Shutitalldown, to the brave Zimbabweans campaigning for the release of Takudzwa Ngadziore, we will not be silenced and we cannot be stopped. The call for Black lives to matter is a rallying cry for all Black lives striving for liberation. We stand against all violence inflicted on black communities.
We stand in solidarity with the brave Nigerians who were gunned down by security forces while exercising their right to protest. We stand in support of every Nigerian who has raised their voice against police brutality and to disband the SARS unit.
We call on our supporters to amplify the voices of Nigerians on the ground, and join solidarity protests taking place in your local community and across the world. We support direct donation of resources to these movements, and to Nigerian organizations doing the work on the ground as they have requested.
For updates on needs and how to support #ENDSARS follow on Twitter @feminist_co and on Instagram @feminist.co or visit feministcoalition2020.com for more information.
Article originall published by Black Lives Matter in 23/10/2020
