AIDS activists arrested during march

e marchers to disperse before arresting the organisers. Police had initially cleared the event to take place but made a u-turn upon seeing the growing numbers of participants and various other organisations joining in. Members of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU), ISO and NCA joined in the march, wielding placards denouncing government policies. Those arrested were taken to Harare Central Police station. ISO member Briggs Bomba told Newsreel the march was a success as hundreds marched through the streets singing and raising banners for over 30 minutes. There was also a significant presence of NCA activists calling for a new, people-driven constitution. Lawyers from Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights spent the day trying to secure the release of those arrested. Bomba had earlier on urged people to bombard the police station with calls and faxes demanding the release of those in custody and it would seem the strategy paid off after the five were released later in the day.  SW Radio Africa