Zimbabwe Vigil Diary – 9th February 2008

The Zimbabwe Vigil says that the leader of its partner organisation, Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHR Zimbabwe), has again been detained by police in Harare.  The Vigil said it had received a text message from ROHR leader Stendrick Zvorwadza today. It read “I have been brutalized by soldiers and arrested for saying Zanu PF is causing the suffering of Zimbabweans. I am in police custody and am in pain. Have been denied treatment. Despite all this, my spirit for fighting for our rights is getting stronger by day.” Sten was held for several days last month after speaking at a gathering of some 200 supporters.
Warm spring-like weather cheered everyone. The sun shone brightly and here we were in Vigil t-shirts in the middle of winter.  It made us feel perhaps miracles would happen in Zimbabwe as well.
No sooner had we set up our banners and posters than a passer-by asked us ‘Why aren’t you doing this in Zimbabwe’. We were able to say we are doing this in Zimbabwe through our partners ROHR (Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe), who are campaigning bravely for freedom and justice. There was another meeting today to discuss how we in the UK diaspora can further support their efforts.   
Next Saturday we are hosting a demonstration by the UK branch of WOZA (Women of Zimbabwe Arise). Their message is:  “This year WOZA will be dedicating their Valentine’s Day actions to the children of Zimbabwe and saying: Our education system is being allowed to collapse and our children’s future is being sacrificed on the altar of political power by a bunch of corrupt, insensitive, selfish thieves. Can we continue to keep quiet whilst our children are robbed of their future?”
One of our supporters is also hosting the new Anglican Bishop of Harare, Sebastian Bakare, who will be in Britain on a short visit.  We know how tight his schedule is, but we are inviting him to the Vigil next week to tell us about the confrontation with Mugabe’s Bishop Kunonga, whose outrageous behaviour has distressed Anglicans around the world.   
We were pleased to have with us Vikki Farrell, who visited Zimbabwe in 2006 and is creating a 5m X 2.5m tapestry / collage to express what is happening in Zimbabwe.  She was delighted at the energy of the Vigil and she took photos which will feature in the piece, which will be on display at the University of Brighton public gallery from 3rd to 5th March.  
There was a ripple of excitement at the Vigil when a white van bearing the words “Freight forwarding to Zimbabwe and other African states” pulled up outside the Embassy.  But no, the staff of the Embassy did not get in.  They do not seem to have any desire to forego the fleshpots of London for the potholes of Harare.
Not that they aren’t kept busy. Embassy staff and other Mugabe supporters were out in force at two high profile meetings in London this week also attended by Vigil supporters.  The first, organised by a think tank, the Global Strategy Forum, was held on Tuesday at the National Liberal Club.  It was chaired by the former Africa Minister, Chris Mullen, MP. We were appalled that the Mugabe apologist George Shire was invited to speak. He claims to be an independent-minded academic but we pointed out at the meeting that he had been the mainstay of a pro-Mugabe demonstration at the Lisbon AU / EU summit last December, supported by young ladies who could speak no English or any Zimbabwean languages.  Mr Shire blustered that the African Union was obliged to provide a counter demonstration to the anti-Mugabe protesters (us)!   
A Zimbabwean stood up and said ‘I am 68 years old. I fought in the .Liberation War. I am a supporter of Mugabe.’ The same gentleman gave the same odd little speech at a seminar on Zimbabwe organised by the Royal United Services Institute Africa Programme on Thursday. The Vigil knows that a huge proportion of the Zimbabwean budget goes to maintain the Mugabe’s propaganda offensive – but this was risible. People found it difficult to keep a straight face.  
It was good to have Chipo Chaya back with us today after her bereavement and illness.  Her hard work has been greatly missed.  She asked us to pass on her thanks for all the support she got from her friends at the Vigil.
For this week’s Vigil pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/.  
FOR THE RECORD: 213 signed the register.  
FOR YOUR DIARY:
* Saturday, 16th February 2008, 2 – 4 pm – outside the Zimbabwe Embassy, London.  WOZA Valentine’s Day Action.
* Saturday, 29th March 2008, 6 am – 6 pm – Zimbabwe Vigil’s diaspora polling station and mock ballot.

Vigil Co-ordinators
The Vigil, outside the Zimbabwe Embassy, 429 Strand, London, takes place every Saturday from 14.00 to 18.00 to protest against gross violations of human rights by the current regime in Zimbabwe. The Vigil which started in October 2002 will continue until internationally-monitored, free and fair elections are held in Zimbabwe. http://www.zimvigil.co.uk