Africa-Press – Zambia. Police must escort those who want to protest against anything ahead, during and after the AU Summit, GEARS Initiative Zambia has said. The organization Executive Director McDonald Chipenzi said demonstrations and picketing are a democratic ingredient in Constitutional democracy anchored on respect for citizen’s freedoms.
Mr Chipenzi said this in a media statement today. “Those who want to protest, demonstrate and or picket at the AU Summit must therefore be allowed to notify the Zambia Police Service. Police must, therefore, permit, approve and escort those who want to protest against anything ahead, during and after the AU Summit,” he said.
“However, police must ensure the protests, demonstrations and or picketing are peaceful. It is part of democratic process and no one should block, deny and stop anyone who wants to demonstrate, protest and or picket at the AU Summit.” Mr Chipenzi stressed that that only violent protests must not be allowed.
“Allowing protests, demonstrations and or picketing at the AU Summit will send good signal about Zambia’s newly restored freedoms by citizens to other African Countries that dont allow their citizens to express themselves through demonstrations, protests and or picketing,” he said.
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