Ways To Help End Sars Brutality In Nigeria
On October 20, 2020, the Nigerian military opened fire on its citizens killing and injuring many. This is after weeks of the police brutalizing protesters in the streets. The protests have been PEACEFUL and against SARS which stand for Special Anti-Robbery Squad. Formed in 1992, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad was a heavily armed police unit to fight violent crimes including car jackings and armed robbery. A unit formed to fight against corruption and crime has become the very definition of corruption and crime. Their long record of abuses have been documented and reported. Although they were recently disbanded, a new unit named Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) replaced them and this has done little to ease the concerns of Nigerians as it appears to be just a remix and not a reform.
The primary targets of these brutalities have been the youth particularly ones assumed to be of means. All this led to a decentralized social movement against police brutality in Nigeria called #EndSARS. The protests have been taking place in Nigeria and the rest of the world for weeks now. But yesterday, a day that will forever go down in infamy, the Nigerian government opened fire on its citizens.
It’s hard to feel anything but anger and disgust now but I know that we will not let the heroes that died yesterday down. Here are some ways you can help.
DONATE AND CONTRIBUTE
Feminist Coalition: https://donatebtc.feministcoalition2020.com/
Diasporans Against SARS: https://www.gofundme.com/f/4ppyfs-diasporans-against-sars
WRITE A LETTER TO EMBASSIES
PROTEST
Depending on where live, there are different regulations around protesting but following #Endsars on any social media platform will give you multiple options.
Some of you may be reading this and saying to yourself this is happening to my country too. I won’t be surprised because it’s clear that what’s needed all over the world in our institutions is reform which is what the #EndSARS movement has become. In addition to fighting against police brutality, it is fighting against bad governance and corruption. It is also fighting for better jobs, education and infrastructures.
Nigerian lives matter!
The youth matter!
The continuous cycle of brutality and incompetence the government, military and police have shown will not stand.
This is not what we voted for.
The tragedy of yesterday will not be forgotten. You might have shot at us but our voices will not be silenced.