On Saturday 24th October Birmingham Socialists supported a passionate and lively vigil and protest against the brutal killings of peaceful protesters in Lagos, Nigeria.
The organisers of the protest against Nigeria's notorious Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) police units emphasised that the event was to be peaceful, with no "attacks on anybody's character". However, when the mic was opened, the anger burst out.
One after another, Nigerian workers vented their rage at the brutality of the Nigerian state but many also highlighted the daily struggles and precarious situation faced by many Nigerian workers in Britain. The crowd of 200 demanded the violent and militarised Sars police unit be disbanded, and loudly sang 'Solidarity Forever'.
Ted, one of our members, spoke from the platform to deliver a message of solidarity on behalf of the Socialist Party, warmly welcomed by the crowd. He said it was a disgrace that the Nigeria government is failing to provide the very basics of life for the majority, given the immense natural resources and human talent posessed by Nigeria and that socialist measures are needed to be taken to take society forward in Nigeria.
A spontaneous chant of "Buhari out" began after he demanded the resignation of President Mohammadu Buhari.
Hundreds of copies of our flyer which was prepared by our comrades in our sister party in Nigeria, Democratic Socialist Movement, was distributed among the crowd.