Ahead of August 1st planned protests across Nigeria, we urge all citizens to engage in peaceful demonstrations. It is crucial to express our grievances and demand change without resorting to violence, which only exacerbates the issues we face as a nation.
Recent examples from around the world highlight the destructive outcomes of violent protests. In **France**, the yellow vest protests, which began as peaceful demonstrations against fuel tax increases, escalated into violent clashes with police, resulting in significant property damage and injuries. Similarly, in **Chile**, protests over economic inequality and living costs turned violent, leading to widespread destruction and a heavy-handed government response. These instances serve as a reminder that violence undermines the legitimacy of protests and often leads to severe repercussions for all involved.
In a recent interview with Victor Walsh Oluwatemi, the Chief Executive of the Africa Development Studies Centre (ADSC), he emphasized the importance of non-violent protests.
“We must learn from the recent events in **Kenya**, where protests against rising living costs and economic hardships turned violent, resulting in severe economic disruptions and further strain on the country’s fragile economy,” Oluwatemi stated. “The violence not only led to loss of lives and property but also scared away investors, causing long-term damage to the nation’s economic prospects.”
We acknowledge the frustrations and hardships that many young Nigerians face. With high unemployment rates and limited opportunities, it is understandable why the youth might feel they have nothing to lose. However, resorting to violence is not the solution. Violence only leads to more suffering and delays the progress we seek.
“We understand the deep frustrations felt by our youth,” said Oluwatemi. “But history has shown us that non-violent movements can bring about significant and lasting change. The Civil Rights Movement in the United States and the Indian Independence Movement led by Mahatma Gandhi are prime examples of how peaceful protests can lead to meaningful and transformative outcomes.”
To ensure our message is heard and to bring about the change we desperately need, we must remain united in our commitment to non-violence. We urge community leaders, activists, and all citizens to advocate for peaceful protests and to discourage any form of violence. Let us stand together and show the world that we can demand justice and change without compromising our principles or endangering our communities.
