Activists aligned with the #FixTheCountry movement are urgently calling for the release of protestors who were apprehended on Thursday during the #OccupyJulorBiHouse demonstration.
In a press statement issued by this advocacy group, they expressed strong disapproval of the actions of the Ghana Police Service, labeling the arrests of protesters during the event as “unjust, unlawful, and a violation of constitutional rights.”
The statement also unequivocally demanded the “immediate and unconditional release of all detained protestors,” underlining that the police’s actions represent a significant threat to the nation’s democratic stability.
Additionally, the release pointed out that at approximately 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 21, law enforcement resorted to excessive force in detaining the demonstrators who had gathered for a peaceful protest.
“As far as we are aware, members of the public continue to be arrested for showing support for the demonstration,” it stated.
Furthermore, the press release asserted that they have received information suggesting that the detained individuals were being distributed across various police stations, hindering the efforts of their legal team in providing the necessary legal support to the affected individuals, as mandated by the law.
In light of these developments, the activists called upon all citizens of Ghana to rally behind the ongoing demonstration, with the aim of “rejecting and opposing the blatant violations and suppression” of the fundamental human rights and freedom of speech of the people.
The #OccupyJulorBiHouse demonstration, organized by the advocacy group Democracy Hub, proceeded as planned, despite facing a court injunction issued by the Ghana Police Service.
Originally scheduled for Thursday, September 21, the protest aimed to advocate for various reforms, including reducing the cost of living, combating corruption, and enhancing governance.
However, on the preceding Wednesday, the Ghana Police Service released a press statement asserting that they had properly served the protest organizers with the court’s legal notice following the police’s application for an injunction to halt the demonstration.
Despite these warnings from the police, the protestors chose to move forward with their planned protest, disputing the police’s claims that they had received the court-issued injunction.
In due course, a video posted on social media by a prominent protest leader, Oliver Barker Vormawor, depicted the demonstrators dressed in black and red clothing and seated inside a bus.