Human rights activists, journalists, freedom loving Gambians and friends of the Gambia sponsored by Amnesty International successfully staged Gambia Day of Action across the World calling on the government of President Jammeh to “Stop the rule Fear” in the Gambia.

The peaceful demonstration was held in over fifteen (15) Cities around the world. Demonstrations were held in London, Sweden, major cities in the United States – New York and Seattle and several other African countries including Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Benin, and Mali among others.

The Demonstrations effectively coordinated by Amnesty International called on the Jammeh government among other things to:

- Respect the rule of law and stop human rights violations of innocent Gambian citizens;

- Stop human rights violations and comply with obligations under the African Charter to guarantee the right of citizens to liberty, freedom from torture, unfair trials and freedom of expression and association.

- Stop politically motivated trials of citizens who peacefully exercise their freedom of expression and right to associate and assemble among other things.

This reporter was a part of and covered the demonstration held in Seattle Washington for the first time. The Seattle group dressed in their Amnesty provided black uniform T-Shirts headed out to downtown Seattle to express their disapproval of the Gambia government’s lavish celebration of July 22; a dark historic day the West African State’s democratically elected government of Dawda Jawara was illegally overthrown by a group of Junior military officers led by the current sitting President then lieutenant Yahya Jammeh.

President Jammeh who led the coup has since then ascended himself in power as a military turned civilian President.  All his coup mates have either died, in exile or have fallen apart with the regime.  As he single handedly consolidate power, President Jammeh has turn July 22, as “Gambia’s Freedom Day” with several Days of wasteful celebration and unending parties.

Gambian citizens in Seattle marched in the streets of downtown Seattle to meet Washington State Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray at their offices in Seattle. The group first met in Senator Cantwell’s office where they demanded to speak to senior staff of the Senator as the Senator is currently attending Senate Sessions in Washington DC.

The group delivered a public statement from Amnesty International signed by over eighty six (86) well-known independent organizations across the world.  The demonstrators were cordially welcomed by Senator Cantwell’s staff and the entire office staff came out to listen to the group express their frustration of the deteriorating governing and human rights violations in the Gambia.

One staffer by the name of Ken welcomed the group at the Senator’s conference room and listened attentively to their grievances. Ken promised to relay the message to Senator Cantwell and also pledge to organize a meeting between representatives of the group and Senator Cantwell whenever she returns to Seattle.

The group excited about the attention they received at Senator Cantwell’s office, proceeded to Washington Senior Senator Patty Murray’s Office which is located in the same federal building.  The same warm reception was accorded the group who handed over another letter to Senator Murray’s representatives. The staffers at this office also encouraged the group to take pictures and promised to not only relate the message to Senator Murray but also involve the staffer who is responsible for foreign relation issues.

The Seattle group then left for the African Chamber of Commerce of the Pacific Northwest down the Street to meet its President and CEO Peter Gishuru. The African Chamber of commerce was targeted because it is a nonprofit pro business organization responsible for negotiating business and investment relationships between African countries and the Pacific Northwest of the United States. It is believe that such an organization plays a crucial role in helping create conducive private sector investments across the African continent.

Excited with their further progress in their meetings the Seattle Group headed for the building housing several local TV Stations in Seattle hoping to get some attention with the media for a wider broadcast coverage. However, due to time constraints and some of the protesters’ need to get to work the group decided to call off its final trip.

On balance the Seattle demonstration was a very successful event especially in light of the fact that this was the first time patriotic Gambian citizens organized such a demonstration. The group agreed to follow through to meet with representatives of the two Washington Senators and to continue to channel their frustrations through the relevant authorities.

The demonstration wrapped up with a thank you note to Amnesty International for helping to organize “Gambia Day of Action”.  Several individual participants at the demonstration also spoke to Momodou Lamin Sillah of the Gambia Journal to express their feelings and observations at the demonstration. To listen to the audio interview with Momodou Lamin Sillah you may visit http://www.thegambiajournal.com.

By Demba Baldeh