Police Chief Operations Officer Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police Livai Driu has apologized for the miscommunication that led to the incident before the Reclaim The Night march last night.
A/ACP Driu says they were following the conditions of the permit issued.
However, he says this was sorted, and officers were directed to allow the march procession to continue and provide necessary security measures for those in attendance.
Minister for Home Affairs, Pio Tikoduadua has also apologised for what transpired last night during the Reclaim The Night March and stated that it should never have happened.
Again, I apologize for the mix up. It should never have happened.
— Pio Tikoduadua (@piotikoduaduafj) March 8, 2023
Your Human Rights are paramount and I've been making that clear. We are working together with Police to undo the mentality that has been the norm over the past 16 years-- it's slow but it will happen! https://t.co/zsttk3ko7p
Police at the scene had told the people that there should be no messages about West Papua or other international matters.
Tikoduadua tweeted overnight that he apologised for the mix-up, and says that human rights are paramount, and he has been making that clear.
The Minister says they are working together with the Police to undo the mentality that has been the norm over the past 16 years.
He adds that it's slow, but it will happen.
There was high drama at the Suva Flea Market before the start of the Reclaim The Night March.
The march was supposed to start at 6.30pm however Police at the scene told the people that there should be no messages about West Papua or other international matters.
While speaking at the end of the march, Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre Coordinator Shamima Ali says they almost did not march because of that.
Ali says she started calling Minister for Home Affairs, Pio Tikoduadua and adds that he initially did not answer first, but called her later and asked to talk to the officer at the scene.
She also believes that Minister for Women, Lynda Tabuya intervened and she thanked her.
Meanwhile, Police Chief of Operations A/ACP Livai Driu says the brief stoppage was to remind the organisers of the conditions of the march.
He says once this was done, the march continued.
Chants of safe homes, streets, taxis, nightclubs, supermarkets, ending violence and rape against women and children echoed in Suva tonight as hundreds took part in the Reclaim The Night March.
For Pearl Mitchell from Australia, events such as Reclaim The Night March means that we all are fighting for the same thing and our voices are being heard.
Sam Liwaiono who was taking part in his first Reclaim The Night March says he has always been a supporter for women’s rights and is happy to be part of this.
Dorrin Irvin says this is a day that will encourage her to remember the sacrifices made by other women.
Jay Nasilasila who works for Fiji Disabled People’s Federation says this march is about showing solidarity with organisations that advocate on the rights of those that are vulnerable.
The march started from the Suva Flea Market and ended in front of parliament.
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