IVANN BIBI
Nouveau Front Politik
Kolektif Konversasyon Solider
The organization of a massive, national, solidarity “Citizens March” this Saturday, August 29th, comes in the wake of the catastrophic ecological disaster on Mauritius’ southeastern coast known as the Wakashio Oil Spill (i) —and is borne of the initiative of one very brave patriot among us: Bruneau Laurette.
Many are in awe of the events that have led to this moment: to Saturday’s upcoming march, to the moments we are currently living, that have been swirling for weeks and months now all around us—moments of extreme sadness, and extreme of strength as a Nation.
Powerful moments, that come crashing together like waves.
To the keen observer this new blossoming stage of “Morisianism”, coupled with the gigantic surge of renewed civic activism that has fueled it, does not only begin Sat 29th August. Its roots date back to April, May June, and July–at and around the time that the Covid-19 and Quarantine Bills were being passed, and the months following their passing.
I met Bruneau Laurette for the first time on May 9th 2020 (ii), although we had already been communicating for some time prior via phone. That day we met in the London Store parking-lot in Vacoas, where I provided Bruneau with funds, on behalf of Nouveau Front Politik, to purchase food care packages for citizens that he and his team the “COVID Warriors” had been supplying to people all-around the island. These were families in extreme financial distress during the lockdown/confinement period. There were scores of people and Bruneau was a very busy man: he was helping innumerable amounts of people, from all areas and backgrounds. Understandably, he helped a good deal of people that resided in the “cités” where people seemed to be hit the hardest. I know because I joined him on a few occasions.
Nine days later, on Monday May 18th, 2020 this new friend of mine, Bruneau Laurette, would join me along with a modest number of people (iii) to stage the very first and almost unnoticed “protest” of what we can now refer to as the Mauritian Spring (iv).
That day we met at Cathedral Square (v) in Port-Louis roughly at 130pm. Bruneau had a meeting to unload food care packages and I met him and his team and spoke with the crowd that had gathered, along with other citizens in our group, about our need to stand up and protest against the unlawful COVID-19 laws (vi). After our small meeting a few of us walked to parliament where Bruneau and I posed for a few photos before those gathered—and then we dispersed and went our own way (vii).
To be clear, this meeting and mini-protest took place during lockdown/confinement period—therefore we were under strict alphabetically limited and WAP-only movements. The COVID-19 and quarantine laws had just gone into effect two days earlier: so anybody with us who was not WAP cleared or their alphabetical day was liable for a Rs 200,000 fine. Suffice to say, we did not have a very large crowd. And none wanted to be caught on videos or photos either.
How did Bruneau Laurette and I arrive at Cathedral Square and then in front of parliament to protest the COVID-19 laws on May 18th 2020?
I intend to address that in my next “anthology” paper, which will also cover the first historic mass citizens protest of 2020: the July 11th Manifestation Solider (and the events leading up to it), as well as the events of the Wakashio catastrophe in greater detail.
Two days after our Cathedral Square protest, on May 20th, 2020, we marked the 45th anniversary of the 1975 historical “Students March” in Mauritius. Spurred by the immense flurry of protest activity now erupting on Facebook—I launched a new idea to protest across Mauritius due to the lockdown still being in effect, one that did not necessitate that people leave the comfort of their home—a symbolic protest: asking people to change their profile pictures to the upside down Mauritian flag (viii).
The upside down flag movement had at one time several thousand people participating and still to this day, many months later, there are people that have kept their profile or cover-picture on Facebook as that of the “upside down flag”: a internationally recognized symbol for a people in distress.(ix)
Fast-forward to July 25th, with the Wakashio catastrophe starting, and all the sad catastrophic events and moments since that have led us to today—I cannot even begin to describe them here (x).
As a Nation we are still reeling, heavily. This past month has gone by in excruciatingly slow motion. As dead Dolphins wash up on our shores: our Nation seems in tatters.
But we will not give up.
In fact, Mauritius: we are just getting started.
In the weeks, months, and years in front of us, are coming the days when we look back on July 11th, on August 29th, and on Sept 12th and beyond, and think: “that was the beginning—those were the days that started it all.”
The revolution: the REAL change that Mauritius has seemingly forever been aching for is coming. Hard, fast, and strong.
Today, we are rallying to Bruneau Laurette’s cry: a call for solidarity and a call for a Government that has utterly and completely failed us to resign, for new general elections in Mauritius–as one people, as one nation, as “One Mauritius.”
On August 29th 2020, Mauritius will stand tall and proud, again, massively together, in solidarity as citizens, and as one people: not as members of x y z political party or part of a b c community.
On August 29th, 2020: We stand as one M R U.
On August 29th, 2020, Mauritius rises, again, as a Nation. The embers are hot, and simmering, just below the surface amidst a very angry and vehemently disenchanted population, in paradise these days.
Therefore we must be careful to keep it peaceful and pacific. Ours is a peaceful show of force, on August 29th. The people’s force. The one force that can either heal or destroy a Nation.
I want Bruneau to know that I have his back. That many people are looking forward to uniting as one Nation to say “enough”, without political colors, or speeches by politicians, clouding the horizon. August 29th is for the people.
Lastly, I wish to thank my friend, Bruneau Laurette, for all his hard work and dedication to Mauritius’ cause, to our calling as a Nation: to that of a country of real-freedom, real democracy, real justice–and real opportunities for all.
Thank you Bruneau. And thank you, Mauritius.
Enn pei se dimounn avan tou. Anou Solider.
…
Notes
(i)A catastrophe that resulted from our very own governments’ criminal negligence, with the leaking of tons of crude oil into unspoiled parts of our pristine Southeastern lagoon and coastline.
(ii)May 9th: First meeting with Bruneau.
Link: https://www.facebook.com/NFPIvannBibi/posts/679935085882950
(iii)The number of which I will not state.
(iv)Summation of May 18th protest: https://www.facebook.com/NFPIvannBibi/posts/685609631982162
(v) https://www.facebook.com/NFPIvannBibi/posts/685506045325854
(vi)Video of meeting at Cathedral Square May 18th 2020:
https://www.facebook.com/NFPIvannBibi/posts/685554018654390
(vii)Pictures in front of Parliament with Bruneau: https://www.facebook.com/NFPIvannBibi/posts/685508888658903
(viii)https://www.facebook.com/NFPIvannBibi/posts/686623101880815
(ix) Post on what upside down flag means: Posts to explain flag upside down
https://www.facebook.com/195966694279794/posts/688458908363901/?d=n
https://www.facebook.com/195966694279794/posts/688256285050830/?d=n
(x) Reserved for Anthology III