Feminist Coalition: Aftermath Of #EndSARS Shook Us But Our Spirits Remain Unbreakable

The Feminist Coalition, one of the major supporters of last year’s #EndSARS protests, has remembered Nigerians who lost their lives in the course of the decentralised social movement that rocked different parts of the country in October 2020.

The group particularly noted that the October 20, 2020 shooting at the Lekki toll gate in Lagos “did shake us at the very core” but said “our spirits remain unbreakable.”

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The coalition spoke in a statement it issued on Wednesday to mark the one-year anniversary of the killing of young Nigerians who participated in the protests.

The protesters had trooped out to call for total disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) — a police unit with a history of human rights abuses and extortion.

The Feminist Coalition said, “On October 20th 2020, countless innocent lives were cut short across Nigeria and specifically the Lekki-Epe toll gate in Lagos state.

“Today, we remember those Nigerians who were killed simply for demanding a better Nigerian state rid of violence, oppression and police brutality. Countless victims of the Lekki-Epe toll gate and sites of other killings remain unaccounted for to this date.

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“No Nigerian life should ever be lost to senseless violence. We are young Nigerians with hopes, dreams and aspirations for ourselves and for our country. We deserve an environment where we can pursue our dreams to build a better future.

“No Nigerian should live in fear of the systems that should protect them. Freedom of expression is an inalienable, fundamental human right.

The group added that, “Today reminds us of the great price they had to pay for our struggle. It also serves to reinforce our core beliefs.

“The people we lost shared the same vision for a better country and should be recognized as heroes. We will forever remain proud of the Nigerian youth and our part in amplifying their voices. The world heard us, and though the tragic aftermath did shake us at the very core, our spirits remain unbreakable. May the sacrifices of our heroes never be in vain.

“The Feminist Coalition remains committed to our core mandate, which is championing the advancement of the Nigerian woman.”

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