SWAZIS IN UK TO PICKET KING MSWATI

Zimeye.org

30 April 2011

SOURCE

Swazis in UK to picket King’s Reception

The Swaziland Vigil will picket the Four Seasons Hotel in London today (30 April 2011) when King Mswati III holds a reception at the end of his visit to attend the Royal Wedding.

The King’s attendance drew much critical comment in the British media because of his human rights abuses. He was grouped in Westminster Abbey along with guests such as the

Zimbabwean ambassador Gabriel Machinga in what the Times newspaper called ‘the pew of evil’. The British government cited protocol for not cancelling their invitations as demanded by the Swaziland Vigil and the Zimbabwe Vigil, which stage regular human rights demonstrations in London.

After the Saturday Vigil outside the Zimbabwe Embassy (30 April), Zimbabweans will join the Swazi protest outside the Four Seasons Hotel from 6.30 – 8.30 pm.

Swaziland Vigil co-ordinator Thobile Gwebu said ‘we want to show the British people and the world that Mswati does not represent the people of Swaziland’.

Date: Saturday, 30th April 2011 from 6.30 – 8.30 pm.

Venue: Four Seasons Hotel, Hamilton Place, Park Lane W1J 7DR. The protest will be located outside the Royal Aeronautical Society, 4 Hamilton Place W1J 7BQ across the road from the hotel. (The police ask that we do not obstruct the public footway or enter on to property owned by the Four Seasons Hotel.)

Tube: Hyde Park Corner.

Contact: Thobile Gwebu / Fungayi Mabhunu 07746 552 597

Zimbabwe Vigil Co-ordinators

The Vigil, outside the Zimbabwe Embassy, 429 Strand, London, takes place every Saturday from 14.00 to 18.00 to protest against gross violations of human rights in Zimbabwe. The Vigil which started in October 2002 will continue until internationally-monitored, free and fair elections are held in Zimbabwe. http://www.zimvigil.co.uk