UPDATE 2012: Harare 6 Found Guilty

Demonstrate in front of the Embassy of Zimbabwe in Washington, DC:

https://www.facebook.com/ProtestAtZimbabweEmbassyMarch20




From a solidarity activist in South Africa:

The six Zimbabwe activists have been found guilty of “inciting public disorder”. Sentencing takes place tomorrow.

As Tatenda Mombeyarara (one of the convicted activists) has put it, "I am devastated. We were
convicted and found guilty. Tomorrow we will go for mitigation and probably sentencing. Lawyers have indicated that there is an option for a fine as well as custodial up to a maximum of 10 years. Comrades did come and I am gratefull. If the worst happens, its been an honour to chat with you. Keep up the revolutionary flame burning. This can't continue so there must be unity of purpose till we smash this ruthless system. Got to go I am a bit down"

These are sad but brave words. Tatenda is only 30 years old. He and his comrades deserve our admiration and solidarity.

Another of the convicted activists Munyaradzi Gwisai puts it, "To the ordinary people, this is not surprising. This is a staple of what is happening in Africa and across the world. So we take it as it comes, the struggle continues."

Gwisai had told the court during his trial that the charges were "meaningless", "outright silly" and "a case of political harassment by the state".

Mugabe and Tsvangirai formed a unity government three years ago following failed presidential elections that sparked nationwide attacks against Tsvangirai's supporters, leaving more than 200 dead.

The power-sharing deal left Zimbabwe's security forces firmly in Mugabe's grip, and Tsvangirai supporters - including government ministers - remain the targets of arrests and intimidation.

In support of these brave activists, protests are set for Tuesday 20 March as follows:

SOUTH AFRICA - 12 noon Zimbabwe consulate, 13 Boeing Street West, Bedfordview, Johannesburg opposite Eastgate shopping centre, bring banners and placards

BRITAIN - Embassy of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe House, 429 Strand, London, WC2R 0QE. Phone 020 7379 1167, email zimlondon@yahoo.co.uk

AUSTRALIA - Melbourne solidarity action with Zimbabwe activists facing years in jail, Tuesday March 20, 5.15pm, GPO, City, Corner Bourke and Elizabeth St

USA –

Other details at: http://socialistworker.org/2012/03/19/mugabes-iron-fist-aimed-at-activists

Text protest messages to:

Police Spokesman Wayne Bvudzijena +263 712 801 172
Police Commissioner Augustine Chihuri +263 712 808 290

"Thanks very much for all the solidarity."

Just received the following message from Shantha Boemen, on behalf of the six defendants. They appeared in court today and are due back on April 20. In the meantime, they are trying to recover from the ordeal and prepare their defense.

Thanks very much for all the solidarity. Munya and other comrades are recovering. They have been dealing with health issues and emotionally recharging their batteries. I know Munya should be on line in next day or two and will share some his thanks and impressions. There is no doubt that the Mugabe regime has had two years under the GPA to regain its momentum. And know with diamond money, they are going strong.

The international solidarity and support has been amazing. Thanks so much. Even though they are out, we have to keep the pressure on not only to drop charges but also to stop using the legal system against ordinary people.

Thanks again and wonderful to see the international day of solidarity has happened today.

I will link to coverage of the protests in South Africa, Australia, the UK, and elsewhere, as this becomes available.

Here in Washington, DC, there was a demonstration in front of the Embassy of Zimbabwe; among the demonstrators waa Nigerian who had heard about the event from a friend. The protest included a reading of the message of support from Egypt. And there was a very spirited exchange with someone from the staff who came out for a while. We waved at the others who peeked out at us from the windows.

All of this under the watchful eyes of a couple of Secret Service. One of them had been parked out front, waiting for us to show up. There were no arrests. But it was made clear to the representative of the Zimbabwean government who came out to talk that we were not about to give up, and that people all over the world expect all charges against the activists to be dropped -- and the attacks by Mugabe on critics and oppositionists to end.

Egyptians Express Solidarity with Zimbabwean Activists

The following is a translation of a message from the Revolutionary Socialists of Egypt to the defendants going on trial in Zimbabwe on March 21 and their supporters:

Dear comrades, fighters for freedom and justice in Zimbabwe: We have witnessed uprisings in North Africa in Egypt, Tunisia and Libya .. We have ousted two of the most notorious dictatorships in the world .. Be sure that the spring revolution will move southward to you .. Be confident that at the same time the revolution will continue in Egypt, Be confident that your Dictator will also fall and will join the dust bin with Mubarak and Ben Ali. The struggle against oppression and tyranny is one and it can not be divided.

The masses in Tunisia and Egypt have proved that no matter how long autocratic regimes last, the revolution's earthquake can break the walls and dams. Be sure that the earthquake is coming and that Mugabe will fall- if not today, tomorrow it will be. And the cries of millions of Egyptian poor peasants in the fields and workers in the factories and neighborhoods will inevitably find their way to the ears of the masses in your country- the masses that are weary of tyranny and impoverishment policies- if not today then tomorrow.

Revolution knows no boundaries!

Long live the struggle of the masses against the oppression and tyranny in all countries!

Long live the struggle of socialists in Zimbabwe!

Building solidarity at Left Forum

Here's a poster on display in the exhibition hall of Left Forum, the annual conference now underway in New York. The hall, where organizations and publishers have tables, gets a great deal of traffic, and this is the most prominent item at the International Socialist Organization booth, which will also be distributing a collection of articles about the Zimbabwean struggle. This is available in PDF but doesn't seem to be available online yet. If you want a copy, leave contact information in the comments.

Message from ISO-Z

Just posted to Facebook:

Comrades we thank you for the solidarity, moral and financial support and standing with us during the time in which our comrades were in detention. The comrades were finally released yesterday evening but the struggle continues for the charges against them to be totally dropped.

in solidarity

International Socialist Organisation
Zimbabwe

Report on their release in The Christian Science Monitor

Prisoners now released on bail! March 21 demonstrations remain urgent

Thanks in part to donations from supporters abroad, friends and family raised the $12,000 US needed to get the six prisoners released on bail on March 17. They are now back with their loved ones -- but will be in court on March 21, standing trial for treason.

The international day of action in solidarity with the Zimbabwean activists remains as urgent as ever. Now the demand is even simpler: Drop all charges now!

Updates on Twitter from Shantha Bloeman -- wife of Munyaradzi Gwasai, one of the prisoners -- give supporters outside Zimbabwe a glimpse of this week's developments from the inside. A few entries:

Another call. ZANU-PF youth raided room of one of the released. [This refers to the 39 prisoners released earlier in the month.-sm] Trashed room and took his things. He is now in hiding.

Police took detained for investigations. Want passports to explore possible foreign connections. Not sure if this will help or hinder bail.

Too late to get bail paid today. But hopefully will secure funds early tomorrow so we can get them out. Just one more night in detention.

Bought lots of lice shampoo. How will we ever get them out of Munya's dreds? Will this mean a radical new hair cut and much arm twisting?

Big thank you to all for solidarity & support. We have enough for bail. So relieved. Hope they'll be out by end of the day.

Hopewell's wife just found out she is pregnant w second child. Tears of joy from all.

Workmates joke they should call child Treason. We propose Egypt.

(On Hopewell Gumbo, see Dave Zirin's reminiscence quoted here.)

There is reason to think that earlier solidarity demonstrationts may have helped the prisoners get out. There are cases of Zimbabwean oppositionists in the MDC who have not released by the Mugabe regime even after they paid bail.

This underscores the need for broad, vigorous protests on March 21, when the six go to trial. Now more than ever, solidarity is a force for liberation.

Zimbabwean prisoners receive bail -- but still face charges

Breaking news this afternoon via The Associated Press/Forbes:

A Zimbabwe court frees on bail six civic activists accused on charges of treason for allegedly plotting an Egypt-style uprising against longtime ruler President Robert Mugabe.

High Court Judge Samuel Kudya ruled Wednesday that state prosecutors failed to show there was a threat to state security and had "bald and unsubstantiated" evidence against the six, including former opposition lawmaker Munyaradzi Gwisai.

More from The Canadian Press:

Judge Kudya on Wednesday described the treason case against the six activists as "weak" and said state prosecutors were relying on the evidence of one witness who appeared to have been an undercover police informer whose credibility was in doubt.

"There is no iota of evidence any Zimbabwean contemplated attempting to emulate the Egyptian revolt. These are bold and unsubstantiated allegations," the judge said.

The ruling was seen as a setback for security agencies loyal to Mugabe after a spate of arrests of leaders of civic groups and Tsvangirai's party.

Gwisai and other members of the group complained at an earlier court hearing they were tortured by police and beaten with wooden planks and iron bars. They said they were also told to confess that they called for Mugabe's ouster.

Each of the six prisoners must come up with $2000 before being released -- a considerable challenge in an economy like that of Zimbabwe. (Just to clarify: that's $12,000 US, not in Zimbabwean dollars.)

To donate money directly to the effort by PayPal, use this site.

The prisoners will be back in court on Monday. If you are in Washington, DC or New York City, please join the protests that day demanding that all charges be dropped. And if you know of plans for demonstrations elsewhere, please leave a comment with the details.

There are Facebook pages for the NY demonstration at Zimbabwe's mission to the United Nations and the DC protest outside the Embassy of Zimbabwe. Check back at this blog for more details on these events and news regarding the case.