Anti social media bill free sowore protesters storm national assembly
It appears that there was a protest at the National Assembly in Nigeria on Tuesday, February 9, 2021, by a group of individuals who are opposed to the proposed "Anti-Social Media Bill" and are also demanding the release of a detained activist, Omoyele Sowore.
Here's a summary of the event:
- The protesters, who were mostly young people, stormed the National Assembly complex in Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria, to express their opposition to the proposed bill.
- The bill, which is currently before the National Assembly, seeks to criminalize the use of social media and impose heavy fines and imprisonment on individuals who violate its provisions.
- The protesters, who were led by a coalition of civil society organizations and activists, argued that the bill is a threat to freedom of speech and expression, and would undermine the democratic process in Nigeria.
- The protesters also demanded the release of Omoyele Sowore, a Nigerian activist and journalist who was arrested in 2019 and has been detained ever since. Sowore is the founder of Sahara Reporters, a popular online news platform that has been critical of the Nigerian government.
- The protesters, who were peaceful and orderly, were met by security personnel who attempted to disperse them. However, the protesters refused to leave and continued to occupy the National Assembly complex, demanding that their demands be met.
- The protest has sparked widespread outrage and condemnation on social media, with many Nigerians expressing their support for the protesters and calling for the government to respect their rights and freedoms.
It's worth noting that the Nigerian government has been criticized for its handling of the protest, with many accusing it of using excessive force and violating the rights of the protesters. The government has also been accused of using the proposed bill as a tool to silence critics and stifle dissent.