Zimbabwe UK protesters says the next demo will be bigger

Zimbabwean civic and political organisations in the UK say they could pull off a successful mass anti-Mugabe protest if they work closely together and plan way ahead. 
They made the remarks after 50 people showed up for a demonstration in London which they publicised overnight. Organisers say the fact that people turned up at such short notice is a sign that more could turn up if they were better organised.
The short press announcement for the London demonstration was made last Sunday night and the protest was held during the week. It was held in conjunction with the Zimbabwe Million Citizen March planned protests back home.
Tuesday's demonstration in London was organised by the Zimbabwe Vigil, and included the mock hanging of Robert Mugabe outside the Zimbabwean embassy.
The Vigil's Rose Benton explains what happened: "We only sent out notices at short notice because we weren't absolutely sure until recently who was calling it (the million-man march). Also I had to get permission on Monday morning (from the police) as I couldn't get hold of them over the weekend.
"More people could have come if we had more notice. A lot of our supporters live far away. Many of them don't have money and they can't afford to make frequent journeys," Benton says.
There are numerous Zimbabwean civic organisations that operate in the UK, including the Zimbabwe Association, Restoration of Human Rights and the Zimbabwean Community Network. Last year they united to demonstrate against a decision by the UK government to resume deportation of failed asylum seekers to Zimbabwe. Their joint protest led to Home Office representatives saying they would review their policy depending on changes in the country.
Benton's remarks resound with those of Zapu's UK wing. Artwell Ndlovu, information and publicity officer for Zapu Europe province, said: "Collective effort will make a successful march. It will need liaising with the different organisations to make it a success. It's a learning curve as well - everyone is prone to mistakes, no one is perfect.
"There is a huge reservoir of ability in the diaspora. If Zimbabweans could work together, something great could come out of it if everyone didn't want to be in charge. There are a lot of small groups wanting to do something. It's a question of political maturity," she says.
"Anything organised by people of Zimbabwe - even if it's two people standing in the cold - that's one step towards liberating Zimbabwe," Ndlovu said.
Ndlovu said his party did not participate this time because they were not invited, but they will support future activities that call for regime change in Zimbabwe.
Sihle Sibanda, a London-based Zimbabwean who originates from Bulawayo, attended the Tuesday event and said: "The highlight for me was when the list of atrocities were read out. It was touchy and emotional. It highlighted the injustices going on right now back in Zimbabwe."
The Zimbabwe Million Citizen March was launched online in February and, using social networking and e-mails, called for Zimbabweans at home and abroad to stage mass protests on Tuesday demanding that Robert Mugabe step down.
In Zimbabwe the authorities unleashed a clampdown on civic and political activists as the day approached. There was a heavy presence of armed soldiers and police in Harare and Bulawayo, which observers say scared off people from taking to the streets.