Gay activist Peter Tatchell and Zimbabwean exiles to 'arrest' Mugabe for trial in London

The Zimbabwe Vigil and its sister organisation Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHR) will be staging mock citizens' arrests of Robert and Grace Mugabe, plus John Mangudya (Governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe) on Friday 12th August in Brighton for crimes against both the people and economy of Zimbabwe.

Mugabe will be symbolically apprehended by human rights activist, Peter Tatchell, who unsuccessfully attempted to arrest Mugabe in 1999 and 2001. The three will be marched 110 km to London for trial at the Zimbabwe Vigil at 3 pm on Saturday 13th August.

The Brighton to London Walk is to 'Mourn the Death of Democracy and Human Rights in Zimbabwe'. it was born of an idea by Rashiwe Bayisayi who was inspired by the play 'After Independence' written May Sumbwanyambe at the Arcola Theatre, Dalston, London. The Vigil and ROHR performed protest songs and dances to drumming at the Arcola Theatre after the performance on Africa Day, 25th May 2016.

The date of the walk was inspired by the Heroes' Day celebrations in Zimbabwe.  The idea of the arrests was added to underline Zimbabwe's current problems of economic collapse and civil unrest.

Some 30 Zimbabwean exiles including victims of torture will start out from Brighton at 6 am on Friday taking their 3 'prisoners' with them. The trial outside the Zimbabwe Embassy at 3 pm on Saturday will reflect an actual legal challenge against Mugabe in Zimbabwe brought by the #Tajamuka protest movement on Friday 5th August 2016.

The Walk will raise funds via sponsors and donors to help with the current plight of children in schools in Zimbabwe, to raise awareness for the Zimbabwean diaspora globally to challenge Mugabe and to provide legal protection to those bravely operating in Zimbabwe against the oppressive Zanu PF regime. If you wish to sponsor thisevent, contact details are below.