Intense protests have continued in Thailand and Nigeria, even though the governments have tried to stop them. Thailand’s protesters are demanding big government changes. In Nigeria, the protesters want changes in the country’s police forces.
Young People Protest Thailand’s Government and Royalty
Protests in Thailand have been going on for months. In the last week, they have reached high levels of tension. Last week, the government declared a state of emergency, banning public gatherings with more than 4 people, and giving the government new powers.
(Source: Khaosod English [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons.)
That didn’t stop protesters from coming out in large numbers. Thousands of protesters – mainly students and young people – turned out to protest in the capital, Bangkok, and other cities.
The protesters want the prime minister to resign and they want changes to the country’s constitution. They also want to change the way the Thai royal family is treated.
The king and his family hold a special position in Thailand. Anyone found insulting the king can be sent to jail for a very long period of time. Two protesters who called out in surprise as the queen’s car drove past a protest last Friday have been arrested, and could go to jail for life.
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The Thai king and his family hold a special position. Anyone insulting the king can be sent to jail. Still, the protesters are asking to change the treatment of the royal family. Above, protesters give their three-fingered salute in front of a picture of the king.
Still, the young protesters are daring to suggest changes in the country’s treatment of the royal family.
The country’s prime minister, General Prayuth Chan-ocha, has been in charge of Thailand since the army took control of the country in 2014. Mr. Prayuth is the head of the army’s political party, which supports Thailand’s king. He has called parliament back for a special session to discuss how to handle the protests.
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On Friday, police used water cannons against the protesters for the first time, spraying them with a blue, stinging liquid to drive them back. Still, protesters keep returning every day.
On Friday, police used water cannons against the protesters for the first time, spraying them with a blue, stinging liquid to drive them back. Still, protesters keep returning every day.
Thousands Protest Police Violence in Nigeria
In Nigeria, thousands of people have been protesting against police violence. Though the protests have brought changes, the protesters have continued, hoping for stronger government action.
The focus of the protests has been a police unit called the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). The protesters say that police officers in the SARS unit have a history of violence and forcing people to pay them money.
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The focus of the protests has been a police unit called the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). The protesters say that police officers in the SARS unit have a history of violence and forcing people to pay them money.
People in Nigeria have been complaining about police violence for years. This time they were able to make their voices heard, even though they have been attacked by police and other armed groups.
As the protests grew, the government began to take notice. Getting international attention on the social media site Twitter was a big part of that.
On October 11, the country got rid of the SARS police unit.
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As the protests grew, the government began to take notice. On October 11, the country got rid of the SARS police unit. But dropping the SARS unit didn’t end the protests. Above, a protest near the Lagos airport on Monday.
But dropping the SARS unit didn’t end the protests. Protesters point out that the SARS unit has been shut down several times before, but always seems to start back up again. They also want SARS police officers to be punished for what they’ve done.
On Sunday, over 10,000 people crowded the streets of Nigeria’s capital, Lagos, protesting against police violence. The police used water cannons and tear gas on the protesters, and even shot at them. At least one protester was killed.
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On Sunday, over 10,000 people crowded the streets of Nigeria’s capital, Lagos, protesting against police violence. The police used water cannons and tear gas on the protesters, and even shot at them. Above, police firing teargas at the protesters on Monday.
The governor of Nigeria has called for a curfew, preventing people from leaving their houses, but many protesters have continued to gather. Yesterday, there were more reports of police officers shooting at the protesters.