speech by Oronto Douglas, Nigerian activist

Speech broadcast on Democracy Now! 11/20/01
Hear Real Audio: http://stream.realimpact.org/rihurl.ram?file=webactive/exile/dn20011120.ra&start="25:04.2"

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we understand that governance in the north, the governance here is no longer with the people. and I think it is a battle, it is a struggle that must be achieved peacefully, non violently so that at the end of the day you can say that you truly live in a democratic society.

For us, we know we are no longer living in a democratic society. there are soldiers everywhere, killing our people; corporations are running riot on our land, desecrating our shrines, killing sacred animals, making life impossible for us.

We know that, but you must also not join us in this terrible situation where you do not have life anymore.

We've got to join hands -- we are not asking, and this is the point we continue to make: do not feel pity for me who is in Nigeria, don't feel pity. Do not feel that you have to do something for me, NO.

Feel that you have to do something for yourself here. If you protect your land, if you protect your democracy, we can point to Canada, we can point to the United States, as examples of democracy, as examples of a free society. Then those shameless individuals who are misgoverning us, looting our resources, destroying our lands, can be brought to account. That I think is the challenge that we face, but we've gotta do it together, we've got to walk together and the task is huge.

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