“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
Martin Luther King
FDFM Message for 2010
As we see off 2009 and move into the new year, I
would like to take this opportunity to personally thank all our supporters and
leaders in Australia and abroad for your principled, invaluable support of the
motives and goals of the Fiji Democracy and Freedom Movement.
The Fiji Democracy and Freedom Movement was the
first overseas based movement created to actively campaign for the restoration
of democracy in Fiji after the Military Coup of December 5th 2006 and the
follow own purported abrogation of the Constitution on Good Friday 2009. That
coup forcefully removed at gun point the democratically and legally elected
coalition government led by Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase.
As national president of the Movement in
Australia, I am glad to note the launching of Movements in the United States
and New Zealand all fighting for the same course and that is the restoration of
parliamentary democracy and basic human rights in our beloved Fiji. I salute
their initiative and wish them well.
As we come to the close of 2009 and anticipate
the challenges of 2010, it is timely to remind us, as strong believers of democracy
and freedom that our job is not done until the people of Fiji have been given
the opportunity to speak through the ballot box in a free and fair general
election.
I urge that we continue to fight and campaign
for our course with renewed vigour in 2010. Let us not relent and let us keep
reminding ourselves that we will not rest on our laurels while our beloved
homeland burns under the illegal leadership of rogue elements set out to
protect their own narrow and selfish interest.
Let us not forget the fact that Commodore
Bainimarama, President Nailatikau and Aiyaz Khaiyum gained their positions of
leadership through treasonous violent means. That the present Government of
Fiji is made up of usurpers and no matter how much they try and spin it
differently, their actions have made them criminals and they will have to
answer for their crimes one day.
Let us remind ourselves that we aspire to a free
Fiji where the common citizens will have the freedom to choose who to lead them
and those that rule will always be weary of the need to perform in order to
continuously have the people’s mandate to lead.
Let us also continue to remind ourselves that
the people of Fiji have been taken hostage and tormented into silent submission
by a vicious Military backed illegal government and it is our duty overseas to
be the voice of those that suffer in silence under strict media censorship and
freedom of speech regulations, imposed on the people by the illegal Bainimarama
Dictatorship.
Let us fight for those who cannot speak or
resist when the odds of guns and intimidation are against them.
Let us fight for those that must endure silently
and have no say in important decisions that affect they daily subsistence and
their future.
Therefore it is our duty overseas to be the voice
of the common people and to shout out from the roof top what is wrong with the
illegal Bainimarama Regime.
Finally, I strongly urge, that people not to be
swayed by the consistent spins of the Illegal Interim Government who now
control all forms of news coming out of Fiji’s Media Outlets. Let us be
strong in our beliefs and views because we are fighting the good fight. Stand
tall and be proud because you are doing a good and noble thing for your
Country.
I would like to close off by taking you back to
the banks of the Mbashe River, Thembu Land, South Africa in 1934. A group of
teenagers were undergoing the Xhosa Tribe’s transitional circumcision
ritual. This ritual transforms one from being a boy to a man overnight under
Xhosa tradition. Included in the group undergoing the ritual was a boy named
Rolihlahla, a living treasure better known Nelson Mandela.
As the main speaker at the giving of gifts and
feasting following the ceremony, a chief called Chief Meligqili had this to say
as a closing remark “These gifts today are nought, for we cannot give
them the greatest gift of all, which is freedom and independence”.
I pray and urge that we the people of Fiji will
be able to rise up as one in 2010 and give ourselves and our children the gift
of freedom and independence.
Have a prosperous and happy 2010.
When: Saturday 5th of December 2009
Cooper Road, Yagoona. NSW. 2199.
March and Rally in Protest
of the continued Military Dictatorship in Fiji
When: Sunday 6th of December 2009
Where: Assemble at Sydney Town Hall and Proceed to Hyde Park at 1:30pm
The FDFM Latest news and updates on Fiji are featured in blog section so please click on to the tab on the top right hand side next to home.
Vinaka FDFM Team
A big thank you to all that made the effort to come and march with us. Let us continue to stand united and work together for the restoration of democracy in our beloved Fiji.
Police estimated up to 500 people participating in the march and it was a wonderful gathering for all of us. Many of us could not hold back the tears as we began to sing hymns and marched through the main streets of Sydney city.
Also a big thank you to all the guest speakers, volunteers, PA system & stage team and the FDFM team for your support and commitment to making this historic first demonstrationa great success!!
Vinaka vakalevu.
FDFM Team
How to make the most out of the FDFM Website
To find the lastest news, information, blog and events?
Go to the blog by clicking the blog tab on the top left hand corner of this page or go to http://blog.fijidemocracymovement.org/
There are categories set up and dates to make it easier for you to find information.
FDFM will endeavor to only post information from trusted new and information sources and will publish once it becomes available.
To find the lastest photos?
Go to the photo gallery by clicking the photo tab on the top left hand corner of this page or go to http://photos.fijidemocracymovement.org/
How you can join and support the cause?
- Volunteer yourself to become part of the team by sending us a message.
- Join our mailing list by sending us a message on our "contact us" page (Your information is kept confidential)
- Get yourself involved, friends and family involved with the events & support fundraise appeal. Get the word out there!!
- Donations to funding the the FDFM (Bank accounts details are on the contact us page)
- Fill out the Petition (Available in the next few days)
Thank you (Vinaka vakalevu for your support)
FDFM Team
