Economic Fighters League leader freed after George Floyd vigil arrest
The leader of the Economic Fighters League, Ernesto Yeboah, has been granted bail a day after his arrest for spearheading a vigil.
He was released Sunday after being held at the Accra Central Police Station over an event aimed at brutalities and injustices against people of colour.
He was picked up halfway into the solidarity vigil at the Black Star Square by a team of military and police officers who stormed the venue on Saturday at about 8:00 pm.
He was pictured in a photo together with human rights lawyer, Francis Xavier-Sosu, and other members of the Economic Fighters League Sunday afternoon.
Thanks to all our Fighters who have shown solidarity and courage. CiC Ernesto Yeboah has been released on bail. But the battle is not over.
We also thank our Head of Legal Affairs, Commander Francis Ontoyin and Mr. Francis Xavier-Sosu for their support.#BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/DYmiLAEkM7
— Fighters (@EFLFighters) June 7, 2020
Contrary to assertions of being arrested for flouting the Public Order Act, Mr Yeboah said he was charged for flouting Executive Instrument (EI) 64 under the Imposition of Restrictions Act.
The Commander of the Fighters disagrees with the charge as he indicated that anti-coronavirus measures were put in place.
He said in a video after his release that the intimidation by security officers would not deter him from campaigning for the rights of vulnerable people.
“The handcuffs are off. But as I keep saying, do not be afraid of the handcuff. It is with the handcuff that we will seek our freedom. It is with the handcuff that Africa shall unite. It is with the handcuff that we shall access economic freedom in our lifetime,” he said.
Economic Fighters League leader arrested over George Floyd vigil
A statement issued by one of the leaders of the group, Hardi Yakubu, also explained that organisers of the vigil did not flout coronavirus protocols.
“We bought nose masks and hand sanitisers which we distributed for free to participants who needed them. Prior to the event, we issued guidelines and protocols on social distancing. There were ushers specifically tasked to make sure social distancing was maintained.
“Persons at the Vigil were less than 100, all socially distanced before the police and military disruption,” he stated.
Mr Yakubu condemned the firing of live ammunition into the crowd that marched to the Accra Central Police station to demand the release of Ernesto.
“Live ammunition was fired into a crowd of vigil attendees across the road from the police station, who were waiting for news on Ernesto’s bail. The gunshots were fired by an unruly gang of officers who jumped out of a police pick-up as they zoomed recklessly into the gathered crowd. They got out of hand and could not be controlled by the officer who appeared to be their leader. One lady was injured and had to seek treatment in hospital,” Mr Yakubu added.
Black Lives Matter
The vigil was in solidarity with Black Lives Matter, a movement started in the US to counter brutalities and inhumane treatment meted out to blacks.
The recent wave of protests was sparked by the murder of George Floyd, a 46-year-old African American.
George was unarmed at the time of the incident. However, he was handcuffed and pinned to the ground by a white police officer in Minneapolis.
The officer knelt on the neck of George as he gasped for air while three other cops looked on.
George’s last words were “I can’t breathe”. The white officer ignored George’s plea and killed him in the process.
Protests seeking justice have spread to several cities in the US and the European continent in one of the biggest demonstrations in recent history.
Protestors also held massive rallies in the UK and tore up a statue of a slave trader mounted in Bristol on Sunday.