[Lauchenoiria]

Lauchenoirian Guardian

Protesters block entrance to Xiomeran Embassy as attendance at weekly protest doubles
25th September 2019

Four individuals were arrested outside the Xiomeran Embassy in Buttercity this afternoon after chaining themselves to the entrance in an attempt to block passage in and out of the embassy. This action was part of the weekly protest organised by Climate Alliance Lauchenoiria outside of the embassy over the plans by the Xiomeran government to open Manauia Island to development.

This comes only days after three Lauchenoirian citizens were arrested in Xiomera while attending a peaceful demonstration on Manauia Island. These arrests have been widely criticised, with many calling them “completely political” and saying no crime was committed. Civil rights activists have called Xiomera’s actions “totalitarian” and have called on the Lauchenoirian government to ensure the release of their citizens.

Weekly protests have been taking place every Wednesday outside of the Xiomeran Embassy for five weeks over the development plans, but this week’s protest has been the most well-attended by far, with attendance doubling from last week despite last week’s protest taking place during the two weeks of demonstrations by Climate Alliance Lauchenoiria.

Climate activists were joined by civil rights activists calling for the release of those arrested in Xiomera. These activists took the opportunity to also call for the release of Tlixō and Xōne, the two Xiomeran journalists charged with attempted arson, currently being held in pre-trial detention due to being perceived as a flight risk. Their trial is set to begin in two weeks’ time. Lauchenoiria previously refused to extradite these individuals to Xiomera.

Upon the arrest of the individuals who chained themselves to the embassy, protesters booed police and shouted, accusing them of working with dictatorships and comparing them to the Chaher regime. While no further arrests took place, police struggled to move the crowd further from the embassy after the incident occurred. Two protesters were arrested outside the embassy two weeks ago, but the charges were later dropped.