Two additional protesters from the Democracy Hub were arrested by police on the third day of the ongoing protests on Monday, September 23, 2024, at 12:08 PM.
The two men had been standing on the pavement near the 37 Lorry Station for over an hour before boldly stepping forward to stand directly in front of the police, holding their placards and voicing their concerns.
Their placards carried messages opposing illegal mining, a key issue driving the protest.
The men declared, “You can arrest more of us, but even if only two of us remain, we will stand up against illegal mining.”
Their act of defiance led to their immediate arrest, raising the total number of detained protesters over the three days to 44.
The Democracy Hub’s protests, which have drawn attention for their persistence and focus on illegal mining, have seen increasing tension between demonstrators and law enforcement, as protesters demand urgent government action to address environmental degradation caused by illegal mining, also known as “galamsey.”
The protests were initially against rising cost of living and economic crisis but the focus was suddenly changed to address illegal mining activities destroying water bodies and the environment.
Despite the arrests, the protesters have vowed to continue their demonstrations, arguing that the crackdown only strengthens their resolve.
The protests have gained public attention, with many calling for government intervention to protect natural resources and uphold the rule of law in the fight against illegal mining.
