cpt

Moral Issue

- Protesting against SARS allows individuals to express their opinion, raise awareness around the world, change the minds of others, and contribute towards the solution to the problem.

- The pressure from protestors played a significant role in the Inspector General of Police announcing the disbandment of SARS and the President vowing to bring justice for the victims.

HOWEVER...

- The moral issue present in the article has to do with the corruption of the SARS police force and the #EndSARS protests.

- The BIG question:

• Is protesting against police brutality, corruption, and extortion the right thing to do?

- Some may say that protesting is contributing towards the solution to the problem, while others may say that it is only resulting in further violence. Let's take a look at both arguments!

- Protesting against the SARS police force has also lead to multiple people getting injured or killed by soldiers. Even though the protestors are demanding justice and peace between civilians and law enforcement, they are also causing more tension and violence to ensue by protesting, which is contradictory to their demands and beliefs.

- 12 people were killed by soldiers during protests in two locations in Lagos, Nigeria.

Theme: Prophets

Unit 2 Connection

False Prophets: The SARS Police Force and Government Soldiers

True Prophets: Protestors and #EndSARS supporters

Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey's tweet in support of #EndSARS

- There are multiple characteristics that distinguish true prophets from false prophets.

- For example, true prophets do not attempt to call attention to themselves as much as their message. Meanwhile, false prophets often seek personal glory, praise, and material reward.

- Let's take a closer look at how these characteristics relate to the article!

- They prioritize praise and material reward over the safety of Nigerian citizens. There have been countless instances where this police force has abused their position of power and extorted innocent Nigerian citizens. For example, George Okafor is a 24-year old Toronto resident who had a terrifying encounter with SARS officers when he was 15 in Lagos. He was arrested and taken to the police station despite not being guilty of any crime, and had to "bribe them right in that room" with 2,800 Nigerian Naira in order to be released.

- Despite their facade, they have been exposed for their true intentions and behavior towards others. According to the human rights group Amnesty International, at least 56 people have died across Nigeria since the #EndSARS protests began. In addition, numerous cases of inhumane treatment by SARS officers have been revealed and reported. For example, A 17-year-old died in police custody on October 19 in Kano after allegedly being tortured, according to Amnesty International.

- They refuse to justify their mistakes and rarely "go the extra mile" to make amends by apologizing or showing improved behavior. For example, when eyewitnesses reported seeing multiple people shot by soldiers during a peaceful protest in Lagos, the Nigerian army and police dismissed the reports and deemed it as "fake news."

- They hear about or witness instances of injustice, corruption, and brutality in Nigeria and cry out against them by organizing protests and posting on social media. Without them, the #EndSARS movement may have never even been formed because of the fear associated with speaking out against those who are doing wrong.

- They become the voice for the voiceless in society. Many victims of the unjust crimes committed by the SARS police unit are unable to publicly voice their story and message due to injuries or a lack of resources. However, Nigerian protestors and influential supporters such as Jack Dorsey and Anthony Joshua have used their enormous online presence to speak out against police brutality and help the #EndSARS movement go viral.

- They are willing to sacrifice their lives in order to be true to the message they proclaim. This is especially apparent in Lagos, where 12 protestors were killed by soldiers during a peaceful protest. The brave protestors took a stand against police brutality and were willing to put their lives on the line to promote peace, unity, and justice.

- They challenge those in power to make better choices that can fix the wrongs done to others. The growing anger and pressure from the protestors played a large role in the Inspector General of Police announcing the disbandment of the SARS police force and the President of Nigeria promising that those responsible for committing wrongful acts are brought to justice.

George Okafor speaking about his encounter with SARS officers

Topic: the protests in Lagos

Theme: Conceptual Framework of Action

Unit 3 Connection

1. Who? (The Agent)

5. Under What Circumstance?

- Thousands of frustrated Nigerian protestors who gathered together as a community to fight for their rights.

- Widespread claims of kidnapping, harassment and extortion by Nigerian police officers had spread across the country.

- A 24-hour curfew was imposed by State governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and anti-riot police were deployed to prevent further unrest.

6. With or Against Whom?

2. What? (The Action)

- The protestors took a stand against police brutality, corruption, and extortion. In addition, they were demanding wider reforms and further protections against the police, including independent oversight and psychological evaluation of officers.

- They did it for the victims of police brutality and Nigerian citizens all across the country.

- They did it against the Nigerian police officers who committed cruel acts of violence.

3. Why? (The Motive)

7. With What Outcome?

- Out of their desire to ensure the safety and freedom of Nigerian citizens for years to come.

- Out of their willingness to put their lives on the line to promote peace, unity, and justice.

- Positive: further awareness was raised and millions of people around the world have shown their support for the Nigerian protestors and victims.

- Negative: Nigerian soldiers opened fire and killed 12 people during the protests.

4. How? (With What Means?)

Additional Connections

The #EndSARS supporters and protestors are virtuous people who possess multiple virtues. They include justice, fortitude, and love.

- The protestors blocked access to the main international airport in Lagos by barricading the road.

- They peacefully protested with signs, chants, and symbols.

Justice

- They think about the needs of others before their own and act on what they know to be fair.

- For example, they take time out of their day to fight for safety, peace and equality, whether it would be by posting a simple message online or by participating in an organized protest. Instead of spending time playing games or watching TV, they dedicate their time towards fighting for the rights of others.

Love

- They show love to all things and people, even when they get mistreated. While they may not agree with the actions of others, they never react with hate or violence.

- For example, they did not react with violence or seek revenge when numerous protestors were killed by soldiers in Lagos. Instead, they continued to peacefully seek justice for the victims of police brutality, fight (not literally) for the safety of Nigerian citizens, and demand an apology from the Nigerian government.

Fortitude

- They overcome obstacles to living morally, and always do the right things for the right reasons, even if something stands in their way.

- For example, they continued to protest and raise awareness even after soldiers killed numerous protestors in Lagos. They understood the risks associated with speaking out against those in a position of power, but proceeded to continue following the "spirit of the law", even if it meant going beyond the "letter of the law".

Encyclical Connection

Connection

PACEM IN TERRIS

APRIL 11, 1963

- Pope John XXIII stated that the primary duty of public authorities and government is to serve the greater good and protect and promote the rights of humans

- The SARS police force was created in 1992 to keep citizens safe and ensure the well-being of everybody. However, SARS officers violated this duty and used their position of power to abuse, extort, kidnap, and torture innocent Nigerian citizens instead.

• They deprived thousands of Nigerian people of their right to have access to the means necessary for the proper development of life, their right to political freedom, their right to be looked after, and - most importantly - their right to live.

- In addition, Nigerian soldiers deprived 12 innocent protestors of their right to live and deprived thousands more of their right to meet and associate in Lagos.

- IN COMPARISON, the Nigerian protestors and #EndSARS supporters across the world have successfully fulfilled their duty by respecting the rights of others and treating their needs as their own.

• They protested and fought tirelessly for justice, peace, and unity among Nigerian authorities and citizens. They came to the realization that their brothers and sisters were being deprived of their rights, and bravely took action to resolve this issue.
• By working towards ensuring the well-being of all, they were - in a way - doing the job that the SARS police force failed to do.

- Pacem in Terris: an encyclical of Pope John XXIII on establishing universal peace

- Pope John XXIII discusses how "we must speak of man's rights":

• Everybody has the right to live.
• Everybody has the right to have access to the means necessary for the proper development of life, particularly food, clothing, shelter, medical care, rest, and, finally, the necessary social services.
• Everybody has the right to be looked after in the event of ill-health; disability stemming from his work; widowhood; old age; enforced unemployment; or whenever they are deprived of the means of livelihood.
• Everybody has the right to meet and associate, the right to immigrate and emigrate, and the right to be religiously, economically and politically free.

- In addition, Pope John XXIII discusses how human beings have a duty to promote and protect the rights of others:

• All laws should be made to uphold the moral order and to protect and promote the rights of humans.
• The rights of humans must be upheld and respected by public officials as it is the primary duty of public authorities and the government is to serve the greater good.
• Society is responsible for respecting the rights of others and should strive to feel the needs of others as their own.

Scripture and Catechism Connection

Connection

Scripture

- “Learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.” (Isaiah 1:17)

- "Speak out, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy." (Proverbs 31:9)

- "If you close your ear to the cry of the poor, you will cry out and not be heard." (Proverbs 21:13)

- "Do not plan harm against your neighbour who lives trustingly beside you." (Proverbs 3:29)

- The Bible and Catechism support the idea of protesting for justice, equality and peace.

- The Bible and Catechism call humans to take care of the opressed and poor, seek justice, speak out, and respect the dignity of others.

• The #EndSARS protestors and supporters HAVE done these things by participating in peaceful protests, providing helpful resources, and posting meaningful messages on social media.
• As a result, they have made considerable progress towards transforming Nigeria into a fairer and more just country.
• Because of their actions, people all over the world are aware of the #EndSARS movement, the victims of police brutality are able to speak out and tell their story to a larger audience, and the Nigerian government was pressured into disbanding the SARS police force.

- The Bible and Catechism reject the idea of causing harm.

- The Bible and Catechism call humans to be kind to one another, protect one another, and forgive one another, just like Christ did.

• The SARS officers HAVE NOT done these things. Instead, they have used their position of authority to extort, abuse, and murder innocent citizens for their personal benefit. Similarly, Nigerian soldiers have used their position of authority to disrupt organized protests and murder peaceful protestors.
• Because of their actions, hundreds of people have died (which, in turn, has sparked global outrage), they have been exposed in the public eye, and many of them have lost their jobs.

Catechism

- "Peace cannot be attained on earth without safeguarding the goods of persons, free communication among men, respect for the dignity of persons and peoples, and the assiduous practice of fraternity." (CCC 2304)

- "God blesses those who come to the aid of the poor and rebukes those who turn away from them" (CCC 2443)

- "The fifth commandment forbids direct and intentional killing as gravely sinful. The murderer and those who cooperate voluntarily in murder commit a sin that cries out to heaven for vengeance." (CCC 2268)

Quick Summary

- The Church supports the idea of protesting peacefully.

- The Church calls us to:

• Promote and protect the rights of others
• Speak out and seek justice
• Respect the dignity of others
• Come to the aid of the poor and oppressed

- Protesting against police brutality, corruption, and extortion has helped transform Nigeria into a fairer and more just country.

- Most #EndSARS protests in Nigeria have been peaceful. However, Nigerian officers and soldiers are responsible for causing violence and chaos to ensue.