For my performance, i considered staging a symbolic representation or reenactment that captures the essence of the #EndSARS movement. This involved creating visual art, and conversations about the topic with people, that illustrates the plight of Nigerian citizens facing police brutality. Just like a symbolic gesture of resistance, or personal narratives to evoke empathy and understanding I have chosen a multi-media approach combining a series of photographs and a short video to express the urgency and gravity of this issue.Through this, the aim is to intervene in the lives of my friends by stirring their emotions, raising awareness, and urging them to join the cause for justice. This performance can be seen as activist art because it harnesses the power of storytelling and visual representation to advocate for societal change. By employing artistic expression, it seeks to disrupt the status quo and challenge the complacency surrounding issues of police brutality. The photographs and poetry serve as a catalyst for dialogue, encouraging viewers to confront uncomfortable truths and take action. The intention is not only to inform but to inspire empathy, solidarity, and a sense of responsibility among my audience to stand against injustice, both in Nigeria and globally. Through this performance, I aim to contribute to the amplification of voices and the mobilization of support for the End SARS movement, fostering a collective effort towards a more just and equitable society.
“For some, stepping off the curb may be like an epiphany, a blinding moment of clarity in which the injustices of the world are dramatically revealed, while for others it may be a slow awakening, learned indirectly”. ( Duncombe & Lambert, 2021)
It was October 2020, the aftermath of the black lives matter protests triggered by George Floyd's untimely death due to police brutality. Some people were still trying to process the shocking events that unfolded, while others had come to terms with the harsh realities of life and were getting on with their lives. On the other side of the world, the actions of the protesters and activists had been seen and heard, inspiring a revolution and the birth of activism in some Nigerians who felt motivated by the courageous acts displayed by the BLM activists.
Over time, a branch of Nigerian law enforcement, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), notorious for its human rights abuses, oppressed the Nigerian youth with offenses ranging from extortion, unsanctioned arrests, unlawful detainment of suspects without due process, and extrajudicial killings. There were regular complaints about the actions of these SARS officials, which the government paid little or no heed to. This sowed seeds of distrust and discontent in the hearts of the youth, the primary targets of these SARS officials, which kept growing until they inevitably exploded, the catalyst being the BLM protests. Given the severity and increase in frequency of these encounters, people began to express their feelings of discomfort with the current state of things on the social media app Twitter (now X). The hashtags #endsars and #endpolicebrutality garnered popularity, with people taking to the streets in peaceful protest.
(#EndSARS: Okitipupa’s Day of Rage, n.d.)
“Important political messages can be communicated through performance, song, images, and symbols, appealing to different senses” (Duncombe & Lambert, 2021)
Art, images, videos, and other material, such as encounters with SARS officials and the names of victims who passed in SARS custody or due to inhumane treatment, circulated around social media, sensitizing the people to the need to demand the disbandment of the SARS corps as well as a total reform of the police force. This caused a never-before-seen occurrence as the protests saw an otherwise divided nation with people of different age groups, religious or ethnic standings, and educational backgrounds come together in solidarity, fighting for their rights with one voice. For the first time, there was a sense of belonging shared across the whole nation, with every one of us at home and abroad feeling united.
(Aisha Yesufu’s Iconic Twitter Photo energizes #EndSARS Protesters, n.d.)
Unfortunately, the government didn't care much about the feelings and wellbeing of the citizens, so instead of hearing their voice and tending to our open wounds, they decided to silence us. The government imposed a curfew all over the country, also deploying the military, prompting the use of brute force, tear gas, and other anti-riot measures on the peaceful protesters..
“Yes, they’d all heard a great lecture and been outraged by a set of facts, or may vividly recall their first political meeting. But what brought them to their work was usually far more personal and emotional.” ( Duncombe & Lambert, 2021 )
Personally, I knew exactly what had been happening. I watched the events unfold on the news, read articles, saw posts, and all that; it was a bit exciting to me, but the protests never really resonated with me until the death of Oke Obi-Enadhuze (@o_oke). “Oke Obi-Enadhuze was killed on Wednesday evening when a stray bullet hit his neck in his Mafoluku, Lagos, residence. The intriguing thing about his death is that three hours before, he tweeted, “Nigeria will not end me.”(#EndSARS: How a Gifted Nigerian Was Killed Hours After He Tweeted, “Nigeria Will Not End Me,” n.d.)
Everybody, myself included, felt devastated. Oke’s death hit too close to home; he was young and talented, and many could vouch for his good behavior. His only offense was being a Nigerian in Nigeria; he didn't even break curfew; he sat at home and was hit by a stray bullet from who knows where, leading to his untimely death. I felt depressed; it could have been me, family, or a friend; it was way too random, and the circumstances were too baffling to be true.
If that wasn't traumatizing enough,on the 20th of October, the Lekki toll gate massacre happened; the military opened fire on protesters, leading to a number of deaths and injuries. Although this fact has been denied and covered up countless times,there is video evidence that the military, sanctioned by the government, shot live rounds of ammunition at peacefully protesting citizens, encroaching on our basic human rights. That was what it took to open my eyes to the need for activism, or, could I say, that is what it took for me to” step off the curb” and join the movement, actively sharing and involving myself in the protests in whatever way i could Over time, the flames of revolution died down, and the government disbanded the SARS, placing stricter policies on the police force. The aftereffects of the Endsars protests can be seen in our actions. The people, especially the youth, are no longer afraid to stand up for their rights when encountering corrupt law enforcement or speak up when they feel oppressed by the government. As for our fallen heroes, we remember them every October 20th.
(#EndSARS Memorial: Indeed, We Will Never Forget, 20-10-20, n.d.)
WORKS CITED
Duncombe, S., & Lambert, S. (2021, November 2). The Art of Activism. OR Books.
#EndSARS: Okitipupa’s day of rage. (n.d.). https://www.premiumtimesng.com/features-and-interviews/427256-endsars-okitipupas-day-of-rage.html?tztc=1.
Aisha Yesufu’s iconic Twitter photo energises #EndSARS protesters. (n.d.). https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/419995-aisha-yesufus-iconic-twitter-photo-energises-endsars-protesters.html.
#EndSARSMemorial #EndSARS #WeWillNeverForget. (n.d.). X. https://twitter.com/Timmydennyd/status/1451171387788435464
#EndSARS: How a gifted Nigerian was killed hours after he tweeted, “Nigeria will not end me.” (n.d.). https://pmnewsnigeria.com/2020/10/22/endsars-how-a-gifted-nigerian-was-killed-hours-after-he-tweeted-nigeria-will-not-end-me/
#EndSARS Memorial - Indeed, We Will Never Forget 20-10-20. (n.d.). https://www.nairaland.com/6812158/endsars-memorial-indeed-never-forget
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