Evan Mawarire

Evan Mawarire
Born (1977-03-07) March 7, 1977
Southern Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe
Nationality Zimbabwean
Occupation Pastor, political and human rights activist
Years active 2016-present as a political figure
Known for the 2016–17 Zimbabwe protests, #THIS FLAG, Opposition to Robert Mugabe
Spouse(s) Samantha Mawarire
Children 2

Evan Mawarire is a Zimbabwean pastor who came to prominence during the 2016–17 Zimbabwe protests that challenged the rule of Robert Mugabe’s government.[1] It was reported that Mawarire urged the people of Zimbabwe to remain defiant and refuse to return to work after the protests.[2] In late 2017, it was reported by BBC News that Mawarire was acquitted by a Zimbabwe court where he faced a potential 20 year prison sentence if convicted for allegedly trying to overthrow Robert Mugabe.[3] On 13 July 2017 at least 150 lawyers stood up in court to represent Mawarire, while thousands amassed outside a Harare courthouse.[4]

# This flag movement

# This flag, is a democracy movement in Zimbabwe that was founded by Mawarire with the intention of removing the government of president Robert Mugabe.[5][6] The movement was also considered by some as the most influential civilian-led political movement in Zimbabwe's history.[7] Martin Runganga, a detective in Zimbabwe's criminal investigations department likened Mawarire to Boko Haram stating that he (Mawarire) is brainwashing the people of Zimbabwe through religion similarly to Boko Haram.[8][9][10] Some in Zimbabwe compared the movement that of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s 1950s civil rights movement.[11] The Herald, a Zimbabwean newspaper, claimed that Mawarire was a fraudster who conned church goers from his church based in United Kingdom so as to evade tax.[12]

Arrests

In July 2016, Mawarire was arrested on charges of inciting violence in Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe Republic Police seized his phone.[13] On 1 February 2017, Mawarire was arrested in connection with a charge of trying to overthrow Robert Mugabe at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Zimbabwe on his way back from the United States.[14][15] In June 2017, Mawarire was arrested for praying with protesting students of the University of Zimbabwe.[16] In September 2017, Mawarire was arrested for citing Zimbabwe's economic problems by the Zimbabwe Republic Police at his church.[17][18][19]

Zimbabwean politics

Shortly after Morgan Tsvangirai's death it was reported that Mawarire considered Tsvangirai to be a significant player in Zimbabwe's post-independence legacy as he challenged Mugabe's rule from the outside different from his predecessors.[20] Shortly after Robert Mugabe's 94th birthday while at the Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy Mawarire voiced his skepticism on Zimbabwe's 2018 election being free and fair.[21][22] It is uncertain whether Mawarire contemplates running for the Zimbabwean presidency but he has ruled out any prospects.[23] In late March of 2018, Mawarire announced that he would be running for a local government position in Harare.[24]

Global image

Forbes published an article on how Mawarire came from obscurity to becoming a well-known human rights activist using the internet to fight for democracy.[25]

References

  1. ↑ "Evan Mawarire, Pastor Behind Zimbabwe's #ThisFlag Protest Movement, Denied Bail". Time. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
  2. ↑ "Zimbabwe pastor Evan Mawarire calls for more protests". BBC. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
  3. ↑ "Zimbabwe court acquits Mugabe critic Evan Mawarire". BBC News. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
  4. ↑ "Meet Evan Mawarire, the Zimbabwean Pastor Risking His Life for Political Change". www.time.com. Retrieved 2018-02-18.
  5. ↑ "Evan Mawarire, the anti-Mugabe". wwww.nationalreview.com. Retrieved 2018-01-16.
  6. ↑ "The story behind Evan Mawarire,The man who started #This Flag Movement". iHarare. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
  7. ↑ "Zimbabwe: Who is Pastor Evan Mawarire, the man behind #ThisFlag subversive protest movement?". yahoo news. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
  8. ↑ "Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe's Pastor Evan Mawarire is like Boko Haram, Witness". news24. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
  9. ↑ "Witness equates Mawarire to Boko Haram". The Herald. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
  10. ↑ "Zimbabwe's Pastor Evan Mawarire Is Like Boko Haram". Main News. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
  11. ↑ "Who is Pastor Evan Mawarire, the man behind #ThisFlag subversive protest movement?". International Business Times. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
  12. ↑ "Mawarire is no saint". The herald. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
  13. ↑ "Developing: Cops seize Mawarire's phone". News Day. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
  14. ↑ "Pastor Mawarire arrested on return to Zimbabwe from US". enca. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
  15. ↑ "Zimbabwe's #ThisFlag pastor Evan Mawarire detained on return". BBC. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
  16. ↑ "#ThisFlag leader Mawarire arrested for 'praying with students' at protest". Mail and Guardian. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
  17. ↑ "EVAN MAWARIRE ARRESTED AFTER CRITICISING ZIM'S ECONOMIC CRISIS". EYEWITNESS NEWS. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
  18. ↑ "UPDATE: ThisFlag pastor charged with subversion again". enca. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
  19. ↑ "Police Arrest Pastor Evan Mawarire as Zimbabwe Economic Situation Worsens". Voice of America. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
  20. ↑ "Morgan Tsvangirai's courage was in a class of its own". Mail and Guardian. Retrieved 19 February 2018.
  21. ↑ "Pastor Evan Mawarire warns Zimbabwe elections may be rigged". News 24. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
  22. ↑ "Pastor Evan Mawarire warns Zimbabwe elections may be rigged". News 24. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
  23. ↑ "Zimbabwean activist casts doubts over credibility of July elections". Africanews. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
  24. ↑ "Evan Mawarire's next chapter: #ThisFlag pastor to run for local office". Africanews. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
  25. ↑ "How To Use The Internet To Fight For Democracy, Like Evan Mawarire Did For Zimbabwe". www.forbes.com. Retrieved 2018-03-29.
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