Angry Youths Rock NASS, protest over Social Media, Hate Speech Bill

Subsequent to a bill seeking to regulate social media which has passed second reading at the Senate, Nigerians begins heavy protest today at the National Assembly.

In a statement made available by the convener of the protest, ‘Concerned Citizens Of Nigeria’ Deji Adeyanju, said the protest will hold on 27th November and Thursday 28th November.

The statement reads;

        “There will be a protest at the National Assembly tomorrow being Wednesday 27th November and Thursday 28th November organised by concerned citizens of Nigeria.”

Many Youths on Wednesday marched to the National Assembly complex in Abuja, demanding an end to the hate speech bill.

 

The protesters also demanded that the Senate drop the bill it is considering to regulate social media in Nigeria.

During the protest, a policeman, Adiogu Eyinnaya, seized the camera of a journalist who came to cover the protest, Nigeriancablenewsonline reports.

Mr. Enyinnaya assaulted the journalist, Tosin Busayo, asking him why he was filming a policeman who asked a procession of protesters to go back.

VAM News gathered tha the journalist, Mr Busayo, is currently working for RootsTV.

Mr Eyinnaya, who cut the frame of the most senior of the police officers, whipped the journalist’s hand with his baton, and yanked the camera off Mr Busayo’s grip, before seizing it.

As he gripped it, he tried breaking the flex but the journalist prevented him from doing so.

“Why would you be filming the policemen?” he asked, threatening to take him to the security post.

Some of the journalists close by pleaded with him. Others challenged him.

Mr Enyinnaya eventually released the camera.

“Nigerians speak now while it matters. We cannot stay silent.”

#NoToSocialMediaBill #NoToHateSpeechBill #StrongLessonsWorthSharing #IntentionalLiving #CitizenSpeak #PatriotGroan

It will be recalled that the bill entitled, ‘Protection from Internet Falsehood and Manipulation 2019’, passed second reading after Sani Musa, senator representing Niger east and its sponsor, moved a motion for a debate on the proposed law.

 

They also demand the release of Omoyele Sowore, Abba Jalingo and others who are held against court orders.

The protest was still on as at the time of this report.