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Evan Mawarire

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Evan Mawarire
Born
Southern Rhodesia now Zimbabwe
NationalityZimbabwean
Occupation(s)Pastor, Political activist
Years active2016-present as a political figure
Known forthe 2016–17 Zimbabwe protests #THIS FLAG

Background and career

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]

# 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[4][5]The movement was also considered by some as the most influential civilian-led political movement in Zimbabwe's history.[6]

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.[7][8]"Zimbabwe's Pastor Evan Mawarire Is Like 'Boko Haram' – Witness". Main News. Retrieved 17 January 2018.</ref>

Some in Zimbabwe compared the movement that of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s 1950's African-American civil rights movement (1954–1968).[9]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.[10]

Arrests

In July of 2016, Mawarire was arrested on charges of inciting violence in Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe Republic Police seized his phone.[11] 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.[12][13]

In June of 2017, Mawarire was arrested for praying with protesting students of the University of Zimbabwe. [14] In September of 2017, Mawarire was arrested for citing Zimbabwe's economic problems by the Zimbabwe Republic Police at his church.[15][16][17]

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. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
  4. ^ "Evan Mawarire, the anti-Mugabe". wwww.nationalreview.com. Retrieved 2018-01-16.
  5. ^ "The story behind Evan Mawarire,The man who started #This Flag Movement". iHarare. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
  6. ^ "Zimbabwe: Who is Pastor Evan Mawarire, the man behind #ThisFlag subversive protest movement?". yahoo news. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
  7. ^ "Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe's Pastor Evan Mawarire is like 'Boko Haram': Witness". news24. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
  8. ^ "Witness equates Mawarire to Boko Haram". The Herald. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
  9. ^ "Who is Pastor Evan Mawarire, the man behind #ThisFlag subversive protest movement?". International Business Times. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
  10. ^ "Mawarire is no saint". The herald. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
  11. ^ "Developing: Cops seize Mawarire's phone". News Day. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
  12. ^ "Pastor Mawarire arrested on return to Zimbabwe from US". enca. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
  13. ^ "Zimbabwe's #ThisFlag pastor Evan Mawarire detained on return". BBC. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
  14. ^ "#ThisFlag leader Mawarire arrested for 'praying with students' at protest". Mail and Guardian. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
  15. ^ "EVAN MAWARIRE ARRESTED AFTER CRITICISING ZIM'S ECONOMIC CRISIS". EYEWITNESS NEWS. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
  16. ^ "UPDATE: ThisFlag pastor charged with subversion again". enca. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
  17. ^ "Police Arrest Pastor Evan Mawarire as Zimbabwe Economic Situation Worsens". Voice of America. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
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