On Wednesday afternoon ZHRO members gathered at the Zimbabwe embassy in London to celebrate the 1st anniversary of the organisation.
The major highlight was the defacing of Mugabe’s portrait, tearing it and burning much to the titillation of people passing by.
It was torn apart The pieces were scattered, spat on, trampled, and then burned
“People are stronger than tyrants, we want Mugabe to go, the sooner the better and soon it will be time judge him for the crimes committed during Gukurahundi and reclaim what he and his inner circle plundered”
These democratic protesters are striving to confront the violence with peaceful demonstrations.
The mock invasion looked so real the internet went crazy.
The significance of this act is in that totalitarian regimes understand the power of portraiture because they are supposed to celebrate the wisdom, and humanity of a dictator.
In a fit of rage at the failures of the regime, the activists presented a different visual language. The defaced image of Mugabe was Mutilated and burned as though it was a person until it was completely eradicated. It was apparent that the protesters were going to destroy the likeness as soon as they emerged from the embassy doors.
The ZHRO members turned to celebrate the first Anniversary of the founding of ZHRO. Members of other human rights organisations and political parties also turned out to mark the occasion.
The first year has seen a lot of progress with an ever increasing membership coming out to the Wednesday Vigil.
This high profile activism had us invited to VOA to discuss the implations of defiling a portrait of Mugabe - a radio show with a very wide audience
Video here now transferred to You Tube
Flickr images Here