THE ACTIVIST-SCHOLARLY NETWORK “FEMINIST AND QUEER SOLIDARITIES BEYOND BORDERS” STANDS AGAINST RACIST ATTACKS ON OUR MEMBER DR FAITH MKWESHA
Dr Faith Mkwesha, Chief Executive Director and Founder of SahWira Africa International, an anti-racist organization, and an organizing group member of the activist-scholarly network “Feminist and Queer Solidarities beyond Borders” has been intimidated by the police in Finland.
Faith’s son was violently detained by Finnish security forces at the metro station in Helsinki on 4th July 2020. The unlawful (without parents or legal support) interrogation of her son, a minor, by the police, followed the attack. Having publicized this unjust, racist and unlawful treatment through her social media accounts, documented through photos and videos of the violence sent to her by witnesses, Dr Faith Mkwesha is now confronted by the police with the accusation of slander for her public expression of sorrow and pain caused by her son’s deep trauma after the attack.
Mkwesha: “l see this as intimidation and harassment by the security and police to silence me as a mother and an active activist in Finland. I need support to tell the police to stop that investigation on a victim of racism, racial violence and bullying. We call the Finnish government to stop racism, racial profiling and protect immigrants against anti-black hate, racism to all people of colour and religions like Muslims. Free speech and equality and human rights must be protected for all”.
The Network “Feminist and Queer Solidarities Beyond Borders” stands in solidarity with Dr Faith Mkwesha and denounces the intimidation behavior of the police and security services. We call upon the Finnish authorities to address everyday racism and defend freedom of speech. We will closely follow the proceedings against Dr Mkwesha and will call for mobilization of democratic forces in Finland and internationally against repression of black people and their democratic rights.
Dr Mkwesha is seeking legal support to defend herself against these accusations. Help her with a donation: