Protest organisers lack support, claims Tonga PM's Office [1]
Monday, May 16, 2005 - 15:35. Updated on Friday, May 2, 2014 - 11:10.
Press Release from Information Unit, Prime Minister's Office, Nuku'alofa: "Protest march may still go ahead despite lack of support"
"A meeting called by the Human Rights and Democracy Movement faction of the people...s representatives to Parliament was held on the evening of Friday, 13th of May 2005, at the St. Andrews school hall, was attended by about a hundred people, to determine the course of action to take with regards to staging a protest march based on various grievances against the Shoreline Power Company.
Amongst those who attended were 'Akilisi Pohiva, Fineasi Funaki, 'Isileli Pulu, and later Lepolo Mahe Taunisila and William Clive Edwards.
By a margin of 25-8, the meeting decided that the march is not going to be postponed any longer, and will go ahead as planned on May 21.
The original intention of staging a sit-in after the demonstration was defeated by a 26-22 vote margin, with most people expressing concerns about public health issues, the potential to loose face for a poorly attended march and a weakly supported and fleeting sit-in after the march.
Furthermore, the meeting stressed that His Majesty the King was the wrong target for the petition and the demonstration.
Strong opinions on the legality of the Tohi Tangi (Letter of Laments) itself were also expressed.
When it was time to vote, the ballot on the fate of the march was as follows:
| Number of people who voted to march on may 21 | 25 (twenty five); |
| Number of people who voted to postpone the march for various reasons | 8 (eight); |
| Number of people who did not vote | 70 (approx.);
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| Number of people who wanted to march and immediately disperse | 26 (twenty six); |
| Number of people who wanted to march and stage a sit-in till His Majesty replies | 22 (twenty two); |
| Number of people who did not vote | 60 (approx.); |
The strongest viewpoint on the meeting was that of the silent majority who did not discuss or even vote on the issues.
Voices for and against the march varied, with events following the election playing a role in the deliberations. The Acting Chairman of the Democracy and Human Rights Movement, Rev. Simote Vea, for example, suggested to the small gathering to postpone the demonstration, and give the beginning dialogue with the Government a chance to bear fruits, and then to march as a last resort.
The Rev. Tevita Koloamatangi expressed strong reservations about the legality of the substance of the march, whilst Ha...apai representative, Fineasi Funaki questioned the validity of staging a protest march to His Majesty, when the actual target is Shoreline.
The representatives said they will take the vote as an authorisation by the people to stage the protest, and encouraged those attending to rally as many people as possible to join the demonstration."