2019 Mathratown protests
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| 2019 Mathratown protests | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Police and civilians face off on New Ānandpu Avenue | |||
| Date | 7 July 2019 – ongoing (5 years, 4 months, 2 weeks and 3 days) | ||
| Location | |||
| Caused by | Extradition of Mathran pro-democratic vandals Authoritarianism and corruption in Mathrabumi | ||
| Goals | Revocation of the extradition Resignation of Chief Executive Guo Zhenya | ||
| Methods | Occupations, sit-ins, civil disobedience, street protests and internet activism | ||
| Status | Ongoing | ||
| Concessions given | Extradition delayed | ||
| Parties to the civil conflict | |||
| |||
| Casualties | |||
| Death(s) | 1 (as of July 10, 2019) | ||
| Injuries | 10+ (as of July 8, 2019) | ||
| Arrested | 2 (as of July 8, 2019) | ||
The 2019 Mathratown protests are a series of ongoing demonstrations and protests in Jindao and Shilou following the announcement of the extradition of two Mathran vandals after they defaced the Mathran consulate on New Sirand Street the night before.
The protests call for the revocation of the extradition of the Mathrans and the first protest on July 8 on New Ānandpu Avenue was attended by around 50,000 people, most of whom are of Mathran descent. The protests were also generally associated with demonstrations against the authoritarian and corrupt regime of Mathrabumi as well as, to some extent, Xiaodong. When Jindanese Chief Executive Guo Zhenya condemned the protests when they began, many protestors also began calling for his resignation. Following the July 11 protests, the goal of the protests represents a more wide range of views, including the return to a more liberal Estmerish colonial rule as well as Jindao becoming independent.
Similar protests are organised for July 14.
Background
On the night of July 7, at around 02:00 local time, a group of around 5 to 10 (presumably) Mathrans protesting against the authoritarian regime of their hometown vandalised and defaced the Mathran consulate on New Sirand Street in Shilou by spray painting anti-government messages on the building and throwing bricks through the front windows of the consulate. Two of the offenders were apprehended the same morning by Jindanese police and were tried the morning after. Due to the lack of space in Jindanese prisons, the judge presiding the case sentenced them to extradition to Mathrabumi, where they could be tried there "under Jindanese supervision". Many Mathrans in Jindao saw this as a death sentence for the Mathrans and organised the protests in an attempt to prevent the extraditions.
Protest of 8 July
On July 8, protestors took to New Ānandpu Avenue, the main street running through Mathratown and its surrounding districts, to protest the extradition. Jindanese police estimate anywhere between 30 and 50 thousand protesters participated in the demonstrations. Some protesters attempted to break the police cordon separating the protests from New Sirand Street and the Mathran consulate, leading to some protestors being injured by baton swings and tasers. The protests ran into the night with little interaction between the police and protestors and at around 05:00 local time, the demonstration ended. Jindanese police have confirmed that nobody had lost their life during the protest.
On July 10, Jindanese police revealed that an Estmerish citizen of Jindao died in hospital due to injuries he had sustained after being trampled during the protest.
Protest of 11 July
On July 11, the protests spread throughout Jindao with over 700,000 attending the demonstrations. The protests now more widely called for a wider array of things, but most notably the involvement of the Jindanese Independence Movement has shaped the outlook of the protests entirely. Protesters marched in Shilou, Jindao, Gaozhai, Zhengbu, Yaoling City and Houfu.
International reaction
Brem – The government of Brem communicated to authorities in Jindao in a highly oblique statement, written in Classical Xiaodongese, advice to 'maintain expected prudence' and 'steer clear of transgression', generally interpreted as being supportive of the protests and warning against any consideration of violent suppression. Popular discourse in Brem was highly supportive of the Jindanese independence movement in particular, part of a wider anti-Xiaodongese sentiment.
Caldia – The Foreign Ministry released a statement urging the authorities in Jindao to allow "peaceful protest to continue undisturbed".
Caithia – Chief Minister Duane ap Drummond said that he hoped the protests would not cause undue damage to Jindanese-Caithian relations, urging the Caldish government to keep this in mind as it formulates a response. Leader of the opposition Einion ap Calder urged the protesters to "continue the fight", for both "socialism and independence".
- Template:Country data Estmere – Foreign Secretary Anne Buckett said the protests were being "closely watched" by Ashcombe and urged Jindanese authorities to allow "peaceful assembly" to continue. The Foreign Secretariat warned Estmerish nationals to avoid the protests.
- Template:Country data Florena – Minister of Foreign Affairs Darios Xamena advised caution, and urged the Jindanese government to enter negotiations with the protesters. Premier Rosa Escudero praised the "courage and determination" of the protesters, citing her "personal adoration" of the actions of the Jindanese trade union movement.
Mathrabumi – The Mathran government has blamed the success of the protests on external funding from the UZIR, claiming they had paid demonstrators and offered to fly and bus people into Mathratown for the protests.
Senria – Minister of Rites Yumi Takamatu stated that Senria was "closely observing" the protests, urging Jindanese authorities to "respect the sacrosanct right to protest" while simultaneously encouraging protesters to "maintain civility and order". Shortly afterwards, an anonymous source close to Prime Minister Reika Okura told the Keisi Sinbun that several members of the Senrian cabinet were worried that Xiaodong might push Jindao to violently suppress the protests, and had discussed what might be an appropriate response if such happened.
Valentir – Minister for Foreign Affairs Rufus Winterbottom welcomed the protests as "demonstrations for freedom" and warned Jindanese authorities that "all of Kylaris" was closely monitoring their response to the protests. Prime Minister Johnathan Bennett concurred with the Foreign Minister, offering his support for the protests through an official statement and several tweets.
