2016 New Year's Revolt
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| New Year's Revolt | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Political violence in Sydalon (2015–present) | |||
| Date | 4 January 2016 – 20 January 2016 (2 weeks and 2 days) | ||
| Location | Primarily cities of the Royal Domain, other major Sydalene cities, including Aihal, Destroit, Hamrun, Philippopolis, Tiberias, and Zabbar. | ||
| Caused by | Opposition to unresponsive government, overreach and interference in the criminal justice system, royal spending, and broken promise on the re-creation of an elected, lower house of Parliament. | ||
| Goals | Various goals, including electoral reform, more responsive and transparent government that was responsible to a national electorate, release of Adeodatus du Caeseti, and abolition of the Monarchy in some cases. | ||
| Methods | |||
| Resulted in | Dissent quashed by the Royal Army, and Order of the Holy Lance; arrest and prosecution of insurrectionist leadership and activists; plans published for creation of the National Assembly; low-level insurgency begins. | ||
| Parties to the civil conflict | |||
| Lead figures | |||
| Casualties | |||
| Death(s) | Unknown, at least 50 | ||
| Injuries |
| ||
| Charged | at least 7,000 | ||
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The New Year's Revolt, also known as the Insurrection of 2016, was nearly 3 months of strikes, protests and demonstrations, and general unrest in Sydalon, lasting from 4 January to 14 January 2016. The insurrection began innocuously as a minor protest in Ostracine against the extravagant royal spending brought on by Queen Melisende III's marriage to Prince Michael of Dakmoor. By New Year's Day, the demonstrations grew to encompass groups calling for political reforms that ranged from the re-creation of an elected lower house of Parliament to the abolition of the Monarchy.
A faction of the protestors also called for Queen Melisende to cease interfering in the trial of Adeodatus du Caeseti, and later became violent when protestors attacked a police convoy transporting Caeseti from the Ostracine Royal District Court and Fuertzuarru. The insurrection was the largest and most widespread of its kind in Sydalon since the signing of the Yarden Accords in 1973.
A royal inquiry into the causes and events of the revolt prompted more than 7,000 arrests.
Background
Origins of the New Year's Revolt have been traced to the October 2012 royal proclamation by then King Desiderius I on his plans to create an elected lower house of Parliament. A month later, the King announced during a public address his diagnosis with pancreatic cancer, and ultimately his death on 22 May 2013 stalled any plans to establish an elected lower house of Parliament when his daughter and successor, the 19-year old Queen Melisende III, later announced that Desiderius' death and subsequent transition would delay the creation of an elected legislature.
Queen Melisende suffered from a lack of popular support in the early years of her reign, and her delay of an elected legislature were eventually met with protests by October. These small protests dissipated by November, but local and domain politicians continued to press for national elections and greater popular involvement in the Royal Domain.
By 2015, the Queen's rising favorability began to dip with the announcement of her engagement to Prince Michael of Dakmoor. The engagement was seen as unfavorable to the nobility and, most of all, the Church, especially as rumors of a pregnancy began to circulate at court. Queen Melisende's wedding to Michael of Dakmoor once again pushed back any plans of an elected lower chamber of Parliament, and saw record state and royal spending on security and planning the wedding. The Queen was noticeably pregnant at her June 2015 wedding, which saw some sharp rebukes from more conservative, prominent nobles. However, the extravagant spending drew the ire of the Sydalene populace and various demonstrations throughout the royal domain and even some of the non-royal domains.
Overall a contentious issue in Sydalon, and even among the various early demonstrators, the deposition, arrest, and trial of Adeodatus de Caeseti saw repeated royal interference in the justice system. Interference included reinstatement of 2 charges previously dismissed by the Ostracine District Court, and disqualifying the judge from continuing with the case. While this sort of interference is not constitutionally prohibited, many grew outraged at the repeated involvement during Caeseti's pre-trial proceedings. However, a sect of protestors gathered in support of Caeseti and joined demonstrations, often referring to the allegations and convictions as "fake" and a "witch-hunt".
Another contributing factor was social media. A number of foreign and local social media websites attacked the Queen for her broken promises, lack of attention to government, judicial interference, and extravagant spending on personal affairs. Following an investigation, which some have called biased, accused the IDR or other foreign agents of influencing the demonstrations via social media. Taken together, these events are widely seen to be the leading causes of the gatherings that took place on 26 December 2015 and the events that followed.
Key events
Early demonstrations and protests
Protests and demonstrations had become an almost regular fixture in Ostracine and Sydalon after Queen Melisende's June 2015 wedding. However at these early protests, the Queen was absent from the country for more than a month for the royal couple's honeymoon in [location]. Demonstrators began to organize more online and held a number of flash protests after authorities withheld granting legal protest approval. These flash protests proved troublesome for the local authorities, who for the next month were unable to infiltrate the websites protestors used to gather. This inability to infiltrate led local police to a delayed response time for other more traditional policing matters, as they responded to protests in an effort to prevent their spread in Ostracine.
By mid-August, the Queen and Prince Consort returned to Sydalon, where they were met with protests that prevented their return to Castra Rubea for at least 2 hours after their arrival. Police were later able to clear the travel route and return the Queen to Castra Rubea. The next day, local police, supported by a minor armed detachment of the Order of Saint Joseph, used water cannons to clear peaceful protestors that were gathered outside of Civitas Christi's stadium.
For the next 3 months, flash protests went through a phase of disappearance and reappearance. Two events are widely attributed to the eventual growth of protests. First, the arrest of Adeodatus de Caeseti was seen as a widely divisive issue among the populace. Second, the removal of Adi Philosir from his position on the Ostracine City Council for speaking out against the disregard of due process and royal interference in Caeseti's case. These two events resulted in a growth of the protests leading up to January 2016, creating a diverse group of protestors, ranging from those supporting Caeseti who more conservative leaning and decried the allegations facing him as "fake news", and more youthful, left-wing leaning reformists drawn to Philosir's cause.
Turning points
Storming parliament
Prior to New Year's 2016, legal demonstrations were held in Ostracine outside of Palis Autrecôté. Because Parliament was on winter recess, security was lighter than normal. The demonstrations violated the municipal curfew imposed on legal demonstrations, leading to an unruly situation with the demonstrators and early clashes with police. Local police fired tear gas at protestors, and the demonstration was labeled a riot by the municipal government. On 3 January 2016, the Royal Guard responded to a bomb threat at – located within a mile of Palis de Aultavilla.
Due to the limited police presence at Parliament and other authorities responding to the bomb threat, demonstrators began to force their way towards the entrance of Parliament. Authorities remaining at Palis Autrecôté began firing tear gas at the protestors who, by 12:01 PM, had managed to reach the building's front steps. However, at 12:26, when demonstrators breached the front doors, they were met with little resistance from authorities who had all but abandoned the building. Demonstrators remained inside of Palis Autrecôté for nearly 5 hours as riot police assembled nearby. While mustering, police were joined by the 26th Royal Army Company. At 5:17 PM, authorities began to clear the building, using smoke grenades and, what observers referred to as, "brutal" tactics. The first death was reported at 7:37 PM, where a demonstrator was killed by an Ostracine police officer. A total of 10 deaths resulted from the storming of Parliament, all demonstrators.
Subsequent demonstrations
The storming of parliament and the 10 deaths that followed quickly served as a rallying cry against the government. Demonstrations continued to swell in Ostracine and Sydalon, and even began to spread to other major cities, most notably Philippopolis, Aihal, and Zabbar. Royal authorities quickly called on the demonstrations and protests as "riots". Government comments caused to inflame the protestors, and prompted police to continue their use of heavy-handed tactics to push back on the protests, with a wide-spread use tear gas, riot control tactics, and non-lethal ammunition.
Protestors reacted harshly to the violent police actions to end the demonstrations and protests pushing back on police and the army with any weapons at their disposal, including rocks, bricks, stolen batons, shields. In turn, police responded with water canons and tear gas. Protestors attempted to storm Parliament a second time, but instead were turned back by a major police presence, though not without major clashes and numerous injuries. At least 200 arrests were made on 5 January.
The first calls for a general strike were made on 5 January, by former Ostracine city-councilor Adi Philosir, who was previously removed from office in 2015 for violation of lese majeste laws. An arrest warrant was issued against Philosir and other insurrectionist leaders. Philosir was arrested on 7 January at approximately 4:00 am, along with his wife – though she was later released by authorities and placed under house arrest with their children.
Alimas River crossing attack
On the morning of 8 January 2015, Adi Philosir was set to be arraigned at the Ostracine Royal District Court for multiple charges of conspiracy, destruction of property, incitement, insurrection, and treason. By 10:30 am, he appeared at the District Court for his arraignment and pleaded not guilty. He was set for return to Fuertzuarru, a prominent prison for political prisoners located near Lampron, at 2:20 PM. Unbeknownst to the public, Adeodatus de Caeseti also appeared for a hearing at the District Court and was in the same transport moving Philosir. The police convoy overseeing Philosir's and Caeseti's transportation was ambushed while crossing the Alimas River. At least 20 armed insurrectionists attacked the convoy. An exchange of gunfire was first reported moments after the attack, and numerous clips were posted to social media before being removed. The attack resulted in the deaths of 8 deaths, 5 of which were police officers. Philosir, Caeseti, and 3 other prisoners being transported.
The convoy attack resulted in further escalation from royal authorities, and by 3:29 PM, Queen Melisende declared a state of emergency in Ostracine and placed the armed forces on high alert. Violence between protestors and police again ensued come nightfall, despite Philosir's call for peaceful protests following his release.
Formation of the Citizens Movement
Demonstrators first formed a coherent leadership on 11 January, with the Proclamation for a Citizens Movement. The group, henceforth known simply as the Citizens Movement, was primarily led by Philosir and Caeseti, with an undefined single leader. The proclamation issued a series of demands to the government. Such demands included the creation of an elected house of Parliament, monarchy reforms, restriction of royal power in favor of an elected body, the end of the Monarch's immunity and removal of lese majeste laws, constitutional amendments to secure judicial independence, resignation and arrest of those responsible for the deaths of protestors, etc.
The inclusion of Caeseti drew instant criticisms from some of the younger, more left-leaning demonstrators, and the divisions resulted in both Philosir and Caeseti jostling for the spotlight in what publicly appeared to be a fragile alliance. The leadership clash came to a head when Philosir and Caeseti contradicted one another on the issue of a general strike. Next, Caeseti called for the formation of militias to combat the mustering various domain guard forces and Royal Army groups being deployed in various cities. This call to arms by Caeseti was contradicted by Philosir who continued to call for peaceful protests and calls for a general strike. Despite these contradictions, the two continued to appear together in videos shared through various online mediums before being taken down by the government.
Initially, the Citizens Movement did not call for an abolition of the monarchy. However, an online post attributed to Philosir implied as much and called for the arrest of the Queen and her ministers.
Government crackdown
Assassination of The Marquis of Vada
Due to the heavy protests, key members of the government and royal court departed Ostracine. Theodoric VI, Marquis of Vada, who was serving as Chancellor, remained in Ostracine to carry out his duties, but due to the protests in the government district, was forced to work from his townhouse office. On 12 January, following the formation of the Citizens Movement, Vada made a public address from his home where he implored the protestors to remain peaceful, fearing what might happen if riots were to erupt for a seventh straight night of violence. Throughout the revolt, Vada was reported as advising the Queen and court of a moderate approach, but was losing influence following the attack on Parliament and release of Caeseti and Philosir.
On 13 January, at 8:34 in the morning, Vada was gunned down while leaving his home in Ostracine and walking towards his chauffeur. Eyewitness reports demonstrated that a group of demonstrators were gathered outside of Vada's home prior to his leaving. Vada's security detail created a perimeter in preparation for his exit when a small mob rushed towards them upon Vada's exit of the home. Three individuals were seen with guns, but subsequent investigation showed that only one individual fired his weapon at Vada. The shooting was witnessed by Vada's wife, Sophia of Asota, from a third floor window overlooking the street. Vada himself was shot 5 times, and died instantly at the scene. The gunman, later identified as [shooter], and his companions fled the area on motorcycle or by slipping into the growing crowd. An hour after his death was first reported, at 10:01, the IDR claimed responsibility for the assassination, adding that it was to be the first of many if the Citizens Movement demands were not met.
Response
Vada's assassination prompted quick government action. The state of emergency was heightened to the highest levels since the Fourth West Scipian War, resulting in the deployment of detachments of the Royal Army and reservist forces throughout the Royal Domain. Knights from the orders of the Holy Lance, St. Joseph, and Sacred Chalice were also deployed to supplement royal deployments in the Royal Domain, with reservists being supplied to domains to assist local militias from being overwhelmed.
Queen Melisende relocated to Peregrina, a royal fortress located near Ramitha, where she addressed the public and denounced the insurrection, the assassination of Vada, and pledged to end the fear and violence "stoked" by Caeseti and Philosir. Due to Vada's public role in emphasizing with the cause of some demonstrators and the cause of peaceful protests, his assassination saw a dramatic drop in the number of gatherings and participants.
On the night of 13 January, a mix of riot police, and foot and mounted soldiers were deployed throughout the nation to quell the violence. In total, nearly 3,000 individuals were arrested nationwide, with nearly half of those in Ostracine. No deaths were reported by government officials; however, a number of citizens groups and foreign observers dispute this claim.
Arrest of Adi Philosir
While 15 January was among the quietest days of 2016 since the New Year's Revolt, 16 January is widely considered the final day due to the arrests of Philosir and a number of other high profile Citizens Movement leaders. Philosir were arrested in simultaneous raids on different locations by Royal Marshals. Court filings after their arrest demonstrate that authorities used Philosir's wife and her house arrest, along with informants, as a means of locating Philosir and other prominent leaders of the Citizens Movement. Even though the arrest came days after Vada's assassination, court filings indicate that Marshals were closing in on Philosir since his release on 8 January. At the time of the arrest, Philosir was leading a meeting of the Citizens Movement. In sum, 14 were arrested during the raid.
Aftermath
The public arrest of Philosir led to a sharp increase in demonstrations; however, these demonstrations were markedly weaker than those prior to the assassination of Vada. This phase is widely regarded by observers as the end of the New Years' Revolt, which was marked by weak demonstrations, either in size or scope, and saw the arrest of individuals leading or gathering the protestors.
The New Years' Revolt was followed by a number of political, legal, societal, and even religious implications. First, Queen Melisende ordered an investigation into the causes of the New Year's Revolt, instructing the committee to determine if there was any foreign interference. Along with the parliamentary investigation, the Queen also issued a royal inquiry into the causes and ways to prevent or more actively respond to a revolt in the future.
A large scale criminal investigation was also launched by the Ministry of Justice, with Royal Marshals opening a nationwide manhunt for individuals associated with leading demonstrations, primarily the storming of Parliament, the Alimas River crossing attack, the formation of the Citizens Movement, and threats against government officials or the royal family. In total, nearly 4,000 individuals were arrested and later charged for their participation. Of those arrested,
Plot to kidnap Queen Melisende
A plot to kidnap Queen Melisende III was unearthed during the investigation following the New Year's Revolt and subsequent filing of charges against its leaders. According to court filings, government authorities first became aware of various plots to kidnap or otherwise assassinate Queen Melisende as early as summer 2015. It was not until January 2016 that plans to kidnap the Queen and overthrow the monarchy involved planning of individuals that were affiliated with the Citizens Movement. Six additional arrests were made in connection with the plot, after a late January meeting following the revolt, with information gained following the arrest of [leader]. Another four individuals previously arrested were charged in connection to the plot, two with reduced charges for cooperating with authorities. Hard drives seized from the plotters showed communications with the IDR.
Insurgency
Reactions
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