D-Day minus 1

Ni Sa Bula,

Tomorrow is the day we are heard.

Now this is something new to our nation...the idea that we the people can peacefully,
passively and yet cohesively state that we are the ones who decide what happens in our
lives, our country and our future.

We can decide what happens in these islands.

The junta is worried. That's why they are all over the news yelling that we are dissenting,
that we are a threat to national security.

How can expressing ones opinion be a threat to national security?

This could only be true if the threat was to the security of Bainimarama, Chaudry, Leweni,
Khaiyum and the rest of the people who are worried that we, the public might actually catch
on to what they are doing to this country.

This is a decision that each of you must make.....alone. The choice whether to stay home is
yours and yours alone to make.I cannot make it for you, the military cannot make it for you,
in fact nobody can force this upon you. At the end of it all, you are the one God has given
this choice to, and you are also the one who will reap the fruits of the decision you will
make.

There is not much else to say.

Decide what you will do, whether you will oppose this regime, by staying home, or accept the
fact that you are no longer in control of your destiny.

I have decided. I will oppose this regime. I will stay home.

God Bless Fiji,
mawdsomething.

The Reactions...positive and negative....AKA anecdotal evidence

Ni Sa Bula,

"There is one thing stronger than all the armies in the world and that is an idea whose time has come."

Victor Hugo.

This post is dedicated to those of you who have heeded the call that is now ringing out around the nation and throughout the world, and have decided that you will protest this regime, by staying home on May 1st.

For reasons of security, both personal and for your families, the vast majority of you will be faceless, nameless and anonymous. While we wish that this was not the case, the situation in this nation dictates that we must employ methods that we would not normally use. Chief amongst these is anonmyity. The fact that they cannot identity us, makes it impossible for them to quash us. That there are those who will not bow to their tyranny is now evident, and your actions are giving hope, and instilling courage in the hearts of those who wish to act but are shackled by fear and doubt.

There are those who wish us ill. These are a few emails and comments that have been send to me since this idea was mooted:

you sound like a coward , if u want to stand up for democracy don't be such a sissy write your name. If people stay home like u say may we please have your name so that you will pay for day our pay gets dorked. imagine what will happen if we gather as a crowd you will know what to do, we will not have an escape plan.

You must think of us as willing pawns in this regime...... u know what we have shoved aside by people like you for so long that we are thankful for the military who are finally doing something for us.

If you think that maybe we should have said something earlier, WE HAVE, it is people like you who would not have listened.

HAVE SOME BACKBONE, STAND UP FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVE SAY IT WITH YOUR NAME!!!!!!!

and

You are about to be taught a lesson in how few people actually have access to the internet and pay attention to blogs in Fiji

and of course the military, whose actions in trying to track us down, are speaking louder than their feeble mutterings.

Now the point must be stressed that the decision to actually stay home on 01/05/07 is yours and yours alone. No one can force you, and make the choice for you. If you don't agree with this course of action, by all means, go to work. If you lack the courage of your convictions, then you must look deep within yourself and examine what you value. The decision is yours.

The disadvantage that the lack of internet access poses, is more than negated by the wide media coverage and the good old coconut wireless that is the fastest means of information dissemination in Fiji. So to those of you who are wishing we will fall flat on our faces, sorry....

For those who do decide to stand up against this dictatorship, I cannot thank you. Nobody will reward you. You will become the object of ridicule and scorn from those who do not, or cannot, grasp the gifts that democracy, true democracy brings us. You will become points of division, the"eye" of the political storm that is now tearing apart our nation. Your sacrifice, though silent, will ring out down the ages to our children that we did not run when Fiji needed us most.

Be brave. Be strong. Be calm. Those who condone this evil that now passes itself off as governance in Fiji, will accuse you of being cowards, of not having the spine to come out in the open.

Sun Tzu's The Art Of War states:

"You should not oblige your enemy by allowing him to choose the battleground."

It is not to our advantage to be known for now. We are like the wind that blows wherever it pleases, and nobody knows where it came from, or where it goes. All they can see is the evidence of its passing.

This is our battleground. This is where we hold the higher ground, the moral advantage, where the guns, the threats and the posturing of the oppressors mean nothing. This is where we are strong, and our enemy is weak. This is where we cannot be attacked, and we can, passively but convincingly can tell them unequivocally that we will not cower in the shadows any longer.

We can bring down this enemy. We can halt this regime, and make them realise that we are the ones who will stop them. So let us show them the real caliber of the sons and daughers of these islands. Let us make them see that Fiji will not suffer their delusions a moment longer.

I leave you with the following messages from those who will stand with you, if you stay home on May 1st.

ex Fiji Tourist said...

Great article! You have the nail right on the head!

You summarise what the NZ commissioner said yesterday; things have gone quickly backwards since these morons have held Fiji hostage.

The people of Fiji are the only ones who can really tell these fools that the entire world are sick of their bumbling antics.

Take the day off on 1st may. I hope that a cruise liner comes in and the passengers find that there are no tours or hotel lunches; you good people might be able to put some posters up around the wharf to explain why there are no services in Suva that day.

Fijians, YOU have to stand up and be counted; you can't sit back and complain and not do anything!

newsfiji said...

Don't let anyone fool you into thinking it's not going to work.

We will not go to work on May 1st because we believe it is the right thing to do.

Choosing what is right over everything else whether it be money, being famous, glory, whatever:

It is doing what is right always that will define who you are.

A man or woman of principle.

So, to all readers, tell everybody anybody, pull in a sicky on Tuesday May 1st!

God Bless You Greatly (to goodmenandwomendoingsomething)
and God Bless Fiji!

newsfiji said...

Good on you, at least you've come up with something to do, rather than all talk!

Let's do it!

Stay away from work on 1st of May!

Go Fiji Go!

Anonymous said...

good idea, Sick of IG day, 1st of May.

Anonymous said...

This is like the DAY WITHOUT IMMIGRANTS in California. It works and I know that it will work in Fiji.
Ke sa rawa ni ra cakava na illegal i Mereke, e sega ni dua na kena dredre e Viti.

Bai Ni Vore said...

Vinaka for your post.
1st Day of May it is.

I'll post it on my blog.

Good post, Good reminder to all on where things stand, and where we go from here.

ramatau said...

You can do it!!!
I'm calling in sick on that day... 1st May! I agree with ex fiji tourist, why don't we email each other and get the ball rolling... let's do something funny... just like in the movies aye... cool! we won't be obvious, coz they don't know us!

Anonymous said...
me nomuni na vakacegu kei na veivakalougatataki ni Kalou. may God Bless you and your works... TRUTH PREVAILS... vinaka vakalevu na nomuni tu taka tiko na dina kei na savasava e na
mororoi kemuni ka na taqomaki kemuni ko JIOVA na noda Kalou.

Your decision to join us brings this quote from Martin Luther King to mind:

"Here and there an individual or group dares to love, and rises to the majestic heights of moral maturity. So in a real sense this is a great time to be alive. Therefore, I am not yet discouraged about the future. Granted that the easygoing optimism of yesterday is impossible. Granted that those who pioneer in the struggle for peace and freedom will still face uncomfortable jail terms, painful threats of death; they will still be battered by the storms of persecution, leading them to the nagging feeling that they can no longer bear such a heavy burden, and the temptation of wanting to retreat to a more quiet and serene life. Granted that we face a world crisis which leaves us standing so often amid the surging murmur of life's restless sea. But every crisis has both its dangers and its opportunities. It can spell either salvation or doom. In a dark confused world the kingdom of God may yet reign in the hearts of men."

God Bless Fiji,
FijianBlack

Media Release.

The following media release is in response to the RFMF's decision to track down one black native...

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Suva, Fiji Islands, April 25th, 2007.

FIJIAN BLACK is the blognym for the blogsite Good Men (and Women) Doing Something (goodmenandwomendoingsomething.blogspot.com) and is calling on the public of Fiji to passively resist the interim regime, by staying home on Tuesday, 1st of May, 2007.

FijianBlack is calling on all sons and daughters of Fiji, to stay home, as a sign of opposition to this regime and rejects the terror tactics being openly touted by Neumi Leweni's statement on Fiji Village .

"The coup culture is alive in Fiji, because we have not done anything about it" he says. "We need to be more pro-active in defending our democracy, our rights and the future of Fiji. If we don't, this is a forlorn legacy we are bequeathing to our children"

Intelligentsiya (intelligentsiya.blogspot.com) who is also a member of the Fiji Freedom Bloggers movement is also calling on the military, the Interim Government and the other arms of Government to focus on the more important issues, like the restoration of democracy, the investigation of the numerous Human Rights abuses, and the removal of the military from all levels of Government.

"The military, which was once a proud institution, loved in Fiji and respected around the world, has, in the past few months completely and utterly morphed into a dictatorial, ruthless regime, that is not motivated by a patriotic love of our country, but by greed, the self-serving interests of a few, fear and insecurity. It is a sad state of affairs when the army of a nation needs its guns to protect itself against it's own citizens. It is a sorry sight to see the once proud green uniforms that have brought glory to Fiji, causing fear, resentment and concern amongst the people of this nation" said Intelligentsiya.

The military has usurped power, it has assumed mantles of various institutions that it was and never will be, suited to exercise. It has taken a situation that was none of their concern, the state of our economy, and has made it infinitely worse."

Fijian Black calls on the Republic of Fiji Military Forces , and the Interim Regime, to respect Human Rights, the will of the people, and the opinions of the citizens of Fiji.

"If the military had not intervened, we would not have the $350 million in aid and our sugar reforms would have been under way. The Tourism industry would be booming, the job losses in the hotels would not have happened, the visitors would be flocking to our shores. We would not have a negative GDP, and an economy that seriously needs an infusion of aid. We would have new hotels opening this year, happier landowners, more exports, higher levels of foreign reserves and a nation on its way up in the world.

Mrs. Verebasaga would still have her husband, and the father of their children, and their breadwinner.

Sakiusa Rabaka would be studying, aiming for a job in the very industry that the travel advisories, based on the actions of this regime, have decimated.

We would still be abiding by the 1997 Constitution, in word and deed.

Now our nation is in shambles. At the time the investigative powers of our Forces should be pursuing the murderers of Messers Verebasaga and Rabaka, they are more concerned about stemming any opposition to their cause."

The Fiji Freedom bloggers movement is in itself tangible evidence that the right to freedom of expression has been unjustly curbed under the insidious guise of the Emergency Regulations."

Fijian Black said "Fiji Live has also reported our call wrongly. We are not calling on people to wear black as that would only cause them to be singled out by this junta but just to protest peacefully by staying at home".

ENDS

Contact: fijianblack@gmail.com; mawdsomething@gmail.com; intelligentsiya@gmail.com

The Numbers Game

Ni Sa Bula,

The days to the May Day, May "Inaction" Day or the May "Stay-At-Home" Day are passing by.

As they do, the camps for and against this coup, it's "alleged" reasons and whether is was a good or bad thing, are coalesce. People who are now aware of this protest are wieghing out the pros and cons of such an action, and whether it is worth doing so or not.

As such, the swords are drawn, and people are starting to state their support or their opposition to such a move. There is one arguement that is surfacing, that this post is intended to refute.

This arguement is the one that a commenter to a previous post, the very first post that proposed this method of resistance, put on this very blog. The commenter, who chose to remain anonymous said:

"You are about to be taught a lesson in how few people actually have access to the internet and pay attention to blogs in Fiji"

This is the hope of those who support the coup and it's intentions and the fear of those of us who oppose this regime. The fear, whether we have the numbers on our side or not.

Let's take this "bull" by the horns. Is this really an issue that will be decided by the numbers? Is this something that should be decided by the majority? Should the fact that we might be few in number deter us from making this stand?

NO!!!!!

This is not an issue that is determined by the numbers that support one side or the other of the arguement. Whether we are few or many does not matter. Our numerical superiority is moot on this issue.

The only thing, the only question that you should ask yourself is this:

IS THIS THE RIGHT THING TO DO?

The numbers do not matter. All that matters is that we are doing the right thing. In fact, at the end of all things, doing the right thing is the only thing that will ever matter.

We might be few in number. We might not even make a ripple. We might not stop this tyranny. We might become the laughstock of those who oppose us.

IT DOES NOT MATTER!!!

All that matters is that we know what is right and we have done it. We have heard the voice of reason, of conscience, of the truth that speaks to everyone's heart in our quietest moments. And we have listened, and not ignored that quiet voice that is telling us that this is all wrong, that the way to a better nation is not in the deaths of our sons, in the killings of our fathers, in the raping and harrasement of our sisters, daughters and mothers, in the torture of our loved ones, friends and relatives. It is not in unilateral, dictatorial leadership, nor in the decrees issued unthinkingly on a vunerable nation. It is not in the guns, the checkpoints or even the bluster, the war of words.

The way to a better nation is in the hearts of its people. In the hearts of it's sons and daughters. It's when we say no to cruelty, when we shun the evil that is now hainging over these islands we call home.

Even if only one person says " I will not agree to this"...that is enough to keep the hope alive that one day, this Fiji will be the way the world should be.

So don't listen to the jibes of the dissenters who try to dissenchant you, to make you waver, to instill in you doubt. We can make a difference. We will make a difference. We must, because this task has fallen to us to shoulder.

And this can either be our darkest hour, or our turning point. We can either fade into the darkness, or we can rise with the light.

The choice is yours. It's mine. It's ours.

I will protest this illegal regime that has raped my country, by staying home on May Day.

Even if I am the only one who does so.

Na Yadra Ni Tuwawa....

E sega ni kena i balebale me laki vakayadrati mai na Tuwawa mai Sabeto.

Ni sa bula!

E laurai mai na vei volavolai ko ni sa cakava tiko ni sa lewe levu sara vei keimuni na lewe ni vanua o ni sa duavata e na noda veitauriligataka na noda na sega ni lako i cakacaka e na matai ni siga ni vula ko Me.

Me vaka ni lewe vuqa vei kemuni na noda e na vakaitavi taki kemuni tiko e na noda duavata taka na kudru ni veiliutaki sa tara tu oqo na noda matanitu, e sa tu vata tale tu ga kei na loma vakatitiqa kei na loma tarotaro. Na vei taro e so e da na dui taroga lo tu o ya se na vakayaco ka na ka e da na sasagataka e na tiki ni siga oqo, se na cava au na rawa ni la'ki vakaraitaka vei koya na noqu i liuliu mai vale ni cakacaka ke'u mani sega ni lako, e rawa beka ni'u na la'ki kau kina i Delainabua, kei na cava na kena yaga vei au ke'u mani kudruvaka tale ga na tiki ni siga oqo?

Au vakabauta ni tovo oqo e vou ki na noda vanua ia, kevaka e da via maroroa, taqomaka ka vueta cake tale na noda vanua mai na veiliutaki sa da sotava tu oqo, e sa yaga me da na vakayacora kina e dua na ka. Kevaka sa mani taro o nomu i liuliu mai vale ni cakacaka me baleta na nomu vaka-lutu cakacaka e rawa ni da kaya ni da tauvimate.

E sega ni vakataratutu taki ni na dredre vei ira na lewe ni noda mataivalu me ra na veiusa ki na keba cava ga e na noda vanua ke da lewe levu taka na lewe ni vanua na veitokoni-taki ni vaka lutu cakacaka, e na sega ni vakaduidui-taki se o cei a tauvimate dina e na tiki ni siga oqo kei na nodratou na qarauna sara vaka vinaka na lewe ni matanitu oqo na kedratou i rogorogo kei na ka e na rawa ni vakayacori kina me baleta ni ra sa wanonovi iratou tiko vakamalua na vei soqosoqo lelevu e vuravura me vaka taka na EU kei na UN.

Na taro e da na dui taroga tu se na cava na vuna mo ni cakava kina se me'u na cakava na vakalutu cakacaka e na tiki ni siga oqo? Se, o cei tale e na cakava na vakalutu cakacaka oqo? Oqo e sega ni dua na ka me da na rawa ni veisolisoli taka ka ni ka e da na vakayacora e na tiki ni siga oqo e na rawa ni na vakayacora na veisau ki na noda vanua lomani oqo ko Viti ka me ra na bula vinaka kina o ira na luveda kei ira na noda kawa mai muri.

Na vakatakekere raraba vei kemuni na noda me da na veitokoni taka na i tavi oqo ka me da na vakalutu cakacaka e na tiki ni siga sa vakaraitaki taumada tiko yani ka o ni sa kerei raraba tale tiko ga yani mo ni veitukutukuni taka yani vei ira na nomuni caba, vei ira na veiwekani kei ira na nomuni daulomani me na rawa ni da kaya vakadomo i levu vei ira na veiliutaki ni da sa sega ni taleitaka ka duavata kei na veika e ra sa vakayacora tiko ki na noda vanua lomani oqo ko Viti.

Me maroroi Viti tiko ga na Tamada mai Lomalagi!

May Day Posters

Bula again,

For those of you who are looking for assistance in convincing your friends/family/colleagues to stay home on the 1st of May...these posters might help you in doing so.

ENJOY!!!!

Na Luluqa Ni Veika Sa Yaco Tiko

Ni Sa Bula,

Oqo na i tukutuku e vaka-tabakiduataki vei kemuni na noda liga ni wau ni mataivalu ka ko ni dau wilika na vei volavolai vaka oqo.E sega ni vakataratututaki ni vuqa vei kemuni sa dau wilika tiko, wasea ka dau veitalanoataka na veika e dau tabaki mai e na vei sala ni taba ni tukutuku vaka oqo vei ira na nomuni daulomani kei ira o ni dau veivakabauti kaya.Na veika o ni na dau wasea, e vu tiko ga mai na kena sa laurai ni sa dua tani na mua ni lakolako sa goleva tiko na veilutaki ni noda mataivalu kei ira e ra sa mai liutaki keda e na matanitu sa mai duri tu oqo.Sa vakatataro tu na yalo yadua vei kemuni se sa mua e vei na i lakolako oqo kei na veika e dodonu o ni sa cakava tiko se segai me baleta ga na kena sa mai vakasivoi na matanitu a digitaki mai vei ira na lewe i Viti.

Sa basika vakamalua ni sa luluqa na veimaliwai e na vanua ni cakacaka ka i dusidusi vei kemuni na lomana na noda vanua ni sa tiko na leqa ka sa tu vei kemuni na kena madigi se sa sala cava o ni sa na digia.

Na i matai ni vakatakilakila ni sa tiko na leqa e na veikeba ni mataivalu ni noda vanua, o ya na nodratou sa vesu tiko na lewe tolu vei kemuni na lewe ni noda mataivalu mai na keba mai Labasa ka sa tau tiko vei iratou na veibeitaki ni ratou saqata ka via vuaviritaka na lewa mai Sukanaivalu. Oqo na i vakadinadina ni o ni sa sega ni duavata kece tiko ki na veilutaki e sa vakaroti tiko yani e na keba e Delainabua. Keimami sa vakavinavinakataki kemudou na lewe tolu oqo e na nomudou tu vakatagane ka raica rawa na dina ni veika sa vakayacori tiko e na noda vanua. Keimami vakabauta na lewe ni noda vanua ka sa tabonaki na veika keimami nanuma ni vuqa vei keimuni na noda liga ni wau ni noda mataivalu e sa cilavi kemuni rawa na rarama ni sa cala tu na ka e sa mai tara tu oqo na noda vanua ka keimami sa vakamamasu tale ga kina vei keimuni mo ni tutaka na dina ka tokoni keimami e na kena sasagataki me lesu na veiliutaki e na noda digidigi na lewe ni vanua de o ni qai oka vata tu kei ira e ra sa cala tu.

Sa rogo tale ga mai ni sa vakacegui tu vakawawa e dua na turaga-ni-valu baleta ga ni a tu saqata na lewa nei koya e sa mai taura tu vakaloa na i tutu ni daunivakasala vaka-lawa e na matanitu sa mai duri tu ni kua. Oqo na i vakaraitaki ni sega ni tu raviti kemuni o Bainimarama e na gauna o ni sotava kina e dua na veileti se leqa ka ni sa saga vakaukauwa o koya me maroroi koya mada ga vakataki koya. Na veitaro e tu e yaga mo ni na taroga na lewe ni noda mataivalu o ya se cava na vuna a sega ni tu kina vakatagane e na loma ni keba e na yabaki 2000 e na gauna a vakayacori kina na veivanavanai mai Delainabua? Na i karua ni taro o ya, se cava na vuna e sa sasagataka kina vakaukauwa o Bainimarama me kakua ni tini botoilevu tu na vuaviri e sa mai vakayacora tu oqo ki na noda vanua? E na duidui na noda rai e na tikina oqo ia vei au, na ka sa mai vakayacora oqo o Bainimarama e vakaraitaka ga na nona via maroroa na kena i rogorogo e na duka e sa binia tu.

E so vei kemuni na lewe ni noda mataivalu momo qaqa e ra a sa kere vakacegu se sa vakacegui vakatawa dodonu e na vuku ga ni nodra sega ni duavata kei na nona veiliutaki o Voreqe. Oqo o ira na noda lewe ni mataivalu e ra tu taka na dina mai na veika vaka tawa dodonu, na dina mai na nodra rawa ka vakailoa na so kei na veika e da vakabauta ni dodonu mai na ka e da na qai rawata mai muri ni da sa vakayacora oti e dua na ka e tawa dodonu. Na vua ni nona veiliutaki na i liuliu ni noda mataivalu sa vakaraitaki koya tiko ga mai ko gauna ka'u vakabauta ni nodratou sa vakasivoi na lewe tolu mai Labasa, e sa qai tekitekivu ni veika e bera mai ka ni sa tekivu rogo na kudru kei yamasamasa e na loma ni vei keba e na noda vanua.

Cakava na ka dodonu ka kerea na nomu galala mai na veika dukadukali e sa vakayacori tiko ka oqo e na dua na ka o na sega ni dusi kina ia na vakacaucautaki ga kina ni o sa vakayacora e dua na ka e dodonu e na kena gauna dodonu. Oqo tale ga e dua na i tovo o na rawa ni dokadokai iko kina ka o na tu doudou e na matadra na wekamu, o ira na nomu i tokani kei ira na nomuni daulomani ni o sa kila na dina o a tu taka kei na vakacegu ni yalomu.

Na i dusidusi ni sa sega ni dodonu na veika e sa vakayacori tiko ka o sa rogoca tiko na domo ni Kalou ki na nomu bula e sa dodonu me i vakadei ni nomu bula mo na vakayacora kina na ka dodonu ka riba tani mai na veileqa sa tu.

Tu vaka-tagane ka tutaka na dina ka na sega ni na vakatitiqa kina na yalomu!

E da nanumi ira na vei yaca e so me vakataki Bainimarama, Leweni kei Driti ka ra a vakacacana na noda bula ni veimaliwai kei na bula vakaveiwekani e na veigauna mai muri.

Oqo na i rairai ni noda mataivalu e na gauna oqo e na kena sa mai vakarusai vakadua na i yaloyalo e ra a boroa tu mai o ira na tamada kei ira na tukada e na nodra gauna mai na veibuca ni valu e ra a la'ki vakaitavi taki ira kina me baleta wale ga na nodra lomana ka tu taka na noda vanua lomani oqo.

Ia, ni sa vaka-gauna na veika kece ga, au vakabauta ni se sega ni bera kevaka mo ni na tutaka tale na veika e dau kilai tani kina na noda i mataivalu e na veigauna sa oti ka ra a solia kina na nodra bula na tamada kei ira na tukada.

Kukumatua ki na veika-vinaka e ra a sa viri kotora oti tu na noda qase ka kalawa yani ki na vei-vakagalalataki mai na ca sa bini koto.

Keimami na dokai iko kina e na nomu tu dei ki na noda yavu ni vakabauta e kilai tani kina na lewe i Viti.

Me maroroi Viti tiko ga na noda Turaga mai Lomalagi!