The MK Party Youth League (MKPYL) demands immediate release of detained youth protesters in Heidelberg

29 August 2024

The MK Party Youth League (MKPYL) vehemently condemns the unjust arrest of 30 courageous young people in Heidelberg this morning, who were apprehended while exercising their constitutional right to protest against the catastrophic job losses that have left 32,000 young people destitute. This blatant act of state repression is an assault on our youth's right to demand dignity, employment, and a future worth living for.

We are outraged that in a so-called democracy, the youth—already burdened by systemic unemployment, poverty, and economic exclusion—are being criminalized for raising their voices against the very injustices they are forced to endure. The arrest of these young protesters is nothing short of an attack on all young people in this country who refuse to be silenced in the face of oppression.

The MKPYL demands the immediate and unconditional release of all 30 detained youth.

We will not tolerate the continued persecution of those who dare to challenge the status quo and fight for economic freedom. These young people are not criminals; they are freedom fighters, carrying forward the legacy of our revolutionary struggle for equality and justice.

We call on the government, law enforcement agencies, and all relevant authorities to cease this unwarranted clampdown on our youth and to address the real issues at hand—the rampant job losses and the failure of this government to provide meaningful opportunities for our young people. If the state continues to treat our youth as enemies of the people, it will only deepen the crisis and ignite further unrest.

The MKPYL, standing in solidarity with the GYB youth, will not rest until justice is served.

We are prepared to mobilize our forces and escalate our actions should these demands be ignored. The youth of this country will not be intimidated, and we will not back down.

Issued by MKPYL, 29 August 2024