20/10/20 was arguably the worst nights of my life and although a few days have passed, the memory is stamped on my mind. The cries for help, the open fire, the blood spilling, citizens rattling around to fix gunshot wounds, I see it all and remember it like it was yesterday.

We will never forget the Lekki Toll Gate Massacre by the government of Nigeria on its citizens.

As a result of this grief, I have been unable to write, produce or even think of any content appropriate enough to be released on any of my platforms.
I am simply speechless.

My silence since the incidence has made me question my sanity and mental health. Am I okay? Why do I keep crying? How is it that I am so affected by this? How come I am even more afraid to leave my gate now?

I seat at home and tremble at the slightest sound of discomfort and uncertainty. Locking my doors does not keep my fear at bay. The Nigerian government succeeded in killing the most magnificent movement I was privileged to be a part of.

Walking the streets with strangers, youths and my fellow Nigerians gave me a strength I never knew I had. I screamed, matched, danced, cried and formed friendships on the streets of Lagos. It truly was a moment.

Read More: https://goldgerry.com/2020/10/09/different-ways-you-could-participate-in-the-endsars-movement/

Being a part of that movement taught me things about myself and showed me the qualities I needed to embrace more. And although I am disappointed, hurt and terrified of what may be now for us, I am still hopeful.

Hopeful that we have exactly what it takes to change ourselves, individually and as a collective. I learnt in high school that a family is the smallest unit in a society, and every change we desire starts from that unit.

What is it that we want the most? Or was the movement all about calling for an end to a corrupt police unit? Of course, it wasn’t.

We matched for accountability from the government
We screamed our hearts out because it would be such joy to actually live in a country that makes jobs available to every person- graduate and otherwise.

Our national anthem FEM was sung to because although not everyone can afford to migrate to Canada, we just really want to be able to live without getting raped, harassed or shot and left in the streets. Or worse, a river for bodies.

We danced because, for the first time in a long time, thousands of people across 36 states were saying the same thing. It wasn’t about ethnicity or religion but rather about what is right.

A lot of us are still processing the actions of this cult of a government, and if at all that is you reading this post, I want you to know that it is okay to be sad.

And it is definitely okay to still be lost and in shock, because you were in the moment. I pray that we all heal from this and come out wiser and stronger.

Read details of the Lekki Massacre here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lekki_massacre

Listen to Burna Boy’s 20 10 20 for consolation and never you forget the date.

The #EndSARS movement has always been ongoing from week to week with the killings, robberies, extortion and abuse of Nigerian youths. However, this seems to be the biggest movement yet and we need all the voices we can get.

Youths have taken to the streets of Lagos, Benin, Owerri, Enugu, Abuja and other major cities in Nigeria a peaceful protest, and although we are all riled up about this, unfortunately, not everyone can participate in a protest.

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So here are different ways you could be active and participate in the movement #EndSARS:

1. Go For A Protest
   
   Join the various matches happening across the country by finding the closest protest spot at your location. Most of the protest information is shared online, so go along with your cardboard paper and let your voice be heard.
   
2. Use Social Media
   
   Join the online protest by lending your voice through your tweets, Instagram and Facebook posts, TikTok videos and every other platform you use.
   
3. Use The Hashtags
   
   When tweeting or posting on social media, please use the designated hashtags for the movement so it could get a lot more visibility locally and internationally.
   
   Some of the hashtags include:
   a) #EndSARS
   b) #EndSARSProtests
   c) #EndPoliceBrutality
   d) #EndSarsNow
   
4. Reshare Protest Posts/Videos
   
   Online awareness starts with a click, so make sure you retweet, comment and like every protest post that you can for your followers. By spreading the word, you are ensuring that the movement stays alive until our demands are met.
   
   Some #EndSARS photos/videos you could reshare:
   a) https://twitter.com/YourAnonCentral/status/1314598142713577474
   b) https://twitter.com/BrianJDennis/status/1314621541527834625
   
5. Message A Senator Today
   
   An app was created by Collins Enebelli to aid the #EndSARS movement. The app contains a list of senators with preset messages, you can click to mail, text or tweet at them directly.
   
   Check it out here: https://endsars.vercel.app
   
6. Donate
   
   Participate in the movement by making monetary donations. Donate to victims/families that have been affected by police brutality at the protest. Give your friend/family who will be going out to one of the #EndSARS protest some snacks or money.
   
   P.S: Donations are being made for Joy Eze, a young woman who was shot in the mouth by a Police officer during a protest. Find details of her injury here: https://twitter.com/I_Am_Ilemona/status/1314471609156198402
   
   We are raising 3 Million Naira for her medical bills and all donations should be made into her account-
   Ndubueze Isioma Joy
   Zenith Bank
   2086864361
   
7. Volunteer
   
   Volunteer to be an emergency contact for a friend or family member who is out for the protest at any of the locations. And lastly, volunteer at a nearby hospital, clinic or ambulance close to a protest so you could help the injured.
   
   #EndSARS is one step forward towards getting a better Nigeria and demanding accountability from our government, so make sure you are a part of it.
   
   Join the movement happening all over the world now by lending your voice at the different protest locations in London, Canada, U.S.A and your local town.