Zimbabwean police arrest 300 activists ahead of banned march
Zimbabwean police arrested about 300 people in central Harare yesterday as they gathered to protest against increasing repression. The activists from the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA), an alliance of civic groups seeking constitutional reform, had not forewarned the police about their protest as required under draconian security laws. Douglas Mwonzora, an NCA spokesman, said they had not told the authorities because they did not want to be dispersed before they could begin the protest, which has happened before. But the strategy failed. Mr Mwonzora said several NCA members were beaten as police sealed off the city centre. Full Story