Convener of #FixTheCountry, Oliver Barker-Vormawor, says they would defy the court order injuncting them to demonstrate.
He argued that the injunction, secured ex-parte by the police, is unconstitutional, especially regarding the right to freedom of assembly.
In an interview on Joy FM’s Newsnight on September 18, Mr Barker-Vormawor pointed out that they notified the police of their protest three months ago.
He questioned the basis of the court’s decision, adding that they would proceed even if they were arrested.
“Our courts are clear that on questions on freedom of assembly, you cannot obtain an ex-parte injunction against us. We notified the police three months ago. It is laughable for them to go to their favourite friends in the judiciary who have completely disregarded our constitution and give them an injunction.
“Now, take it from me – we will disregard any unlawful order to stop us from going on a protest. We are going to defy any unconstitutional order that has been purportedly made by any court,” he stated.
This comment comes on the heels of the Ghana Police Service securing an injunction from the High Court of Justice against Democracy Hub’s planned three-day #OccupyJulorbiHouse demonstration.
The protest is intended to address key national issues such as socio-economic injustice, unemployment, rising poverty, state capture, nepotism, corruption, and the need for judicial independence.
Mr Barker-Vormawor described the injunction as “laughable to the point of ridiculous.”
“It appears that everybody in this country is entitled to go on demonstrations apart from #FixTheCountry. We have received continuous and perpetual injunctions from last year.
“In December when we wanted to go on a demonstration, an injunction was issued that Christmas is for merry-making and that we are not entitled to go on a demonstration, and this has happened again,” he added while recounting.
He added that “when the police continue to act lawlessly with the aid of the court who have no respect for our constitution, it is incumbent upon every citizen to defend the constitution and our right.”