NationStates Jolt Archive

This morning the People’s Self-Defense Force of Sandlewood launched a coup against the government. The President, cabinet ministers and legislature representative have been arrested or detained by the military. Key installations have been secured and a state of martial law has been declared.
The People's Republic of Sandlewood has long been a unique nation, blending egalitarian principles, New Age philosophy and communal socialism. The government has even outlawed war and ban the Self-Defense Forces, along with a everyone else, the right to possess weapons, although it was enforced.
A communiqué for People's General Staff announced that all political parties and organizations, other than the Revolutionary Communist Party, are ban, and membership in any outlaw political party or organization is punishable by death without trial. The communiqué indicated that General Mani lead the coup and will govern that country until further notice. General Mani is known to be a hardliner, old guard communist that has often being in conflict with the more liberal communal socialist government.
Reports are coming in that a general strike and protest rally has been called, further news to come as this crisis in Sandlewood develops.

Massacre in Sandlewood
Soldier loyal disposed government and protesting citizens were gunned down today as the marched peacefully toward the capital build by troops supporting to coup. The pictures and descriptions are horrific, the coup supports showing no mercy or humanity.

A first it appeared that the troops were going to allow the protesters to assemble and march, protest marches being a very common experience in Sandlewood. They had walked all the way to the square in front of the capital building, with troops directing travel and blocking crossing streets. Once assembled and the various speakers ready to take the podium, the protesters were surround and block of from all possible exits by armored vehicles and armed troops. With in seconds of taking up positions, they opened fired. The death toll is unknown, but from all reports and information available it seems that attack was intending to massacre all protesters.

Analysis of the actions and events, leads only to the conclusion the coup plotters have been plan the seizure of power for some time and planned to exterminate all opposition by force. An unconfirmed report quotes People's General Mani saying of the coup, “Its about time we purge these hippie, peace loving, socialist riffraff! Good for nothing parasites!”

http://news.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/610000/images/_614432_fire.jpg

People’s Republic of Sandlewood may have had a change in its government, it has every intention to continue is support for Marxist Pack members, regardless of the struggles that our great state must face.

General Mani
Secretary General of the Revolutionary Communist Party
President of the People’s Republic of Sandlewood