NationStates Jolt Archive

Eredron News & Information Network

An estimated two hundred thousand protesters filled the streets of the capital this morning as news spread of the Eredron government's private negotiation with Al Anbar.

The public showed an overwhelming amount of support for Eredron's military strikes against Al Anbar following Saddam Hussein's invasion of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait; opinion polls taken during the early stages of the war showed nearly 85% in favor of removing Al Anbar from Saudi and Kuwait; 62% favored removing Saddam from power completely.

Despite efforts of the Administration to suppress the news, reports arrived of a deal made with Al Anbar, promising an end to hostilities in return for what many believe to be a lucrate oil deal. The first signs of protest appeared in the Senate from the far-right who urged a full-scale war with Saddam from the beginning. A sit-in protest of forty senators began in the Senate, effectively shutting down the legislative body.

The Consul has declined to make an appearance before either the Senate or a press conference.

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Within four hours, all anti-government media had been ordered to cease and desist under the Anti-Seditious Orders of 606 to 618. Fifty-thousand men of the First District Capital Reserves had been called up by the Consul to disperse the protests in the Government District, a first in nearly forty years.

Pressed in on all sides by nearly forty thousand people, Chris Jenkins waved his handlettered sign over his head, one of countless red, white and black posters. As the sun slowly sank behind the immense monoliths of private enterprise in the Business District, flood lights had been turned on and beamed into the protestors' eyes by the military Reserves. Called up by the Consul, nearly two thousand lined the streets, acting as a barrier between the Senate and Consul Administration buildings and the mass of protestors; tens of thousands more were dispersed throughout the area. For the past few hours, the protestors had chanted various slogans and jeers against the Consul's so-called appeasement deal. By five, many people showed signs of leaving. That had all changed in a matter of minutes.

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Somehow, the full reach of the Anti-Sedition Orders had been released. The information had spread like wildfire. Long kept secret, the "dissidents" quietly detained in military camps soon became known to everyone in the streets. Anti-government groups, opposition parties, Ariin Separatists - all used the public outrage over the news to their own advantage, inciting the crowds.

Within an hour, major violence had broken out.

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Beginning when a police officer detained two men for throwing rocks at the Senate building, fights spread throughout the mass of people. Hurling themselves against the riot control police, the crowds swarmed around two policemen knocked to their feet. Seeking to recover their comrades, the other officers began spraying mace at the converging crowd. Like a row of dominoes, the entire situation went straight to hell.

From the thirtieth story window of the Executive Office Tower, the Consul stood with his arms clasped behind his back, almost serene, andwatched as the tiny figures below swarmed against the line of police and Reserves. It was only when the first distant claps of gunfire exploded in the streets below that he blinked. Only when clouds of tear gas began to obscure his view did he turn away.

Though this is an internal Eredronian affair, and Whittier will not involve itself in Eredron's internal politics, Whittier issues a statement that Whittier hopes that the Eredron government will respect the civil and human rights of its citizens.

Not having slept all night long, the Consul was slumped wearily in his seat, listening to the men around him.

"One hundred and fifty confirmed dead, possibly an additional forty."

Outside, the sirens and wails of ambulances could still be heard as the medical personnel worked to take the injured to the nearby hospitals. In the streets below, dozens lay dead, some in bodybags, some not.

"Hospitals have reported an estimated two hundred wounded so far, with more showing up - "

"How did it come to this?" the Consul asked softly, almost to himself. Slowly, he lifted himself out of his chair and walked to the large windows. Slightly obscured by a thin morning mist, the gristly scene nevertheless was far too visible. Most of the Reserves had returned to their barracks - against the Consul's initial orders - leaving a couple hundred policemen in the area. Posters and signs were scattered in the streets, the only thing left of the protest last night.

The only one who seemed to be completely untouched by the massacre was the Consul's political advisor. As soon as he had arrived, he had begun discussing damage control and political strategy. But now, even he was in a somber mood. Everyone in the room felt the sense of defeat.

After what seemed like an eternity, the Consul turned away from the windows. "It's over," he said softly. "Take care of it."

Eredron News and Information Network

"Following the massacre that occurred last night in the streets of the capital, the Senate of Majorities received a letter of formal resignation from the Office of the Consul, effective immediately.

Tens of thousands had protested in the streets of the Government District yesterday, protesting the Consul's private deal with Saddam Hussein. As the protests grew, the Consul ordered up the capital city's Reserves forces to protect the Senate Chambers and other government buildings. The protests grew violent as news spread of secret, far-reaching laws aimed at suppressing dissidents and sedition at the cost of civil liberty. Violence escalated until the Reserves troops fired into the crowds, provoking a mobbed retaliation. It seemed as if open war had taken to the streets of Eredro, ending by midnight.

The resignation of Consul Hawkins marks the second time in Eredron's history. Under the constitution, the Senate will appoint an immediate successor, until regular, national elections can be held.

Senator Hill, senior member, appeared on television shortly after the resignation was received, making assurances that the Consul's resignation would not hinder Eredron's ability to respond to threat, including what the Senator called a "developing situation in Naori".

Eredron News and Information Network

"Following the massacre that occurred last night in the streets of the capital, the Senate of Majorities received a letter of formal resignation from the Office of the Consul, effective immediately.

Tens of thousands had protested in the streets of the Government District yesterday, protesting the Consul's private deal with Saddam Hussein. As the protests grew, the Consul ordered up the capital city's Reserves forces to protect the Senate Chambers and other government buildings. The protests grew violent as news spread of secret, far-reaching laws aimed at suppressing dissidents and sedition at the cost of civil liberty. Violence escalated until the Reserves troops fired into the crowds, provoking a mobbed retaliation. It seemed as if open war had taken to the streets of Eredro, ending by midnight.

The resignation of Consul Hawkins marks the second time in Eredron's history. Under the constitution, the Senate will appoint an immediate successor, until regular, national elections can be held.

Senator Hill, senior member, appeared on television shortly after the resignation was received, making assurances that the Consul's resignation would not hinder Eredron's ability to respond to threat, including what the Senator called a "developing situation in Naori".