Lice Movono – As futile as it may seem, your voices can make a difference in the Free West Papua movement, a group of young Pacific Island activists told students today.
Speaking at the "Raise The Morning Star" gathering at the University of the South Pacific today, students who make up the Youngsolwara movement called on youths to join them.
Second year student, Elizabeth Volavola told hundreds of peers at the Free West Papua event that prayers were not enough.
"It made me emotional and it made me want to take a stand so that the flame that they ignited in the hopes of freeing West Papua – we as students will fuel that flame," Ms Volavola said.
"Not just sit back on the side on facebook and say we hope and pray that you will continue the fight. No we will stand up! At the end of the day, we are connected by one ocean."
Event organiser, Joey Tau said the event was focused on using art to raise awareness on the Free West Papua movement.
The "Raise The Morning Star" event used drama, music and poetry to mark West Papua's original independence day when it first raised the Morning Star flag, the current day simple of the Free West Papua movement.
"With due respect to the explicit realities put before on social media, the (We Bleed Black and Red) campaign tries to encourage a lot of young people and their creativity. Some people have reservations about explicity – the campaign brings in another dimension to the whole movement," Tau said.
The campaigner said using a creative arts approach has created a larger following of the movement.