Kalistan

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Kalistan erupts into Protests, as Capital remains Peaceful
"Her Imperial Majesty Calls for Peace," says Chancellor
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
June 15, 5707


More than 4500 people gather at National Assembly to call for new elections at peaceful Protest in Kaliburg

Promised demonstrations in Sulari, Yoshimi, Eshar, Senvias, Port Swedes and Vrassa were held earlier this week as citizens infuriated by Her Imperial Majesty's dissolution of the National Assembly took to the streets. Local law enforcement were quickly overwhelmed in Sulari and were forced to retreat to police barracks as angry protestors fanned out across Downtown Sulari, breaking into stores and starting fires. The outpouring of anger was attributed to the deeply unpopular action taken by Her Imperial Majesty around the separation of Kalistan and Gaduridos. Lord Mayor Jose Betancourt requested assistance from the Ducal Government, who activated the Duchy's militia to help restore order in the city. Following the night of rioting, more than 250 people had been arrested, and there were 673 reported injuries, many of them not serious, but at least 12 protestors were hospitalized, and 6 militia members were also admitted with non-life threatening injuries.

"In Kalistan, we have the right to protest government action," said Grand Duke Miguel Alvarez-Winters, who also holds the hereditary title of Duke of Suldanor. "We do not have the right to riot and take or destroy other people's property, to hurt people, or to commit arson. While most of our protestors remained peaceful last night, a hand full of republican agitators were responsible for much of the looting and arson, and we assure you, we are working with Lord Mayor Betancourt to find those who committed these crimes and bring them to Her Imperial Majesty's Justice in court." Sulari was the location of Kalistan's worst violence this week, but in protests and clashes in other cities, more than 70 arrests were made and there were 16 total injuries, including one death of a little girl in Yoshimi who suffered injuries during a high speed chase between police and a fleeing protestor, and later died from her injuries.

"There are people in these protests with legitimate petitions for Her Imperial Majesty's Government," said the Chancellor of the Empire, Count Reginald Hanson. "But unfortunately a number of troublemakers are using these protests as cover for their violent activities, and it is quite difficult to sort out the two groups from one another until the violent people break off and go out and commit their violence. As a result, protestors are going to see a lot of cops who are on the lookout for these miscreants."

The Chancellor spoke to protestors who showed up the the National Assembly in downtown Kaliburg to make their voices heard. After speaking with protest captains, the Chancellor was welcomed to address the more than 4500 Kaliburg Citizens assembled. "Her Imperial Majesty calls for peace, both here and in Kalistan," said the Chancellor. "And I assure you, in speaking with her just today, she wanted me to communicate that she is very impressed with the way the people of this town have managed this affair for themselves. Captains and the Police have been in constant contact, and protest leaders have policed their own members well to prevent some of the very legitimate anger and concerns you all have from turning to violence and destruction." He added that her Imperial Majesty has asked the Chancellor to set up meetings with Kaliburg's civil society leaders to come up with a plan to hold new elections so that the faith of the people may be restored.

"That's just a bunch of bullsh*t," said protester Nadia Jones of Yoshimi. "She is going to meet with Kaliburg civil society, but is she going to meet with anyone who actually matters? Here in Suldanor, a huge number of people have relatives or friends in Gaduridos. We're practically all part gaduriano. Is she going to meet with any of us to see what our problem is? No, She's just silencing us and ignoring our concerns, and now the militia is called in--some people are fed up and we aren't going to take it anymore." Jones is not necessarily wrong: A new poll released on June 1 showed that the Empress has dipped below 55% popularity for the first time in her career, as people are deeply angered that she sidestepped the National Assembly to force through the separation with Gaduridos and the abolition of the Empire. "We have a voice too, and her getting rid of the National Assembly so she can just do whatever she wants is tyranny. It completely ignores the voices of the majority who certainly oppose the end of the Empire."

But Jones also cited a frequent talking point of the protest movement: That the protestors are the majority, and opposition to the separation of Gaduridos was a majority position. Nationally, not more than 250,000 have joined protests from its high point on May 28th, in a nation of 98 million. And the same poll that showed a shrinking popularity for the Empress also showed that only 27% of the population are in favor of keeping the Empire at all costs, while another 32 percent are in favor of some modification to the Articles of Empire, but not a complete split. When this math was pointed out to Jones, she responded, "A majority in the National Assembly. It was a majority that stopped this agenda." The Empress dissolved the National Assembly in May. "I'm just going to vote for the same person again when there are new elections, and then we'll have a majority again."

It is highly unlikely that Her Imperial Majesty will allow new elections before the Gaduri matter is fully settled. Protestors swear they will be out in the streets again tonight, "and the next night and the next night" said Jones, "until we get what we want, until we force her to restore our Legislature and take back this Gaduridos thing." Ducal and Local authorities are gearing up for another night of violence, and are meanwhile making an attempt to calm crowds and provide incentives to peaceful lawful protest.

In related news, the protests and national turmoil has put downward pressure on the KalSiE, as the index lost more than 7% overnight, triggering a large sell off this morning, before the index rebounded ever so slightly just before closing. The Stock Market is down on the year more than 3%, and compounded with the discounts suffered in divestment thus far, large and small investors are taking a beating. The downward slide is likely to continue until the failure to recover anticipated profits from now divested enterprises in Gadurios works its way through the market.

@TheRepublic