MDP members protest against the arrival of US Ambassador in Maldives

Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has commenced a protest at the junction of Sosun magu and Ameer Ahmed magu, against the arrival of the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka and Maldives Patricia A. Butenis in Maldives.

Butenis is here to participate in function at Traders Hotel to celebrate the US Independence Day. The function commenced at 16:00, and is also attended by Vice President Mohamed Waheeddeen.

Members of MDP took to the streets calling for ‘urgent direct action’. Members of Parliament of MDP and the party’s senior activists are observed at the protest.

Riot Police have pushed the protesters back, up to the junction of Majeedee magu and Ameer Ahmed magu.

Speeches by MPs Imthiyaz Fahmy and Hamid Abdul Gafoor were focused on Police brutality.

They called for the release of protesters who have been arrested for disobeying Police orders at the protest today.

The crowd of MDP protesters today is smaller than usual.