EARTH — Bajorans and other Federation citizens staged a protest today in Paris, rallying against a Federation ruling to try a Cardassian war criminal off Bajoran soil.
The protest, which began early in the morning, was designed to bring attention to what many see as a blatant act of injustice committed by the Federation Attorney General. When the war criminal Breloc Tejar was captured last year, Bajor immediately sought to hold the trial. Tejar had been identified as a particularly heinous overseer during the Cardassian occupation of Bajor, alleged to have committed multiple war crimes. Because of this relationship with the Bajoran people, the Federation Attorney General decided to hold the trial elsewhere, citing concerns for Tejar’s safety. Instead, the trial will be held in the Federation law office on Andoria. The controversial verdict stirred outrage among many of the Bajoran people.
“I’m a Federation citizen!” screamed Aeglis Bedena, a particularly indignant Bajoran protester at the rally. “We’re all Federation citizens! They’re doing it to us again! The [Cardassians] and now the Feds!”
After gathering at the Eiffel Tower several kilometers away, the crowd marched directly toward the Federation Attorney General’s office. Signs, speech projectors, and chants were utilized, and an estimated 5,000 people from at least six different Federation worlds were in attendance.
“I’m not a fan of violence–not by any means,” said Ingler Tolias, a less volatile protester. “But I agree with most of these people. This stinks of another bout of oppression for my people. This is unacceptable. We’ve seen too much over the years to be lulled into a false sense of security.”
About halfway through the demonstration, as the crowd began moving toward their destination, planet-based Federation Security was employed to block off streets and keep the peace. Despite the veracity of the protest itself, very little violence took place, to the great relief of FedSec Agent Ezekial Myers.
“One of the Federation’s most appreciated and protected statutes is the right to gather and peacefully protest,” the agent stated as he kept his eyes on the surging crowd. “The problems come when people start to lose their cool. I’m glad it didn’t get out of hand.”
The Andorian government released a statement, declaring that the location for the trial was determined to ensure fairness and safety for all parties involved. The Bajoran government has not released a statement regarding the protest itself but has continued to maintain that discussion over the trial is still in progress.
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