Nuku'alofa Pro-Democracy Rally

Immediately upon landing at the Fua’amotu International Airport early in the morning on June 8th 2010, there was an energy on the island that I wasn’t expecting. A 20 minute ride landed us in the village (wherever Jaqueline lives) a mere five minutes away from Nuku’alofa’s city center.  Breakfast was served seconds after arriving, massive amounts of bacon, and an intimidating pile of toast awaited us in the kitchen.  Pleasantries were exchanged, and the family caught up while I was fed. 

Shortly after we finished breakfast, conversation headed towards the palpable energy I felt on the island when we landed.  There was going to a rally today in downtown Nuku’alofa. All the high school students were let out of school to march through the streets in to show support for having more commoner seats in government.  Currently, there are only 9 seats in parliament elected by the people, the rest are appointed by the King. 

One of the aunts volunteered to drive us to the city.  With the Royal Pacific Hotel as a backdrop, students from Liahona, Tonga High School and other secondary schools walked down the streets.  Marching bands played music as people cheered.  It felt like a parade for the students, and in a way it was a parade for the students. In a country that is increasingly influenced by western culture, it seemed to me that the youth have a desire to be more equally represented. 

Weaving through the streets and ally ways, I had a distinct feeling that I was witnessing history in the making. Children singing, smiling, and waiving. The energy I was feeling seemed to me to be filled with optimism, and possibility.  This was balanced by a reverence to the monarch.  There were no signs sharing political messages, but the knowledge that this was happening because the people desired to have more fair political representation.

The beauty of seeing the hotel being rebuilt with the rising generation parading in hope that they’ll have a government that the people will have more representation in gave me hope that in this small corner of the world their lives are ever improving, and will have brighter futures than previously thought.