On Tuesday, July 19, 1977, shops in Suva closed early at 3:35 PM as approximately 3000 protesters took to the streets, voicing their opposition to foreign interference in Fiji’s internal affairs during a dock strike crisis. The march, organized by Liebling Marlow and a committee of 13, was predominantly attended by women, including nuns, housewives, store employees, and the wives of politicians. Notably, the protest featured BD Lakshman, a founder of the trade union movement in Fiji, who joined the demonstration in a wheelchair.
The gathering outside Phoenix Theatre saw a serious yet spirited crowd, including children, ex-servicemen displaying their medals, school children, and community leaders. Among the attendees were key political figures such as Finance Minister Charles Stinson, Minister for Commerce, Industry and Co-operatives Edward Beddoes, and retiring Attorney-General John Falvey. The atmosphere was supportive, with businesses showing their solidarity as the march progressed.
As demonstrators moved along Rodwell Road and Victoria Parade, they were filmed by the Government film unit and a New Zealand television crew. The protesters carried a banner reading “Fiji for Fiji,” with additional placards that stated messages like “Keep the Kiwis out,” “Stand by your country,” and “Fiji first, no outside interference.” Throughout the 45-minute event, the police managed traffic around the closed shops, with Burns Philp (South Seas) Co Ltd being the only large store that remained open, albeit largely empty of customers.
Prime Minister Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara addressed the crowd of around 6000 gathered at the waterfront. In her emotional address, Mrs. Marlow expressed that her initial complaint to The Fiji Times about the impact of strikes had unexpectedly culminated in a prominent protest. She emphasized unity among Fijians in striving for a brighter future and affirmed the nation’s right to independence without external control.
Lakshman added that the protest was aimed at supporting law and order rather than opposing unionism. Ratu Mara hailed the march as a spontaneous show of backing for the government’s strategy in responding to the dock strike, warning against the risks of succumbing to foreign trade unions after achieving political independence. The Opposition leader, Siddiq Koya, dismissed the march as a political stunt by the Alliance Party.