15 Apr 2008

Samoa road switch protestors urge MPs to drop plan

3:38 pm on 15 April 2008

A group opposing the plan in Samoa to change from left to right-hand drive vehicles has presented all MPs with letters urging them to vote against the bill.

A march organised by the group, PASS, attracted an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 people opposed to the government's plans.

The protest, from the centre of Apia to outside parliament, was organised just ahead of the second reading of the controversial road transport bill.

One of the march organisers, Georgina Newton, explains the group's plan:

"The past committee will present a letter to all 49 MPs asking them to vote on their conscience and to vote no to against the bill."

About 200 police officers were deployed to make sure the protest passed off peacefully.