Thousands of people including inmates and their families, key stakeholders and well wishers marched in Suva celebrating the inaugural launch of the Yellow Ribbon Project on Saturday, October 11.
Victoria Parade from Albert Park to Sukuna Park where the official launch was celebrated was a sea of black as marchers donning black T-shirts and caps with distinctive yellow ribbons symbols as they sang and hummed to the music of the joint Fiji Police and Military bands.
Marchers came from a cross section of the community including ex-offenders, parents and grandparents, children and workers from bother public and the private sector.
The interim Prime Minister, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, with a grandson perched on his shoulders, was among the marchers along with some of his cabinet ministers. They include the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Aiaz Sayed Khaiyum, the Minister for Regional Affairs, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau and Minister of Health, Dr Jiko Luveni.
The Commissioner of Police Commodore Esala Teleni led a strong contingent from the Fiji police as they marched with the Commissioner of Prisons Ioane Naivalurua and delegates to the 2nd Heads of Pacific Islands Corrections Conference(HOPICC) which starts in Suva on Monday, October 13th.
The Yellow Ribbon Project was launched by Mr Desmond Chin, chief executive officer of the Singapore Corporation for Rehabilitative Enterprise.