?When watching the film, try to push the agenda of equality further in Mauritius,? said the attorney general, Rama Valayden, right at the beginning of the video discussion on The March ? a documentary about Martin Luther King?s fight for equality in the United States. ?Many people around the world today emulate him in their own work for social justice,? US ambassador, Cesar Cabrera, pointed out. At a time when the Equal Opportunities Bill is being discussed and some sections of the population are asking for more recognition, this projection organised by the Attorney General in collaboration with the US embassy was most welcome. Many members of the Fédération des créoles mauriciens (FCM) were present and seized the opportunity to call upon Rama Valayden to promote more equality.

The US embassy political and economic officer sent a message to ?all those engaged in such fights in Mauritius to continue. There is nothing such as second-class citizens?. He nevertheless made it clear that Martin Luther King?s struggle did not stop with specific movements, protests and marches ? he was also concerned about getting these people a job, money and opportunities. This appears to be the key to success.

Jean-Yves Violette from the FCM pointed out that, although slavery was abolished a long time ago, ?problems will be there for long. There is a need for positive action?. He called upon Rama Valayden to find ways of promoting equality through education, culture issues. ?Various governments in the past created shattered dreams with a lot of discourse. It is now time for concrete action ? we want justice to be seen to be done and not just heard,? he emphasised.

For Filip Fanchette, also member of the federation, ?equal opportunity is past?. What is important for him is the equal access and control of resources because, without those two conditions, ?it?s impossible to have equal opportunities?. An opinion shared by Edley Chimon who thinks a large section of the Mauritian population still feels totally estranged from the system.

As the beginning of an answer to these observations and calls, the Attorney General announced that the Equal Opportunities Bill would be circulated among a small number of people to start the discussion before the celebrations of Independence. ?It is important that a few people look at the bill and give their first impressions before it is circulated to the whole public,? said Rama Valayden. The government has been working on this draft for almost two years with the valuable collaboration of Lord Lester, explained the minister. He promises ?deep change in the system as well as in the mentalities?.

Summons to Court soon in Creole </B>