Christian Solidarity Worldwide, which organised the protest said, "200 Hours for 200 Days is a prophetic protest, inspired by Leah's perseverance. We want to bring home to people just how long Leah has been held captive. And urge the Nigerian government to negotiate her release, as they did for the rest of her classmates.
"Leah should be with her classmates right now, but instead she was snatched from her school and is being denied her faith and her future."
Tom Brake, MP for Carshalton and Wallington, is one of many people who have joined the protest by standing near the desk for an hour.
Outside the Nigerian High Commission launching the #freeleah campaign. Leah, who is still held captive by Boko Haram, because she refused to recant her Christian faith, has been held for 198 days. pic.twitter.com/3b4KvKksql
— Tom Brake MP (@thomasbrake) September 4, 2018
Protesters have been encouraged to stand in silent prayer and reflection at the desk, hold up a placard or answer questions from passers-by.
Leah Sharibu, 15, was one of 110 girls abducted from their school in Dapchi, Nigeria by Boko Haram in February 2018.
The next month, following negotiations by the government, the girls were released.
However, Sharibu was kept in captivity because she refused to covert from Christianity to Islam.
The school desk was placed in front of the Nigerian embassy on 4th September and will remain there until 12th September.
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