How to support Abahlali Shackdwellers after recent muderous attacks
MR | 02.10.2009 18:41 | Repression | Social Struggles | Workers' Movements | World
Update from Kennedy Road by Abahlali_3 on Thu, 2009-10-01 in Kennedy Road
Friends and comrades, the movement is still under attack in Kennedy Road and the police are still failing to protect us. The settlement is now run by the chairperson of the local ANC branch, Jackson Gumede, and his armed mob. Gumede is asking people to show ANC cards. Senior people in the ANC and the police continue to offer open and public support for the attacks. None of the people that attacked us and destroyed our homes have been arrested. Many of us are still sleeping in the bush and in the streets. There has been another death in hospital. Our members from across 34 settlements in Durban, and some from other settlements as far away as Cape Town, will soon meet in a secret location. We will formulate a plan of action and draft and issue a full and official press statement.
Friends and comrades, the movement is still under attack in Kennedy Road and the police are still failing to protect us. The settlement is now run by the chairperson of the local ANC branch, Jackson Gumede, and his armed mob. Gumede is asking people to show ANC cards. Senior people in the ANC and the police continue to offer open and public support for the attacks. None of the people that attacked us and destroyed our homes have been arrested. Many of us are still sleeping in the bush and in the streets. There has been another death in hospital. Our members from across 34 settlements in Durban, and some from other settlements as far away as Cape Town, will soon meet in a secret location. We will formulate a plan of action and draft and issue a full and official press statement.
Moving Video Interview with S'bu Zikode whose home was ransacked in the attack:
http://www.abahlali.org/node/5797
Abahlali on DemocracyNow!
http://www.abahlali.org/node/5822
:Thousands of South Africans are being displaced in preparation for the 2010 World Cup. While Durban completes the finishing touches on its new stadium, thousands of the city’s poor who live in sprawling informal settlements are threatened with eviction. On Saturday, an armed gang of some forty men attacked an informal settlement on Durban’s Kennedy Road, killing at least two people and destroying thirty shacks. We speak to two South African activists who are fighting back." Transcript and audio link above
Many people are asking what they can do.
1. It is essential that the attack on democracy in Kennedy Road is widely publicised so that we can all confront what has happened and ensure that it never happens again. We need to give platforms to the victims of these attacks where ever we can.
2. It is also essential that we convey our concerns to our political leaders with urgency and clarity. I will be writing to President Zuma and encourage others to do the same.
3. Many people have fled their homes with nothing but what they could carry. They need urgent financial assistance. I have agreed to co-ordinate a relief fund and donations can be made to: Diocese of Natal Trust Account, First National Bank
Account number: 509 3118 7386; Branch code: 257 355, Midlands Mall Branch, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
A democracy that is not for everyone is a democracy in name only.
29 September 2009
From Statement of Support by
Bishop Rubin Phillip
Anglican Bishop of Natal (KZN) and Chairman of the Kwa Zulu-Natal Christian Council
Email:
bishop@dionatal.org.za
http://www.abahlali.org/node/5797 Abahlali on DemocracyNow!
http://www.abahlali.org/node/5822 :Thousands of South Africans are being displaced in preparation for the 2010 World Cup. While Durban completes the finishing touches on its new stadium, thousands of the city’s poor who live in sprawling informal settlements are threatened with eviction. On Saturday, an armed gang of some forty men attacked an informal settlement on Durban’s Kennedy Road, killing at least two people and destroying thirty shacks. We speak to two South African activists who are fighting back." Transcript and audio link above
Many people are asking what they can do.
1. It is essential that the attack on democracy in Kennedy Road is widely publicised so that we can all confront what has happened and ensure that it never happens again. We need to give platforms to the victims of these attacks where ever we can.
2. It is also essential that we convey our concerns to our political leaders with urgency and clarity. I will be writing to President Zuma and encourage others to do the same.
3. Many people have fled their homes with nothing but what they could carry. They need urgent financial assistance. I have agreed to co-ordinate a relief fund and donations can be made to: Diocese of Natal Trust Account, First National Bank
Account number: 509 3118 7386; Branch code: 257 355, Midlands Mall Branch, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
A democracy that is not for everyone is a democracy in name only.
29 September 2009
From Statement of Support by
Bishop Rubin Phillip
Anglican Bishop of Natal (KZN) and Chairman of the Kwa Zulu-Natal Christian Council
Email:
bishop@dionatal.org.za
MR
Homepage:
http://www.abahlali.org/