CENTRE FOR THE STUDY OF DEMOCRACY
WORKSHOP
NOVEMBER 4

DEMOCRACY UNDER THREAT:WHAT ATTACKS ON GRASSROOTS ACTIVISTS MEAN FOR OUR POLITICS

OPENING REMARKS AND WAY FORWARD

Subsequent to this workshop, which attracted significant media attention, we received requests for summaries of the proceedings. Presenters were not required to produce written papers; they gave generously of their time and we did not think it appropriate to ask them to produce written summaries after the event. As a contribution to further discussion on the issue we are, however, circulating this brief summary of the opening remarks and comments ion the way forward by the Centre’s Director, Steven Friedman.

Centre for the Study of Democracy (CSD) at the University of Johannesburg invites you to a seminar entitled:

Democracy under Threat?: What Attacks on Grassroots Activists Mean for our Politics

DEMOCRACY requires that the right to express ourselves in association with others be enjoyed by all, not only those who are well connected and visible. Constant allegations over the past few years that grassroots social movements who are critical of the government have been subject to police action denying them those rights are, therefore, a severe threat to the credibility of South African democracy.