Protest in New York in Support of the Shack Dwellers Movement in South Africa and a Call for an End to Repression and Impunity!
Compañeras and compañeros,
Members of Movement for Justice in El Barrio in New York City organized a delegation to the South African Consulate to denounce the violent repression directed at shack dweller members of the organization, Abahlali baseMjondolo in the Cato Crest shack settlement on the outskirts of Durban, South Africa. As members of Movement for Justice in El Barrio we struggle for dignity and against displacement in East Harlem. We know that this displacement is happening not only in our community, but in communities around the world. We reach out in solidarity to our sisters and brothers of the Shack Dwellers Movement in Durban, South Africa as they struggle against illegal displacement, violent evictions and assassinations.
Our compañeras and compañeros are being illegally evicted from the Cato Crest settlement and when they refuse to move or if they speak out publicly, they face intimidation, threats and violence. People have been shot with rubber bullets and some with live ammunition. Most recently, Nqobile Nzuza, a 17 year old girl and supporter of the Abahlali baseMjondolo was shot and killed in Durban on September 30, 2013. Numerous others have faced death threats.
Members of Movement for Justice in El Barrio delivered a letter denouncing the violence and calling for an end to impunity. The delegation was met by Consul Lebogong Mokwenu and Consul Bernard Legogi. The members of Movement for Justice in El Barrio were firm in their message of solidarity with the Shack Dwellers Movement and denounced the September 30th murder of the 17 year old girl.
With thousands of other people, collectives, and organizations around the world, we call on the government of South Africa to stop the violent attacks on members of the Abahlali baseMjondolo and their homes!
Land, Freedom and Justice for the members of the Abahlali baseMjondolo!