TransAfrica Executive Director Randall Robinson announced the launch of the "Free South Africa Movement" (FSAM), a nationwide campaign coordinated and spearheaded by TransAfrica, and incorporating black labor, academic, religious, and political organizations. This follows unsuccessful attempts by four U.S. black leaders to negotiate the release of 13 labor leaders imprisoned without charge or trial in South Africa under Section 29 of the Internal Security Act of 1982. Other demands of the FSAM will be: secure the release of South Africa's legitimate leaders (Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu and others); compel the start of good faith negotiations between these released leaders and the South...
TransAfrica Executive Director Randall Robinson announced the launch of the "Free South Africa Movement" (FSAM), a nationwide campaign coordinated and spearheaded by TransAfrica, and incorporating black labor, academic, religious, and political organizations. This follows unsuccessful attempts by four U.S. black leaders to negotiate the release of 13 labor leaders imprisoned without charge or trial in South Africa under Section 29 of the Internal Security Act of 1982. Other demands of the FSAM will be: secure the release of South Africa's legitimate leaders (Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu and others); compel the start of good faith negotiations between these released leaders and the South African government both about grievances that prompted recent outbreaks of violence and the ongoing denial of power-sharing to the black majority; and compel the U.S. to abandon its "constructive engagement" policy. Robinson explained that, starting November 26, 1984, daily demonstrations involving national black leaders will be held at the South African Embassy, and similar efforts will be initiated nationwide. (South African Consulates are listed in Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Seattle, Boston, and Pittsburgh.) Contacts on the press release are Hazel Ross, David Scott, and Nii Akuetteh. District of Columbia Delegate Walter Fauntroy spoke in favor of this move to direct action, on behalf of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) and the National Black Leadership Roundtable. U.S. Civil Rights Commissioner Mary France Berry noted that the Reagan administration is supporting and tolerating escalating suppression of freedom and increasing violence by the South African government. An attached memo from the FSAM provides background about the massive two-day strike on November 5-6 organized by the Transvaal Regional Stay-Away Committee, a coalition of 30 unions, community, and student organizations. It summarizes armed invasion of townships before this action and lists 17 leaders of the strike who have been detained since then, including Moses Mayekiso.
