Report presumably sent out as a mailing asking people to organize events on March 21. The report says March 21, the anniversary of the Sharpeville Massacre, has become a symbol to the world of the blind tragedy of racism; it was on this day in 1960 that 69 Africans, while conducting a non-violent demonstration, were killed en masse by South African Government forces; people had gathered, as they had in years past, to protest against a Government and a system which denies them human, civil and political rights under the guise of apartheid; the March 21 demonstration was focused specifically against the Pass Laws, South African legislation which is the Government's tool to control the...
Report presumably sent out as a mailing asking people to organize events on March 21. The report says March 21, the anniversary of the Sharpeville Massacre, has become a symbol to the world of the blind tragedy of racism; it was on this day in 1960 that 69 Africans, while conducting a non-violent demonstration, were killed en masse by South African Government forces; people had gathered, as they had in years past, to protest against a Government and a system which denies them human, civil and political rights under the guise of apartheid; the March 21 demonstration was focused specifically against the Pass Laws, South African legislation which is the Government's tool to control the movement, residence, and occupations of Africans by requiring them to carry at all times on their persons a pass or "reference" book. The report says the world community at the United Nations has chosen March 21 as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The General Assembly, in a resolution passed on Dec. 13, 1967, has specifically requested "all States to commemorate, during the International Year for Human Rights, 21 March, 1968 … with appropriate solemnity, in solidarity with the oppressed people of South Africa." The report says March 21, 1968 should be a day when individuals and groups throughout the United States and elsewhere commemorate the Sharpeville massacre, and it should be a day of determination to strive for the elimination of racial discrimination. The report suggests people hold a public meeting including speeches, panels and fund-raising appeals in order to focus the attention of the community on racialism, particularly in southern Africa; concern might be devoted to United Nations activities related to South Africa, South West Africa, Rhodesia and the Portuguese territories. The report suggests people hold a demonstration or rally at South African consulates in New York, New Orleans or San Francisco, or in front of American institutions and businesses which provide support to southern African regimes. The report includes quotes by Gladstone Ntlabati and Ambassador Achkar Marof. The report discusses apartheid, the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC), loans and credit arrangements, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, First National City Bank, the UN Special Committee on the Policies of Apartheid of the Government of South Africa, the Africa Defense and Aid Fund of the ACOA, E.S. Reddy, and the Special Committee on Apartheid. • Background • UNITED NATIONS APPEAL FOR ACTION • PROGRAM SUGGESTIONS
