African Activist Archive

The testimony says the Hawaii Committee for Africa is a grassroots group interested in social justice in South Africa that is less than one year old. Last year, the Committee was instrumental in having the City Council pass a resolution declaring October 11, 1985 as ANTI-APARTHEID PROTEST DAY. During that period, the Committee organized several activities at the University of Hawaii and organized its first demonstration, in front of the Federal Building. On January 20, 1986, the group marched in the Martin Luther King Parade through Waikiki holding anti-apartheid banners before 25,000 tourists and received television coverage on all stations. On March 21, 1986, in observance of the Sharpeville Massacre, over 50 Hawaiian activists turned out for a demonstration that was full of spirit due to the active support of Elizabeth Sibeko and Twiggs Xiphu, exiled South African activists, who received congratulatory certificates from the State House for their visit to Hawaii as part of Black History Week in Hawaii. The group's most recent action was a successful demonstration on June 16 to observe the Soweto Uprising. Every demonstration the Committee has organized has grown larger in the number of individuals and groups who participate. The Hawaii Committee for Africa holds seminars and forums on apartheid and divestment issues on an off campus. It also lobbies for state and national divestment legislation and sends letters to unions soliciting their support. The speaker points out that, as a non-white, born and raised in Hawaii, she believes that the blatantly racist policies of the South African government must be strongly opposed by the United States, which holds human rights for all races as one of its highest ideals.

African Activist Archive

TESTIMONY OF RENEE FURUYAMA (HAWAII COMMITTEE FOR AFRICA) BEFORE THE UNITED NATIONS SPECIAL COMMITTEE AGAINST APARTHEID

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