The mailing says June 16, 1988 marks the twelfth anniversary of the massacre of schoolchildren in Soweto; to commemorate this tragic event in the history of the South African struggle, people throughout the United States will spend the day in demonstrations, vigils, educational events, and lobbying; the focus of all these activities will be to press Congress for passage of H.R. 1580/ S. 2378, the comprehensive sanctions bill introduced by Representative Ronald V. Dellums (D-CA) and Senators Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Alan Cranston (D-CA); until the U.S. and the international community, especially the Western nations, cut the economic ties that make apartheid profitable, the South African...
The mailing says June 16, 1988 marks the twelfth anniversary of the massacre of schoolchildren in Soweto; to commemorate this tragic event in the history of the South African struggle, people throughout the United States will spend the day in demonstrations, vigils, educational events, and lobbying; the focus of all these activities will be to press Congress for passage of H.R. 1580/ S. 2378, the comprehensive sanctions bill introduced by Representative Ronald V. Dellums (D-CA) and Senators Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Alan Cranston (D-CA); until the U.S. and the international community, especially the Western nations, cut the economic ties that make apartheid profitable, the South African government will continue to oppress the black majority, and massacres like Soweto 1976 can -- and will -- happen again. The mailing says the original Senate comprehensive sanctions bill was S. 556, introduced by Senator Cranston; on May 13, Senator Kennedy took H.R. 1580, as amended by the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and introduced it into the Senate; the Kennedy bill, S. 2378, has the support of Senator Cranston and the co-sponsors of S. 556; it is hoped that the introduction of this amended bill will help speed passage of comprehensive sanctions through the Congress. The mailing says there will be a variety of anti-apartheid activities taking place in different cities throughout the United States on June 16th; you are encouraged to work with your local churches, trade unions, and community groups to plan events in your own area. Several suggestions for community-based activities are enclosed. The mailing says we would like two basic things to take place m June 16th: 1) every community should send a broad-based delegation of local citizens to lobby Congressional district offices and local Senate offices; and 2) every community should organize some kind of public event - a demonstration, rally, vigil, or educational forum - to support the passage of the sanctions bill. The mailing says many people will be coming to Washington, D.C. on June 16th to lobby members of Congress and join in a noon demonstration and press conference on the Capitol steps; if you can be in Washington for the 16th, activities will begin at 9:00 am with a briefing on the sanctions legislation at the Church of the Reformation. The mailing says please make an appointment with your Representative ax1 Senators in advance. The time between 10:30 am and 12:15 pm and 2:30-5:00 pm is reserved for lobbying appointments. The mailing says if you have any questions about the June 16th plans, please call our legislative staff, Janet Craswell or Hilary Shelton; also, we would appreciate hearing of any local activities being planned in your area, or of any lobbying appointments you make with your members of Congress. The mailing discusses trade, complete disinvestment, U.S. corporations, multinational corporations, flights, Federal oil, petroleum, or natural gas leases, Congressman Gerald Solomon, assistance to South African and Namibian refugees, SWAPO, ANC (African National Congress), the Reagan Administration, and the South African economy.
