Action Alert says comprehensive sanctions are a necessary response to the continuing violent repression of the black majority and imprisonment of trade union leaders by South Africa's apartheid government. In October of 1986, the U.S. Congress enacted a limited sanctions law that was an important step towards ending U.S. support for the apartheid government and economy, but the law's provisions are limited and U.S. companies and the Reagan Administration have exploited loopholes in the law. Stronger legislation (H.R. 1580 / S. 2378) was introduced in early 1987 which mandates total disinvestment of all U.S. companies within six months of passage of the bill, and includes stronger sections of...
Action Alert says comprehensive sanctions are a necessary response to the continuing violent repression of the black majority and imprisonment of trade union leaders by South Africa's apartheid government. In October of 1986, the U.S. Congress enacted a limited sanctions law that was an important step towards ending U.S. support for the apartheid government and economy, but the law's provisions are limited and U.S. companies and the Reagan Administration have exploited loopholes in the law. Stronger legislation (H.R. 1580 / S. 2378) was introduced in early 1987 which mandates total disinvestment of all U.S. companies within six months of passage of the bill, and includes stronger sections of the present sanctions law. The bill would ban virtually all trade with South Africa and provide penalties against those companies that violate the trade ban. H.R. 1580 is sponsored by Congressman Ronald Dellums and co-sponsored by more than 100 Congresspersons; S. 2378 is sponsored by Senators Alan Cranston and Ted Kennedy. These bills are endorsed by many U.S. unions and the AFL-CIO. Comprehensive sanctions and disinvestment are strongly supported by South Africa's trade unions; the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) continues its plea for the U.S. to take action against the apartheid regime which bans their strikes, jails their leaders, and bars their protests. The Cranston/Kennedy bill needs additional co-sponsors immediately; contact Senator Alan Dixon to urge him to co-sponsor. The Dellums bill will be voted on as early as June 20. The Action Alert includes a list of Members of Congress from Illinois to be asked to vote for H.R. 1580 with no weakening amendments.
