African Activist Archive

Leaflet advertising a demonstration at the Zairian Embassy on January 17, the 22nd anniversary of the assassination of Patrice Lumumba. In 1960, the Congolese people, under the leadership of the popularly elected Lumumba, defeated Belgian colonial rule and achieved independence. The CIA destabilized his government and brutally tortured and murdered him, with the help of the U.N. On the anniversary of his murder, people all over the world pay tribute to his memory and express solidarity with the struggle of the Congolese people led by the FLNC (Congolese National Liberation Front). The U.S. and its allies are continuing to exploit the Congo and its people and to gain access to the wealth of its strategic minerals (cobalt, copper, diamonds, etc.). Transnational corporations reap 300 to 400% profit from the people who are paid as little as 50 cents a day. Only 1.2 million of the 30 million Congolese people have jobs. The U.S. and its NATO allies continue to bolster the regime, Congress continues to appropriate millions annually, and U.S. troops are there fighting. Because the U.S is the major perpetrator of violence in the Congo, we have a special responsibility to raise support for the Congolese struggle and to demand that the U.S. get out of the Congo. The victory of socialism in the Congo will also weaken U.S. imperialism worldwide; it will broaden the opportunities for the advancement of struggles here as well as those of South America, southeast Asia, and Africa; in the "belly of the beast" we have the responsibility to act. Call the Embassy to express opposition to the Mobutu regime. Contribute to the Medical Aid Campaign in solidarity with the FLNC; clothes, food, medicine and dollars to ship are vitally needed by refugees and freedom fighters.

African Activist Archive

DEMONSTRATE JANUARY 17 - International Day in Solidarity with the Congolese Liberation Struggle

Creator

Place Created

Date

Type of Item

Length/duration

Description

Organization

Coverage Africa

Language

Digital Format

Collection