Number
080080
Version
ORIGINAL
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. DAVIS, KOVAC AND MURPHY
Title
Resolution supporting U.S. House Bill H.R. 5690 calling for a lifting of travel restrictions to the U.S. placed on past and present members of the African National Congress of South Africa based solely on membership in an organization once labeled a terrorist organization during its struggle against the injustices of apartheid.
Analysis
This resolution expresses the Common Council’s support for U.S. House Bill H.R. 5690 calling for a lifting of travel restrictions to the U.S. placed on past and present members of the African National Congress (“ANC”) of South Africa based solely on membership in an organization once labeled a terrorist organization during its struggle against the injustices of apartheid, and urges all U.S. Senators and Representatives to support this bill.
Body
Whereas, The native South African people, who fought valiantly against the Dutch and English for over 100 years to retain their freedom, were ultimately overwhelmed by European forces and conquered, colonized and subjugated in 1878; and
Whereas, The Afrikaner-led National Party government took power 60 years ago in South Africa and initiated a policy of apartheid which systematically began removing non-white South Africans from the electoral rolls and restricting where non-whites could live and travel, and restricting the political activities of non-whites; and
Whereas, The South African National Party government’s policy of apartheid was in clear and direct violation of the principles set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations in 1948 to recognize and proclaim that “the inherent dignity and the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world”; and
Whereas, The African National Congress (“ANC”) began participating in the non-violent Defiance Campaign in June, 1952, to...
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