African People's Solidarity Day

Mfanelo Skwatsha, member of the National Executive Council of the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) of Azania, comes direct from South Africa in the PAC’s first U.S. speaking tour since the end of apartheid. Led by Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe, the PAC launched the mass protests against the pass laws that galvanized international support for the anti-apartheid movement. Today, the poverty of the indigenous African population is worse than during apartheid. The PAC is campaigning to overturn the ruling African National Congress’ policy of leaving 96% of arable land in the hands of foreign capital and white settlers. Skwatsha will discuss the PAC’s plans for the upcoming elections and their program for empowering the African working class and poor peasants.

Chernoh Alpha M. Bah, Director of the Africanist Movement with over 100,000 members across West Africa returns to the U.S. to report on corruption in the recent Sierra Leone elections and the failure of the regime change in Guinea-Conakry to effect change in that volatile country. He will speak about the Africanist Movement’s continued efforts to implement national democratic programs in Guinea.

The keynote speaker will be Omali Yeshitela, Chairman of the African Socialist International and founder of the Uhuru Movement. Initiated into political activism during the Black Power Movement of the 1960s, Yeshitela has campaigned to complete the African liberation struggle for over 40 years. Today he leads a growing international effort to unite African people throughout the world into a single nation, tearing down the colonially imposed borders in Africa and reclaiming her human and natural resources as the birthright of African people everywhere.

Also speaking will be Penny Hess, Chairwoman of the African People’s Solidarity Committee. Hess says, “African People’s Solidarity Day is a part of our work to rectify the reality that white wealth is founded on slavery and genocide. We seek a principled relationship to African people — in the U.S., in Africa and around the world. We believe that an honest stand in support of the struggles of the African community – against poverty, war, police violence, and unjust imprisonment – is key to building a world of peace, justice and unity. We are about solidarity with the African struggle, not self-serving charity work. We support victory to African people!”

African People’s Solidarity Day will take place on:
October 13 – 14 in Oakland, CA at Beebe Memorial Church, 3900 Telegraph Avenue
October 16 in St. Petersburg, FL at The Studio@620, 620 1st Avenue South
October 20 – 21 in Philadelphia, PA at International House, 3701 Chestnut Street

African People’s Solidarity Day is raising funds for African-led programs including sustainable electrification, water purification, and independent media. Donate and register online at http://www.apscuhuru.org. Speakers are available for interview. Call (510) 625-1106 for more information.