US NGO Reaction to WCAR Pull-Out

US NGO Reactions to US Pullout from the UN World Conference Against Racism
(from Mallika Dutt (duttmallika@yahoo.com) and Rachel Neumann (rachelbeatrice@yahoo.com) of the US NGO CC Media Team)

September 4, 2001

Loud and colorful demonstrations by US NGOs have marked the US government withdrawal from the UN World Conference Against Racism. The US delegation was supposed to provide a briefing to US NGOs last evening in Durban. Instead, they refused to speak with the assembled body and announced their pull-out to a small group outside the meeting room because they did not want to speak to media or answer any questions.

The meeting then turned into an opportunity for the groups to discuss strategies and to unite around a proactive racial justice agenda. Various individuals volunteered for different tasks and the group then spontaneously marched over to the ICC (where the government conference is taking place) to demonstrate their outrage at the US government\'s decision. The time in Durban was 8 pm. The group was not allowed into the ICC but demonstrated outside with a large media presence covering the demonstration.

This morning, US NGOs gathered again outside the ICC at 9 am. The protest included large numbers of people who raised the issue of reparations, the rights of indigenous peoples, migrant and refugee rights and a number of other concerns. The protest was loud, colorful, vibrant and reflected all of the diversity of the United States. \'We, the people, are here! The Bush Administration does not represent us!\' they shouted. US NGOs were joined by groups from around the world who expressed their solidarity in holding the US government accountable for their irresponsible and obstructionist behavior at the conference. The protest is continuing as we send you this update.

Volunteers from various groups put together a media statement to distribute and present at the demonstration. Their text is below:

US NGOs United Responds to U.S. Withdrawal from World Conference Against Racism
September 4, 2001 Durban, South Africa

For immediate release: Tuesday, September 04, 2001
Contact: United US NGOs
Adv. Efia Nwangaza (072) 290 6265
Juana Majel-Dixon (082) 858 3204
Dr. Thema Bryant (082) 320 1174

Yesterday was Labor Day in the United States, a day celebrating work, struggle and the dignity of the human spirit. Yet it is on this day that the US government chooses to turn its back on dialogue, justice, coalition building and the eradication of racism.

Representing the more than 100 united US NGOs, a spectrum of races, ethnic groups, peoples, religions, communities and cultures residing in the United States jointly denounce the United States\' failure to support the Conference at the outset and its ongoing efforts to sabotage it. The withdrawal of the US delegation from the World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance is one more example of US arrogance.

We, the peoples of the United States\' Indigenous Peoples, descendants of Africa, Europe, Central and South America, the Middle East, the Arab world, Asia, Jews and members of other religious groups of all generations are voices critical of the US government. This is our proclamation in the name of equality, justice and dignity:

1) The Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, Colonialism are crimes against humanity

2) Reparations must be made to establish global equality

3) The genocide of Palestinians must end

4) Supporting Palestinians does not equal Anti-Semitism

5) The human rights and land of Indigenous Peoples must be protected and they have the right to self determination

6) The eradication of racism requires an interdisciplinary approach including educational, legal, economic, psychological, and institutional grass roots and government responses.

7) The economic basis of racism must be recognized in all of its forms, including but not limited to human trafficking, slavery, colonialism, apartheid, globalization, military occupation and the prison industrial complex

8) The human rights of migrants, immigrants and refugees must be protected, including but not limited to the rights of Asians, Latinos, and peoples of the Caribbean

9) Discrimination and stereotyping of peoples of the Middle East is not to be tolerated

10) The exploitation and trafficking of racially, ethnically, and culturally marginalized peoples, especially women and children must end

11) Impoverished countries are not merely underdeveloped. They have been and continue to be over-exploited

We challenge the UN to continue the process of eradicating racism, regardless of the actions of the U.S. government. We challenge the media to cover all of the issues of this conference and not be censored by the U.S. government. We challenge the people of America to continue to fight against racism, individually, institutionally, and politically. We challenge delegates of other nations to speak the struggles and hopes of our people. Do not let the U.S. government take our voice. We refuse to let the chanting of our blood be silenced. Regardless of the U.S. government\'s actions we are members of a democracy and we a right to be heard.

We, the United US NGOs, condemn Israeli and US extremism and their blatant, yet field attempt to highjack the Conference.