Johannesburg – The People’s March Against Xenophobia is an emergency coalition convened to confront the horrors of xenophobia in South Africa, taking a stand to denounce the violence and embrace unity. This is the message by the African Diaspora forum.
“We endorse the message that no-one is ‘illegal’ and call on all people living in South Africa to unite against unemployment, inadequate housing, rising crime and bad schools, instead of turning against people seeking refuge in the country for political and economic reasons,” they said.
The march will start at the Pieter Roos Park in Parktown and will move through the parts of the Joburg CBD and end at Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown.
Marchers have been gathering at the park singing struggle songs, dancing and setting the mood for an energetic and colourful march.
Several organisations including the African Diaspora Forum (ADF), CoRMSA, faith-based organisations, major social movements such as the Treatment Action Campaign, Equal Education and Awethu!, trade unions, SECTION27, Corruption Watch, SAHRC and Doctors Without Borders have come to support the march.
The march comes after the recent xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals that have been occurring across the country.
A number of people have died since the attacks began in March.
Gauteng Premier David Makhura also came to support the march. – IOL
