EFF kneel in solidarity of #BLM in Tshwane
EFF members protested outside the United States embassy in Pretorius Street in support of the #BlackLivesMatter campaign on Monday morning.
Party members, spurred on by leader Julius Malema, met in front of the embassy where they knelt down for eight minutes and 46 seconds, to show solidarity with the death of George Floyd in the US.
Floyd died after a white police officer knelt on his neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds, while he was handcuffed and lying face down on the ground on 25 March.
Malema opened his address by saying: “Down with racism and down with imperialism.”
He continued: “I am happy to be here in solidarity with all our brothers and sisters from all over the world, we are with you.”
Malema told the protesters the treatment of black people with dignity must start in Africa with Africans treating each other with respect.
“We have the responsibility to teach the whole world that Africans and blacks are not sub-human. They are full humans, therefore, you cannot be behind BLM and still see the opportunity to destroy another black person.”
He referred to xenophobia and domestic violence.
“Hurting any form of a black life, even buying alcohol over food and abusing your partner was, against what the black lives matter movement should stood for.
“It is a problem of self-hate, we need to start loving ourselves.”
Malema said the EFF was in support of BLM since it was formed.
“We all know in the EFF black lives matter. It doesn’t mean other lives do not matter. There is only one house burning and we will pay attention to that one house. It doesn’t mean other houses are not important, but it is one which was on fire.”
Malema also referred to the death of Alexandra resident Collin Khosa at the beginning of the national lockdown, who was allegedly killed after he was manhandled by SANDF members on Good Friday.
However, a report attached to an affidavit which was handed in to the Gauteng High Court at the end of May, following an internal enquiry, absolved members of the SANDF for causing Khosa’s death.
CIC @Julius_S_Malema addressing outside the Embassy of the United States of America in Pretoria, South Africa. #EFFBLMProtest pic.twitter.com/YGwpWKVzch
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) June 8, 2020
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