S. African mineworkers solidarize with Mark Curtis defense campaign
1991 1991-04Read it in the scan (PDF at ETOL), page 6 →
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The following is a letter from the National Union of Mineworkers of South Africa expressing support for the release of political activist Mark Curtis.
Curtis is a member of the Socialist Workers Party (SWP) who was framed-up and convicted of rape and burglary charges in Des Moines, Iowa. He is currently serving a 25-year prison sentence.
We thank you for the information regarding the victimization of Mark Curtis, Once again the slogan of "An injury to one is an injury to all" applies.
We confirm our support for the campaign for the following reasons:
Mark Curtis was severely beaten and framed up on a false rape charge by the Des Moines police because of his political activism and involvement in the United Food and Commercial Workers Union. 6 SOCIALIST ACTION The case is another example of police brutality against unionists and political activists. Rape charges are fabricated against political activists as part of the harassment and intimidation by the police.
The young Black "alleged" rape victim is a clear example of how the police treat Blacks and foreign migrant workers with racist contempt.
This case is a complete miscarriage of justice by the court, which often proclaims itself to be the custodian of justice.
The 25-year sentence passed by the court makes a mockery of justice. What should have been on trial is police brutality, harassment and violence against political activists, unionists, Blacks and migrant workers.
Our trade union represents mineworkers from South and Southern Africa. A large number of our members are migrant workers as the result of the inhuman policies of this APRIL 1991 racist government.
We live in a country which is the focus point of the international community because of the system of apartheid. Apartheid has caused incalculable damage to the lives of its victims. The majority of the people in South Africa are denied their basic human rights.
The South African government uses the most brutal form of repression in trying to destroy any opposition to its inhuman policies. The fact that the state of emergency was lifted proves that no force can stop the march of people to freedom and justice.
As victims of apartheid and state repression we express our full support to the campaign for the unconditional release and dropping of all charges against Mark Curtis.
Our members give their support to the Mark Curtis Defense Committee and hope that in the end justice will prevail.
We urge you to intensify this campaign at all levels. The perpetrators of injustice should not be allowed to rest. All organizations believing in justice must support this campaign.
In conclusion, wish fighting and believing in the innocence of Mark Curtis of the words of Pastor Niemoller:
"First they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew. Then they came for the communists and I did not speak out because I was not a communist Then they came for the trade unionist and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me"
The growing support for the Mark Curtis Defense Committee illustrates the justness of your cause.
We finally wish you success in your campaign and believe that Mark Curtis must be released soon and charges dropped against him.
"AN INJURY TO ONE IS AN INJURY TO ALL"
Yours faithfully, Jesse Maluleke CAMPAIGNS COORDINATOR
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