London, [30 November 2011] – The Democratic Alliance Abroad (DA Abroad), together with Pharside.co.uk blogger, Marky Warren, are calling on all South Africans living in London who are against the Protection of Information Bill to make their voices heard and join the public demonstration outside South Africa House in Trafalgar Square this Saturday, 3 December from 11:00am – 12:30pm.
On Tuesday, 22 November the South African House of Parliament voted in The Protection of State Information Bill. The Protection of State Information Bill could be our country’s future. A future where the government can censor any information they deem to be in the interest of “National Security” and make it a punishable offence to be in possession of that information. This Bill will unstitch the very fabric of our Constitution and it will criminalise the freedoms that so many of our people fought for. But there is still hope. The Bill still needs to be passed by the National Council of Provinces and by the President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma before it becomes law. We can ensure that it doesn’t.
South Africans back home have taken up the fight against the Secrecy Bill, and those living abroad also want to ensure that the future of their country is secure. According to Ludre Stevens, DA Abroad Global Chairperson, “All South Africans, no matter where they live, including those living overseas, must stand up for their rights. We want to go back to South Africa one day and most of us have family back home that we care for. We will all be affected detrimentally by this Bill. This battle is not over. It has just begun.”
The DA Abroad are calling on all South Africans in London who are against the Bill to join the public demo outside South Africa House to let the South African government know exactly what we, the people of South Africa, think of The Protection of State Information Bill.
Date: 3 December 2011
Time: 11:00 – 12:30
Place: South Africa House, Trafalgar Square, London
We’d like to encourage all protesters to wear anything South African – BafanaBafana shirts, Rugby jerseys, your ANC/DA/Cope/FF shirts, or simply wear black, and bring South African flags, placards and posters voicing your concerns.
For more information and to RSVP to the event please visit http://www.facebook.com/#!/events/130822593694769/
You can also email contact@da-abroad.org
Make sure you’re informed. You can read the bill here: http://www.info.gov.za/view/DownloadFileAction?id=151319
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Note to Editors
About the DA Abroad
The Democratic Alliance Abroad Network (DA Abroad) is a group for DA supporters living outside the Republic of South Africa who want to make a difference by contributing to South Africa’s future.
For more information on the Democratic Alliance Abroad please visit our website at www.da-abroad.org. If you would like to become more involved in the work of the DA Abroad where you live, please email: contact@da-abroad.org. You can also “Like” us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/DemocraticAllianceAbroad) or follow the DA Abroad on Twitter (@DA_Abroad).
Media contact
If you would like more information on this topic, or to schedule an interview with DA Abroad Chairperson, Ludre Stevens, or Pharside Blogger, Marky Warren, please contact Francine Higham, DA Abroad Press & Media Liaison email francine.higham@da-abroad.org