Africa Action Honors Nelson Mandela’s Birthday

Africa Action Honors Nelson Mandela’s Birthday

Friday, July 17th, 2009 (Washington, DC) – On his 91st birthday, Africa Action honors Nelson Mandela, one of Africa’s most prominent international figures, for his long-standing tradition of human rights activism.

Gerald LeMelle, Executive Director of Africa Action said this morning, “Today we celebrate Nelson Mandela’s birthday. His leadership and courage in making South Africa a more just society lives on through the work of a robust civil society on the continent.”

Africa Action has been engaged in efforts to promote more just U.S. policies toward Africa since 1953, and played a significant role in the solidarity struggle in the U.S. against apartheid in South Africa. Africa Action’s predecessor organization, the American Committee on Africa, hosted Nelson Mandela on his first trip to the U.S. after his release from prison in 1990.

“Just as we did in 1990, today we are working to build stronger relationships with key organizations and coalitions across the continent of Africa,” said Michael Stulman, Associate Director for Policy and Communications. Stulman is currently traveling in South Africa to meet with civil society organizations working on the issues that surround human rights and democracy. He adds, “We have long valued consultation with African allies and we look to ensure that our work in the United States complements the work happening in Africa.”

ENDS

© Scoop Media