ADC Mourns the Loss of Nelson Mandela
Washington, DC |www.adc.org | December 5, 2013 - The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) joins South Africa and the entire world in
mourning the loss of Nelson “Madiba” Mandela today. Mandela passed away at his home at the age of 95. Through
non-violent organizing and negotiations, Mandela was able to defeat the Apartheid regime that had been oppressing black
South Africans since 1948. While Mandela was endearingly referred to as “the father of the nation” by South Africans, we
at ADC would like to honor and celebrate his legacy left on the last decade, as the global father in the fight for civil
rights and democracy.
Prior to ascending to presidency, Mandela began his mission as a community advocate and organizer against Apartheid in
the township of Soweto, located outside of Johannesburg. While enduring numerous police raids on his law office and
multiple arrests, most notably being the 27-year stint on Robben Island, Mandela never lost sight of his mission to
dismantle the institutionalized racism of the Apartheid regime.
Mandela’s unconventional vision of a “rainbow nation” with a one-man, one-vote electoral democracy serves as a beacon
for contemporary civil-rights movements. As an Arab-American grassroots advocacy organization, we have deeply embodied
and supported the efforts of Mandela and others in the struggle for liberty and equality through the years.
The dedication and patience Mandela displayed in his fight against Apartheid didn’t just end in South Africa. As a
spoken advocate for Palestinian self-determination and against the illegal Israeli occupation in Palestine, Mandela’s
work to end Apartheid on a global scale is not yet complete. While we join the world in mourning the loss of Mandela,
we, as advocates for civil rights and democracy, must continue Mandela’s legacy in achieving an end to the current
Apartheid policies affecting Palestinians today.
Rest in Peace from the Arab American community,
Madiba.
ENDS