South African police break up anti-racism demonstration
Hassen Seria
Press TV, Cape Town
Police have moved to break up demonstrations against racism in a formerly whites-only area of South Africa.
There are claims of discrimination at a school that highlighted the entrenched racism which resides in the broader community there. Among the accounts, children of color were described with highly derogatory terms by teachers and fellow learners, or excluded from certain activities.
When this was protested, white individuals from the area violently attacked those raising concerns. Protesters say by perpetuating this attitude, which is reminiscent of the apartheid years, youths born under South Africa's democracy are still being taught old racial tendencies.
But today – as before – the police were clearly set to protect the white community, blocking all efforts by the protesters to make progress. Demonstrators point to a broader issue with how the government continues to target the vulnerable.
Scenes of a riot were witnessed in this area today. Stun grenades, rubber bullets, and water cannons were used to disperse the crowd. And so, they were prevented from handing over a memorandum of demands, which was against racism in this area.
At this point, there appears little effort by authorities to make a move against racism. The provincial education department has rejected calls by the South African Human Rights Commission for a probe or any action against teachers accused of racism. The opposition left-leaning Economic Freedom Fighters, which has led these protests, say it is this attitude that will only ensure they continue with their protests.
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