White Cross Project to Host Major International Conference and 3,000-Cross Vigil in Washington, D.C.

PRETORIA, NEW YORK, WASHINGTON, D.C. - Lex Libertas, in partnership with the New York Young Republican Club and various South African and international partners, will host the White Cross Project in Washington, D.C. on September 25th and 26th. The project will highlight four interrelated themes relating to the crisis in South Africa:

• • political incitement of violence against minorities;
• • farm attacks and rural safety;
• • racial exclusion through legislation; and
• • the threat to property rights

These themes will be combined with policy recommendations and long-term constitutional solutions based on the principles of decentralization and self-governance.

On Friday, September 25th, the White Cross Project Conference will be held at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. featuring South African and American speakers including:

• • Dr. Ernst Roets, Executive Director of Lex Libertas
• • Mr. Stefano Forte, President of the New York Young Republican Club
• • Mr. David Ansara, CEO of the Free Market Foundation in South Africa
• • Dr. Martin van Staden, Editor of the Race Law Index
• • Advocate Mark Oppenheimer, free speech advocate involved with the Johannesburg Bar; and
• • Dr. James Myburgh, editor of Politicsweb.

Several victims who have either survived farm attacks, or whose loved ones were murdered during farm attacks in South Africa, will also participate in the conference and vigil.

Extracts from the upcoming documentary film titled ‘Crossed Out: Confronting Persecution in South Africa’ will be screened as part of the conference program.

On Saturday, September 26th, approximately 3,000 white crosses will be installed on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., each bearing the name of a victim who was murdered during a farm attack in South Africa.

The media are invited to attend the conference and vigil. Interview opportunities will be available with project organisers, speakers (including victims of farm attacks), and international partners.

For more information on the speakers, click here.

Notes:

• • Lex Libertas is an independent South African public policy organization that advocates constitutionalism, decentralization and community self-governance.
• • The New York Young Republican Club is the oldest and largest Young Republican Club in the United States.
• • The White Cross Project is an international advocacy initiative consisting of research, documentary filmmaking, public events, and policy engagement. Its purpose is to draw attention to four interrelated issues in South Africa and to promote practical as well as long-term constitutional solutions.