RELEASE: REPS. RO KHANNA AND JONATHAN JACKSON APPALLED BY TRUMP’S INSULTS TO SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT CYRIL RAMAPHOSA GIVEN THEIR FAMILIES’ STRUGGLE AGAINST COLONIALISM AND FOR CIVIL RIGHTS
Washington, DC – Representatives Ro Khanna (CA-17) and Jonathan Jackson (IL-01) released the following statement after President Donald Trump’s meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. Representative Jackson’s father, Rev. Jesse Jackson, fought for civil rights and an end to apartheid in South Africa. Representative Khanna’s grandfather, Amarnath Vidyalankar, was an Indian freedom fighter who spent four years in jail alongside Gandhi. They are inspired by them to stand up for civil rights and against colonialism.
“President Trump’s claims that white farmers are being systematically killed is a dangerous lie. While Trump and Vance deport people without due process, the administration is using this lie to justify giving white farmers refugee status in the US. His false narrative of a ‘white genocide’ is profoundly insulting and harmful to those who have faced centuries of discrimination and violence under colonialism and apartheid in South Africa and to President Ramaphosa, who worked tirelessly to end apartheid. America’s standing on the world stage is being destroyed by this administration.
“We look forward to traveling to South Africa to honor the legacies of Gandhi and Mandela and to respect President Ramaphosa and those who led the fight against apartheid as well as reconciliation.”
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