5NELSON MANDELA NATIONAL RECEPTION COMMITIEE (USA) c/o Washington Office on Africa, 110 Maryland Ave., NE Suite 112, Washington, DC 20002 Telephone: (202) 546-7961 Fax: (202) 546-1545 Dear Anti-Apartheid Activist, The Nelson Mandela National Reception Committee (USA) has been formed. The Committee, which has offices in both New York and Washington, D.C. was established at the request of the International Reception Committee based in London. Our mandate is to: *promote and co-ordinate activities to celebrate Nelson Mandela's release, and *provide a framework for coordination with the National Reception Committee that has been formed within South Africa. We invite you to join us! We enclose a list of suggested activities, med ia tips, talk ing points and an Action Alert on sanctions. The Committee consists of local anti-apartheid activists, and we know the incredible amount of work you may already be involved in. However, events in South Afr ica are moving quickly. The release of Nelson Mandela and other prominent political prisoners, the unbanning of the ANC, and the partial repeal of some apartheid security legislation was unforeseen by many. Events have proceeded at such an accelerated pace that some say the U. S. movement's ability to respond has been eclipsed. This has left an opening for those who have always opposed sanctions to call for their repeal or modification, Britain's Margaret Thatcher is a prime example. As activists in the U.S, we play a pivotal role in the struggle to end apartheid. And sanctions are one of our key weapons. While the U.S. government has not yet made any overt moves to lift the current sanctions, it is clear that once the State of Emergency is lifted Bush and the Congress may try to lift the bill we fought so hard to enact. Your support is crucial to sending the message to Bush that we will not tolerate the repeal of sanctions leg islation until a nonracial and democratic government exists in South Africa. AS in solidarity, _ YYY\O~~~ Imani Countess Co-Chair, National Reception Committee Washington, D.C. International Patrons: Jimmy Carter Rt. Hon. Dennis Healey Madame Danlelle Mltterand Rev. Jesse Jackson Archbishop Desmond Tu'.u Former U.S. President Former Chancellor of Exchequer Danlelle Mitterand Foundation, France Founder and President Archbishop of Cape Town Great Britain National Rainbow Coalition Sir Shrldath Ramphal His Excel. Mlquel d'Escoto Mrs. Palme secretary General Commonwealth Mr. Cyrll Ramaphosa Foreign Minister of Nicaragua Rt. Hon. Malcom Fra..r UNICEF Sweden secretary General of NUM (SA) Former Prime Minister of Mwallmu Jullua Nyrere Mr. Walter Siauiu Chairman, NRC (SA) Australia and New Zealand Willie Brandt Former President of Tanzania Former Secretary General, ANC Former President, FRG "~21 j NELSON MANDELA NATIONAL RECEPTION COMMITIEE (USA) c/o Washington Office on Africa, 110 Maryland Ave., NE Suite 112, Washington, DC 20002 Telephone: (202) 546-7961 Fax: (202) 546-1545 SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES FOR LOCAL MANDELA RECEPTION COMMITTEES: *Organize celebrations outside the S~uth African Embassy/Consular office to mark the release of Mandela and to call for continued pressure on the regime. *Organize concerts and other cultural and educational events to celebrate the changes in South Africa, and help people understand the need for sanctions. *Produce T-shirts, badges, posters, etc. Sample T-shirts are available from the Washington, D.C. office. *Have your city council pass a resolution welcoming the release of Mandela and calling for continued pressure on the reg ime until apartheid is dismantled. *Ask your local authorities to fly the ANC flag on March 21, the anniversary of the Sharpeville Massacre. *Encourage celebrations, parties or other appropriate activity on roads named after Nelson Mandela. *Encourage celebrations, and parties in student union buildings named after Mandela. *Urge those cities that have given Nelson Mandela freedom of the city to issue a formal invitation to him to receive it in person, publicise such action. Call or write the Washington office with information on your activities. A comprehensive report on activities held in Mandela's honor will be developed and forwarded to London. International Patrons: Jimmy Carter Rt. Hon. Dennla Healey Madame Danlelle Mltterand Rev. Je..e Jackson Archbishop Deamond Tu~u Former U.S. President Former Chancellor of Exchequer Danlelle Mltterand Foundation, France Founder and President Archbishop of Cape Town Great Britain Sir Shrtdath Ramphal National Rainbow Coalition Hla Excel. Mlquel d'Escoto Mrs. Palme Secretary General Commonwealth Mr. Cyril Ramaphoaa Foreign Minister of Nicaragua Rt. Hon. Malcom Fra..r UNICEF Sweden Secretary General of NUM (SA) Mwallmu Jullua Nyrere Former Prime Minister of Chairman, NRC (SA) Mr. Walter Slaulu Willie Brandt Former President of Tanzania Australia and New Zealand Former Secretary General, ANC Former President, FRG ,"~21 SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES FOR THE RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY o SET ASIDE MARCH 16 - 18 AS "DAYS OF REDEDICATION": The Nelson Mandela National Reception Committee - USA has issued a call to the interfaith community to set aside the weekend of March 16-18 as national days of reconciliation and rededication to the struggle for freedom and justice in South Africa. The weekend of March 16-18 has been chosen because it precedes the anniversary of the Sharpeville Massacre (March 21, 1960) which focused the attention of the community of nations on the pain and schism in South African society. On this weekend we ask that congregations nationwide offer prayers for the South African people and provide information to their members concerning the need for continued vigilance against the unjust system of apartheid. Take a moment of silence, offer prayer in memory of the unjust imprisonment of Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, and thousands of other South Africans; in memory of Sharpeville; in memory of Steven Biko and the countless others who have suffered and even given their lives in the struggle for a more equitable South Africa, and in rededication to a new and just South Africa. o PROVIDE INFORMATION ON AN ONGOING BASIS TO YOUR MEMBERS CONCERNING THE SITUATION IN SOUTH AFRICA o ORGANIZE EDUCATIONAL EVENTS FOR YOUR MEMBERS AND THE LOCAL COMMUNITY THROUGHOUT THE UPCOMING MONTHS o ESTABLISH A LOCAL SOUTH AFRICA TASK FORCE WITH OTHER CONGREGATIONS OF YOUR FAITH, TO WORK TOGETHER ON EDUCATION AND ACTION IN SUPPORT OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN STRUGGLE FOR JUSTICE AND PEACE o ESTABLISH AN INTERFAITH NETWORK FOR COMMUNICATING ABOUT SOUTH AFRICA ACTIVITIES WITH OTHER CONGREGATIONS LOCALLY, THAT COULD BE MOBILIZED TO SET UP AN ECUMENICAL SERVICE IF NELSON MANDELA VISITS THE UNITED STATES ~ NELSON MANDELA NATIONAL RECEPTION COMMITTEE (USA) c/o Washington Office on Africa, 110 Maryland Ave., NE Suite 112, Washington, DC 20002 Telephone: (202) 546-7961 Fax: (202) 546-1545 MEDIA TIPS: PLANNING FOR AN EDITORIAL MEETING REMIND YOURSELF: MOST EDITORS WILL WELCOME YOUR VISITl Reporters and editors know that their success depends on their sources. They are usually eager to identify dependable, trust worthy contacts in their community on important issues such as southern Africa. Editorial writers are being approached by scores of PR folks from a variety of business and corporate interests. Editorial writers often welcome the opportunity to deal with folks from groups that are not out promoting their own self- interests. HOW TO SET UP AND HOLD AN EDITORIAL MEETING: 1. OBSERVE THE KINDS OF EDITORIALS WRITTEN IN YOUR PAPER. Are they always local issues, or do they address national or international issues? 2. THINK THRU HOW TO PITCH YOUR ISSUE. WHAT IS YOUR ANGLE? Is it urgent (Pending legislation)? Is it timely? (An issues which has been in the news a lot)? Is it local? 3. THINK THRU HOW TO PRESENT YOUR ISSUE. Who else should you invited to go with you? What is your opening line? What will you communicate in the first minute? What is your request? 4. CALL THE PAPER. Call the editorial page editor, find out how their editorial board is set up and how editorial decisions are made. Speak to that person, explain the issue and request a meeting. It appropriate, ask if a news reporter who covers that type of issue can sit in on the meeting. 5. PREPARE FOR YOUR FACE-TO-FACE MEETING. 6. THE ACTUAL MEETING. Bring background information to leave with the editors. Take about five minutes to state your case and expect questions from the editorial board. Don't be surprised when editors play the role of devils's advocate. During the meeting it is not your role to: argue, have all the answers, beg for an editorial. It is your role to: state your case in a persuasive way, provide information, answer questions and be courteous. International Patrons: Jimmy carter Rt. Hon. Dennis Healey Madame Danlelle Mltterand Rev. J_Jackson Archbishop D_mond Tu".u Former U.S. President Former Chancellor of Exchequer Danlelle Mitterand foundation, France Founder and President Archbishop of Cape Town Great Britain National Rainbow Coalition Sir Shrldath Ramphal His EXcel. Mlquel d'Escoto Mrs. Palme Secretary General Commonwealth Mr. Cyril Rarnaphoaa foreIgn Minister of Nicaragua Rt. Hon. Malcom Fraser UNICEF Sweden Secretary General of NUM (SA) Former Prime Minister of Mwallmu Julius Myre,. Mr. Walter 51sulu WIllie Brandt Chairman, NRC (SA) Australia and New Zealand Former President of Tanzania Former Secretary General, ANC Former President, FRG "'~2' HOW TO CONTACT THE MEDIA 'With.a t~lephone call. to verify receipt. Recognize that the publicallon has the rtght to edit your letter. althou~ thev may check with you before making changes (so be-sure to include "The press has become the greatest power within you~ address and phone ~umber). Most papers will require 'IOU Western countries, more powerful than the to Sign your name. Identify yourself as a Bread for the World legislature, the executive and the jUdiciary.• member, or as writing in behalf of the local BFW group.