We learned some of the latest facts about funding from answers to Parliamentary Questions:

In 2019 Tusla provided funding of €25.3 million and the same in 2020 but this was supplemented by a further €1.2 million due to Covid-19.We always all have a perspective that domestic violence can only happen to women. But, it is not always true all the time. That's why Istanbul has some rules and regulations for Domestic Violence Services For Men.

The movement, launched in July 2020, has garnered interest from half a million South Africans to date and organisers are using a combination of online and on foot methods to engage, educate and empower South Africans across all communities. Their aim is to encourage at least 1 million South Africans, locally and internationally, to stand united at protests, in vehicle convoy’s and on street corners on Saturday 5^th September 2020. They wish to express to the South African government and the world that ordinary citizens are no longer prepared to accept the longstanding status quo of various issues including crime, poverty, corruption, lack of job creation, lack of access to basic housing, healthcare, education and food security.

The movement, founded by Jarette Petzer and Joanita Van Wyk, is also working on a mass campaign for direct elections. In June 2020, the South African Constitutional High Court ruled that the current Electoral Act is unconstitutional as it does not allow for individuals to stand as independent candidates in local and national elections. This campaign seeks to empower SA citizens to stand united in ensuring all relevant changes are made to the Electoral Act within the 24-month time frame issued by the court.

The Move One Million team believe that this will set precedence for future generations by providing a legal process that will give more power to the people of South Africa to ‘hire and fire’ those who represent them in government. This is in contrast to the current legislature which provides for indirect elections whereby citizens vote for a party and each party’s select committee chooses who they wish to put forward as MP’s or MPL’s to represent their party at national or provincial government respectively.

The draconian laws implemented under the National Disaster Act between March to August 2020 have resulted in an estimated further 2 million citizens facing starvation, bringing that number up to 15 million people. It has also further decimated the country’s economy after it was downgraded to full junk status at the start of lockdown.

According to recent quarterly reports issued by Stats SA, the first quarter of 2020 resulted in the following job losses: 17,000 in the trade industry, 14,000 in the construction industry, 2,000 in the manufacturing industry, among others, and a total decrease of R46.7 billion gross earnings paid. Land transport of goods declined by 20% for June 2020 compared to June 2019. The mining sector is down by 28.2% year on year for June 2020.

Reports also reflect a decrease of over 90% of both South African and foreign national arrivals and departures and accommodation bookings in the country when comparing June 2019 to June 2020. The ongoing airspace closure along with the short-term closure of hospitality, travel and tourism and ban on inter-provincial travel has decimated the tourism industry which provides 1 in 8 jobs in the country. The ban of cigarettes and alcohol, although partially lifted in August 2020, has resulted in an unnecessary black market of these products and the potential closure of 1 in 5 wine farms in the country. Total income for the food and beverage industry declined year on year by 50.3% in June 2020 alone.

Petzer states, ‘We will continue to mobilize more of the country through a number of national ground campaigns over the next 20 months ahead of the next elections, bringing more of our country onto its feet in a united effort to challenge the system. We also demand that the public both locally and internationally enjoys total transparency into the revision of our direct electoral process. We demand that those in government be accountable to the true custodians of this land, the people of South Africa.’

It has been 26 years since South Africa achieved democracy however millions of citizens have lost hope as South Africa continues to be labelled as one of the most unequal countries globally. Mounting issues such as SA being dubbed both the rape and murder capital of the world, human rights violations such as the Life Esidimeni tragedy, unemployment rate expected to exceed 40% by December 2020 and abject poverty across the country continue to haunt the South African narrative and severely impact foreign investment. South Africa’s government debt is in excess of two trillion Rand, which works out to approximately R67,106.00 for every citizen. The GDP is expected to reach 81.80% by the end of 2020, according to Trading Economics. Fitch Ratings stated in June 2020 that it is unlikely the SA government will achieve its target to stabilize debt levels within four years, as set out in the June emergency budget.  The level of poverty continues to increase and as of April 2020, the government set the current national food poverty line at a mere R585 (GB £26.34) per person per month. Numerous reports of ongoing corruption scandals before and during Covid-19 highlight serious issues of leadership and management at national, provincial and local municipal level across the country.

South Africans living abroad have arranged various protests and gatherings to stand in solidarity with the movement in more than 16 countries including Portugal, Mexico, Cyprus, Greece, Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, the UAE, the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Uganda, Madagascar and the U.K. This is set to be the largest movement of its kind in South Africa since Apartheid.

References

Court ruling: https://theconversation.com/constitutional-court-ruling-heralds-changes-to-south-africas-electoral-system-140668

Stats SA http://www.statssa.gov.za/?page_id=1859

 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/moveonemillion

Media Contact:

Joanita Van Wyk

joanita@move1million.com 

+2765 808 4599

"This is just another way that Amazon is showing that they don't know what it means to be in solidarity with the Black community," said Bay Area Amazonians member, and Amazon warehouse worker, John Hopkins. "It's ridiculous to think that you can make that statement of 'solidarity', and then have one of your subsidiaries sending workers home on the grounds that things that say "Black Lives Matter" are controversial." Hopkins feels that this is as much about stopping workers from organizing as it is about stopping them from wearing the paraphernalia.

Adrienne Williams, founder of Bay Area Amazonians, agrees. "Amazon is invested in keeping workers from realizing the power of their collective voice. Their business model is built on being able to exploit Black and Brown bodies for so-called unskilled labor. What is Amazon without one day shipping? And how do they accomplish that without Black and Latinx workers?"

The two say the started Bay Area Amazonians to help workers feel comfortable speaking out in the face of overwhelming pressure from their employer. "I personally faced a two month suspension for my organizing." said Hopkins. "They want to silence my voice, and that's the same thing I see happening with the Whole Foods Workers in this situation."

The Whole Foods protest is organized by Jordan Baker who says she was sent home for wearing Black Lives Matter gear to work. In an Instagram post she wrote :

I work in Berkeley, CA at Whole Foods Market on Gilman St. and I’ll probably lose my job over this, but I honestly don’t want to work for a company who only “supports” a movement when it makes them look good, or makes them money. I wore this mask to work today and within 5 minutes, was called into the office. I was told I couldn’t wear it because it’s “controversial”. During the conversation, I was told the company wants to stay “neutral” and I laughed in their faces and told them this is fucked up. They told me if I wanted to stay, I had to wear a different mask, so I left for the day. I have worked for Whole Foods for 7+ years. I’ve given them my all, I’ve worked full time through this pandemic, risking my life every single time I clock in. Let’s talk about supporting your team members. Cuz this shit ain’t it. Whole Foods is fucking blowing it when it comes to doing the right thing, time and time again.

Williams says she instantly identified with the post when she read it. "It felt like something that I could have written about my experience with Amazon. They want all the accolades and good PR that comes from doing the right thing, but when it comes to doing the right thing when no one is watching, we can't even say they fail, because they don't even try."

The peaceful socially distanced protest will take place at the Whole Foods market on Gilman St. in Berkeley this Friday from 5 to 7pm. Supporters are encouraged to bring signs, wear a mask and maintain proper social distancing.

"Those who remain neutral in the face of injustice choose the side of the oppressor," said Hopkins "This is just one in a myriad of ways that Amazon has shown that not only do they not stand in solidarity with us, they prefer to keep their knees on our necks."

Adrienne Williams - Founder - @adrienneandgp (twitter)

John Hopkins - Member - @jphoniks (twitter)

Bay Area Amazonians:

Twitter: @AreaAmazon

Web: https://www.bayareaamazonians.org

Email: BayAreaAmazon@pm.me

On May 30 at 10 am PDT, the Gaza Freedom Flotilla Coalition will mark the tenth anniversary of the attack on the Mavi Marmara with a Q&A discussion. Lee will be joined by fellow passengers, as well as by internationally renowned author Norman Finkelstein. This event is a part of a series of webinars to commemorate those killed in the attack and to remember the thousands of Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, and Israel who have been killed by the Israeli military.

This webinar will feature the firsthand remembrance of what happened on the Mavi Marmara, a discussion of the blockade of Gaza and its impact on all aspects of life in Gaza over the past decade.

The Israeli naval blockade was broken in 2008 when several boats of the Free Gaza Movement entered Gaza City Harbor, the first international boats in 41 years to arrive in Gaza. But since 2008, the Israeli government has stopped boats in 2010, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2016, and 2018 in international waters, arrested passengers, taken them to Israel, imprisoned, and deported them. Nevertheless, the Gaza Freedom Flotilla Coalition is committed to keep sailing to break the illegal Israeli naval blockade of Gaza until Gaza/Palestine is free.

Iara Lee, founder of Cultures of Resistance, collaborates with agitators, artists and changemakers to make social justice documentaries and to promote global solidarity.

Norman Finkelstein, Ph.D., Princeton University Politics Department, is an author dedicated to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict and the politics of the Holocaust.

Source - https://www.newswire.com/news/10th-anniversary-of-israeli-attack-on-the-mavi-marmara-gaza-freedom-21149118