In response to the violent clashes that ensued between police, pro-Palestine supporters and pro-Israel supporters on the Sea Point Promenade on Sunday afternoon, Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis called for tolerance and peaceful protest.
Also read: Update: Pro-Palestinian supporters march to police station after arrests
‘Cape Town’s commitment to tolerance and freedom of expression is sacrosanct,’ read the title of his statement.
‘In a time of great global dispute and conflict, Cape Town has thus far been an example of tolerance. While we have seen violent protests all over the world in recent weeks, protests here have been an example of peacefulness, with very few exceptions,’ said Hill-Lewis.
‘As mayor, I have been proud of our city. We have shown restraint, maturity and a commitment to the rights of all residents to express themselves.’
Commenting on Saturday’s protest which saw tens of thousands of pro-Palestine supporters marching from District Six to Wale Street in solidarity with Gaza, Hill-Lewis commended its peaceful conduct.
‘I specifically wish to commend the conduct of both those who agree and disagree with [Saturday’s] pro-Palestine protest for their peaceful conduct,’ said Hill-Lewis.
‘Unfortunately, we saw violent disruptions [on Sunday] against a planned peaceful prayer gathering in support of Israel. This violence deserves the condemnation of all Capetonians who value free expression in our open democracy,’ he added.
‘While residents or groups may disagree vehemently with one another, they may not engage in violent disruption. We call on all residents to desist from doing so.
‘Every person or group, of every belief and persuasion, has the right to protest peacefully in South Africa. That right is Constitutionally protected, and for good reason, because in South Africa’s past certain protests were banned or violently suppressed, and opinions censored,’ he continued.
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In addition to condemning the violence that took place on the promenade, Hill-Lewis asserted that the prayer gathering should not have been disrupted.
‘In the same way that tens of thousands of residents gathered yesterday to protect peacefully, so the planned protest today should have been respected and allowed to proceed peacefully and without interference,’ he said.
‘It is the job of the South African Police and law enforcement agencies to protect that right, and the responsibility of every citizen to respect it.’
Commenting on the heavy police and provincial law enforcement presence in Sea Point on Sunday, Hill-Lewis said: ‘Public Order policing is under the authority of the South African Police Service and they are in command when public disorder incidents take place.
Hill-Lewis confirmed that two firearms were seized and seven people have been arrested, as informed by SAPS.
Referring to an incident from Saturday’s protests where particular comments were directed against the private co-ed Jewish community school Herzlia, Hill-Lewis expressed his condemnation of hate speech.
‘We also condemn any hate speech uttered by radical minorities at protests, especially when that hate speech is directed towards little children. We have received video footage of a representative…speaking at yesterday’s protest and calling young Jewish children in Cape Town “murderers”,’ he said.
‘Such hateful language should similarly be condemned by all. Radical elements do not speak for Capetonians, and do not even speak for the protestors they claim to represent,’ he added.
‘Cape Town is a city of diversity, inclusion and tolerance. Let us model those values, and not be diverted by those peddling hate,’ the statement concluded.
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Picture: Murray Swart