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BDS ‘confused’ by claims of City meeting walkout

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The Boycott Divestment and Sanctions movement in South Africa (BDS SA) has refuted allegations it walked out a meeting with the City of Cape Town, after the two parties met on Thursday over the organisations plans to stage a protest outside a Pharrell Williams concert in September. BDS are optimistically hoping the protest will garner support around the 50 000 mark.

The protest is directed at the famed U.S. singer/songwriter, who is expected to perform in Israeli later that month. The musician has also earned the wrath of BDS and local Palestinian sympathises over his collaboration with Woolworths, a retailer itself the target of a BDS boycott for its continued stocking of Israeli goods.

There has been some confusion with regards to the outcome of the meeting, and whilst admitting discussions were somewhat tense, BDS board member, Braam Hanekom denied talk of a walkout.

“The City of Cape Town, clearly not comfortable with the idea of such a big protest outside Grandwest Casino indicated that they wanted to postpone, and requested for us to return to another meeting on the 4th August,” he highlighted.

He expressed further confusion as to why the City would publicly declare that BDS were not willing to sit through a meeting, especially when there was evidence thereof.

“Anele, the chairperson of the meeting from the City of Cape Town as well as recordings we have of the meeting will say that this isn’t correct,” he said.

In order to shelter Williams from having to entertain questions on the BDS, Hanekom alleged that Woolworths were personally flying out journalists to conduct one on one interviews with the artist, on the condition they not discuss the #Boycottwoolworths campaign.

“From when he arrives (in the country) it will be very hard for media to boycott the BDS movement and frustrations around it. He will no longer be allowed to nit-pick who he speaks to, and Woolworths will not be able to continue saying no comment,” he added.

Hanekom further vowed that upon Williams landing in the country, every activity of his would be met with a protest to highlight the group’s disgruntlement.

VOC News contacted the City of Cape Town’s Mayco member for safety and security, JP Smith who said he was not aware of any planned protest by BDS SA. VOC (Mubeen Banderker)


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