UnFreedom Day

On the 27th of April 2006 Abahlali BaseMjondolo (AbM) decided to host an “Unfreedom Day” to highlight how there is “no democracy for the poor”[1] and to replace the usual “pompous speeches” by politicians to “be reminded ‘how far we have come’” with music, dance, theatre, poetry, and education as well as political speeches against the ruling elite.[2] An UnFreedom Day rally has been held every year since 2006[3] , including in 2009 when SAPS attempted to ban the event.[4] “UnFreedom Day is also a call for dignity. Because we are poor, the government treats us as though we are less than human. This is why we are forced to hold UnFreedom Day - to assert our right to dignity.”[5] UnFreedom Day rallies have since been held collectively by Abahlali BaseMjondolo, the Anti-Eviction Campaign, and the Landless People’s Movement amongst others.[6] End notes: [1](AbM, 2009) ↵ [2](AbM, 2006) ↵ [3](AbM, 2017) ↵ [4](AbM, 2008) ↵ [5]Quoted in (NGOPulse, 2011) ↵ [6](NGOPulse, 2011) ↵