Tuesday, January 17, 2012 is the 51st anniversary of the assassination of Patrice Lumumba by the United States and Belgium, in cahoots with select Congolese elites. Congolese people and friends of the Congo throughout the globe commemorate Lumumba’s assassination each year to bring attention to the Congolese people’s pursuit of freedom and liberation in the heart of Africa. Since the assassination of Lumumba, the foreign multi-national corporations of the 1% profit from the plundering of the Congo’s abundant mineral resources and are complicit in the super-exploitation of Congolese labor. They are also the underlying engine of the violent conflict in the country. Congolese women have occupied the U.S. Embassy in Congo’s capital, Kinshasa, demanding that the United States cease its support of strongmen in Congo and Africa.

This year’s commemoration is particularly special because the November 28th elections resulted in the stealing of the vote and the voices of the Congolese people. Congolese throughout the globe have risen up to reclaim the stolen will and voices of the Congolese people. Friends of the Congo, Institute for Policy Studies’ Foreign Polich In Focus Project, Africa Faith and Justice Network, Congo Global Action, and Washington Peace Center others are rallying in solidarity with Congolese in their pursuit to reclaim the stolen voices and advance democracy and self-determination in the heart of Africa.

Join us for a day of demonstration, film screening and teach-in on the current crisis in the Congo and how you can join the global movement in support of self-determination in the heart of Africa:

11 AM – 12 PM – Occupy Congress teach-in on grounds of the Capital
3:30 – 6:00 PM – Rally at Lafayette Park (Gathering in front of the White House)
7:00 – 7:30 PM – Screening of Crisis in the Congo: Uncovering The Truth
7:30 – 9:00 PM – Teach-in on Congo’s 2011 Elections, and how you can become a part of the global movement in support of self-determination in the heart of Africa.

For more information call 202-584-6512 or visit www.FriendsOfTheCongo.org.