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'For us, it's Blood Friday' - Activists accuse Amazon of 'crimes against humanity', 'erasing' Khoisan sacred lands

'For us, it's Blood Friday' - Activists accuse Amazon of 'crimes against humanity', 'erasing' Khoisan sacred lands

"Activists rallied in Johannesburg on Friday, amid of this year's 'MakeAmazonPay' action, as they accused the tech giant of 'crimes against humanity' and destroying land considered sacred by the Khoi and San peoples. Footage shows Khoisan community members holding a spiritual ritual before their chief and other speakers addressed supporters inside a tent pitched in an open field at Eldorado Park. The annual protest, organised by the 'Save Our Sacred Lands' campaign and themed 'Blood Friday', used the global shopping day to spotlight opposition to Amazon's planned African headquarters and mall at the Black River in Cape Town, a site widely regarded by Indigenous leaders as central to their heritage and the scene of early Dutch-Khoi conflict. "Today is Black Friday, but for us it's Blood Friday, because we are going to be speaking of the crimes against humanity that Amazon is committing," said activist July Eccles. In his turn, Save Our Sacred Lands spokesperson Shafiek Gassant accused Amazon of driving modern-day colonisation. "What Amazon is doing is complicit in the further colonisation of our people," he said. "They are building on our heritage site at the Black River Club, the very place Jan van Riebeeck first came and stole land from our people in 1652." Gassant also claimed activists have faced intimidation for opposing the project and criticised the City of Cape Town for allowing development on land the Khoisan consider sacred. "We have taken this case to court to say that we, as the Khoisan people, we do not recognise the people who claim to represent us," he said. Protesters also linked Amazon's business operations to global conflicts, alleging that the company provides cloud technology supporting Israeli military systems in Gaza as well as surveillance infrastructure used by governments and security agencies. "They provide the tech for the Israeli occupation forces. They provide the tech that surveils Palestinians and controls their movements. And, they provide the back end for the military," Eccles said. "Amazon's crimes against humanity span across the world, and they’re profiteering from it." The River Club development, set to host Amazon's African headquarters, has been tied up in legal battles since 2021. Despite opposition from Indigenous groups, the City of Cape Town confirmed in 2023 that construction would proceed following a court ruling and a settlement with one of the main civic organisations."

Solidarity in crisis - Volunteers provide relief to Indonesian migrants displaced by Hong Kong inferno

Solidarity in crisis - Volunteers provide relief to Indonesian migrants displaced by Hong Kong inferno

"Displaced Indonesian migrants are receiving vital assistance from volunteers rallying in solidarity after the deadliest fire in Hong Kong's recent history tore through Tai Po district, claiming 128 lives. Footage filmed on Friday captures relief organisations distributing food and clothing to fire survivors, while volunteers gather migrants' details to update their families in Indonesia. "According to data from the Hong Kong Consulate General, there are around 111 Indonesian migrant workers, but this data can change, and there are also roughly 11 people who have not yet been found," explained Sringatin, chairperson of the Indonesian Migrant Workers Union. "We check and also ensure that all migrant workers receive assistance. And currently, we are also calling one of our networks in Indonesia to immediately relay information directly to the families of the victims," she added. Consul General of Indonesia in Hong Kong, Yul Edison, confirmed that at least two Indonesian nationals were killed in the fire, while another two suffered minor injuries. "The difficulty we faced is that they didn't have any means of communication, because their priority was to save themselves and their employers - or the people they were responsible for," Edison noted. He also voiced gratitude to all involved in the rescue efforts, stating: "I appreciate the solidarity shown by the people of Hong Kong during this catastrophic event. We come each day to offer our support." The blaze, which broke out on Wednesday afternoon, raged for more than two days before being fully extinguished at 10:18 local time (02:18 GMT) on Friday. The fire had spread swiftly through several high-rise buildings under renovation, its intensity fueled by bamboo scaffolding and protective netting. At least 128 people were killed, including one firefighter, while 79 others were injured. The fate of around 200 individuals remains uncertain. Three construction company employees have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter, while the Independent Commission Against Corruption detained eight others over alleged corruption related to the renovation works."