Answers to questions by Drum, May 1961
[Drum asked several non-European leaders for answers to three questions concerning the planned demonstrations. The following are answers of Mr. Sisulu.]
Question: Do you advocate peaceful demonstrations for May 31?
Answer: The time has come for the South African people to demand a big change. We cannot allow the Nats to continue to disregard call for a non-racial democracy.
Question: What form should the demonstrations around Republic Day take?
Answer: This has been dealt with by the official spokesmen of the campaign. The withdrawal of labour would be most desirable and would seem to be what the people want.
Question: What aim should the demonstrations - against a republic on which our people have not been consulted - aim at?
Answer: We aim to rouse public opinion at home and in countries overseas against the callous attitude of the Nationalists. The people have a right to use the best methods to impel the Government to pay attention to their quite reasonable demands.