AfSA condemns Lex Libertas’ planned 3 000 white crosses in Washington as politically driven

Afrikaners for South Africa (AfSA) has strongly condemned Lex Libertas’ plan to plant 3 000 white crosses on Washington’s National Mall to raise awareness of farm murders in South Africa, saying the display exploits victims’ suffering to advance a political agenda and risks deepening racial divisions.

What AfSA says

AfSA said the campaign “exploits the suffering of farm victims to advance a narrow political agenda, presents Americans with a misleading picture of South Africa and risks deepening racial divisions at home.” The group added: “We are Afrikaners. We unequivocally condemn farm killings and all violence against farming communities. Victims deserve justice, survivors need support, and rural safety requires urgent action.”

AfSA questioned the political aims behind the display, saying: “Lex Libertas openly links the crosses to its personal pursuit of American support for white self-governance. That political ambition deserves scrutiny on its own merits. The deaths of farm victims cannot serve as a mandate for it.”

Claims about the causes of farm attacks

AfSA said the available evidence “does not support a campaign of racial persecution.” The organisation said: “South Africa’s violent-crime crisis affects every community, including black farmers and farmworkers. Research indicates that farm attacks are driven mainly by robbery and other criminal motives rather than by a coordinated campaign of racial persecution.”

Concerns about wider consequences

AfSA warned the campaign could have economic and social repercussions. “The distorted narrative could discourage tourism and investment in South Africa. Within South Africa, it can inflame racial suspicion and undermine cooperation between communities whose safety depends on one another,” the organisation said.

On political fallout, AfSA warned that actions in the US could be used in domestic political contests abroad: “With American midterm elections approaching, we fear this display will give that campaign fresh ammunition. South Africans should not pay the price for a small faction’s political point-scoring and fundraising in America.”

Lex Libertas and the Washington display

Lex Libertas plans to plant 3 000 white crosses on the National Mall, visible from the US Capitol, as part of a conference it will host with American political figures. The group’s founder, Dr Ernst Roets, said the organisation took the campaign abroad after failing to gain traction with the South African government:

“The crisis affecting South Africa has been ignored for too long, and we intend to bring it directly to the attention of the international community in a way that would make continued attempts to deny the existence of the crisis exceedingly difficult.”

Diplomatic context

The article notes recent US measures targeting South Africa. It says last week US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced new visa restrictions aimed at foreign nationals accused of involvement in race‑based discrimination and uncompensated land seizures in South Africa.

It also records comments attributed to Leo Brent Bozell III and to former US President Donald Trump in relation to allegations about treatment of white South Africans. The piece reports that Trump has made claims about Afrikaners being systematically “killed and slaughtered” and previously showed videos during bilateral talks with President Cyril Ramaphosa. It also records International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola saying “the story of white genocide does not exist” and that those making the claims cannot show evidence.

AfSA’s closing appeal

AfSA urged Americans to “listen to a wider range of South African voices” and to “support practical and honest efforts to reduce violence across all communities. Honour all victims. Demand the full picture. Help us build a safer, more united South Africa,” the organisation said.