Mandela in New York
by Tom Callan
Title
Mandela in New York
Artist
Tom Callan
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
June 20, 1990. Nelson Mandela (b. July 18, 1918) and his wife Winnie Mandela arrive at JFK for his first visit to New York following his release from prison five months ago. Following is a clip from the New York Times about his arrival at JFK:
Mr. Mandela's red and white plane, a Canadian military transport, touched down just after 11:30 A.M. at Kennedy, A.M., where several hundred elected officials, community advocates, African National Congress members and supporters and journalists had been waiting for hours, most of them, it seemed, talking on cellular telephones.
Mr. Wilkins, the writer and educator who is running the American trip, called in the middle of the night, a senior aide to Mr. Dinkins said, to tell Harry Belafonte, the singer who is one of the main organizers here, that Mr. Mandela was tired and needed more rest. Mr. Wilkins said the African National Congress wanted to cancel the visit to Boys and Girls High School, the mayoral aide said, but Mr. Lynch, the Deputy Mayor, insisted that it go forward.
But Mr. Mandela appeared almost radiant as he stepped from the hatch of the airplane, a tall figure in a conservative gray suit, blue shirt and dark-patterned tie. He would soon be wearing a gold ''big apple'' pin in his lapel. Behind him, Winnie Mandela, wearing purple and white traditional African dress with a matching head wrap, raised a clenched fist.
'Child at Christmas'
''I saw astounded people; I saw euphoric people,'' Mr. Wilkins said at the end of the day. ''I saw a nearly 72-year-old man tired from a very emotional day. But when I was running by that security vehicle, I looked up, and the smile on his face was like a child at Christmas.''
A receiving line of about 50 dignitaries, including the Mayor and his wife, Joyce, and Govs. Mario M. Cuomo of New York and Jim Florio of New Jersey, was stretched along a red carpet to a speakers stand where the African National Congress's black, green and yellow flag stood along with city, state and American flags.
But Mr. Mandela first stooped down, his hands on his knees, and gave his undivided attention to two young girls, members of the African National Congress, who tied scarves in the group's colors, bandana style, around his and his wife's necks in greeting.
Then, moving with the dignified, almost regal bearing - he is a hereditary tribal chief - that he would maintain, Mr. Mandela took 10 minutes to work his way through the receiving line and then swept past the speakers stand to greet the crowd of several hundred supporters.
'Walk Together'
''It is a source of tremendous joy and strength for us, my wife, our delegation, to be received with such a rousing welcome by the people of the city,'' he said in brief remarks after being welcomed by the Mayor and both Governors.
''Join us in the international actions we are taking. The only way we can walk together on this difficult road is for you to insure that sanctions are applied,'' he added in what he said would be his main message throughout his visit.
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July 18th, 2013
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