Africa28 September, 20262 min read
Lex Libertas Plants 3,000 White Crosses on Washington’s National Mall for South Africa Farm Victims
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3,000 white crosses erected on National Mall representing farm-attack victims in South Africa. Campaign aims to draw international attention to South Africa's farm-crimes crisis.
5 outlets told this the same way.
3,000 Crosses in Washington
Lex Libertas erected 3,000 white crosses on the National Mall in Washington, DC on Saturday, 26 September 2026 to represent victims of farm attacks in South Africa. Dr Ernst Roets said the campaign aimed to “create a powerful visual representation of the human cost of the crisis and to ensure that the issue receives international attention”. Lex Libertas said it would try “to engage journalists, commentators and media platforms in other countries, particularly in the United States and Europe” to build “growing global awareness”.
“‘To put a racial lens on it, it doesn't help.”
The White Cross Project drew supporters and officials for a vigil that Lex Libertas described as the grand finale of its US tour, and it prepared the crosses for shipment to South Africa after dismantling them. Ruda Landman said Lex Libertas wants to go back to separate development and she argued that “To put a racial lens on it, it doesn't help.”
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Roets, Roelf Meyer Clash
Dr Ernst Roets said Lex Libertas decided to take its campaign abroad after years of unsuccessful attempts to engage the South African government, arguing that the way to find a solution was “to get more international pressure”. Roets said the campaign would seek invitations for the White House, the National Security Council, the US State Department, media organisations and think tanks as it planned the installation of 3,000 white crosses on the National Mall. Roelf Meyer dismissed Lex Libertas claims, telling the campaign it could harm discussions between the United States and South Africa and warning, “If punitive action is taken as a result, it will affect everyone in South Africa.”
Roelf Meyer said “It is misinforming the situation and is not based on facts when statements are made claiming there is political persecution and the confiscation of land,” while Lex Libertas continued to frame the crosses as representing victims of farm attacks. Ruda Landman said Afrikaners for South Africa came together to be “another voice in our own community” and she stressed that violent crime is a “terrible scourge in South Africa.”
Next Steps in Pretoria
Lex Libertas announced it would bring the White Cross Project to South Africa by setting up a demonstration on the lawns of the Union Buildings in Pretoria. Lex Libertas said it was scheduled to meet with White House representatives on Monday to discuss the next steps of its international campaign. Polity.org.za said the 3,000 crosses had already been dismantled, loaded onto trucks, and were being prepared for shipment to South Africa.
Ramaphosa discouraged the campaign in a weekly letter, saying, “travelling to foreign capitals to spread the falsehood of a ‘white genocide’ and discourage investment in one’s own country is neither responsible nor patriotic.” The Department of International Relations and Cooperation spokesperson Chrispin Phiri said, “Accusations of systemic persecution of Afrikaners are unfounded,” and he pointed to SAPS crime statistics and farm-related murders from January to March.