Catalogue Number
NMLH.1994.168.247
Object Name
Poster
Title
Against Racism, Against Apartheid poster
Place
Glasgow & Scotland
People
Nelson Mandela
Events
South African Apartheid
Date
1960-1980
Description
Black and white screen-printed poster. In large black text at the top of the poster it says "FROM GLASGOW TO JOHANNESBURG, FROM CARDIFF TO CAPE TOWN." Underneath this there is a large photograph of a group of people smiling - it looks like they are sat down at a protest/talk. The photograph is mainly of four Black people smiling at the camera. On the right hand side of the photograph in small black text it says "Photo: Joanne O'Brien/format. Typeset and printed by Calver's press (TU) Worker's Co-operative - 01-739 1474" Underneath the photograph in large white text, with a black background it said "AGAINST RACISM, AGAINST APARTHEID." At the bottom of the poster in smaller black text it says "A YOUNG COMMUNIST POSTER.16 St John Street. London EC1.01-251 4406." This poster is calling for international solidarity with people in South Africa and the segregationist policies of the apartheid in South Africa. - The Anti-Apartheid Movement (AAM) opposed South African apartheid; a system of institutionalised racial segregation that ensured that the country was dominated politically, socially and economically by the minority white population. The movement began as the Boycott Movement in 1959, asking British people not to buy South African goods. The boycott gained widespread support from students, trade unions, and the Labour, Liberal and Communist parties. In 1960 the group was renamed the 'Anti-Apartheid Movement' following the Sharpeville massacre, when 69 unarmed protestors were shot dead by South African police, and the movement chose to move beyond simple boycotts. The AAM led protests and vigils, including a 72-hour vigil outside the Commonwealth Secretariat venue in 1961 that led to South Africa being expelled from the Commonwealth. They were also instrumental in revealing racism in South African sports, which resulted in the suspension and eventual expulsion of South Africa from the Olympics. They also aimed to encourage economic sanctions, but never truly succeeded in this. The AAM grew into the biggest British pressure group on an international issue. The AAM operated until 1994, when South Africa held their first democratic elections. The poster is in good condition, with slight fraying on the right hand side.
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