Free Mandela

Badge produced for the AAM campaign for the release of Nelson Mandela in response to a petition launched by the Sunday Post in South Africa in 1980. The AAM distributed thousands of badges, leaflets and stickers calling for Mandela’s release. A ‘Free Mandela’ declaration was endorsed by British MPs, trade unions, playwrights, musicians and academics.

Scottish AAM supporters marched through Glasgow on 12 December 1980, calling for the release of Nelson Mandela .

Vigil on the steps of St Martin’s in the Fields on 16 March 1981, calling for the release of Nelson Mandela. Left to right: Dulcie September, Theo Kotze, former Director of the South African Christian Institute, former political prisoners Stephen Lee and Tim Jenkin, British miners leader Mick McGahey and actor Joanna Lumley. The vigil was the start of a joint campaign by the AAM and the International Defence and Aid Fund.

In 1980 the AAM launched a new campaign calling for the release of Nelson Mandela in response to a petition distributed by the Sunday Post in South Africa. A 'Free Nelson Mandela' Declaration was endorsed by trade unionists, politicians, academics and playwrights. It was presented at a ceremony in the House of Commons on 1 April 1981 in the presence of Bishop Desmond Tutu, Labour and Liberal Party leaders Michael Foot and David Steel, and other dignitaries. In the photo are AAM Chair Bob Hughes, MP, Bishop Desmond Tutu and AAM Hon. Secretary Abdul Minty.

Nelson Mandela was given the Freedom of the City of Glasgow on 4 August 1981. Glasgow was the first of many British cities to honour Mandela in this way. The photograph shows ANC representative Ruth Mompati at a meeting in Glasgow City Chambers held after the award ceremony. Also in the photo are Nigerian Vice-President Alex Ekwueme,  the Lord Provost of Glasgow Michael Kelly and Scottish AA Committee Chair, Brian Filling.

On 11 October 1982 the AAM launched a new campaign for the release of Nelson Mandela in response to a request from Oliver Tambo. On the eve of the launch supporters took part in a ‘Free Nelson Mandela’ sponsored cycle ride from Richmond Park to Trafalgar Square. Next day the AAM launched an international petition calling for Mandela’s release and held a torchlight vigil outside the South African Embassy.

This petition was launched on 11 October 1982, International Day of Solidarity with South African Political Prisoners. At the same time, the Free Nelson Mandela Co-ordinating Committee was set up to ask sympathetic groups to organise events to celebrate Nelson Mandela’s 65th birthday on 18 July 1983.

These stickers reproduced the logo for the 1982-83 ‘Release Mandela!’ campaign. The logo was used on material advertising events organised under the umbrella of the Free Nelson Mandela Co-ordinating Committee.