Free Mandela

Twenty-five freedom marchers, one for each year of Mandela’s imprisonment, walked nearly 600 miles from Glasgow to London in June and July 1988. They were seen off at a rally in Glasgow on 12 June by ANC President Oliver Tambo. Along the way they held meetings and events calling for Mandela’s release. On 17 July over 50,000 people joined the marchers on the last leg of the march to Hyde Park, where a crowd of a quarter of a million people heard Desmond Tutu call for Mandela’s release. This form asked AAM supporters to sponsor Alan Brooks, who acted as chief steward on the march.

This leaflet publicised a march and rally held in Glasgow on 12 June 1988 to see off the Nelson Mandela freedom marchers. The main speakers at the rally were ANC President Oliver Tambo, the President of the AAM, Archbishop Trevor Huddleston and rock star Jim Kerr. Thousands joined the first stage of the five-week march.

Poster advertising the Nelson Mandela Freedom March, 12 June–17 July 1988. Twenty-five freedom marchers, one for each year of Mandela’s imprisonment, walked nearly 600 miles from Glasgow to London. They were seen off at a rally in Glasgow on 12 June by ANC President Oliver Tambo. Along the way they held meetings and events calling for Mandela’s release. On 17 July over 50,000 people joined the marchers on the last leg of the march to Hyde Park, where a crowd of a quarter of a million people heard Desmond Tutu call for Mandela’s release.

Jim Kerr of the rock band Simple Minds launched the Nelson Mandela Freedom March at a rally in Glasgow on 12 June 1988. Among the speakers at the rally were ANC President Oliver Tambo, SWAPO leader Andimba Toivo ja Toivo, Domingos Ginga of MPLA, Allan Boesak, Labour MPs Bernie Grant and Joan Lestor and the President and Chair of the AAM, Trevor Huddleston and Bob Hughes MP. The Freedom March was part of the AAM’s Nelson Mandela: Freedom at 70 campaign.

Demonstration to launch the Nelson Mandela Freedom March in Glasgow on 12 June 1988. As part of the AAM’s ‘Nelson Mandela: Freedom at 70’ campaign, 25 Mandela freedom marchers walked 590 miles from Glasgow to London, 12 June–17 July 1988. They took part in meetings and events in 40 cities and towns along the way. Left to right: SWAPO leader Andimba Toivo ja Toivo, Janey Buchan MP, AAM President Trevor Huddleston and Jim Kerr of Simple Minds.

Twenty-five freedom marchers, one for each year of Mandela’s imprisonment, walked 590 miles from Glasgow to London, 12 June–17 July 1988. The march was part of the AAM’s ‘Nelson Mandela: Freedom at 70’ campaign. Local supporters organised meetings and events in the 40 cities and towns they passed along the way.

Twenty-five freedom marchers, one for each year of Mandela’s imprisonment, walked nearly 600 miles from Glasgow to London in June and July 1988. Along the way they held meetings and events calling for Mandela’s release. This leaflet advertised the march as it came through Tyneside in the north-east of England.

The Nelson Mandela Freedom marchers leaving Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Twenty-five freedom marchers, one for each year of Mandela’s imprisonment, walked 590 miles from Glasgow to London, 12 June–17 July 1988. The march was part of the AAM’s ‘Nelson Mandela: Freedom at 70’ campaign. Local supporters organised meetings and events in the 40 cities and towns they passed along the way.