pic7108. Vigil for political prisoners, 1971

The AAM held a 24-hour vigil outside South Africa House on 1–2 August 1971 to protest against the trials of Rev Gonville ffrench-Beytagh, Anglican Dean of Johannesburg, and 14 members of the South African Unity Movement. All the accused told the court they had been tortured. Thirteen of the Unity Movement members were found guilty of offences under the Terrorism Act and sentenced to prison terms on Robben Island. At the same time, the Dean of Johannesburg was charged under the Terrorism Act with helping the families of political prisoners. He was sentenced to five years imprisonment, but later released on appeal. In the photo is Canon John Collins, first Chairman of the Defence and Aid Fund for Southern Africa.