Local AA groups

Anti-apartheid demonstrators marched through Exeter to protest at a visit by the South African ‘Barbarians’ rugby team in the autumn of 1979. The team’s game against Devon was part of an eight-match tour of Britain. There were protests at every match. The Sports Council, TUC, British Council of Churches, and Labour and Liberal Parties all called for the cancellation of the tour.

The South African Barbarians rugby team’s tour of Britain in 1979 was part of South Africa’s attempt to get back into world rugby. This leaflet publicised a protest at the team’s fixture against Coventry organised by the local anti-apartheid group. It appealed to British trade unionists to support their fellow workers in South Africa.

Demonstrators protested in Coventry on 17 October 1979 against a visit by the South African ‘Barbarians’ rugby team. The eight-match tour of Britain was part of South Africa’s attempt to get back into world rugby. There were protests at every match. The Sports Council, TUC, British Council of Churches, and Labour and Liberal Parties all called for the cancellation of the tour.

This sweatshirt featuring the AAM badge was produced in a range of colours by the AAM. The design was first used by Barnet AA Group, which pioneered the production of T-shirts and sweatshirts publicising AAM campaigns in the late 1970s.

Poster advertising an AAM fortnight of events to celebrate South Africa Freedom Day, 26 June 1980. The poster provided space for local anti-apartheid groups to insert information about local activities.

This programme of events organised by Merton AA Group in south London, October–December 1980, included a fundraising filmshow and concert, with Liverpool reggae band Cross Section, and an evening of poetry and music with South African singer James Phillips. It advertised pickets of the local branches of Sainsbury’s and Barclays Bank, and a material aid collection.

Merseyside AA Group prioritised campaigning for support among local trade unionists. This leaflet argued that unemployment in Britain was a direct consequence of the low wages and repression of South African workers.

As grassroots support for anti-apartheid campaigns grew from the early 1980s, local AA groups formed regional committees to co-ordinate activities. This conference, in south-west England in February 1981, discussed trade and investment in South Africa, solidarity with the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO) in Namibia and campaigning in British trade unions.