The Sharpeville Six were sentenced to death in December 1985 because they were present at a protest where black collaborators were killed. One of the six was a woman, Theresa Ramashamola. After huge international protests the death sentences were commuted in July 1988.
AAM supporters marched through the centre of Manchester to demand sanctions against South Africa on 8 November.
Milton Keynes AA Group launched a shopping trolley campaign against sales of South African produce at the local branch of Budgens, in November 1986. The group’s newsletter asked for support for the Shell boycott launched in the USA in January. It reported on a Workers Educational Association day school on South Africa in neighbouring Newport Pagnell and on a successful fundraising rock concert held at the Open University.
Poster advertising a gig featuring The Smiths and The Fall to raise funds for the AAM at the Royal Albert Hall on 14 November 1986. The concert was one of a series organised by Artists Against Apartheid, formed by Jerry Dammers in April 1986. The concert was postponed because Johnny Marr was injured in a car accident and it was rescheduled at a different venue.
Supporters of the Campaign Against the Namibian Uranium Contract (CANUC) held regular protests outside the British Nuclear Fuels processing plant at Springfields, near Preston in the north of England. This leaflet publicised a demonstration on 14 November 1986. Between 1977 and 1985 half of Britain’s uranium imports came from the Rossing mine in Namibia. RTZ operated the mine in defiance of UN resolutions. After 1985 Britain continued to re-export Namibian uranium to European and Japanese nuclear power plants.
Anti-apartheid activists drove a model tank to the Shell Centre on London’s South Bank on 15 November 1986. They were highlighting Shell’s role in supplying fuel for the South African Defence in Namibia. The action was part of an International Day of Action against Shell supported by groups in the USA, Holland, Denmark, Sweden and Australia. The AAM launched a total boycott of Shell from 1 March 1987.
Leaflet advertising a concert headlining The Smiths, organised by Artists Against Apartheid at the Royal Albert Hall in November 1986. The concert was rescheduled because band member Johnny Marr was hurt in a car accident. It eventually took place at the Brixton Academy on 12 December. The concert was one of many high profile gigs arranged by Artists Against Apartheid to raise funds for the AAM.
This LP, released by independent label Davy Lamp in 1986, featured tracks by indie rock group The Housemartins, Bill Bragg, Attila the Stockbroker and other artists. The proceeds were donated to the Anti-Apartheid Movement.
