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The AAM’s ‘Southern Africa: the Time to Choose’ conference culminated in a 15,000-strong march and rally on 14 March 1982. The rally in Trafalgar Square was the biggest anti-apartheid demonstration since Sharpeville in 1960. Speakers included ANC Secretary General Alfred Nzo, representatives of the Labour and Liberal Parties and the TUC, asylum seekers campaigner Anwar Ditta and the only black member of the British Sports Council, Paul Stephenson. On the morning of the demonstration a bomb blast destroyed part of the ANC’s London office.

Bomb damage at the ANC office at Penton Street in north London after an explosion early in the morning of 14 March 1982. The bomb was placed by South African agents on the day of the AAM’s ‘Southern Africa: the Time to Choose’ rally at which Oliver Tambo was scheduled to speak. The bombing was the worst of a series of undercover operations, including break-ins and burglaries at the ANC, SWAPO and AAM offices.

Bomb damage at the ANC office at Penton Street in north London after an explosion early in the morning of 14 March 1982. The bomb was placed by South African agents on the day of the AAM’s ‘Southern Africa: the Time to Choose’ rally at which Oliver Tambo was scheduled to speak. The bombing was the worst of a series of undercover operations, including break-ins and burglaries at the ANC, SWAPO and AAM offices.

The ANC’s London office was seriously damaged by a bomb planted at the back of the building in the early morning of 14 March 1982. This appeal, signed by Archbishop Trevor Huddleston, trade unionist Jack Jones and the leaders of the Labour and Liberal Parties, asked the British public to contribute to a fund to help the ANC rebuild and re-equip its offices.

One of a set of posters produced for the AAM’s ‘Southern Africa: The Time to Choose’ demonstration on 14 March 1982. At the same time as it called for the total isolation of South Africa, the AAM called for support for the liberation movements and all those fighting for freedom in Southern Africa. After Zimbabwe won its independence in 1980, the AAM concentrated its activities on Namibia and South Africa.

One of a set of posters produced for the AAM’s ‘Southern Africa: The Time to Choose’ demonstration on 14 March 1982. At the same time as it called for the total isolation of South Africa, the AAM called for support for the liberation movements and all those fighting for freedom in Southern Africa. After Zimbabwe won its independence in 1980, the AAM concentrated its activities on Namibia and South Africa.

One of a set of posters produced for the AAM’s ‘Southern Africa: The Time to Choose’ demonstration on 14 March 1982. At the same time as it called for the total isolation of South Africa, the AAM called for support for the liberation movements and all those fighting for freedom in Southern Africa. After Zimbabwe won its independence in 1980, the AAM concentrated its activities on Namibia and South Africa.

One of a set of four posters produced for the AAM’s ‘Southern Africa: The Time to Choose’ demonstration on 14 March 1982. The isolation of apartheid South Africa was the central theme of Anti-Apartheid Movement campaigns from its foundation as the Boycott Movement in 1959. It worked to isolate apartheid in every arena, including sport and culture, and trade and investment.