Browse the AAM Archive

The AAM prepared this memorandum for the Labour government elected in October 1964. It asked the government to support UN sanctions against South Africa, commit itself to freedom for South West Africa (Namibia) and contribute to the Defence and Aid Fund. It also pressed for a more stringent arms embargo.

In November 1964 the AAM launched a campaign calling for the release of political prisoners in South Africa. The campaign began with a poster parade around Trafalgar Square on 31 October, followed by a vigil every Saturday during the month, focusing on a different group of prisoners – students and teachers, churchmen, women and trade unionists. It culminated in a meeting in Central Hall, Westminster on 30 November.

Trade union and ANC activist Vuyisile Mini and his comrades Wilson Khayinga and Zinakile Mkhaba were sentenced to death for their alleged complicity in the killing of an informer. Mini was a gifted singer and writer of freedom songs. In spite of an international campaign and an appeal by the UN Security Council, the three men were hanged on 6 November 1964.

The AAM produced this leaflet for British trade unionists in the mid-1960s.

The Labour government elected in October 1964 continued to supply spare parts for South African military equipment and to train SADF personnel. It also supplied 18 Buccaneer aircraft under a contract signed by the Conservative government. The AAM campaigned against this as a betrayal of Labour Leader Harold Wilson’s pledge to ‘stop this bloody traffic in the weapons of oppression’.

From its foundation as the Boycott Movement in 1959, the AAM put the consumer boycott at the centre of its campaigns. It produced regular updated lists of South African brands. This leaflet was produced soon after the AAM moved to its new offices in Charlotte Street in 1964.

In January 1965 the AAM launched a monthly newspaper, Anti-Apartheid News. It told the British public about life under apartheid and publicised AAM campaigns. AA News was published 10 times a year without a break until 1994.

The AAM had high hopes of the Labour government elected in 1964, but was soon became disillusioned by its failure to impose a total arms embargo against South Africa. On 8 March 1965 it organised a lobby of Parliament. It printed 30,000 of these postcards with a picture of the Sharpeville massacre for supporters to send to the Prime Minister.