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Controversy surrounded singer Paul Simon’s visit to South Africa to record the album Graceland, released in 1986. The AAM and Artists Against Apartheid condemned it as a breach of the cultural boycott. The UN Special Committee Against Apartheid placed Paul Simon on its register of artists who had broken the boycott. Paul Simon defended himself on the grounds that the album showcased the talents of black South African musicians. This leaflet advertised a protest outside a concert by Paul Simon at the Royal Albert Hall in April 1987.

Controversy surrounded singer Paul Simon’s 1986 visit to South Africa to record the ‘Graceland’ album. The AAM argued that the visit broke the cultural boycott of South Africa. The UN Special Committee against Apartheid put Paul Simon on its register of artists who had performed in South Africa. This picture shows anti-apartheid supporters outside a concert given by Paul Simon at the Royal Albert Hall on 7 April 1987.

Controversy surrounded singer Paul Simon’s 1986 visit to South Africa to record the ‘Graceland’ album. The AAM argued that the visit broke the cultural boycott of South Africa. The UN Special Committee against Apartheid put Paul Simon on its register of artists who had performed in South Africa. The photograph shows musician Jerry Dammers outside the Royal Albert Hall on 7 April 1987 with a letter from Artists Against Apartheid. The letter asked Paul Simon to apologise for his visit and give a pledge that he would not repeat it.

Jews Against Apartheid was formed in August 1986 and played an important part in the AAM’s Multi-Faith Committee.This leaflet advertised a public meeting in London in January 1987. The meeting was part of an international speaking tour by Johannesburg rabbi Ben Isaacson, founding member of Jews for Justice, and Rev Zachariah Mokgoebo from the Black Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa and a member of the Civic Association of Soweto.

Jews Against Apartheid was formed in August 1986 and played an important part in the AAM’s Multi-Faith Committee. Over 150 Jews met outside South Africa House on 16 April 1987 to conduct a Seder for Freedom in Southern Africa. In the picture are Rabbis Alexandra Wright, Colin Eimer and Daniel Smith and writer Bernard Kops.

Marks and Spencer became the focus of the South Africa boycott campaign in Greater Manchester after it refused to discuss its purchasing policy. In 1987 local anti-apartheid campaigners collected 10,000 signatures to a petition asking it not to sell South African products. The petition was presented to the store by the Bishop of Manchester. M&S also had links with the South African company Wooltru, which stocked M&S merchandise.

Members of the Royal Shakespeare Company joined protests against the invitation to the South African Embassy to take part in the annual Shakespeare birthday celebrations at Stratford in April 1987. Fifty countries pulled out after the organisers refused to withdraw the invitation to South Africa.

Police arrest a protester at a demonstration against the invitation to the South African Embassy to take part in the annual Shakespeare birthday celebrations at Stratford in April 1987. Members of the Royal Shakespeare Company joined the protests. Fifty countries pulled out after the organisers refused to withdraw the invitation to South Africa.