Browse the AAM Archive

A quarter of a million people took part in the AAM’s Festival for Freedom on London’s Clapham Common on 28 June 1986, the culmination of a month-long campaign for sanctions against South Africa. The programme, including sets by Boy George and Sting, was organised by Artists Against Apartheid.

Programme for the AAM’s March and Festival for Freedom on 28 June 1986, the culmination of a month-long campaign for sanctions against South Africa. Thousands of people joined the march from Hyde Park to Clapham Common. At the Festival 250,000 heard a star-studded programme organised by Artists Against Apartheid. Thabo Mbeki of the ANC and Shapua Kaukugua of SWAPO asked the crowd to support the freedom struggles in South Africa and Namibia. 

Labour students poster advertising the AAM’s March and Festival for Freedom on 28 June 1986, the culmination of a month-long intensive campaign for sanctions. Thousands marched from central London to Clapham Common, where 250,000 people attended a star-studded concert organised by Artists Against Apartheid. Speakers at the concert included Thabo Mbeki of the ANC and Moses Garoeb of the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO).

Thousands of people joined the AAM’s ‘March for Freedom’ from Hyde Park to Clapham Common on 28 June 1986. The march was the culmination of a month-long campaign for sanctions against South Africa. They called for an end to all British support for apartheid. At Clapham Common 250,000 took part in a Festival for Freedom with a star-studded programme organised by Artists Against Apartheid.

Thousands of people joined the AAM’s ‘March for Freedom’ from Hyde Park to Clapham Common on 28 June 1986. It was the culmination of a month-long campaign for sanctions against South Africa. They called for an end to all British support for apartheid. At Clapham Common 250,000 took part in a Festival for Freedom with a star-studded programme organised by Artists Against Apartheid.

Thousands of people joined the AAM’s ‘March for Freedom’ from Hyde Park to Clapham Common on 28 June 1986. It was the culmination of a month-long campaign for sanctions against South Africa. They called for an end to all British support for apartheid. At Clapham Common 250,000 took part in a Festival for Freedom with a star-studded programme organised by Artists Against Apartheid.

Thousands of people joined the AAM’s ‘March for Freedom’ from Hyde Park to Clapham Common on 28 June 1986. It was the culmination of a month-long campaign for sanctions against South Africa. They called for an end to all British support for apartheid. At Clapham Common 250,000 took part in a Festival for Freedom with a star-studded programme organised by Artists Against Apartheid.

The platform at the AAM’s Festival for Freedom on Clapham Common on 28 June 1986. 250,000 people heard performers including Sting, Billy Bragg, Maxi Priest, Gil Scott-Heron, Audio Dynamite and Hugh Masekela. The programme was organised by Artists Against Apartheid.