Boycott

This issue of Bath AA Group’s Newsletter proposed a programme for local activity in support of the AAM’s Boycott 89 Campaign. It publicised regular pickets of Sainsbury’s and a role-playing workshop for new members to help them deal with ‘unfriendly comments’.

Local AA groups all over Britain organised activities as part of the AAM’s Boycott Apartheid 89 campaign. Tyneside AA Group asked the supermarket chain William Laws to reinstate a local worker sacked for refusing to handle South African fruit. This leaflet publicised its Boycott Conference and a fundraising concert for workers on strike at BTR in South Africa.

Anti-apartheid supporters in Maidstone, Kent asked shoppers to boycott Cape Fruit as part of the AAM’s ‘Boycott Apartheid 89’ campaign. All over Britain local AA groups talked to shoppers and motorists outside supermarkets and Shell garages.

Poster advertising a benefit concert at the Tabernacle in Notting Hill, West London organised by Notting Hill Anti-Apartheid Group. The AAM received no government or large institutional grants and depended on membership subscriptions and events like this for funding.

Anti-apartheid supporters in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, talked to shoppers at the city’s main branch of Tesco as part of the AAM’s ‘Boycott Apartheid 89’ campaign in March 1989. All over Britain local AA groups gave out campaign leaflets outside supermarkets and Shell garages.

Bristol AA Group supporters asked shoppers not to buy South African wine. They were taking part in the AAM’s ‘Boycott Apartheid 89’ campaign in March 1989. All over Britain local AA groups gave out campaign leaflets outside supermarkets and Shell garages. As well as wine and fruit, the campaign focused on tourism and imports of coal and gold.

Labour MP Bernie Grant with Haringey AA Group activist Sean O’Donovan, signing the AAM’s ‘Boycott Apartheid 89’ petition.

In March 1989 the AAM held a month of anti-apartheid action on women. Women all over Britain held meetings, exhibitions and demonstrations outside supermarkets selling South African and Namibian products. The month had three themes: the collection of material aid for South African and Namibian women, freedom for women prisoners and the boycott of South African and Namibian products.