stu07. Durham students demonstration

Students at Durham University first asked the university authorities to sell shares in companies with South African subsidiaries in 1972. In 1974 they rejected the response of the University Council, which endorsed the British government’s code of conduct for companies investing in South Africa. This leaflet publicised a mass demonstration against the university’s refusal to sell, held in February 1975. Over 1,000 students marched through Durham. Durham University’s Vice-Chancellor responded by circulating other universities suggesting they should ensure British influence in South Africa was exerted against apartheid. This was rejected by Durham Students Union, which continued to campaign for disinvestment.