Anti-Racist

Organisations
POLITICAL PRESSURE GROUPS 1964-75

Racist Attitudes
Racial tensions heightened with the decreasing
demand for labour
Enoch Powells Rivers of Blood speech in 1968
proved highly divisive. The speech was critical of
commonwealth immigration and anti-discrimination
legislature being passed.

Rise of Anti-Racism
In the 1960/70s many anti-racist groups were formed
to begin campaigning for policies that would promote
anti-discriminatory practice and equal opportunities
They were also set up to oppose the increasingly
popular far right groups such as the NF
Many street demonstrations of these groups were
often opposed by anti-racist protestors, sometimes
ending with violent clashes

Anti-Nazi League
Set up in 1977, backed by Socialist Workers Party
Lots of celebrity endorsements
Supported by Communists, trade unions, Labour party
members
Working class movement associated with politicians
and celebrities
Linked with Rock against Racism and held 2 giant
carnivals in 1978

Anti-Nazi League - Clashes

Opposed far right groups such as National Front and the
British Movement
Had fight squads which safeguarded the ANL and fought
National Front street gangs
Demonstration in Southall to disrupt National Front electoral
meeting in April 1979
Confrontation with police 40 injured (21 police), 300 arrested
Blair Peach struck in the head died, no police officer charged

Anti-Nazi League - Influence

1977-79 9 Million leaflets, 750,000 badges sold
Raised 600,000 from individual donations from 1977-80
Largest mass movement in Britain since the Campaign for
Nuclear Disarmament in the 60s
Strongly damaged National Fronts public image, due to
association with Nazism
Left wingers and anti racist movements were suspicious of the
ANL, they feared an attempt to seize leadership of Anti Racist
movement

The West African Students Union

(WASU)
Founded on 7 August 1925
Campaigned for improved welfare for African students
in the UK and rapid decolonisation of African colonies
African house
Macmillan debate

Teachers Against Racism

Many teachers believed Black children were held back
in the school system
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, the presence of
Black children in British schools was seen as
problematic
Bernard Coards book