Friday 9 August was the day of the paperback book launch of Youth Activism and Solidarity: the Non-stop Picket Against Apartheid by Gavin Brown and Helen Yaffe. The Non-Stop Picket outside the South African Embassy in London’s Trafalgar Square lasted from April 1986 until just after Nelson Mandela’s release from prison in February 1990. The book launch celebration took place on the same site almost 30 years later – bringing together many of the original picketers and members of City of London Anti-Apartheid Group. It was a moving experience for both those involved in the four-year picket and for those who came to pay tribute to a vibrant, principled, organised anti-racist challenge to British imperialism under the slogan ‘Britain Out of Apartheid and Apartheid Out of Britain’.
The book presents an important oral history, with interviews with over 90 former participants and others involved – even including some police officers. The launch event rekindled the spirit of determined, vibrant picketing which characterised the Non-Stop Picket. Using copies of the original picket song sheets, there was singing and dancing on the pavement – and people quickly stopped to read the messages on the original banners and enquire what was happening. Many RCG comrades and supporters participated, alongside many former picketers, with one even Skyping in from Australia!
One of the original picketers, Richard Roques, facilitated the event, calling up key comrades to speak and leading songs. The Revolutionary Communist Group brought a message of solidarity from comrade Carol Brickley, former convenor of the City Group – and the pavement erupted into chants of ‘Carol, Carol our convenor…’. Her message was very important (see p211 of the book) – as she stated:
‘The City Group experience is a starting point rather than the end point; the next movement will incorporate that knowledge and that experience.’
And this became the key theme of the event.
David Yaffe of the RCG spoke concretely about the importance of moving away from ‘respectable’ politics and ‘establishment norms’ and that by doing so City of London Anti-Apartheid Group won important battles, like the release of Steven Kitson, that pre-dated the Non-Stop Picket. He went on to share other lessons, including that all those involved in building pickets, of whatever tendencies, must have a right to speak, have a right to sell their literature and have a right to play a leading role in the process that they were involved in; no sectarianism, no restrictions against certain tendencies – everyone has a right to be involved. That is what is needed now and that is the way to build real resistance today.
Both Gavin and Helen spoke about the book and the important message it contains. Helen went on to speak about lessons from the picket that she wanted to draw out for present day activism. These included the following:
- Boycotts should be part of an active political campaign, not a passive, consumer/individual action;
- Use all available channels simultaneously, from pressure group tactics to direct action in streets;
- Make campaign/boycott relevant to people in Britain by relating to racial, class and sexual oppression – identification will increase participation;
- Defence campaigns are vital – success brings publicity, builds confidence and commitment (City Group had over 700 arrests with 90% of court cases won!);
- Educate activists, they must know what they are fighting for & against, especially the role of British political/economic interests;
- Don’t be held back by disapproval of ‘respectable’ forces;
- Internal democracy encourages participation, everyone has speaking rights and responsibilities, no censorship of literature or groups;
- Organise creative, vibrant, exciting pickets that share strong messages in different media;
Amandla Kitson spoke about the vital role that her family played in the anti-apartheid struggle and how this led to the Non-Stop Picket against apartheid. British-born David Kitson, Amandla’s father, was one of the longest serving white political prisoners in Apartheid’s jails from 1964 until his release in 1984. He was a member of the South African Communist Party (SACP) and played a crucial role in the early days of the armed struggle in the 1960s. Norma, Amandla’s mother was also a member of the SACP working in its underground cell structure in the ANC. She too was arrested, detained and harassed by the police. In 1966, following David’s arrest and imprisonment, she moved to exile in London with her children, Steven and Amandla. Steven visited his father in prison as often as possible but on 6 January 1982 during a visit he was accused of being an ANC courier, arrested and tortured. The Free Steven Kitson Campaign was immediately launched in London by Norma with the support of Carol Brickley and David Yaffe. Amandla celebrated the important contribution of the RCG in the struggle and ended by saying:
‘My father was a communist and if he were alive today, he would still be a communist and he would be here with us fighting against capitalism!’
The book launch coincided with Women’s Day in South Africa. Many more songs were shared and Richard managed to get everyone singing and moving!
After the street event we all walked to a nearby community centre where the celebrations continued. Many former picketers, RCG members and supporters told their stories and memories on the open mic to a full room. There were over 60 people in attendance.
Some of the drummers from Batucada Mandela, who used to play samba on the Non-Stop picket, came along with their latest troupe and drummed up solidarity with all those resisting Bolsonaro in Brazil. The drummers said they were preparing for a Carnival float – a political intervention in this year’s carnival with placards and messages against the politics of Bolsonaro. Continuing the link from the past to the present was an important message of the book launch. Palestine was raised as an example of present-day apartheid. An RCG speaker related lessons learnt from the Non-Stop Picket to present day actions, including our pickets of Esso petrol stations, highlighting the role of ExxonMobil & the Trump administration in tightening Helms Burton Title III attack on Cuba.
After the speeches all enjoyed conversations and shared experiences of struggles old and new!
Suzi Rose
See our review of the book on our website here:
https://www.revolutionarycommunist.org/britain/protest-and-resistance/5101-sao150218
Here is our 1986 video documentary on the Non-Stop Picket, republished in 2011 to celebrate the 25 year anniversary:
