Bristol Anti Apartheid
One of the largest and most active local anti-apartheid groups in the UK was based in Bristol. At its height there were about 1,000 members.
From the 1960s until the early 1990s, activists in Bristol campaigned for boycotts of South African goods and against British firms with connections with the apartheid regime. Protests took place at Bristol rugby and cricket grounds when South Africa was touring, at St. Phillips Fruit Market, and at Barclays Bank. Shell petrol stations were boycotted. St. Pauls and Tesco in Eastville were unofficial but well known apartheid free zones for shopping.
Awareness campaigns took place at St. Pauls festival, and Amnesty International's annual fair at Goldney Grotto. Fundraising events took place at members' homes and letter writing to prisoners was organised on College Green. There was an annual walk in the Cotswolds to raise money too.
When South Africa held its first truly democratic elections in 1994, the local anti-apartheid group reconstituted itself as the city’s branch of Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA), a group that continued to campaign on issues of peace, justice and solidarity. By 2017, numbers had depleted and the group wrapped up. They donated the remaining funds to charity.
From the 1960s until the early 1990s, activists in Bristol campaigned for boycotts of South African goods and against British firms with connections with the apartheid regime. Protests took place at Bristol rugby and cricket grounds when South Africa was touring, at St. Phillips Fruit Market, and at Barclays Bank. Shell petrol stations were boycotted. St. Pauls and Tesco in Eastville were unofficial but well known apartheid free zones for shopping.
Awareness campaigns took place at St. Pauls festival, and Amnesty International's annual fair at Goldney Grotto. Fundraising events took place at members' homes and letter writing to prisoners was organised on College Green. There was an annual walk in the Cotswolds to raise money too.
When South Africa held its first truly democratic elections in 1994, the local anti-apartheid group reconstituted itself as the city’s branch of Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA), a group that continued to campaign on issues of peace, justice and solidarity. By 2017, numbers had depleted and the group wrapped up. They donated the remaining funds to charity.