BIG ANTI-APARTHEID DEMONSTRATION IN MANCHESTER by Alan Rooney
Thore were about 379 people on an Anti-Apartheid torchlight march through the contre of Manchester last Friday night (March 13th) in memory of the Sharpoville massacre, lost of the marchers were students from the University where oven the Tory Socicty supports Anti-Apartheid. The timing of the demonstration was useful because only a few days earlior the Manchester Evoning News had urged the British Governmnent +o devolop trade with South Africa. The paper informed its readers that there was no difference betwoen trading with Cuba and trading with South Africa.
The mooting after the march was chaired by Professor lfax Gluckman, Cver £100 was collected.
The fitst step was taken in the process of gotting Tlottinghan City Council to boycott South African goods on Thursday larch 12th. At ‘the City Labour Party meeting the question of the fortheoming visit of the South African bowling team was raised. It was unanimously agreed that tho socroetary bo instructod to write to City Labour Group (the policy making body of Labour Councillors) telling thom that: (a) tho City Labour Party was in favour ofa total boycott of any civic wolcomo for the South African bowlers; and(b) that tho City Labour Party favoured a Council boycott of South African goods. Strong foclings on those matters were oxpressed at the meeting and anyone, from no matter what party, who attempts to ignore this fooling will do so at their poril.