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Anti-Racist OrganisationsPolitical Pressure groups 1964-751Racist AttitudesRacial 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.

Large numbers of non-white ethnic groups were needed in Britain after WWII. They were required to meet demand for labour due to the post-war boom and policies of fuller employment. As this demand decreased during the 1970s, racial tensions began to heighten, especially as the working class felt their jobs were becoming threatened.

Enoch Powells Rivers of Blood speech in 1968 proved highly divisive. The speech was critical of commonwealth immigration and anti-discrimination legislature being passed. The name for the speech comes from a line within it, with Powell stating: "As I look ahead, I am filled with foreboding; like the Roman, I seem to see 'the River Tiber foaming with much blood.

Despite this, public expressions of racism have been limited tofar-rightpolitical parties such as theBritish National Frontin the 1970s, while most mainstream politicians have publicly condemned racism.

2Rise of Anti-RacismIn the 1960/70s many anti-racist groups were formed to begin campaigning for policies that would promote anti-discriminatory practice and equal opportunitiesThey were also set up to oppose the increasingly popular far right groups such as the NFMany street demonstrations of these groups were often opposed by anti-racist protestors, sometimes ending with violent clashesIn the 1960/70s many anti-racist groups were formed to begin campaigning for policies that would promote anti-discriminatory practice, multi-cultural education and equal opportunities. For example, the Race Relations act of 1965 outlawed public discrimination and pushed for further racial equality. Further Acts in 1968 and 1976 outlawed discrimination in employment, housing and social services, and replaced the Race Relations Board withCommission for Racial Equality.

Many anti-racist groups were also set up to oppose the rise offar right groups in the UK such as the National Front. Controversial policies of the national front at the time was that it was set up for whites only, opposed non-white immigration, and committed to a programme of re-patriation (which involved returning a person to their place of origin or citizenship).

Many street demonstrations by the NF were often opposed by anti-racist protestors, which sometimes ended with violent clashes between the two groups. For example, in what was dubbed as the Battle of Lewisham by anti-racism organisations, a clash led to270 policemen were injured (56 hospitalised) and over 200 marchers were injured (78 hospitalised), and an attempt to destroy the local police station in a large riot.

3Anti-Nazi LeagueSet up in 1977, backed by Socialist Workers Party Lots of celebrity endorsements Supported by Communists, trade unions, Labour party membersWorking class movement associated with politicians and celebrities Linked with Rock against Racism and held 2 giant carnivals in 1978

Set up in 1977 by Socialist Workers Party, following successful anti-fascist march by thousands in 13th August 1977 (lots of black youths) Working class movement mixed with political leaders and celebrities Lots of celebrity endorsed support for the ANL Some viewed it as an initiative to seize leadership of Anti-Racist movement (left wing view)Was supported by Communist party e.g. they banned their members from criticising ANLWas sponsored by trade unions e.g. Indian workers association Was supported by Labour party members e.g. Neil Kinnock Linked with Rock Against Racism in the 1970s held 2 giant carnivals in 1978 involved popular bands at the time, and had 80,000 people to 100,000 at the secondIn the picture you can see Hitler and John Tyndall, who was a member of the National Front and the founder of the BNP.

4Anti-Nazi League - ClashesOpposed far right groups such as National Front and the British MovementHad fight squads which safeguarded the ANL and fought National Front street gangsDemonstration in Southall to disrupt National Front electoral meeting in April 1979Confrontation with police 40 injured (21 police), 300 arrestedBlair Peach struck in the head died, no police officer charged

Opposed the far right groups for not only racism, but fascism e.g. National Front which was associated with Nazi groups, British Movement There were also fight squads which safeguarded ANL and fought National Front street gangs whenever possible, very effective throughout 1977-79 expelled in early 1980sBlair Peach was a member of ANL, died in April 1979 in a demonstration in Southall vs National Front electoral meeting Southall had a strong south Asian community, so very controversial to hold meeting thereConfrontation between ANL and police 40 [21 police] injured, 300 arrested bricks were thrown at police Peach got struck in the head, collapsed by an unauthorised weapon by the Police and died No police officer was charged/prosecuted

5Anti-Nazi League - Influence1977-79 9 Million leaflets, 750,000 badges soldRaised 600,000 from individual donations from 1977-80 Largest mass movement in Britain since the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament in the 60sStrongly 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

1977-79 9 million Anti-Nazi leaflets, 750,000 badges sold, raised 600,000 between 1977-80 from individual donationsSpread that the national front = Nazism Largest mass movement since the Campaign for Nuclear disarmament in 1960sAnti-Racist movements were suspicious of the ANL, as they questioned the need for a new anti- groupThese questions/divisions were kept quiet, as divisions in public were negative and could affect celebrity endorsementsSome argue very effective, others not so much e.g. Thatcher was the one that destroyed National Front

6The West African Students Union (WASU)Founded on 7 August 1925Campaigned for improved welfare for African students in the UK and rapid decolonisation of African colonies African houseMacmillan debate

7Teachers Against RacismMany teachers believed Black children were held back in the school systemThroughout the 1960s and 1970s, the presence of Black children in British schools was seen as problematicBernard Coards book

Anti racist campaign held by teachers who believed Black children were constantly held back in the school system. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, the presence of Black children in British schools was seen as problematic, creating major uproar from some of the white racistpeople. Many Black children, particularly Caribbean boys, were labelled as educationally subnormal. during the 1960s Bernard Coard, a Grenadian, who worked in southeast and east London as teacher and youth worker wrote a book Howthe West Indian Child is made Educationally Subnormal in the British School System in 1971 which aimed to expose the endemic levels of racism in Britains education system and to rally communities to resist. This pressured the government into rethinking some reforms and providing alternatives measures to combat this inequalities

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