| Description | Many of the press cuttings in this file contain articles relating to discrimination issues and the fight against racism in the West Midlands, and to the activities of various fascist groups in the area during the 1960s.
There are items from both local and national newspapers, several of which have been mounted on paper headed with the logo of the Co-ordinating Committee against Racial Discrimination [CCARD].
Press cuttings consist of:
articles about right-wing and fascist groups, including a feature on Oswald Mosley's pride in Max Mosley who was arrested for violence at a Union Movement rally and reports about violence at Union Movement meetings 1962; the activities of fascist groups in Britain including Colin Jordan's group, and the dispute over Max Mosley being invited to speak at a Birmingham University debate 1963; Nazi sympathisers banned from attending a conference organised by Colin Jordan 1962; Mosley coming to Birmingham to hold a meeting after being banned from Town Hall
articles on racist attitudes and policy in the West Midlands, including an item on a John Rex report on Sparkbrook which finds evidence of a housing colour bar 1965; the views of Birmingham Conservatives on immigration; the activities of the Birmingham Immigration Control Association and Councillor Finney; call for medical tests for everyone entering UK by Warwickshire Federation of Women's Institutes; Priory tennis club refused entry to Jewish schoolgirl and condemned by CCARD 1962; investigation into reports of deportation threats made by police;colour bar in public houses in West Midlands; focus on immigrants facing difficulties in gaining employment.
articles on the experiences of immigrants, including a focus on Punjabis living in Coventry; focus on immigration to Southall and views of white residents c1964; employment of immigrants in Midlands; focus on immigrant communities in Black Country; focus on number of immigrant doctors working in NHS 1961;first black magistrate;article about racial segregation in Ireland 1962; dispute over ban on Sikh turbans on corporation transport;
articles about the activities of anti-racist groups, including reports on a resolution condemning racial and religious discrimination passed by the National Council of Women 1962; the activities of CCARD in protesting against actions of Smethwick Conservatives; a report by Dilip Hiro on the convention of the Campaign Against Racial Discrimination 1967; Birmingham Trades Council supports CCARD appeal for end to racial discrimination and anti-colour bar appeal, even though CCARD appeal also backed by Communist party; Walsall North constituency Labour party stops holding meetings at Walsall Labour Club because it operates colour bar; East Hertfordshire constituency Labour party condemns decision by Hoddesdon Urban Council to exclude non British and Commonwealth citizens from getting a mortgage; a Birmingham petition urging President Kennedy to implement full racial integration; Fenner Brockway's bill on racial discrimination; Floyd Patterson, heavyweight champion, joins demonstrations against colour bar in Birmingham, Alabama; proposed formation of Balsall Heath Heath Association; immigrants to lobby MPs against Commonwealth Immigration bill, led by IWA, ?1965; Methodist preachers in Birmingham protest against Immigration Bill; Movement for Colonial Freedom holds rally to support arrival of African Caribbean people, led by Fenner Brockway as chairman of movement; Labour party plans for immigrants appeal tribunal if Commonwealth Immigration controls are introduced; the Queen's speech on new immigration legislation; letters to newspapers on the White Paper on Commonwealth Immigration 1965;
articles on the work of government-funded groups against racial discrimination, including reports on the increase grant to Community Relations Commission 1969; cuts in grants for regional commissions; council withdraw support from Birmingham Advisory Council for Immigrants; community relations council to speed up integration in Warley has support withdrawn by Conservative group controlling council; Archbishop of Canterbury will not accept chairmanship of Race Relations Integration Committee set up under Race Relations Bill; National Committee for Commonwealth Immigrants find that restrictions are not applied to persons from the 'Old Commonwealth' [i.e white immigrants]; Birmingham Area Civil Rights Campaign to attach racial prejudice and discrimination 1968; work of Middle East Africa League 1968; split in National Committee for Commonwealth Immigrants; clash between Archbishop of Canterbury and chairman of Black Power party at World Council of Churches conference on racism; the resignation of member of the Coventry Indian Workers Association from National Committee for Commonwealth Immigrants.
The file also contains a small amount of printed material, consisting of a leaflet produced by the Handsworth Good Neighbour Committee, giving advice to both white and West Indian people living next to each other; a copy of a typescript report entitled 'Operation Integration: an enquiry into the experience of West Indians living in Birmingham, with particular reference to children and young people' by Fred Wilson of Westhill Training College, 1961; and a flyer for a demonstration against racism and fascism in Saltley, called to protest against a demonstration at Saltley Gates by the National Front, undated. |