Anti-imperialism campaigns

This file consists of correspondence; statements; printed pamphlets and flyers and articles on various anti-imperialism and national liberation campaigns which the Indian Workers Association supported during the 1960s and 1970s. There are papers on a number of anti-imperialism campaigns, but there is substantial material on the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa, and campaigns against American aggression in Vietnam. There are also a number of papers on Pakistani politics and American imperialism in South Asia; Palestinian Solidarity campaigns; and struggles in Cambodia or Kampuchea following the invasion of the country by Vietnam and the fall of the Khmer Rouge regime.

The file also contains papers relating to the Movement for Colonial Freedom, including minutes; reports and correspondence to the Indian Workers Association, which was affiliated with this group.

Papers on general campaigns are arranged chronologically, as follows:
/1-/4 copies of Indian Workers Association resolutions expressing concern about the imprisonment and death of Patrice Lumumba, Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo, together with handwritten and typescript copies of an Indian Workers Association press release issued following the Biennial General meeting of the Birmingham branch giving details of resolutions passed on the situation in Congo; racial discrimination in Britain; and the apartheid policies of the South African government, January-February 1961

/5 flyer published by Birmingham Peace Committee, Birmingham Indian Youth League and Birmingham West Indian Workers Association giving details about a 'Hands Off Cuba' protest meeting to be held at Digbeth Institute in Birmingham. This flyer is undated, but was probably issued during the early 1960s
/6 Indian Workers Association press release on the visit to Birmingham of Greek trade union leader Tony Ambatielos and his wife and their attendance at celebrations to mark Indian Independence Day, July 1964
/7 Indian Workers Association press release announcing a resolution taken at the Bi-Annual Conference concerning the admittance of China to the United Nations, 8 July 1964
/8-/9 letter to Jagmohan Joshi from activists based in Cairo, enclosing an appeal issued by the Indonesian Organisation for Afro-Asian Peoples Solidarity in support of those fighting against the regime of general Suharto and Nasution, 10 November 1966
/10 flyer issued by Friends of China and other progressive groups giving details about a solidarity rally in support of the Peoples Republic of China and against British and US imperialism in Hong Kong, 3 September 1967
/11 circular letter issued by Jagmohan Joshi on behalf of the Central Executive Committee of the Indian Workers Association to organisations campaigning on behalf of oppressed peoples against international imperialism, 1967
/12 press cutting consisting of a letter from Jagmohan Joshi on Labour party policies on immigration and British imperialism.
/13 Black Panther pamphlet containing a 'message to the black people of Britain by President Kwawme Nkrumah, July 1968
/14 information leaflet issued by the Republican Study Group on political representation in Northern Ireland and civil rights in London/Derry, October 1968
/15 invitation letter to marxist organisations and trade unions from Working People's Party of England; Caribbean October Congress; Pakistani Workers Union; and Universal Coloured People's Association giving details about a discussion conference on imperialism and discussing international instances of imperialist aggression, December 1968
/16 constitution and minutes of the first meeting of Militant Action Group in Birmingham, attended by representatives from various organisations including the Indian Workers Association and Black Peoples Alliance, January 1969
/17 letter from a group of independent filmmakers based in London intending 'to make films relevant to the struggle against imperialism and capitalism' and enquiring whether the group can film at a Black Peoples Alliance meeting, 2 January 1969
/18 pamphlet issued by the Action Committee for Representation and Democratic Education protesting against British and American firms with 'imperialist connections' recruiting students from an unidentified polytechnic, possibly the University of Westminster, 9 January 1969
/19 programme for a weekend conference on black liberation held in Sheffield, including speeches by Jagmohan Joshi, convenor of the Black Peoples Alliance, and Dr. Sidhanta of the Indian Workers Association. This conference probably took place in 1969 or the early 1970s
/20 letter from the Council for Afro-Asian Peoples to the Secretary of the Black Peoples Alliance, enclosing a document discussing a proposed survey on black organisations in Britain, October 1969
/21 letter from the Committee for the Defense of National Minority People's Rights, Montreal, to the Jagmohan Joshi, convenor of the Black Peoples Alliance steering committee containing information about the formation of this Committee, 27 December 1970
/22 pamphlet published by Finsbury Communist Association entitled 'The Black Man's Burden' focusing on British imperialism in Africa, India and the Middle East. The pamphlet probably dates from the late 1960s or 1970
/23 papers relating to campaigns for the rights of migrant workers in Western Europe, including minutes of a meeting held in Zurich attended by the World Council of Churches Committee for Migrant Workers in Western Europe, March 1973
/24 letter sent on behalf of the Irish National Liberation Solidarity Front and the Communist Workers League of Britain (Marxist-Leninist) giving information about a protest picket of Downing Street opposing the exploitation of working people in Britain, supporting the rights of Irish people to self-determination, withdrawal of troops and release of Irish and British political prisoners, and expressing solidarity with peoples engaged in anti-imperialist struggles, October 1973
/25 letter from the Assistant General Secretary of the Indian Workers Association to the Chairman of the Confederation of Iranian Students, West Germany, sending greetings to delegates at the Congress of this Confederation and expressing support for uprisings in Iran, 20 December 1978
/26 joint press statement issued by the Indian Workers Association; Bangladesh Workers Association and Kashmiri Workers Association condemning Soviet aggression in Afghanistan and demanding the withdrawal of the Soviet occupation force, December 1979
/27 handwritten notes by Jagmohan Joshi on anti-imperialism, undated
/28 programme of events organised by the Africa Seminar Group at Fircroft College, Selly Oak, Birmingham, undated
/29 letter from activists hoping to organise meetings for people and groups working on anti-imperialist campaigns in South Asia and anti-racist campaigns in Britain to support national liberation struggles and black and Asian organisations in Britain, undated

Papers on Vietnam consist of:
/30 information leaflet produced on behalf of the Vietnam Exhibition Ad-hoc Committee in Birmingham explaining the background to the conflict in Vietnam, 1965
/31 information leaflet produced by the Vietnam Solidarity Campaign discussing the background to the conflict in Vietnam, emphasising US aggression and the role of the peace movement, c. 1966
/32 message of greetings adopted at the public celebration meeting organised by the Indian Workers Association and the Pakistani Workers Association, Birmingham, addressed to the people of Vietnam on the occasion of the sixth anniversary of the founding of the South Vietnam National Front for Liberation, 1966
/33-/34 correspondence between Pat Jordan of the Bertrand Russell Peace Foundation and Jagmohan Joshi concerning the Indian Workers Association's agreement to help the Foundation's campaign to promote solidarity between the people of Britain and Vietnam by acting as a sponsor, 1966
/35 letter from the Secretary of the University of Birmingham Guild of Undergraduates to Jagmohan Joshi asking whether he could provide a speaker on the Peace in Vietnam Campaign for a meeting to be held at the university 1 March 1966
/36 typescript of a speech by A. Manchanda of the Indian Delegation attending an Afro-Asian Writers' Emergency Meeting, held in support of the 'struggle of the heroic people of Vietnam against US imperialist aggression' 4 July 1966
/37 printed pamphlet entitled 'The Truth about Vietnam', edited by the National Council of French Peace Movement, Paris, presenting information about the causes and possible consequences of the war in Vietnam and possibilities for a peaceful settlement to the conflict, 1966
/38-/39 correspondence between Jagmohan Joshi and members of Cun Quoc Weekly, Hanoi-Vietnam, making arrangements to meet to exchange opinions on the Vietnam conflict, October 1966
/40 anonymous typescript article criticising the politics of members of the Bertrand Russell Peace Foundation and organisers of a Vietnam Solidarity Conference, 1966
/41-/44 papers relating to events organised by the Bertrand Russell Peace Foundation and Vietnam Solidarity Campaign, including an article containing a Peace News discussion on the International War Crime Tribunal held to investigate allegations of American atrocities in Vietnam; information about the Vietnam Solidarity Conference to be held in London following a series of meetings in other towns; the spring/summer programme 1967 of the Vietnam Solidarity campaign
/45 memorandum from Alan Bishop to Ioan Allen, Harvey Andrews, Alex Campbell, Ian Campbell, Dave Cliff, Karl Dallas, The Foc'sles, Brian Hamilton, Mick James, Ewan MacColl, Barbara Miller, Peggy Seeger, The Munstermen, Jane Stevens, John Swift, S. Joshi and Charles Parker setting out the programme for a Freedom for Vietnam concert at Birmingham Town Hall, 30 June. This memorandum is undated, but the event probably took place in 1967
/46 copy letter from Jagmohan Joshi to members of the Indian Workers Association asking them to support the Vietnam Solidarity Committee Conference, 1967
/47 letter from Cu-Dinh-Ba, representative of Cuu Quoc Weekly, Hanoi-Vietnam, to Jagmohan Joshi apologising for not being able to meet him, 22 January 1967
/48-/50 correspondence between Deirdre Griswold, International War Crimes Tribunal, Paris, and Jagmohan Joshi, discussing the support of the Indian Workers Association for the Tribunal, February 1967
/51-/54 printed pamphlets issued by the Bertrand Russell Peace Foundation concerning the International War Crimes Tribunal, including an 'Appeal to the American Conscience' by Bertrand Russell, with a typescript postscript, and a pamphlet explaining the aims and objectives of the International War Crimes Tribunal
/55 copy of 'Solidarity with Vietnam', the information bulletin of the 'Bureau of the International Conference for Solidarity with the people of Vietnam against US Imperialist Aggression and for the Defence of Peace', April 1967, including President Ho Chi Minh's Reply to US President Lyndon B. Johnson
/56-/58 Indian Workers Association resolutions on Vietnam agreed at the National Conference of the organisation in November 1967, together with a circular letter to all Indian Workers Association branches from Jagmohan Joshi on the conference proceedings
/59 typescript statement of the President of the Central Committee of the South Vietnam National Front for Liberation 'rejecting the distortions of facts about South Vietnam ad the Paris conversations...', 10 June 1968
/60 timeline of events in Vietnam since 1858 when the country became a French colony, until 1968, entitled 'Vietnam - Why the War?', produced by the Vietnam Exhibition Committee, Birmingham
/61 information leaflet issued by the March Mobilisation Committee discussing arrangements to mark the attempt by representatives of the Vietnamese National Liberation Front to enter England, 1969
/62 poster for a series of films and workshops to be held at the RoundHouse, London entitled 'Poverty is Violence: Exploitation of the Third World', 13 April 1969
/63 statement by the representatives of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam on the death of President Ho Chi Minh, 3 September 1969

Papers on Cambodia/Kampuchea consist of:
/64 copy letter to the Ceremonial Department, Scotland Yard, from Jagmohan Joshi, with the information that the Indian Workers Association are to hold a picket of the Vietnamese Embassy in London 18 February 1979. The letter is dated 25 January 1979
/65 circular letter issued by the Workers' Party of Scotland (Marxist-Leninist) welcoming the calling of a demonstration against the Vietnamese and Soviet embassies in London by the Communist Workers' Movement, and suggesting that organisations supporting 'Democratic Kampuchea' co-ordinate their activities, 29 January 1979
/66 Indian Workers Association circular to all branches and Central Committee members condemning the imperialist aggression of the Vietnamese government in invading Kampuchea and asking members to express their solidarity with the Kampuchean people by mobilising for a demonstration outside the Vietnamese embassy 18 February 1979
/67 circular letter issued by the 'Hands Off Kampuchea Committee' organised by the Indian Workers Association and headed by Jagmohan Joshi, asking for support from other organisations 1979
/68 statement issued by the Indian Workers Association entitled 'Vigorously Support the Kampuchean People in their Just War against Soviet-Backed Vietnamese Aggression', 18 February 1979
/69 letter from the press attache of the Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, London to the Indian Workers Association expressing disappointment at the stance of the organisation over Vietnam's occupation of Kampuchea, blaming Chinese expansionist policies for the regime of Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge, 18 February 1979
/70 incomplete typescript of an interview given to the Peking correspondent of the Kommunistiche Volkszeuitung and published in Kommunistische Volkszeitung, Frankfurt asking for support and medicines for the people of Kampuchea, and demanding the withdrawal of Vietnamese troops, 1979
/71 minutes of a preparatory meeting for a Kampuchea Support Campaign in Britain, 28 October 1979, including a list of attendees

Papers on South Africa consist of:
/72 press statement issued by the Indian Workers Association to the BBC, ATV, 'The Birmingham Post', 'Birmingham Mail', Caters News Agency, DW, expressing abhorrence of the system of apartheid in South Africa and the conviction of Nelson Mandela in the South African sabotage trial and issuing a general call to Indian Workers Association members to join protests against the conviction of Mandela and his associates, 12 June 1964
/73 letter from Vusumzi L. Make, Chief Representative of the Pan-Africanist Congress of Azania (South Africa) to Jagmohan Joshi discussing the availability of a cinema for a film show on South Africa to raise money for the Congress, following discussions with 'Comrade Manchanda', 25 July 1967
/74 statement issued by the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania in support of the launch of the 'revolutionary weekly' 'Lalkar', September 1967
/75 letter from S. Abdul, Honorary Secretary of the Anti-Apartheid Movement, to Jagmohan Joshi discussing plans for a cricket team organised by a member of Warwickshire County Cricket Club playing a visiting 'all-coloured' team of cricketers organised with the support of the South African government, and asking Joshi to support the campaign to stop the tour taking place, 7 October 1968
/76-77 letter from Ethel de Keyser, Executive Secretary of the Anti-Apartheid Movement to Jagmohan Joshi, Black Peoples Alliance, enclosing a programme for events to mark South Africa Freedom Day, including a conference entitled 'Liberation in Southern Africa & Guerrilla Warfare; film and music at the Round House with proceeds to the Anti-Apartheid Movement; and a demonstration organised by the Southern Africa Solidarity Committee, June-July 1969
/78 circular letter from the Anti-Apartheid Movement, Birmingham branch, giving details of a public meeting entitled 'Countdown on Rhodesia' to be held 3 November 1969 at Dr Johnson House, Colmore Circus, Birmingham
/79-/82 correspondence and flyers concerning the campaign to 'Stop the 70 Tour' of racially selected cricketers from South Africa and their visit to Trent Bridge, Nottingham, May 1970

Papers relating to Palestinian campaigns consist of:
/83-/84 correspondence between the convenor of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign and Jagmohan Joshi on behalf of the Central Executive Committee, Indian Workers Association, offering support and solidarity. Joshi wishes the organisation success for their forum and refers to the teachings of Chairman Mao, June 1969
/85 statement issued by the Indian Workers Association expressing support for the Palestinian peoples, 1969
/86-/88 copies of the manifesto of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign as accepted by members present at the first Annual Conference, together with a letter inviting delegates to attend the National Representative Council meeting, 29 November 1969
/89 flyer issued by Palestine Solidarity Campaign giving details of a rally to mark the anniversary of the Balfour Declaration, 2 November 1969
/90 letter from the Executive Committee of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign giving details about a meeting held to mark the International Day for Solidarity with Arab Peoples, January 1970
/91 letter from the Executive Committee of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign giving information about events organised to mark the twenty-second anniversary of the establishment of the state of Israel, including exhibition and films; public meeting; and rally and march, April-May 1970
/92 leaflet published by the Free Arabia Committee containing a statement by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, November 1971
/93 letter from the General Union of Palestinian Students, Manchester, giving information about a demonstration organised by this group and the Arab Students Association for the rights of the Palestinian people, May 1976
/94 undated flyer giving details of a 'Palestine-Vietnam Forum on People's War', organised by the Association of Friends of China and C.U.V.S.M

Papers relating to Pakistani politics consist of:
/95 resolution of the National Awami Party of Pakistan (London) on the political situation in Pakistan, with reference to American imperialism, 3 October 1965
/96-/97 Bulletins of the National Awami Party of Pakistan (London), February 1966 and March 1966
/98 open letter issued by three Pakistani students in London criticising the actions of the Chairman of the Overseas League of Pakistan and the Pakistan Democratic Front, 10 July 1968
/99 press statement issued by the National Awami Party of Pakistan (Great Britain) condemning political persecution following the arrests of political leaders in Pakistani, including Z. A. Bhutto, and the repression of students who protested against political persecution. The statement also urges all opposition political parties to unite against the 'oppressive regime of Ayub', 19 November 1968
/100-/103 notes and draft statements written by Jagmohan Joshi on the conflict between India and Pakistan, and the need for Indian and Pakistani workers in Britain not to involve themselves. There are also press cuttings from the 'Birmingham Post' and the 'Birmingham Evening Mail' quoting this statement
/104 leaflet giving details of a public meeting held at Grand Palace Hotel in Stepney to discuss ways for black people to unite and organised collective self-defence against racist attacks on Pakistani people in the East End, Euston and Kings Cross areas of London. The meeting was organised by the Pakistani Workers Union & Working Peoples Party of England, and supported by the Black Peoples Alliance, Universal Coloured Peoples Association and Black Panther Movement. The leaflet is undated, but was probably issued during the 1970s

Papers relating to the Movement for Colonial Freedom consist of:
/105 copy of Colonial Freedom News, December 1961
/106 letter to Barbara Haq, Movement for Colonial Freedom, from Jagmohan Joshi, confirming that the Indian Workers Association intends to affiliate to the organisation, 26 May 1964
/107 letter from Barbara Haq, Movement for Colonial Freedom, to Jagmohan Joshi discussing arrangements for Joshi and Shirley Joshi to meet the national Trade Organiser of the Furniture Workers Union, B. Rubner, 28 May 1964
/108 letter from Jagmohan Joshi to Barbara Haq, Movement for Colonial Freedom, discussing campaign activities and contacts with trade union organisers. The letter also thanks Haq for giving Joshi the address of a lecturer at Glasgow University who might translate his poems, 7 June 1964
/109 copy of the draft amended constitution of the Movement for Colonial Freedom
/110-/113 correspondence from the Movement for Colonial Freedom to the Indian Workers Association concerning the renewal of affiliation fees, 1966
/114 Movement for Colonial Freedom Resolutions for the Annual Conference 1966
/115 Movement for Colonial Freedom Secretary's Report, January-February 1966
/116 Movement for Colonial Freedom Reading Area Council Secretary's Report on 1965 activities, including financial statement for 1965
/117 information leaflet giving details about an international book sale and fund-raising concert in honour of Africa Freedom Day organised by the Movement for Colonial Freedom
/118-/122 papers concerning the Movement for Colonial Freedom Annual National Delegate Conference 1967, including the agenda; resolutions submitted for the conference; and copy of the Annual Report 1966
/123-/124 minutes of the Movement for Colonial Freedom Racial Discrimination Committee meeting held at the House of Commons, 11 May 1967, together with a covering letter from Maureen Barker to Jagmohan Joshi