40 years ago today. 30 April 1978 is a short video piece recollecting the Rock Against Racism Victoria Park Carnival by Red Saunders, co-founder of RAR.
On Sunday 30 April 1978, 80,0000 people gathered in Trafalgar Square, and danced their way through the East End to Victoria Park in Hackney for the first big Rock Against Racism Carnival Against the Nazis. RAR had emerged in reaction to an alarming rise in racist attacks on the streets, and support for the neo-Nazi National Front at the ballot box. Mainstays of the UK pop scene such as Eric Clapton and David Bowie - white musicians capitalising on black music - made statements that further inflamed racial tension. A letter to the music press, written by Red Saunders and signed by a group of fans, voicing their horror at such hypocrisy, quickly gained widespread support. RAR was part of a broader anti-racism movement in the late 1970s, but it has become a symbol of the role that people-led movements and popular culture can play in shaping and influencing attitudes.
Also, check out these great films about Rock Against Racism, the Anti-Nazi League, and the anti-racist and anti-fascist struggle in the 1970s:
Nazis are no fun parts 1, 2 and 3
youtube.com/watch?v=2k-67CeuBFI
youtube.com/watch?v=QuauYi_2ec8
youtube.com/watch?v=9kBTQXr4SWk
Who shot the sheriff? Parts 1,2 and 3 by Alan Miles
vimeo.com/11494489
vimeo.com/11501491
vimeo.com/11503501
Rock Against Racism - Leeds
youtube.com/watch?v=DR01x9waNqI
