Stapled self wrappers, printed offset in black illustrated throughout. Light toning with one small note in red felt tip to rear wrapper. 12pp. London, Friends of Soledad, October, 1971.
A scarce newsletter from a London-based solidarity group campaigning on behalf of a group of African American men accused of killing a guard whilst incarcerated in Soledad State Prison in California. It includes articles on the recent indictments against the men who would become known as the San Quentin Six, as well as the Attica Prison riot, and writing by George Jackson, Angela Davis, Jonathan Jackson and a poem by Erika Huggins. Supporters are encouraged to send funds to the Soledad Defence Fund.
Whilst largely platforming African American causes, this publication is firmly rooted in British 1970s activism. It includes a reading list of books on race relations in Britain, as well as notices on newly published books, including a UK edition of George Jackson’s Soledad Brother, the proceeds of which will go to the Black Panthers.
There is an extensive directory of British organisations, information, books and newspapers which includes listings for London, Birmingham, Bradford, Huddersfield, Leeds, Leicester, Nottingham and Wolverhampton. Whilst the majority of the organisations are primarily concerned with combatting racism, colonialism and imperialism, the London listings also include the Gay Liberation Front, Women’s Liberation, and the Radical Alternatives to Prison. There is also a call to support The Mangrove 9 at their trial at the Old Bailey on October 8th.
This publication is not found in OCLC. Though there is a folder of material held at the George Padmore Institute in London concerning the Friends of Soledad, it does not appear to include a copy.
