Capital District Coalition Against Apartheid and Racism records
- Author:
- Capital District Coalition Against Apartheid and Racism.
- Call Number:
- MSS APAP-011 local
- Abstract:
- The bulk of the records of the Capital District Coalition Against Apartheid and Racism (CD-CAAR) documents the organization's involvement in the fight against apartheid in South Africa, while a smaller amount details its struggle against police abuse in Albany, New York and around the United States. CD-CAAR advocated cultural, financial and sports boycotts beginning in 1981 and continuing throughout the organization's existence. CD-CAAR's records contain substantial documentation of the organization's struggle against police abuse and efforts to establish and secure an effective Albany police review board. There is also documentation of CD-CAAR's educational programs dealing with apartheid and racism. Due to the chronological organization of most records, references to topics are scattered throughout the collection. CD-CAAR records consist of correspondence, police and court documents, fliers, announcements of meetings, newsletters, pamphlets, handouts, a few minutes from steering committee meetings, and newspaper clippings. Most of the newspaper clippings, and many of the police and court documents are photocopies of the original papers, therefore the quality of the microfilm image may be inconsistent.
- Historical Note:
- The Capital District Coalition Against Apartheid and Racism (CD- CAAR) was founded by a group of Albany, NY area residents who organized to prevent the Springboks, the all-white South African national rugby team representing the apartheid South African government, from playing a game against the American all-star rugby team in Albany scheduled for September 22, 1981. CD-CAAR became a member of the Social Justice Center after its formation as an organization in 1981. It worked closely with the Albany chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and other prominent community leaders. In the early to mid-1980s, CD-CAAR's campaign to isolate the apartheid South African government took the form of picketing and boycotting entertainers who performed in South Africa. The first cultural boycott demonstration instigated by CD-CAAR occurred in 1982. In 1985 CD-CAAR participated in a divestment campaign to remove New York State pension funds from companies operating in South Africa. In 1986, CD-CAAR erected a 24-hour mock shanty town at the Capitol in Albany to symbolize the forced removal of black South Africans from their homes. CD-CAAR co-founded the Northeast Southern Africa Solidarity Network (NESASN) circa 1988. In 1995, CD-CAAR reorganized in recognition of the new conditions in South Africa and focused its efforts on supporting the new South African government. The new organization changed its name to the Capital District Coalition for Southern Africa and Against Racism.
- Physical Description:
- 6 microfilm reels ; 35 mm
- Access Terms:
- Access to the collection is unrestricted.
- Notes:
- Microform. local
- Subjects:
- Apartheid South Africa, Blacks Social conditions, African Americans Segregation, African Americans Social conditions, African Americans New York (State) Albany Social conditions, African Americans Segregation, African Americans Social conditions, Apartheid, and Blacks Social conditions
- Corporate Names:
- Capital District Coalition Against Apartheid. Albany Chapter, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
- Geographic Terms:
- New York (State) Albany and South Africa
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