Institute of Race Relations newspaper cuttings

Topics include:

- Several reports on racially motivated violence, particularly in the East End of London. Organisations led by ethnic minorities organise groups to defend themselves and there is criticism of the level of police protection which is provided. There is also mention of instances of intimidation, racial abuse arrests and racist graffiti.

- Broad debate about the National Front, with discussion on their attempts to reach school children with propaganda, the desire for the main political parties to remove their political legitimacy and the refusal of many councils to allow them to use public buildings for their meetings.

- Debate over the plans for the 1981 Census to request racial information.

- Several Rock Against Racism concerts and anti –racism carnivals are discussed in regard to their appeals for funding and the general public response.

- Several reports on Community Relations Councils and the public responses to them. There are also several articles about funding issues they had experienced.

- Several mentions of the Anti-Nazi League and similar organisations.

- The Race Relations Act and other anti-discrimination measures are tested in various court cases about discrimination in the workplace. The main case discussed is that of the British Steel Corporation in Scunthorpe who refused to renew the contracts of seven Bangladeshi workers who failed an English language test.

- The Church speaks out in defence of anti-racism groups and multi-culturalism.