The Defiance Campaign Long Walk Original Manuscript (Image #110)

closely together with the ANC and the SAIC and Walter Sisulu, Yusuf Dadoo and other Congress leaders addressed meetings in various parts of the country. So strong was the indignation of the Coloured people that even the moderate Coloured Peoples National Union of George Golding was drawn in against the government. It was in this situation, when we were preparing for action and when unity was essential that the Non Euripean Unity Movement (NEUM) played its characteristic role of dividing the people at a critical moment. Throughout its history the NEUM has condemned political and workers strikes as adventurist and futile activities and instead called for "non collaboration" with the oppressor. In particular the NEUM has just about condemned every action and avery thing done by the Congressess without exception while its own activities have been confined to hoding meetings. "Non collaboration" has always been their pet excuse for doing nothing and now once again in 1951 the big talk of withholding co operation from the oppressor and building a non European united front was heard. In spite of the factional activities, public meetings and demonstrations were held culminating in a successful strike in the Cape on May 7th. The struggle to defend the Coloured vote was still on when Walter Sisulu broached the idea of a civil disobedience campaign in which all the oppressed people would participate, as on June 26th 1950. He outlined a plan under which selected volunteers would deliberately invite imprisonment by defying specified lawschosen on the ground that they were considered to be the most oppressive. He believed that with the contacts we had made and the experience acquired during the 1950