Dr. Neil Aggett

This Medu broadside calls for avenging the death of labor organizer Dr. Neil Aggett. An organizer for the Food and Canning Workers Union, Aggett was detained by South African police on November 17, 1981. During his 70 days in detention, Aggett was repeatedly interrogated and tortured. On February 5, 1982, he was found dead in his prison cell, allegedly having hanged himself. Aggett’s death catalyzed a nationwide work stoppage and international condemnation—a level of protest unprecedented since the founder of the Black Consciousness movement, Steve Biko, died in detention in 1977. Twenty thousand people attended Aggett’s funeral.