Rmt Backs Public Meeting With Olympic Legend And Equal Rights Activist John Carlos From The 1968 Games

Sunday, 20th of May '12

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Rmt Backs Public Meeting With Olympic Legend And Equal Rights Activist John Carlos From The 1968 Games

RMT ACTIVISTS from London Underground are proud to have initiated a public meeting “Resistance – the Best Olympic Spirit” with one of the two athletes who featured in arguably the most iconic image from the modern history of the games, John Carlos who raised a gloved fist along with his comrade Tommie Smith on the podium in Mexico in 1968.

"Coming to the UK on the eve of the Olympics is a very exciting opportunity for me to talk with the new generation about why we did what we did back in 1968." ~ John Carlos

RMT ACTIVISTS from London Underground are proud to have initiated a public meeting “Resistance – the Best Olympic Spirit” with one of the two athletes who featured in arguably the most iconic image from the modern history of the games, John Carlos who raised a gloved fist along with his comrade Tommie Smith on the podium in Mexico in 1968.

The meeting, also supported by the Fire Brigades Union, will give people a chance to hear direct from John Carlos who will be joined on the platform by Doreen Lawrence and Janet Alder whose brother Christopher died in Hull police station in 1998.

"Coming to the UK on the eve of the Olympics is a very exciting opportunity for me to talk with the new generation about why we did what we did back in 1968. When Tommie Smith and I raised our fists on that medal platform at the Olympics, we knew that we would catch hell but we didn't care. We didn't care because we wanted the coming generations to live and breathe as full citizens with equal rights. I was just concerned with right and wrong. We went out there for humanity. We are here 43 years later because the fight is still to be won."

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said:

“You cannot divorce sport from the continuing struggle for economic and social justice and we are delighted that RMT activists have been instrumental in bringing John Carlos to Britain for this important meeting in the run up to the London Olympics. It will send a message to young people that those who excel in the sporting arena can also play a pivotal and active role in the fight for equality and progress.”