- John Minto
John Minto is a
New Zealand based political activist known for his involvement in various left-wing groups and causes, most notablyHalt All Racist Tours . A 2005 documentary on New Zealands top 100 history makers listed him as number 89. Today he is involved withGlobal Peace and Justice Auckland and theUnite Union . He writes a weekly column for The Press [ [http://johnminto.org.nz JohnMinto.org.nz] Archive of Minto's Press articles, in weblog format] and is editor of theWorkers' Charter newspaper.Minto is also the chairmain [ [http://www.qpec.org.nz/Access_to_Ak_Uni_-_mr_-_12_December_2007.doc-html/| Press release] from QPEC] of QPEC, [http://www.qpec.org.nz Quality Public Education Coalition (Inc)]
Halt All Racist Tours
John Minto, along with
Trevor Richards ,Tom Newnham and others, was involved in forming Halt All Racist Tours, a group set up to protestrugby union tours to and fromApartheid South Africa , in 1969. He became the National Chairman of the organisation in 1980. During clashes between police and protesters he was seriously assaulted (by rugby supporters the evening after the disruption at Rugby Park in Hamilton). In 2005 a police baton owned byRoss Meurant , a former member of Parliament who was second in charge of the "Red Squad" during the1981 Springbok Tour was put up for auction online labeled as a "Minto Bar" [New Zealand Herald - Meurants Red Squad batton up for sale by Angela Gregory 06/06/05 ( [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10124144 link] )] , a "joke" based on the co-incidence of names between John Minto and Minties, the brand name a popular mint-flavoured candy.The New Zealand
Security Intelligence Service (SIS) listed Minto in 1981 on a list of 'subversives' for the events of that year.Fact|date=March 2007Companion of OR Tambo Award
During January 2008 Minto rejected a nomination for the prestigious South African Companion of OR Tambo Award, saying he was dismayed over current conditions in the country [ [http://www.mg.co.za/article/2008-01-28-antiapartheid-campaigner-rejects-sa-award Mail & Guardian - Anti-apartheid campaigner rejects SA award] ] but the Presidency of South Africa stated that Minto had not been nominated for any national award. [ [http://www.thepresidency.gov.za/show.asp?type=pr&include=president/pr/2008/pr01291610.htm Clarification of misconceptions on nomination for National Order] ]
ee also
*
Halt All Racist Tours
*1981 Springbok Tour References
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