International African Friends of Abyssinia
The International African Friends of Abyssinia, also known as the International African Friends of Ethiopia, was an organisation established in London in 1935 to protest against Italian aggression against Abyssinia (see Second Italo-Ethiopian War). Its membership was composed of many important Pan-African figures, several of whom later formed the International African Service Bureau. Its first public meeting was held on July 28, 1935 at the Farringdon Memorial Hall in London and was widely reported in newspapers.[1][2][3] Throughout the summer of 1935, the IAFA passed resolutions urging all Africans and people of African descent to help Abyssinia and called upon The League of Nations and the British Government to protect Abyssinia.[4] On August 26 the IAFA organised a rally in Trafalgar Square which drew a crowd of nearly five hundred supporters.[5]
Key members
Members of the executive committee of the International African Friends of Abyssinia included:[6]
- C.L.R. James - Chairman
- Dr Peter Milliard and T. Albert Marryshow - Vice-Chairmen
- Jomo Kenyatta - Honorary Secretary
- Amy Ashwood Garvey - Honorary Treasurer
- Sam Manning (musician)
- Mohammed Said
- George Padmore