Black European movements and mobilisations

In the 20th century, a number of political movements and organisations began to promote the rights and highlight the experiences of Black people living in Europe.

This guest blog by Marisa Pickett, a graduate student at the University of New Mexico, focuses on three movements in France, Germany and the United Kingdom highlighting the role of democracy and advocacy.

Fédération des étudiants d'Afrique noire en France (FEANF) - Black African Students Federation in France

From 1950-1956, FEANF organised meetings of groups of African students in France to create a unified voice against colonialism and Western imperialism. Originally independent of all French political parties, FEANF aided in the formation of communist organisations in Francophone Africa.

In 1952, FEANF's leadership was helmed by members of the African Democratic Rally (RDA) and became an affiliate of the larger International Union of Students (IUS). By 1956, the group began to demand African independence from colonial rule more radically and provoked the ire of the French government.

Generation ADEFRA: Schwarze Frauen in Deutschland - Generation ADEFRA: Black Women in Germany

Established in 1986 and originally based in Munich, ADEFRA (Afro-Deutsche Frauen) was a feminist organisation for the mobilisation of Black women and women of colour in Germany.

Now Berlin-based, the re-titled Generation ADEFRA continues the original mission of the organisation by holding meetings, workshops and events based around highlighting the existence of Black-Europeans and their experiences.

Operation Black Vote

Operation Black Vote works to ensure greater racial justice throughout the United Kingdom by promoting the engagement of Black voters.

It was founded at the UK Parliament in 1996 as a collaboration between Charger88 and the 1990 Trust, two organisations which work to promote democratic reform, policy and research.

Operation Black Vote is today a nationally recognised organisation, focused on political education, participation, representation and the promotion of equality and human rights.

For more information on Black movements around Europe, check out ENPAD – European Network for People of African Descent. Co-organised alongside the European Network Against Racism (ENAR), ENPAD is a network of organisations with shared goals that seeks to highlight the amount of anti-Black racism in Europe.