Skip to Content
History

Nelson Mandela at the Los Angeles Coliseum ~ June 29th 1990

Four months after being released from prison in South Africa, Nelson Mandela appeared in Los Angeles at a sold-out rally for freedom at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. 70,000+ people watched the Babylon Warriors, Ice T, Tone Loc, Kris Kristofferson, and other musical acts perform songs of protest and freedom. Nelson Mandela thanks and waves to the crowd at the 3:25 mark (click here).

According to news reports at the time, Mandela's full words to the crowd were:

“We could not have left the United States without visiting the city which daily nourished the dreams of millions of people the world over,” Mandela told an estimated 70,000 people who filled the Coliseum, many waving fists and chanting his name. “Many would know Los Angeles as the unchallenged capital of motion pictures, many would regard your city as the city of glamour and splendor.

“We who have suffered and continue to suffer the pain of oppression know that underneath that face of Los Angeles lies the great and noble spirit of the citizenry. We who fight for human rights know the depths of the human spirit running through the hills and valleys of the state of California.”

RIP NELSON MANDELA

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from L.A. TACO

We Tried Five Hand Roll Bars in Los Angeles. This One Was the Best.

The simple hand roll is decidedly egalitarian and its etiquette straightforward. Now that Los Angeles has become an unofficial hand roll capital outside of Japan, we decided to try five popular concepts across the city and rank them accordingly. Here’s what we found.

May 8, 2024

Which Car Brand Has L.A.’s Worst Drivers? Let Us Know Your Thoughts And Win Our New Bota Mug

Is it that Tesla driver that just cut you off? An Altima with bald tires? That privileged 18-year-old new driver who barely knows how to maneuver his Land Rover Defender? Or that overwhelmed Van Lifer circling the same block 69 times trying to find parking? Comment on our post to win your free bota mug! Note: Comments on social media will not be entered in contest. Only members can comment on our website. Join now!

Annual Cinco de Mayo Lowrider Cruise Shutdown by LAPD Before Sold-Out Dodger Game, Causing Confusion and Frustration

"Was really bummed to see a dead park with cops standing by today,” an Elysian Park resident told L.A. TACO. “Like, what’s the point of the park?? Also, why do the Dodgers call the shots? They made the calls [to] shut it down,” the resident speculated.

‘We Will Win:’ USC Students Won’t Back Down, Committing To Their Fight For Palestine Despite Arrests

One of their main demands is for the school to not only commit to a complete academic boycott of Israel and their killing of Palestinians, but also to be transparent about how much the school is investing. 

See all posts