Winchester News Online
Mexico City 1968: When silence spoke truth
On 16 October, 1968, under gloating lights of the Olympic podium in Mexico City, two young American sprinters made history – not only for their athletic greatness but for a silent gesture that echoed far beyond the track.
When Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their black-gloved fists during the US national anthem, they transformed a moment in victory into a symbol of resistance, igniting a global conversation about race and equality.
A moment born of turmoil
The late 1960s were a time of turbulence in the United States.
The Civil Rights Movement was at its height, but still racial inequality plagued the nation.
Martin Luther King had been assassinated just months earlier, and American cities were erupting in protest against this injustice.
For Smith and Carlos, the Olympic Games were not just about medals – they were about meaning.
As representatives of a country divided on racial lines, they used their moment on the podium to make a statement.
Wearing black gloves, black socks without shoes (to symbolise black poverty), the athletes stood their in silence as the anthem played, heads were bowed but fists were raised.
The world reacts
The reaction was immediate but split.
Within hours, Smith and Carlos were expelled from the Olympic Village and suspended from the US team.
Back home, they faced death threats, public ridicule, and the loss of their athletic careers.
Yet, for millions worldwide – especially for marginalised communities – their act of defiance became a beacon of courage and solidarity.
The Legacy Endures
More than five decades later, the raised fists of 1968 continue to echo across stadiums, courts and fields.
Smith and Carlos’s gesture paved the way for athlete activism – from Colin Kaepernick knelling during the national anthem to the global “Black Lives Matter” demonstrations that swept through sports in the 2020s.
In 2005, the San Jose State University, where both men studied, unveiled a 20-foot statue commemorating the moment within history.
The spot where Peter Norman stood was left empty – inviting anyone to step up and stand for justice.
From Silence to Power
What made this moment feel so powerful was its simplicity.
No words were spoken, no banners were raised – just two athletes standing still, their fists in the air.
The silence roared across for generations to come.
If they couldn’t be heard they had to be seen.
A man threw a chair and threatened bystanders in the centre of Gosport on Friday.
Police say the man, who was behaving aggressively, threw the chair on the ground and shouted threats at nearby shoppers before running away. No one was injured.
It happened just before noon, outside a Greggs Bakery on the High Street.
Hampshire Police say the man was white, bald and in his late 40s. He was wearing a baseball cap and a grey hoodie.
Officers are asking anyone who saw the incident to contact them.
Twelve people were arrested after 350 anti-migrant protestors clashed with police overnight in Gosport following reports of a small boat landing in the area.
A small number of officers needed medical treatment following the protests near Walpole car park.
Assistant Chief Constable Simon Dodds said: “Violence and criminal damage have no part in peaceful protest, our position on this has been clear that we will investigate thoroughly and take robust action against anyone responsible.
“Our officers did not deserve to be assaulted as they worked incredibly diligently on Sunday to ensure the safety of everyone in the area.”
Police had banned face coverings and had issued a dispersal order ahead of the protests across Gosport.
Those arrested were held on suspicion of assaulting officers or being drunk and disorderly.
The protest marks an increase in tensions within the UK after protests at Portsmouth, Taunton, Basingstoke and Glasgow in recent months.
Gosport Reform UK councilor Paul Carter told GB News: “If you think about this last night, no one really knew what was happening… I think a lot of people are really worried.”
People in Romsey are being warned that the town’s recycling centre will be closing for a month for repairs.
The closure of Casbrook recycling centre will take place from 12 October to 12 November.
The council says that repairs are essential to keep the site safe, after heavy vehicles damaged the tarmac beneath waste containers.
Councillor Kirsty North, Hampshire County Council’s deputy leader, said: “We are investing in essential improvements to preserve the surface of Casbrook HWRC (Bunny Lane) and ensure the facility continues to serve residents safely and effectively for many years to come.
“I thank residents for their patience during these works and confirm that capacity is available at nearby HWRCs to ensure residents that usually use Bunny Lane, can still dispose of their waste during this time.”
Locals have been advised to use alternative centres in Winchester and Eastleigh while the repairs take place.
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