Known as one of America’s greatest civil rights activists, the legendary Malcolm X is remembered, in the Midlands, for bringing his fight against racism to Smethwick.

 

The civil rights campaigner visited on 12 February 1965 because at the time Smethwick was considered a hotbed of racial tension.

 

And, more than half a century on the man who became so incensed with racism in his own country is still celebrated for his visit to the Black Country town after hearing of plans to stop Black and Asian residents buying houses.

 

The late Tory MP, Peter Griffiths, won his seat there a year before the much heralded visit with the campaign slogan: ‘If you want a n***** for a neighbour, vote Labour’.

 

Locals successfully petitioned the council to buy up empty homes in a street and ban non-white families from moving in.

 

Smethwick proved an eye-opener for Malcolm X.

 

As Malcolm X walked down Marshall Street, on February 12 in 1965, he was jeered by white residents who told him they didn’t want ‘any more Blacks living there.

 

He was ejected from the smoking room in a local pub down because he was Black.

 

Nine days after his trip to Smethwick, Malcolm X was assassinated in a New York ballroom - aged just 39.