National Trust faces criticism over Black Power salute workshop

The National Trust has announced a Black History Month workshop at Morden Hall Park in South London that will teach children aged five to 12 about the 1968 Black Power salute. During the session, participants will learn about the actions of American Olympic athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos at the Mexico City Olympics and subsequently bake ‘Olympic Gold Cookies.’

The initiative has drawn criticism from campaign groups and historians. Cornelia van der Poll of Restore Trust described the connection between the US civil rights movement and the South London property as “highly contrived,” arguing that the subject matter is not relevant to the National Trust’s mission of preserving historic heritage. Historian Andrew Roberts also criticized the decision, characterizing the workshop as political propaganda.