Editing Ruth First (section)

==Treason trial and detention==
First was one of the defendants in the [[Treason Trial]] of 1956–1961, alongside 155 other leading anti-apartheid activists who were key figures in the [[Congress Alliance]]. First's early work and writings were largely used as evidence to prove treason on behalf of the [[Congress Alliance]].<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Marks|first=Shula|date=1 October 1983|title=Ruth first: a tribute|journal=Journal of Southern African Studies|volume=10|issue=1|pages=123–128|doi=10.1080/03057078308708071|issn=0305-7070}}</ref>

Following four years of harassment by the state, First alongside the 155 other activists were all acquitted of their charges. After the state of emergency that followed the [[Sharpeville massacre]] in 1960, she was listed and banned. She could not attend meetings or publish, and she could not be quoted. Her husband was arrested, and she fled to [[Swaziland]] with their children in order to avoid arrest. During the second half of the state of emergency, she returned to Johannesburg with her children secretly and lived underground.<ref name="117 Days" />{{rp|137}} In 1961, Ruth traveled to [[Namibia]] to interview the native Africans in the region. Though she was refused access to archived records, the material she collected during her four day trip was used to write her first book ''South West Africa'' (owning a copy was punishable by up to five years in prison).<ref name="gariwo">{{cite web |title=Ruth First |url=https://en.gariwo.net/righteous/apartheid/ruth-first-25320.html |website=en.gariwo.net |access-date=29 March 2025 |language=en}}</ref> Around this time she also helped arrange the first broadcasts of Radio Freedom in Johannesburg.<ref name="SAHO" /> Following this trip, Ruth was restricted for five years to the magisterial district of Johannesburg. In 1963, during the raid on [[Lilliesleaf Farm]] in [[Rivonia]], multiple high ranking activists including Nelson Mandela were captured and given life in prison. Neither Ruth or her husband were present at the time of the raid. However,  Ruth was arrested by security police in the main hall of Witwatersrand Library. She was imprisoned and held in isolation without charge for 117 days under the Ninety-Day Detention Law. She was the first white woman to be detained under this law.<ref name="First 1965 vii">{{cite book|last=First|first=Ruth|title=117 Days|year=1965|publisher=Penguin|page=vii|oclc=222077295}}</ref> After she was detained, her home was searched by police where they found a copy of “Fighting Talk,” owning which was punishable by a minimum of one year in prison.<ref name="117 Days" />{{rp|5}} She was originally placed at Marshall Square police station, and many of her belongings were taken. Ruth’s cell door was bolted after she had an encounter with fellow activist Hazel Goldreich.<ref name="117 Days" />{{rp|22}}<br />

She was often questioned about her involvement in Rivonia, but she never revealed any information to the police. Her brother Ronald was also detained, though he was released three weeks later.<ref name="117 Days" />{{rp|62, 91}} Ruth was later moved to the Pretoria Central Prison where she was put under much higher security. She was eventually brought back to Marshall Square in Johannesburg and released on 7 November 1963.<ref name="117 Days" />{{rp|98, 121}} However, she was then arrested a second time for another period of 90 days after the Minister of Justice re-sentenced activists who served their 90 days without revealing information to the police (though she only served an extra 27 days).<ref name="117 Days" />{{rp|123}} While in prison, she performed a short-lived hunger strike.<ref name="117 Days" />{{rp|127, 128}} Ruth attempts suicide by consuming a bottle of pills prescribed to her to treat a stress-induced stomach ulcer, but she does not succeed in her attempt.<ref name="117 Days" />{{rp|147-150}} Ruth was released from prison 4 December 1963 with no charges.