Peace Squadron: The sharp end of nuclear protest in New Zealand

Title: Peace Squadron: The sharp end of nuclear protest in New Zealand

Photographer(s): Various photographers

Writer(s): Tom Newnham

Designer(s):

Publisher(s): Graphic Publications Ltd. Auckland, New Zealand

Year: 1986

Print run:

Language(s): English

Pages: 60

Size: 21 x 27 cm

Binding: Softcover

Edition:

Print: Pressprint, Auckland, New Zealand

Nation(s) and year(s) of Protest: New Zealand,

ISBN: 0959781900

From 1976—1984, eight nuclear powered, and potentially nuclear armed, US ships visited New Zealand. Anti-nuclear activists throughout the country responded to the visits of these ships with a dramatic protest campaign known as the Peace Squadrons. This campaign was modelled on Quaker protests against US government arms exports and was led in New Zealand by Rev. George Armstrong.

The Peace Squadrons involved small, privately-owned vessels blockading New Zealand harbours, swarming around incoming nuclear warships to try to prevent them entering. This produced extensive media coverage — much of it sympathetic. The waterborne protests created iconic, David-vs-Goliath images and video footage of tiny, civil society protest vessels surrounding enormous US nuclear warships.The waterborne protests were often accompanied by large marches on cities’ main streets. This protest activity significantly increased public awareness of the nuclear threat.