anti-war demonstrations
Committees on Vietnam Pamphlet- Key Idea: Anti-War Demonstrations were a key action taken in the protest movement against the Vietnam War in NZ
Unlike America they did not focus on anti-conscription as this was not introduced for NZ. Protest escalated as gruesome images of the war were broadcast on NZ television. As more NZ combat troops were sent into Vietnam the number of protests reached into the tens of thousands as more people were radicalized and the government was confronted with a significant issue.
Protest took on many forms including actions undertaken by groups groups such as those mentioned on the page 'key groups'. These tactics included hunger strikes, music, theatrical productions, film evenings, speeches, flyers, magazines and 'teach ins'. However, the most noteworthy were the various mass mobilizations, marches and rallies. Between 1967 and 1970 there were 339 street demonstrations in opposition to the Vietnam War. Initially this was not the case as Bary Mitacalde explains 'there was more emphasis on publications than on demonstrations', however after some years the movement realized that demonstrations were more 'visibly effective means'.
Below are some examples of major marches that gained media attention on a national scale...
27th June 1966
On the 27th June 1966 at Parliament, a protest that began as a trade union-organised demonstration against the decision of the Court Arbitration not to grant a general wage order escalated to a potential riot. The trade unionists were joined by seamen wanting to address safety measures at sea, students drawing attention to bursaries and accommodation, housewives campaigning against rising prices and a Maori organisation on human rights.
When numbers began to increase around 2pm the crowd was asked to disperse by Tom Skinner who on the most part did, only to be joined by members of the Wellington COV and hundreds of students from Victoria University.
The article to the left recounts that protesters blocked the main steps to the building forcing the Governor General. Sir Arthur Porritt, ' to use a side entrance when he arrived as the Queen's representative for his first opening of Parliament.'
Violence ensued when Prime Minister Holyoake made an appearance on the steps, smiling and waving at the crowd who surged forward nearly breaking through the police cordon of 70, struggling to contain a crowd of more than 4000. The article reports that 'violence flared several times...two demonstrators were injured...two others were arrested and charged respectively with disorderly conduct and assault'. '
On the 27th June 1966 at Parliament, a protest that began as a trade union-organised demonstration against the decision of the Court Arbitration not to grant a general wage order escalated to a potential riot. The trade unionists were joined by seamen wanting to address safety measures at sea, students drawing attention to bursaries and accommodation, housewives campaigning against rising prices and a Maori organisation on human rights.
When numbers began to increase around 2pm the crowd was asked to disperse by Tom Skinner who on the most part did, only to be joined by members of the Wellington COV and hundreds of students from Victoria University.
The article to the left recounts that protesters blocked the main steps to the building forcing the Governor General. Sir Arthur Porritt, ' to use a side entrance when he arrived as the Queen's representative for his first opening of Parliament.'
Violence ensued when Prime Minister Holyoake made an appearance on the steps, smiling and waving at the crowd who surged forward nearly breaking through the police cordon of 70, struggling to contain a crowd of more than 4000. The article reports that 'violence flared several times...two demonstrators were injured...two others were arrested and charged respectively with disorderly conduct and assault'. '
17th October 1969
This protest saw several hundred people march from the University of Auckland, Princes St, to the Northern Military District headquarters in Quay St. The Auckland PYM played a key role in this protest with 800 members involved. Twenty people, some of which were women, wrapped themselves in white sheets smeared with red paint and were carried on the shoulders of other demonstrators, representing the New Zealand soldiers killed in Vietnam. They were then laid out in a row on the footpath. The protesters also carried placards such as 'Killing is Not the Answer' and one youth carried a US flag with a swastika on it whilst being heckled by nearby workers.
This protest also coincided with a protest in the US where 50,000 people descended on the White House chanting phrases like 'One, two, three, four, we don't want your bloody war!'.
This protest saw several hundred people march from the University of Auckland, Princes St, to the Northern Military District headquarters in Quay St. The Auckland PYM played a key role in this protest with 800 members involved. Twenty people, some of which were women, wrapped themselves in white sheets smeared with red paint and were carried on the shoulders of other demonstrators, representing the New Zealand soldiers killed in Vietnam. They were then laid out in a row on the footpath. The protesters also carried placards such as 'Killing is Not the Answer' and one youth carried a US flag with a swastika on it whilst being heckled by nearby workers.
This protest also coincided with a protest in the US where 50,000 people descended on the White House chanting phrases like 'One, two, three, four, we don't want your bloody war!'.
15th January 1970
The visit of Vice-President Agnew to Auckland in 1970 provided a catalyst for protest action. Around 300 protesters chanted outside the hotel of the Vice-President. At about 11.45pm violence broke out with 11 arrested. Earlier that evening a 100 strong group of demonstrators had begun to assemble on Queen St , marching and chanting slogans. Police presence followed the group till they assembled at the hotel shouting at arriving guests with cries of 'fascist pigs' and anti-war slogans. At 9pm the appearance of a smoke canister led to a police intervention.
The visit of Vice-President Agnew to Auckland in 1970 provided a catalyst for protest action. Around 300 protesters chanted outside the hotel of the Vice-President. At about 11.45pm violence broke out with 11 arrested. Earlier that evening a 100 strong group of demonstrators had begun to assemble on Queen St , marching and chanting slogans. Police presence followed the group till they assembled at the hotel shouting at arriving guests with cries of 'fascist pigs' and anti-war slogans. At 9pm the appearance of a smoke canister led to a police intervention.
1st May 1971
The largest Anti-Vietnam War March held in New Zealand took place on the 30th April 1971. Around 10,000 'chanting, banner-waving and singing demonstrators paraded in Queen St (Auckland)'. The protesters were comprised mostly of students but doctors, lawyers, union leaders and school students also took part in the march between the Central Post Office to the Civic Administration Building. Banners included 'Troops Murder in our Name' and 'Withdraw NZ Troops'.
The article also touches on major protests in other centers including around 1500 in Dunedin carrying a coffin, 430 marchers in Hamilton and 2000 that peacefully marched through the streets of central Palmerston North in 'probably the biggest demonstration ever in the city'.
The largest Anti-Vietnam War March held in New Zealand took place on the 30th April 1971. Around 10,000 'chanting, banner-waving and singing demonstrators paraded in Queen St (Auckland)'. The protesters were comprised mostly of students but doctors, lawyers, union leaders and school students also took part in the march between the Central Post Office to the Civic Administration Building. Banners included 'Troops Murder in our Name' and 'Withdraw NZ Troops'.
The article also touches on major protests in other centers including around 1500 in Dunedin carrying a coffin, 430 marchers in Hamilton and 2000 that peacefully marched through the streets of central Palmerston North in 'probably the biggest demonstration ever in the city'.