Many key actions were taken by means of protest toward nuclear testing in New Zealand leading up to the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior. One very important action taken was the protesting of Greenpeace ship Vega at Mururoa Atoll In 1973. Whilst this ship was protesting against nuclear testing in the Pacific, it was boarded by a group of French Commandos. These Commandos then proceeded to beat the skipper of the ship, David McTaggart. This beating of McTaggart was secretly videoed by Greenpeace worker Anna Horne, who was one of three working and protesting on the ship at the time. When the footage taken on the Vega by Horne was released it became evidence in the case that New Zealand and Australia used in the international court of justice to challenge the French testing programme. The footage also helped to reveal the corruption behind the French nuclear testing, and helped to bring much of the New Zealand population on-board with the anti-nuclear movement in New Zealand at the time.
Greenpeace have played a significant part in the anti-nuclear events and protest which led up to the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior. Although Greenpeace New Zealand was only officially founded in 1974, many founding members of Greenpeace New Zealand had already had a large involvement in the anti-nuclear movement, including the campaign for nuclear disarmament in 1959. A main example of Greenpeace's involvement is shown above, with the protest taken by the Greenpeace ship Vega. Greenpeace also played in important part in the protest of the visit of the USS Pintado and the USS Haddo, ships which were believed to carry nuclear weaponry. These actions taken by Greenpeace eventually led to their flagship, and one of their main protests ships, which protested at Mururoa Atoll alongside the Vega, being bombed by the French Government, due to their outrage at the protest from Greenpeace New Zealand.
There was also a lot of street protest against French nuclear-testing in the period of time leading up to the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior. An example of this is the Women's March against nuclear testing in 1983. During this, around 20,000 women ranging all ages, marched up Queen Street to make clear their opposition to nuclear testing.
Greenpeace have played a significant part in the anti-nuclear events and protest which led up to the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior. Although Greenpeace New Zealand was only officially founded in 1974, many founding members of Greenpeace New Zealand had already had a large involvement in the anti-nuclear movement, including the campaign for nuclear disarmament in 1959. A main example of Greenpeace's involvement is shown above, with the protest taken by the Greenpeace ship Vega. Greenpeace also played in important part in the protest of the visit of the USS Pintado and the USS Haddo, ships which were believed to carry nuclear weaponry. These actions taken by Greenpeace eventually led to their flagship, and one of their main protests ships, which protested at Mururoa Atoll alongside the Vega, being bombed by the French Government, due to their outrage at the protest from Greenpeace New Zealand.
There was also a lot of street protest against French nuclear-testing in the period of time leading up to the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior. An example of this is the Women's March against nuclear testing in 1983. During this, around 20,000 women ranging all ages, marched up Queen Street to make clear their opposition to nuclear testing.
Another way New Zealand protested its anti-nuclear position was when protesters and demonstrators formed a squadron of boats. This squadron of boats set sail to prevent many American nuclear-powered ships from entering New Zealand waters. At the time, New Zealand Prime Minister Robert Muldoon had allowed the ships to enter New Zealand waters, but protesters thought differently. Many of these ships were protested against upon arrival, namely the USS Long Beach and Truxton in 1976, the USS Pintado in 1978 and the USS Haddo in 1979. Some of this caused delay to the boats, and it also caused awareness in New Zealand and around the world of New Zealand's strong and large anti-nuclear movement. Eventually, in 1985 when David Lange came into power with the labour government, the USS Buchanan was prevented from entering New Zealand waters.
All these events culminated in the Greenpeace Flagship Rainbow Warrior setting sail to protest. Just before the ship set sail to protest against French nuclear testing at Mururoa Atoll, like David McTaggart and the Vega, and many other ships had done before it, it was bombed by French Agents.
All these events culminated in the Greenpeace Flagship Rainbow Warrior setting sail to protest. Just before the ship set sail to protest against French nuclear testing at Mururoa Atoll, like David McTaggart and the Vega, and many other ships had done before it, it was bombed by French Agents.