Poster, 'Protest and Survive'

item details

NamePoster, 'Protest and Survive'

ProductionCoalition Against Nuclear Warships; publisher; 1983; New Zealand

Classificationpolitical posters

Materialspaper, ink

DimensionsOverall: 295mm (width), 419mm (height)

Registration NumberGH024534

Credit lineGift of the Estate of Ron and Carmen Smith, 2015

Overview

This poster protested against the visit of the USS Texas to Wellington on 10 August 1983. Over 10,000 people marched in a lunch-time protest during the ship's visit, including School Children Against the Texas (SCAT). Posters and slogans were plastered up throughout the city.

The poster was created by the Coalition Against Nuclear Warships (CANWAR, founded in 1976) which was a coalition of peace groups opposed to nuclear-armed or powered ships visiting New Zealand ports. For example, Wellington received five such visits between 1976 and 1984: USS Truxton in August 1976, September 1980 and May 1982; the USS Texas in August 1983; and the HMS Invincible in 1984.

As in other ports, each visit was met with protests in the city and on the harbour, with the Peace Squadron confronting the vessels.