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Overview
This badge was made to be worn in protest against French nuclear testing in the Pacific. Between 1966 and 1996, the French carried out about 190 nuclear tests at Moruroa and Fangataufa atolls in French Polynesia. These caused reef damage, landslides, subsidence, radioactive emissions, and fish poisoning.
The badge's image rewards close inspection – it combines the French flag, and its patriotic colours of blue, white and red, with a mushroom cloud blasting the palm trees of a Pacific atoll – usually an alluring holiday scene of paradise.
New Zealand versus France
By the 1970s, New Zealand was a leading voice against nuclear testing in the Pacific. In 1973, the government sent navy frigates in support of a protest fleet and took France to the International Court of Justice. France stopped atmospheric nuclear testing in 1974, but resumed testing underground until 1996.
Wearing protest
The visual culture of anti-nuclear protest often took form in a range of popular media, including banners, T-shirts, and badges. Badges were accessible, mass-produced objects, cheap to make and purchase, easily disseminated, and effective in conveying political messages.