No More My Lais! poster

This poster called for an anti-war mobilisation on 30 April 1971 to demonstrate against the Vietnam War (1959-1975) in which New Zealand troops were involved (from 1964 to 1972).

The Wellington-based National Anti-War Mobilisation Liaison Committee was formed in March 1971 to coordinate planning for the nationwide protest on 30 April 1971. The committee spread its message through badges, posters, leaflets, newsletters and newspaper advertisements.

'Out Now!' was a protest call used the anti-war movement around the world. 'No More My Lais' refers to American troops murdering about 500 civilians in the village of My Lai on 16 March 1968.

30 April 1971 saw the largest anti-war demonstration ever seen in New Zealand and was deemed a huge success for the anti-war movement. Up to 35,000 people took part in street demonstrations (which were mainly peaceful and orderly). Auckland had the largest turnout (10-15,000), followed by Christchurch (7-8000), Wellington (5000), and Dunedin (2300).* Protests were also held in many provincial cities: Hamilton, Masterton, Fielding, Wanganui, New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Nelson.

*Statistics from Roberto Rabel (2005). New Zealand and the Vietnam War: Politics and Diplomacy. Auckland University Press: Auckland. Page 309.