32 Years Nuclear Free!

March 11th marks the 32nd anniversary of Devonport declaring itself a Nuclear Free Zone. The following text in the 1984 Ratepayers’ Guide marks the Devonport Borough Council’s commitment to a nuclear free NZ; “Devonport was declared a Nuclear Free Zone in 1981. This is an expression of the Council’s concern at the proliferation of nuclear weapons. While not questioning the right of any nation to arrange its own strategic defence, Council has asked that every step be taken to reduce the proliferation of nuclear weapons and any other weaponry designed for mass destruction.”

On March 11th the Depot Artspace will be commemorating Devonport’s historic stand as the first borough to become a nuclear free zone with a display of photos by Gil Hanly, Ruth Coombes and Rouan van Ryn in the Vernacular Lounge, along with Pat Hanly’s “No Nuclear Ships” protest banner. On March 16 some of the music performed at the Depot Artspace White Night event will be dedicated to peace and freedom. The Devonport Folk Club’s Roger Giles and the Devonport Community Choir will be among those performing, starting at 7pm.

Images are courtesy of Ruth Coombes taken at the Texas protest on North Head and the arrival of the Rainbow Warrior in 1985.

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