Summary

Alternative Name(s): Button

This badge was made circa 1980 - 1986 and used around the same time. It tackles issues around the use of nuclear missles and nuclear warships, perhaps belonging to one of the Nuclear Free campaigns from the Pacific region. Such campaigns were born out of opposition to French nuclear testing in the area and spurred on by visiting US nuclear warships, protest campaigns were widespread in the 70s and 80s. The ban on nuclear ships has been a central pillar of New Zealand's foreign policy ever since the country was declared a nuclear-free area in 1984. On the other hand, around the same period the Australian government was renewing its commitment to the ANZUS treaty. Opposition to this stance grew stronger here at this time as well. In Australia, visiting warships were met with opposition, especially in the Fremantle port. Actions involved sending peace flotillas to greet the American ships and union bans to limit the number of ships that could enter but there are also recorded instances of pig blood being thrown on deck and graffiti done by an scuba diver on the side of incoming ships.

Physical Description

Round metal badge with metallic silver back and lockable pin and plastic face. Face contains red border and diagional slash across image of light blue sky and dark blue sea containing black warship and black submarine.

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