Anger at the first test

September 13, 1995
Issue 

By Lisa Macdonald
Within hours of the Chirac government's detonation of the nuclear test at Moruroa on September 6, anti-nuclear protesters around the world condemned the move and warned of the disastrous environmental and health consequences. With the exception of Britain and Germany, leaders of the European Union condemned the test. The European Commission demanded that the French government suspend the testing program until it has provided more information on safety measures.
Anti-nuclear activists, more accurately representing the majority sentiment, had a more blunt message for Chirac: stop the tests now!
In France, opinion polls show a steady increase in opposition to the tests. A nationwide poll conducted at the beginning of this month found that 63% oppose the government's decision to test nuclear weapons at Moruroa. This figure is up from 47% at the time the test program was first announced.
A very large majority of French people, 78%, are opposed to the development of new generation nuclear weapons, one of the reasons for the latest round of tests at Moruroa.
The growing sentiment against their government's nuclear testing program has begun to translate into mass protest actions. In late August, a national coalition of 133 churches, trade unions, peace groups, left parties and other community organisations was formed to conduct a united campaign against the tests.
On September 1, a petition against the French tests containing 4.3 million signatures from around the world was passed from hand to hand along a human chain stretching from the Seine river to the Elysee Palace to present to President Chirac. The action was broken up by police, who arrested more than 300 people in what has become a typically heavy-handed response to anti-tests actions.
The growing anti-tests sentiment in France exploded on the day of the first test, with more than 10,000 people joining street protests across France. Speaking from Paris, leading anti-nuclear activist Pierre Rousset told Green Left Weekly that the anti-tests coalition is now organising a national day of action for September 30 which will involve protest rallies in dozens of towns and cities around the country. Delegations from anti-nuclear campaigns in many other countries will be participating in this mobilisation.

Legal challenge

A global effort to challenge the legality of using nuclear weapons is under way; the International Court of Justice is examining hundreds of thousands of anti-nuclear declarations from around the world.
The move is part of the World Court Project, which was initiated by the International Physicians for Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW) and the International Association of Lawyers Against Nuclear Arms.
"No-one has a right to leave such a terrible legacy of gross contamination for generations as yet unborn", said Dr Harry Cohen, national president of Medical Association for Prevention of War (MAPW), the Australian affiliate of IPPNW.
People for Nuclear Disarmament, the Australian Peace Committee and MAPW have made submissions to the ICJ from Australia.
WA Greens Senator Dee Margetts said that the nuclear testing issue could not be separated from French colonial rule. Only when the French withdraw from French Polynesia "can we be assured that there will be a complete cessation of nuclear testing in the South Pacific", she said.
Janet Parker, environment spokesperson for the Democratic Socialists, challenged the sincerity of the Australian government's protest. "How can the ALP condemn the nuclear weapons testing while it supplies the raw material to fuel the nuclear industry and refuses to support the Pacific independence struggles?", she asked.

Australian protests

As soon as the first test occurred, people took to the streets around Australia. In Adelaide, 400 people gathered in Victoria Square in an action organised by Resistance and the anti-nuclear alliance. Speakers called on protesters to "maintain their outrage", continue to build the anti-nuclear movement and support the independence struggles in the Pacific. An angry march through the city ended at a candlelight vigil organised by the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom.

In Canberra, more than 400 people marched on the French and Chinese embassies in an emergency protest action called by the Campaign Against Nuclear Testing (CANT). Speakers included representatives from the Secondary Students Against Nuclear Testing (SANT) and the left-wing Challenge group of the Community and Public Sector Union.
Around 50 people joined an emergency picket in State Square in Darwin before marching to Raintree Park, where representatives from ENuFF, Resistance, Campaign Against the Kangaroo '95 Exercises and the Democratic Socialist Party spoke.
A day earlier, the protest yacht Genebelle set sail from Darwin to dock at the mining town of Nhulunbuy, before proceeding to Cooktown, Cairns, Townsville and possibly Brisbane, and then New Zealand. Genebelle is carrying rainbow-coloured pennants with protest messages and will join the international protest flotilla near Moruroa.
In Melbourne, more than 600 people joined an emergency demonstration organised by the No More Hiroshimas Coalition. Speakers included representatives from ACF, the Anti-Nuclear Secondary Students, the Victorian branch of the ALP, the ACTU, the Democratic Socialist Party and the International Socialist Organisation. After lighting candles for a vigil and observing a minute's silence, the crowd marched around the city centre.
Up to 1000 people demonstrated outside the French consulate in Sydney on the afternoon of September 6.
Speakers from organisations such as the Campaign Against Nuclear Testing (CANT), the Anti-Bases Campaign, the Uniting Church, the Democratic Socialist Party and many others expressed their anger at the first test and gave support to the independence movement of Tahiti.
Chants of "No more nuclear tests" broke out between calls for an end to the export and mining of uranium, for the French to get out of the Pacific, for extensive trade bans and the involvement of unions in the campaign against testing, and for the removal of the US bases from Australian soil.
The anti-nuclear testing campaign is now organising the next major actions. Immediate campaign events include a Green Left Weekly public meeting at the Resistance Centre on Wednesday, September 13, featuring Cathy Foley, president of Scientists for Global Responsibility and Janet Parker, CANT activist and Democratic Socialist Party member. The Secondary Students Anti-Nuclear Network (SSANN) and Resistance have called an anti-nuclear protest action for Friday, September 15, at 4pm in the Pitt St Mall. The protesters will march to the French consulate.
In Newcastle, 80 people gathered at an emergency picket in the city and marched to the Pacific Ocean, where a wreath was laid.
Some 500 angry people rallied in King George Square in Brisbane on September 6, marching to the French consulate, where a further rally took place.
Called with only hours' notice by the newly formed Anti-Nuclear Alliance, the protest showed the depth of popular feeling against nuclear testing in the Pacific. ANA is now organising a series of further actions, leading up to a major rally and march on Saturday, September 30.
Speakers at the September 6 protest included representatives from Resistance, Greenpeace, the Democratic Socialist Party and state Labor parliamentarian Dean Wells, who recently returned from Tahiti.
On September 8, a lunchtime picket outside the French consulate was followed by a speak-out in the Queen Street Mall that evening.

You need Green Left, and we need you!

Green Left is funded by contributions from readers and supporters. Help us reach our funding target.

Make a One-off Donation or choose from one of our Monthly Donation options.

Become a supporter to get the digital edition for $5 per month or the print edition for $10 per month. One-time payment options are available.

You can also call 1800 634 206 to make a donation or to become a supporter. Thank you.