PROTEST ACTION
In 1981, anti-Springbok tour protesters argued that sport was not separate from politics, especially when New Zealand was up against a South African team selected on racial grounds. They felt that playing rugby against South Africa condoned apartheid. Some also saw the tour as an opportunity to address racism in New Zealand. Pro-tour supporters claimed that politics had nothing to do with sport and that the two areas should remain separate.
DID YOU KNOW?
- The New Zealand Government allocated $2.7 million for police to ensure the unimpeded success of the 1981 Springbok Rugby Tour
- In 1981, the press reported that their polls told them the 52% opposed the tour and 48% were in favour. This was later amended to 60/40 which gives some idea of the situation at hand during the 1981 Springbok Tour Protests.
- The New Zealand Government allocated $2.7 million for police to ensure the unimpeded success of the 1981 Springbok Rugby Tour
- In 1981, the press reported that their polls told them the 52% opposed the tour and 48% were in favour. This was later amended to 60/40 which gives some idea of the situation at hand during the 1981 Springbok Tour Protests.
Confronting the Anti-Apartheid Protesters - Excerpts from Ross Meurant's statement about a 1981 Springbok Protest from 'The Penguin eyewitness History' edited by Bob Brockle.
The following excerpts will help to give you an idea of what it was like for Police at the time of the protests, and thus just how dangerous the protests were.
"At first, we were pelted with rocks, bottles, cans and several incendiary devices, two of which had to be extinguished. The Squad smashed its way through what had seemed an impenetrable wall of shields and was, for a few moments, forced to baton down on those in front of them to stop the momentum of the mob... Constable Lewis, of Squad 1, went down and stayed down with a broken ankle.... Some of the mob began tipping over a car (mufti police vehicle as it turned out)...When the protesters did see Squad 1 there was sheer panic. The protesters just did not know what to do or where to go. They were like a herd of springboks, fleeing from hunting lions. Some jumped over fences, some crashed through hedges, some ran blindly and some just froze. And some still wanted to fight... Those who stood their ground, bringing their arsenal to bear on us, got just their desserts.
The following excerpts will help to give you an idea of what it was like for Police at the time of the protests, and thus just how dangerous the protests were.
"At first, we were pelted with rocks, bottles, cans and several incendiary devices, two of which had to be extinguished. The Squad smashed its way through what had seemed an impenetrable wall of shields and was, for a few moments, forced to baton down on those in front of them to stop the momentum of the mob... Constable Lewis, of Squad 1, went down and stayed down with a broken ankle.... Some of the mob began tipping over a car (mufti police vehicle as it turned out)...When the protesters did see Squad 1 there was sheer panic. The protesters just did not know what to do or where to go. They were like a herd of springboks, fleeing from hunting lions. Some jumped over fences, some crashed through hedges, some ran blindly and some just froze. And some still wanted to fight... Those who stood their ground, bringing their arsenal to bear on us, got just their desserts.
1981 Springbok Tour Diary - key protests and matches
Gisborne, 22nd July - "The scene is set"
The first game commenced, against Poverty Bay, seeing anti-tour protesters confront each other face-to-face for the first time. These protesters tore down perimeter fences in attempt to disturb the game
Click this link for a video on the first 1981 Springbok Tour match
Hamilton, 25 July - Cancelled
The match against Ranfurly Shield holders Waikato was called off in front of a full house at Rugby Park. Anti-tour protesters then invaded the pitch and there were rumours that there was a light aircraft stolen from Taupo headed straight for Rugby Park - hence the cancellation of the match. Many rugby fans were infuriated at the cancelling of the match and reacted by throwing bottles and other objects at the protesters. The protesters were then escorted to safety by Police.
Click this link for a video on the cancelled Hamilton match on the 25 July
Gisborne, 22nd July - "The scene is set"
The first game commenced, against Poverty Bay, seeing anti-tour protesters confront each other face-to-face for the first time. These protesters tore down perimeter fences in attempt to disturb the game
Click this link for a video on the first 1981 Springbok Tour match
Hamilton, 25 July - Cancelled
The match against Ranfurly Shield holders Waikato was called off in front of a full house at Rugby Park. Anti-tour protesters then invaded the pitch and there were rumours that there was a light aircraft stolen from Taupo headed straight for Rugby Park - hence the cancellation of the match. Many rugby fans were infuriated at the cancelling of the match and reacted by throwing bottles and other objects at the protesters. The protesters were then escorted to safety by Police.
Click this link for a video on the cancelled Hamilton match on the 25 July
Molesworth Street Protest - Aftermath of the cancelled Hamilton match
Around 5 p.m. nearly 2000 anti-tour protesters gathered near Parliament grounds intending to march up Molesworth Street on their way to the home of South Africa's consul to New Zealand. The police were prepared for violent protestors on Molesworth Street and declared that protesters were not to proceed up the street. However protesters proceeded to march up the street, consequently being stopped by police using short batons. This resulted in some later arguing that police used forces far too violent and protesters argued it was the result of large numbers forcing them forward that meant they couldn't stop. Police viewed this as a blatant refusal to obey the order to stop. The results of these batons were shocking for many, being wheeled away covered in blood. Police defended themselves by saying the batons were only used as a protection of their safety when they were confronted by lines of protestors. Critics argued that Molesworth Street was about the police reasserting their authority in the aftermath of the cancelled game in Hamilton a few days earlier. A protester in the Molesworth Street Protests said "I suspect that police just freaked out and panicked. The batons flew quickly and violently, a shock and surprise for all of us." - http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/comment/5357697/Remembering-the-battle-of-Molesworth-Street Click this link for a video on the Molesworth Street Protests READ ABOUT THE GROUPS INVOLVED |
"A 16 year old anti-tour protester after being batonned by police during the "Battle of Molesworth Street" 29th July 1981."
"A woman shows signs of battle after protesters and red squad police clashed at the Luxford Street-Rintoul Street intersection during anti Springbok tour demonstrations in Wellington, 1981."
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Christchurch, 15 August - first test
The 15th August, 1981 marked the first test for the All Blacks and the Springboks. The All Blacks won 14-9. This became one of the most important matches for both players and anti-tour protesters. Anti-tour protesters aimed at occupying the pitch, and it has been said that if they were to have had succeeded, there would have been many fatalities. Police have maintained their statement that they saved the protestors from serious injuries and were not the enemy. Rugby supports pelted protestors with blocks of concrete and full bottles of beer, showing the extremes people were willing to go to to support their beliefs. It has been said that it was "sheer luck" that no one was killed in these violent protests of the 15th of August. Despite failing to occupy the pitch, a large, well-coordinated street demonstration managed to occupy the streets immediately outside the ground and confront the riot police. Spectators were kept in the ground until the protesters dispersed.
Despite having only put aside $2.7 million, the actual costs for policing the tour blew out and were eventually estimated at being in excess of $15 million
For a video on the events that unfolded on the 15th August, click here
Wellington, 29 August - second test
The second rugby test began with a gathering of up to 7000 people in the middle of Wellington. Protesters clogged motorway exits meaning rugby fans could not get to the game and they had drawn a lot of attention. Thousands also stopped the pedestrian access to Athletic Park.
Police squads reacted by creating 'human wedges' to permit rugby fans access to the game. There were attacks made against the police as protesters were dragged away. Many rugby fans also attacked police, using their fists and boots. This again resulted in Police using batons as a defense mechanism on New Zealand streets.
There was a 24-12 victory at Athletic Park. It is said that the "streets surrounding the ground resembled a battlefield as major protests occurred"
September 12, The "Clown's Incident"
The “Clowns Incident”:
The Clowns incident has become one of the most infamous events in a period of civil unrest and violent protest among New Zealanders. The incident resulted in two men and one woman being seriously battened by authorities on Dominion Road in Moat Eden. The woman was left unconscious.
The act of protest involved eight university students dressed as various characters ranging from clowns, bunny rabbits and bumblebees appearing in one of the last protests in an extremely controversial rugby tour. The students were carrying baguettes and offering lollies to police officers, as a way of adding humour to a very tense situation. This clearly angered police and hence the violent beating of three students by the Red Squad. (There is a police account of these protests above, under "Confronting the Apartheid Protesters").
The students that were injured by Police filed complaints, taking civil action, resulting in a $10,000 payout to to the victims in 1984.
Despite a high-level police inquiry being launched, the offending officers still remain anonymous.
Until now, Meurant has denied any knowledge that Red Squad was even involved. In an interview about the Springbok tour, which began on July 19, 1981, Meurant continues to protect the Red Squad but has admitted that he lied to the 'internal investigation'.
CLICK HERE FOR MEURANT'S PERSPECTIVE
The 15th August, 1981 marked the first test for the All Blacks and the Springboks. The All Blacks won 14-9. This became one of the most important matches for both players and anti-tour protesters. Anti-tour protesters aimed at occupying the pitch, and it has been said that if they were to have had succeeded, there would have been many fatalities. Police have maintained their statement that they saved the protestors from serious injuries and were not the enemy. Rugby supports pelted protestors with blocks of concrete and full bottles of beer, showing the extremes people were willing to go to to support their beliefs. It has been said that it was "sheer luck" that no one was killed in these violent protests of the 15th of August. Despite failing to occupy the pitch, a large, well-coordinated street demonstration managed to occupy the streets immediately outside the ground and confront the riot police. Spectators were kept in the ground until the protesters dispersed.
Despite having only put aside $2.7 million, the actual costs for policing the tour blew out and were eventually estimated at being in excess of $15 million
For a video on the events that unfolded on the 15th August, click here
Wellington, 29 August - second test
The second rugby test began with a gathering of up to 7000 people in the middle of Wellington. Protesters clogged motorway exits meaning rugby fans could not get to the game and they had drawn a lot of attention. Thousands also stopped the pedestrian access to Athletic Park.
Police squads reacted by creating 'human wedges' to permit rugby fans access to the game. There were attacks made against the police as protesters were dragged away. Many rugby fans also attacked police, using their fists and boots. This again resulted in Police using batons as a defense mechanism on New Zealand streets.
There was a 24-12 victory at Athletic Park. It is said that the "streets surrounding the ground resembled a battlefield as major protests occurred"
September 12, The "Clown's Incident"
The “Clowns Incident”:
The Clowns incident has become one of the most infamous events in a period of civil unrest and violent protest among New Zealanders. The incident resulted in two men and one woman being seriously battened by authorities on Dominion Road in Moat Eden. The woman was left unconscious.
The act of protest involved eight university students dressed as various characters ranging from clowns, bunny rabbits and bumblebees appearing in one of the last protests in an extremely controversial rugby tour. The students were carrying baguettes and offering lollies to police officers, as a way of adding humour to a very tense situation. This clearly angered police and hence the violent beating of three students by the Red Squad. (There is a police account of these protests above, under "Confronting the Apartheid Protesters").
The students that were injured by Police filed complaints, taking civil action, resulting in a $10,000 payout to to the victims in 1984.
Despite a high-level police inquiry being launched, the offending officers still remain anonymous.
Until now, Meurant has denied any knowledge that Red Squad was even involved. In an interview about the Springbok tour, which began on July 19, 1981, Meurant continues to protect the Red Squad but has admitted that he lied to the 'internal investigation'.
CLICK HERE FOR MEURANT'S PERSPECTIVE
"Three Clowns, two men and a woman, were attacked in Dominion Rd during the anti-Springbok tour protests" - New Zealand Herald; Saturday, July 9, 2011 Weekend Herald.
Auckland, 12 September - third test
The third test was held in Auckland's Eden Park and had the All Blacks win a close game 25-22. The game was described as one where 'all hell broke loose' as protestors wrestles with authorities just outside the grounds and flour and smoke bombs were then dropped from a Cessna aircraft inside, causing a great disturbance in Eden Park and among spectators. One flower bomb him prop Gary Knight, knocking him to the ground.
For further information on the Auckland thirst test against the Springboks, click here
The third test was held in Auckland's Eden Park and had the All Blacks win a close game 25-22. The game was described as one where 'all hell broke loose' as protestors wrestles with authorities just outside the grounds and flour and smoke bombs were then dropped from a Cessna aircraft inside, causing a great disturbance in Eden Park and among spectators. One flower bomb him prop Gary Knight, knocking him to the ground.
For further information on the Auckland thirst test against the Springboks, click here
The itinerary of all the matches and results that occured during the 1981 Springbok Tour