EFFECT ON TWO GROUPS/PEOPLE

1. . • The anti-tour movement was made up of various groups and people: • Anti-racist organisations eg HART (Halt all Racist Tours), CARE (Citizens Association for Racial Equality), NAAC (National Anti-Apartheid Council) • Church Groups • Trade Unions • Local organisations • Individuals with no particular allegiance EFFECT ON TWO GROUPS/PEOPLE The anti-tour movement committed themselves to a programme of non-violent civil disobedience, demonstration, and direct action. THE ANTI-TOUR MOVEMENT At Rugby Park, Hamilton on July 25, about 350 rioting protesters invaded the pitch. The police arrested about 50 of them over a period of an hour, but were concerned that they could not control the rugby crowd, who were throwing bottles and other objects at the protesters. Following reports that a stolen light plane (piloted by Pat McQuarrie) was approaching the stadium, police cancelled the match. Many protestors were beaten up by rugby supporters after the cancellation.

2. Violence after the Hamilton game, followed by the bloody violence of MolesworthStreet, Wellington, in which police batoned bare-headed, sitting protesters, led to the protest movement becoming more radical. Many protesters took to protests wearing motorcycle helmets, as a way of protecting themselves from head injury Approx 2000 protestors were arrested and the NZ Court system took over a year to process all the cases. Thousands of protestors were injured, hundreds required medical attention. No protestors were killed.

3. THE POLICE The police already had plans drawn up on how to police the tour and deal with the expected mass protest. In 1973 the proposed Springbok Tour had been cancelled, so the Police used the plans they had prepared then. The Police Commander in 1981 was Bob Walton. Walton, in private, tried to convince PM Muldoon, Police Minister Couch and NZRFU Chairman Blazey that the Tour would cause serious disturbances and should be cancelled. They, however, were determined the Tour should proceed. The police created two special riot squads, the Red and Blue Squads. These police were the first in New Zealand to be issued with visored riot helmets and with what was then referred to as the long baton. After early disruptions, police began to require that all spectators assemble in sports grounds at least an hour before kick-off It seems that the police had informants in the Protest Movement. The protestors also seem to have been getting information within the Police.

4. The Police were angry and embarrassed by their failure in Hamilton to stop the protestors. Walton offered his resignation but was refused. After Hamilton, the police increased numbers involved in Tour operations. The final police bill for the Tour was over $15 million. It was the largest police operation in NZ history. Police no’s at 1st Test Christchurch = 1473, 2nd Test Wellington = 1611 3rd Test Auckland = 2134 Police also used rubbish skips and barbed wire to set up barriers to keep the protestors away from the rugby grounds where the games were being held. ‘Operation Rugby’ involved not only the police but also logistical support from the army and air force. Eg Hercules transport planes were used to move the police about the country. Many police were injured. None were killed

5. http://www.nzonscreen.com/title/try-revolution-2006