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Anniversary Anti-Nuclear Rally Commemorated

By Ed Damato

On June 12, 1982, one million people rallied in New York City's Central Park demanding an end to the use of nuclear weapons. The first anniversary of this historic event, the largest political rally in the history of the U.S., was commemorated with a benefit performance of the new documentary "In Our Hands." This benefit was held as the Beacon Theatre in New York City.

Actor Ossie Davis was the MC. Speakers included Bella Abzug, Coretta Scott King, Jules Pfieffer, and actor John Shea of the film "Missing." Performing artist Tom Hall, Odetta and Tom Chapin entertained.

The film documents the rally with clips of interviews with participants offering their views on nuclear weapons and their feelings about the day's activities. Other clips show the hundreds of thousands marching through the city streets and highlights of rally speeches.

One note of interest to readers of THE VETERAN: at the film's climax, showing Pete Seeger and a host of performers singing from the state, the action briefly cuts to the VVAW banner held above the crowd. It is the last banner shown in the film, and as one VVAW personnage put it, "They saved the best for last!"

The speakers at the benefit asked people to continue to build the movement against nuclear weapons and for human decency. They urged everyone to attend a massive rally on August 27th in Washington DC planed to honor the 20th anniversary of the famous civil rights demonstration highlighted by Martin Luther King's "I have a dream" speech. They will be saying— "We still have a dream—jobs, peace and freedom."

—Ed Damato
NY VVAW