This Date in History
Today, April 1, 2022 marks the anniversary of the Greenham Common Peace Camp protest. An estimated “70,000 protesters formed a 14-mile human chain from Greenham to Aldermaston and the ordnance factory at Burghfield.” This protest was in effort to remove nuclear missiles to be housed on the Royal Air Force (RAF) Greenham Common, Berkshire. The camp and protests began in 1981 and remained an active protest camp site for nineteen years.
Protests
In 1981, it was made public that “96 Cruise nuclear missiles” would be housed on the Berkshire base. Within 6 months, the camp had been labeled the Women’s Peace Camp. The inhabitants were there 24 hours a day. They infiltrated the base, barricaded entrances and due to various factors were also a hindrance to the local community. Further, the camp pulled police presence and other resources away from their intended services. As well as, disrupting the roadways and local residents with their constant presence.
Result of Protests
Although the camp lasted for 19 years, the removal of missiles came much sooner. In November of 1983 the first missile arrived; by March 1991 the last missile was removed. The RAF installation Greenham Common was closed in 1993. The remaining protestors did not fully vacate until 2000. During the time of the Woman’s Peace Camp many legal statutes were changed under British law in light of the protest, which were viewed as a win to the protestors. The camp area is now called New Greenham Park and has a Commemorative and Historic Site dedicated to this time in British and World History.
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Image Source: CDN.org
Sources: BBC and Greenham Woman’s Peace Camp
