30 years ago today … 31 July 1981.
Every Friday over the winter, the Canterbury branch of the Workers’ Educational Association held a forum on a topic of national or local interest. The topic was introduced by an informed speaker and then opened up for general discussion.
30 years ago, New Zealand was a nation of protest.
The Springbok – the South African rugby team – were coming to tour New Zealand. Many Kiwis did not want the All Blacks to play rugby against a regime that practiced apartheid. People in their droves turned out to protest.
One of the rallies took place on Friday 3 July 1981, in Cathedral Square, Christchurch. Its intention was to try to stop the tour from going ahead. It was followed by a mass sit-in in Latimer Square where a “tent-city” was erected.